American's Sabre computer reservations system processed a record 4,969 messages per second on July 15, in large part because of the fare sales sparked by Southwest's $25 travel offer. The previous record, 4,802 messages per second, was set March 11.
United urged DOT to defer action on Continental Micronesia's application for renewal of its U.S.-Philippines service until all applications to serve the market and responsive pleadings have been received. "A piecemeal approach risks denial of due process in circumstances where there may be mutual exclusivity depending on the content of the remaining applications," United said, noting that applications are not due until Aug. 2.
In Federal Register dated July 12...Issued an airworthiness directive on Pratt&Whitney PW4000 engines to require inspection of the aft cascade support frame assembly of the thrust reverser...Issued an AD on Rolls-Royce RB211 engines requiring replacement of the existing rigid low-pressure fuel system tube assembly...Proposed an AD on certain Airbus A310 and A300-600 aircraft concerning inspections for debonding of elevator skins...Proposed an AD on Shorts Sherpa series aircraft concerning icing conditions...Proposed an AD on Shorts SD3 aircraft concerning corrosion
Air 21 is matching the $25 one-way fares started by Southwest for flights between Aug. 19 and Oct. 31. The purchase deadline is July 25. "Our passengers from Durango, Fresno, Grand Junction, Monterey and Palm Springs are now going to be able to take advantage of the Southwest fare special without driving to other airports," said Ed Barth, managing director-marketing. Seats are limited and the reduced fare may not be available on all flights.
Japan will restrict U.S. all-cargo services between Japan and five Asian points - Manila, Cebu, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang - if the U.S. follows through with its threatened actions against Japan Airlines, Japan's Minister of Transport said last week. Responding to Japan's refusal to allow Federal Express to operate beyond-Japan services, DOT issued a show cause order last Tuesday proposing to exclude from JAL's scheduled all-cargo services from Japan to the U.S.
Aviall appointed Charles Kienzle senior VP-operations; Rodney Brown manager-regional airline program, and Cornelius Van Den Handel treasurer and director-planning.
Air France's traffic grew 18.6% in June compared with year-earlier levels, to 5.1 billion revenue passenger kilometers, while capacity increased 8.9% to 6.4 billion available seat kilometers. The passenger load factor for the month was 78.9%, up 6.5 percentage points. The number of freight ton kilometers increased 12.7% to 417 million.
Trying to call customers' attention to the address of its new World Wide Web site, Reno Air is painting the address on the side of a new MD-90 dubbed The Silicon Valley Flyer. Leasing the aircraft from McDonnell Douglas, the carrier will take delivery early next month and use it mainly on flights between Orange County and San Jose, Calif. Reno already operates two leased MD-90s on the route. The site, at http://www.renoair.com, offers information on flights and destinations, tour packages, cargo products, travel awards programs and company financial news.
Canadian Airlines International has added Alamo Rent A Car as a participant in its frequent flyer program. As of Aug. 1, Alamo renters will be able to earn 500 Canadian frequent flier miles, with double points to renters who reserve a vehicle and travel between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31.
International Lease Finance Corp. has leased two new A340-300s to Air France, four new 757s to Finnair and a new 737-300 to Frontier. Air France will take delivery in March and May 1997, Finnair in late 1997 and early 1998, and Frontier next April.
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Gulfstream International Airlines will upgrade service between Tallahassee and Tampa Aug. 1 with the 36-seat Shorts 360 and is offering introductory fares of $69. Gulfstream acquired six Shorts this year for service in Florida and to the Bahamas. It has painted one of the aircraft hot pink with purple and turquoise stripes and another cobalt blue and yellow with a dancing dolphin on the fuselage. The liveries are advertising for Sandal's resorts and Grand Bahama Island.
Douglas Aircraft Co. reported that FedEx has ordered another MD-11 freighter, this one for delivery in November. The package carrier is taking delivery of four MD-11s this year and will be operating 21 of them by January. The freighters can carry up to 202,100 pounds and fly 4,200 nautical miles nonstop with a full payload. Douglas also reported that it has rolled out the first MD-11 fuselage built in Long Beach. The fuselages had been produced in San Diego by Convair, which decided to end production last December.
Patrick McCann, staff director for the Senate Appropriations transportation subcommittee, will join The Wexler Group Sept. 3 as principal and senior director. McCann has been a majority staffer on the committee for 13 years, the last eight in his current position. He will replace Will Ris, recently named VP of government affairs for American.
Delta earned a record $328 million in the June quarter, but a $273 million restructuring charge left it with net earnings of just $161 million, down 35.9% from $251 million in the June quarter of 1995. Because of the healthy operating environment, Delta jettisoned its high-profile campaign to reduce its unit cost to 7.5 cents per available seat mile. "In today's strong traffic and revenue environment, focusing solely on costs based on somewhat dated assumptions would limit our profitability," said Chairman Ronald Allen.
Continental Express President David Siegel, returning with other Continental executives from meetings in Brazil with Embraer, says the fleet modernization competition between the EMB-145 and the Canadair Regional Jet is not over. Continental is negotiating for 15- to 17-year leases of 25 firm-order aircraft and a large number of options, possibly as many as 100, Siegel told The DAILY Friday. The carrier wants to lock into a large number of options at favorable lease rates, giving it more flexibility in replacing some turboprops.
Rolls-Royce is withdrawing from the large steam power generation business, which accounted for #280 million of its turnover and 2,500 of its employees last year.
