Air Caribbean has received new international route authority and expects to expand to several islands south of its homebase in Trinidad and Tobago. The airline, which said it wants to become "the dominant force in the southern Caribbean region," recently acquired operating licenses to fly to and from Barbados and Grenada and is awaiting additional authority from St. Lucia and St. Vincent. The three-year-old airline is the exclusive operator between Trinidad and Tobago, flying three Japanese-made, 60-seat YS-11-500s.
Air Transport Association has petitioned FAA to change its rules regarding emergency training of pilots and flight attendants. ATA says it is trying to "promote safety by increasing flight attendant emergency preparedness through increased current hands-on emergency equipment training, and by making more training time available for pilots in areas deemed important by FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board and the airlines."
Just days after the European Commission decided to investigate a cash injection to Alitalia, the struggling carrier faces another legal hurdle. An Italian antitrust agency found that Alitalia used its dominance to make it hard for competitors to gain landing slots at Italy's airports. Domestic startups Air One and Noman filed the complaint, and disciplinary action is expected Nov. 11.
Persistent troubles retaining fan blades will slip certification of CFM International's new CFM56-7 medium turbofan for Boeing's next- generation 737 jetliner series from late October to sometime "before year's end," a spokesman for CFM partner GE confirmed Friday. Engineers hope to have a fix in hand and tested in mid-November, well before the engine is needed to begin flight tests on a Boeing 737-700 in February. Aircraft/engine certification remains scheduled for next September.
TriStar Airlines is offering customers coupons for free trips, on the ground, to the Golden Nugget Casino, Laughlin, Nev., from any major destination resort in Las Vegas. The coupons are good for a deluxe buffet, roundtrip transportation in a private motorcoach, provided by Royal Crown Resort Travel Partners, and VIP service.
- In Federal Register dated Oct. 4...Revised a proposed airworthiness directive on certain Douglas DC-10 aircraft concerning inspections for cracks in a horizontal stabilizer support....Proposed an AD on Pratt&Whitney JT8D-200 engines to require inspections and other work for the front compressor fan hubs. -- In FR dated Oct. 7...Proposed an AD on any transport aircraft equipped with certain Day-Ray lights in the upper and/or lower cabin sidewall.
TWA will award Frequent Flight Bonus Program miles to customers buying or selling homes in 29 states through the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Service. Eligible members will receive as many as 40,000 bonus miles when they conduct the sale or purchase through the real estate firm. Members who want to participate must call a toll-free number to sign up before they list their property for sale or begin working on a purchase with a real estate agent.
Advanta Corp. named William Razzouk, former executive VP of Federal Express, chief executive and director of Advanta Information Services, a newly formed subsidiary. Aero International (Regional) appointed Giancarlo Fre director-press and information, replacing Elizabeth Broge, who has moved to SOGERMA, an overhaul and maintenance company in Bordeaux. Aviall named Margaret Bouline director-information services. Garrett Aviation appointed James Thompson, formerly of Rohr Inc., director-marketing and programs.
Air France appointed Bernard Frattini VP-cargo, based in New York. American International Freight named Mark Neal manager-market development for Minneapolis/St. Paul, Omaha and Kansas City, and Eric Neuhoff manager-market development for Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Toronto in addition to his responsibilities for Detroit, Grand Rapids, Columbus and Dayton.
Airbus Industrie, Boeing and McDonnell Douglas will need to build some 600 new, mostly large freighter aircraft by 2015, representing a market opportunity of about $65 billion, according to Boeing's latest annual air cargo forecast. This year's estimated cargo traffic growth rate of 6% is only about half of 1994's torrid pace, but Boeing economists and analysts think worldwide growth will average about 6.6% each year through 2015, outpacing passenger growth in all major markets.
USAir will launch daily service from Philadelphia to Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Feb. 12. It currently flies to Montego Bay from Charlotte. Robert Fornaro, senior VP-planning, said the new service "complements our efforts to expand our international gateway service from Philadelphia." Beginning Nov. 6, USAir will offer two daily roundtrips between Boston and Fort Lauderdale.
FAA last week directed the Los Angeles Department of Airports to confirm by the end of this week that it has transferred $31 million to the city treasury and to explain its justification for doing so (DAILY, Oct. 9). FAA also is seeking a statement that the transfer represents only the principal amount of funds allegedly contributed and not reimbursed, and that it does not include any amount for interest.
Delta is letting Alaska residents cash in their Permanent Fund Dividend checks for three roundtrips between Alaska and the West or Midwest for $1,130. A check stub or direct deposit form must accompany ticket payment by Nov. 30. Flights to the East Coast, Mexico and Hawaii can be taken for an additional charge. The fund, a development tax unique to the state, pays dividends to Alaskans at the end of the year. Alaska Airlines is offering a separate special (DAILY, Oct. 1).
Unionized air traffic controllers of Europe are "very concerned" about problems Controllers United says it experienced getting FAA to rehire former Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization members. The Air Traffic Controllers European Unions Coordination (ATCEUC), several of whose members have sent messages to the White House, will review the U.S. "situation" at a general meeting Oct. 25-26.
FAA has been asked to prohibit U.S. carriers from serving - and passengers from consuming - alcoholic beverages on foreign and domestic flights. The petitioner said this would "enhance safety for passengers in the plane and people on the ground" by reducing the number of "offensive and criminal acts" associated with alcohol consumption.
Hong Kong Tourist Association's Internet site, Wonder Net, receives one million hits per month and has won several awards, including Best of the Net by U.S. communications organization Envision Group and Best of Asia Pacific by the Singapore Internet Community, the association said. The site, which takes users on a tour around Hong Kong with full-color graphics, superlinks, sound and video clips, is found at http://www.hkta.org.
Delta Connection Comair will upgrade to jet aircraft two of its seven daily flights between Toledo Express Airport and Cincinnati, beginning Nov. 15. Comair will operate the service with the Canadair Regional Jet, which offers all passengers a window or aisle seat.
TWA has introduced electronic ticketing systemwide on the Worldspan computer reservations system, one month ahead of schedule. Travel agents will be able to access the feature using Sabre or Apollo in December and using SystemOne by early next year. TWA, which estimates ticketless travel will save it $5 million a year in processing costs, is offering 1,000 frequent flyer miles for every roundtrip ticket issued using the new system through Dec. 31.
Delta took in $3.5 million in charter revenues in September, its second-highest month ever. The record is $3.6 million in March 1991, when Delta transported soldiers from Desert Storm.
Greater Los Angeles World Trade Center Association inducted Robert Hood, president emeritus of Douglas Aircraft Co.; Frederick Smith, chairman, president and chief executive of FedEx, and Charlie Woo, chief executive of Megatoys, into the World Trade Hall of Fame in Long Beach, Calif. They were chosen for their historic contributions to the region's economy and dedication to global trade expansion.
United States Parachute Association appointed Edward Scott director- government relations. World Airline Entertainment Association elected David Svatos, TWA, president; Joe Leach, Delta, VP, and Marcy Beaubelle, AEI Inflight, secretary, and re-elected Linda Palmer, Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, treasurer. Women in Aviation, International named Peggy Baty the association's first full-time president and chief executive.
Delta Dream Vacations is offering packages on the new Delta Express operation. Delta Express flies from eight cities to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Tampa and West Palm Beach. Susan Barrows, head of marketing for Delta Express, said, "Leisure travelers seek low fares and simplicity in travel, but they want value-added items, such as seat assignments, SkyMiles and a convenient schedule."
Wall Street received positively the initial public offering of 20.2 million shares of AMR Corp.'s Sabre Group Holdings Inc. unit Friday, in a transaction that will raise at least $545 million for the American Airlines parent. Shares of Sabre were trading six points above the $27 initial trading level on Friday, which financial experts pointed to as an unmistakable sign that Sabre would continue to perform well. AMR Corp. will retain an 84.2% share of Sabre following the IPO.
Wall Street expects third quarter airline earnings to rise only slightly from last year's figures, due to higher fuel costs and other volatile issues that affected each carrier differently. But the quarter, which ended Sept. 30, still should produce record profits for most carriers, analysts said. Susan Donofrio of NatWest Securities forecasts quarterly net earnings for the 10 major U.S. airlines will reach $1.59 billion, up from $1.17 billion in the same 1995 period. Airlines will begin issuing numbers tomorrow.
French carrier Air Liberte never knew how valuable it was to Europe until it started flailing financially. No fewer than four major companies have expressed interest in purchasing its assets since it was placed in receivership by a French court three weeks ago. Virgin Express is the latest, trailing British Airways, AOM and French travel company Nouvelles Frontieres.
