DOT Secretary Rodney Slater returns to Washington after the conclusion today of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting of transport ministers in Victoria, British Columbia. On his agenda was a meeting with Japan's Makoto Koga for a discussion of bilateral tensions. In San Francisco Saturday Slater formally signed a previously initialed open skies agreement with Malaysia.
Unisys said yesterday that in partnership with Northrop Grumman it is offering BRS2, an automated baggage reconciliation system that will increase airport security. BRS2 permits agents to segregate baggage more accurately, record loading position, received advance warning of missing bags, trace baggage and compile statistics, according to Unisys. The Northrop Grumman-designed system is in use at New York Kennedy and Dubai airports.
Air Transport Association's evaluation of a seven-airline passenger manifest survey flatly opposes data collection under a proposed rulemaking on the basis of cost, faulty assumptions, privacy concerns, passenger resistance and damage to industry efficiency and competition, all while doing little to improve family notification after an aviation disaster.
New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, concerned that Continental's new advertising campaign to lure New Yorkers to Newark Airport in New Jersey, reflects negatively on New York, wrote Chairman Gordon Bethune to say so.
James McDonnell, director and former executive VP of McDonnell Douglas, will vote against the proposed $13 billion Boeing-McDonnell Douglas stock-swap merger because the combined company will drop his family's name. According to a proxy statement filed Friday at the Securities and Exchange Commission, McDonnell said he plans to cast "no" votes with his 7.65 million shares, 3.64% of the 212.4 million outstanding shares. Chairman John McDonnell, younger brother of James, and Chief Executive Harry Stonecipher will vote for the merger.
National Mediation Board called Friday for a new union election for passenger service employees at US Airways, saying the airline "interfered with, influenced or coerced employees' choice" of representation. "We disagree with the NMB's decision and plan to ask the NMB to reconsider its ruling," said US Airways spokesman Dave Castleveter. The Communications Workers of America (CWA), applauding the decision, said US Airways broke the law and interfered with employees' rights for union representation.
Morten Beyer and Agnew sees a "double standard" at FAA with regard to grounding 727 freighters that have never had an incident, versus postponing for up to three years modifications to older 737s involved in fatal accidents and numerous incidents related to rudder control problems.
Air Canada has sold NWT Air to First Air, effective immediately, and First Air will work with Air Canada to provide service for passengers and cargo bound for Northern Canada. NWT Air will continue to operate under its current name until the merger. Air Canada said First Air is a "strong northern carrier with a proven track record in passenger and cargo services in a challenging and unique environment." Air Canada and First Air plan to expand their current relationship, which includes frequent flyer links and joint fares.
International Civil Aviation Organization fears the White House will give in to pressure from the mobile satellite service community to share radionavigation frequencies ICAO describes as the "only band available for the implementation of the Global Navigation Satellite System." Sharing the band would preclude use of GNSS for sole-means navigation and precision approaches, ICAO says.
Air New Zealand has reached an agreement with the Leibler Group in Melbourne to acquire the remaining 50% of Jetset Travel&Technology Holdings Pty Limited. ANZ bought the first 50% in 1985. The deal is subject to Australian regulatory consent. Jetset has annual turnover of A$1 billion (US$750 million).
Airport and Airway Trust Fund - Income Statement, October 1, 1996 - April 30, 1997, - Balance Sheet, As of April 30, 1997 April 1997 Revenues: Excise Taxes (Transferred from General Fund): Liquid Fuel other than Gas $ 12,892,000.00 Transportation by Air, Seats, Berths, etc. 254,500,000.00 Use of International Travel Facilities 15,720,000.00 Transportation of Property and Cargo 23,632,000.00 Gasoline:
TWA launched a summer sale on domestic travel between July 3 and Nov. 16, with roundtrip fares ranging from $198 to $348 depending on length of haul. Tickets are non-refundable, require a 14-day advance purchase and must be paid for by June 27.
Aeroflot is trying its hand at fare sales, offering a $220 promotional rate for all international flights until July 6. Passengers must purchase - not reserve - tickets at this rate, and, once purchased, the tickets cannot be returned and the departure and arrival dates cannot be changed.
British Airways is converting options placed in 1991 into orders for five 777-200 increased gross weight aircraft powered by GE90-90B engines, Boeing said Friday. The new orders increase BA's 777 fleet to 23. Boeing said BA also ordered three 767s with Rolls-Royce RB211-534 engines for delivery next April and May, bringing its 767 total to 28. The 777s will be delivered beginning in September 1998. Boeing valued the orders at $1 billion.
Hughes appointed David Pope president-International Airspace Management Systems, a new business area within Hughes Aircraft Company's Information Systems.
Dominican Republic carrier Aerochago filed at DOT for a foreign air carrier permit to operate cargo flights from its home country to Miami, New York and Puerto Rico, and to engage in cargo charter operations. Since the Dominican Republic is rated Category 3 by FAA, the carrier would have to wet-lease services from an authorized, certificated carrier. (Docket OST- 97-2615)
The board of Midwest Express approved a plan to enlarge the company's common stock repurchase program to $15 million, up $10 million from the $5 million authorized in 1995. About $2.8 million worth has been repurchased to date. The board said the company expects to report second quarter earnings below analysts' current expectations.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri Friday threw out a lawsuit in which TWA's pilots challenged the airline's method of calculating values used in scheduling pilots. TWA called the suit "blatantly frivolous."
Douglas Aircraft said last week it is negotiating with Central Leasing of Taiwan "for the potential sale of 11 new and used twinjet aircraft," although the manufacturer must clear several hurdles first. Central Leasing earlier signed a letter of intent for new MD-90s from "previously unsold 1997 and 1998 production," Douglas said. The transaction is contingent on several factors, including McDonnell Douglas's ability to obtain "lessees for certain of the aircraft, which McDonnell Douglas has not yet been able to even identify."
