DOT issued a final order allocating U.S.-Russia all-cargo frequencies to three airlines - eight per week to Polar Air Cargo, five to Federal Express and three to Evergreen International - after making a change in its tentative decision. The department intended originally to give Federal Express and Evergreen four frequencies each but FedEx objected, saying it needs five to launch an effective express service in the market. FedEx argued that Evergreen did not demonstrate firm plans to use its allocation.
Travel Industry Association's membership income has grown from $1.4 million in 1990 to $2.4 million last year, drawn from 2,300 member organizations. Early last year, the Travel and Tourism Government Affairs Council, a TIA affiliate, set out to promote participation in the Senate Tourism Caucus and the House Congressional Member Organization for Travel and Tourism. It garnered a record 304 representatives to the House group and 75 members to the Senate caucus.
Industry sources say that while there have been no breakthroughs in all- cargo negotiations between the U.S. and Japan, the two sides have at least the outline of a possible agreement and aim to make sure they seal the deal before April 17, when President Clinton visits Japan.
Major U.S. airlines still have aircraft buying to do before 2000, Philip Baggaley of Standard&Poor's said Friday. American and Delta might buy jets as part of deals to get cost concessions from their unions, he said. United still needs more aircraft to meet its current projections, and Northwest will have to buy airplanes to replace older jets -of which it has more than most - and probably will want to expand as well.
Sabre Travel Information Network has signed five-year renewal agreements with four major travel agencies - Corporate Travel, Council Travel, Maritz Travel and World Travel Partners. The renewals involve a total of 228 locations.
American and Canadian Airlines International, responding to carriers opposing their antitrust immunity request, said none of the objectors claim the arrangement would be anticompetitive. Competitors Delta, Northwest, United and Air Canada point out that the U.S.-Canada open skies agreement is not really open because of phased restrictions on service. But American and CAI said the transborder market already is the most competitive in the world. In one year's time, total nonstop transborder frequencies grew from 1,975 to 2,940, a 49% increase.
National Business Aircraft Association named five recipients of $1,000 scholarships in aviation-related collegiate programs: Robert Posey, Purdue; Michael Hamelin, Salt Lake Community College; Darren Humphrey, Auburn, and Charles Rowe and Jason Zbick of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Trouble starting scheduled service between New York and Israel and U.S. government shutdowns left World Airways with a poor financial performance in the fourth quarter, the carrier said. For the quarter, which ended Dec. 31, World posted a net loss of $1.6 million or 13 cents per share. That compares with a fourth quarter 1994 net loss of $1.3 million or 13 cents per share.
TWA, which is replacing 14 Lockheed L-1011s with new aircraft, will find it has lots of company. FedEx Aviation Services lists 55 of the widebody trijets for sale or lease. Some like what Morten Beyer&Associates calls the "best bargain on the desert."
Reforming FAA now is sparked more by political interests than any other reason, according to Air Transport Association President Carol Hallett. "The recent interest in FAA reform is driven as much by Washington's sudden commitment to balance the federal budget as it is by any real interest in FAA's procurement and personnel problems," she told a Washington audience.
Gaining access to Japanese aviation markets is the mission of a newly formed coalition, to be chaired by former Virginia Gov. Gerald Baliles, who headed the 1993 Airline Commission and now is charged with pushing the U.S. and Japan quickly to resume bilateral negotiations to open more cities to more flights by more airlines in both countries. The Aviation Coalition for Competition and Expanded Services Between the United States and Japan (ACCESS) comprises about 120 consumer organizations, corporations, airlines, cities, airport authorities and policy organizations.
Virgin Atlantic opened a "Clubhouse" airport lounge in Newark last week for up to 70 of its "Upper Class" business-class passengers. The facility includes a library, bar/cafe area and Sony listening facility equipped with laser discs and compact disc players.
Millon Air and DOT's enforcement office have reached a settlement on alleged violations of wet-leasing regulations. The carrier has been assessed $60,000 in civil penalties, of which it must pay $20,000. The remainder will be forgiven if the carrier does not commit more violations. Millon operated flights between Miami and Guatemala from July 1994 until June 1995 on behalf of Lineas Aereas Mayas.
- In Federal Register dated Feb. 9...Issued final rules covering harmonization of regulations with the European Joint Aviation Authorities for small aircraft...Revised the gust load design requirements for transport aircraft...Proposed an airworthiness directive on certain Beech 125-800A and Hawker 800 aircraft to require modifying the airframe structure.
Worldspan has enhanced its global Car Select rental car system by adding point-of-sale information on rates and rules. The improvement enables car associates to provide subscribers with information specific to countries, states, provinces and cities. Initial participants are Avis, Hertz, Alamo, Budget, Thrifty, Enterprise and Sears.
Former Morris Air executives have created a ticketless computer reservations system designed for internal use by airlines. The system, OpenRes, in use by airlines in Canada and Belgium, will be installed at a South Pacific carrier next month. The company is negotiating with several U.S. airlines. OpenRes was designed by former Morris Air President David Neeleman and former Morris VP-Information Systems David Evans. The system is designed to serve the needs of carriers ranging in size from a two- aircraft startup to a major airline with hundreds of planes.
FAA issued a type certificate to Hamilton Standard for the FV4000-2TC general aviation aircraft engine, developed jointly with Toyota. The four- liter, twin turbocharged V-8 engine with full authority digital engine control is designed for aircraft that carry four passengers. "We are proud to be working with Toyota to offer the world's first application of a FADEC for general aviation aircraft with reciprocating engines," said Vin Misciagna, director of Hamilton Standard's general aviation business.
The joint frequent flyer program of Swissair and Austrian Airlines is the best in the world, according to the annual "Freddie Awards" sponsored by MCI and InsideFlyer Magazine. The program, known as Qualiflyer, was judged to have the best rewards, promotions, newsletter, elite-level program and customer service.
