Swissair, Austrian Airlines and Garuda Indonesia have cut over to the Japan-based Infini computer reservations system's Group PNR Handling Phase 1 (GHP1). The GHP1 allows specified travel agents selected by the carrier to retrieve, queue and ticket the group PNRs residing in the airline's system. Agents can enter group passenger names and other related information, as well as make selected modifications.
American Chairman Robert Crandall, prior to addressing an audience of Latin American airline executives, was presented a bullet-proof vest by conference sponsor Bob Booth, publisher of the Aviation Latin America&Caribbean newsletter. Crandall accepted the vest with a laugh and said he would wear it the next time he appears before a congressional committee.
U.S. National Carriers Productivity In RPMs and ASMs Per Employee Fourth Quarter 1994 Revenue Available Passenger Seat Miles Miles Total Airline (000) (000) Employees Alaska 1,947,377 3,218,119 6,477 Aloha 159,735 264,200 2,065
UND Aerospace at the University of North Dakota said it is changing its management structure following a safety audit by the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), and has named a safety director who will report directly to the dean of the aviation college. UND said it contracted for the audit before the DOT/FAA aviation safety summit in January at which all air carriers were advised to undergo internal safety audits. FSF reviewed management and organization structure, flight instruction, air service operations, safety programs and maintenance during the 10-day audit.
SAS and Thai Airways International yesterday signed a new cooperative agreement under which the two longtime partners will code share on all flights between Scandinavia and Thailand. SAS described the new deal as the "relaunch" of a relationship that began in the late 1950s and one that completes SAS's search for a partner in Asia. Thai already code shares with Lufthansa, with which SAS signed an alliance agreement in mid-May (DAILY, May 12).
The state of Hawaii said it "strongly supports" Northwest's bid for renewal of its authority to operate between Honolulu, on the one hand, and Nagoya and Fukuoka, Japan, on the other. The service "confers important consumer benefits, by providing passengers and shippers with a competitive service alternative to other U.S. and foreign carrier services operating between the United States and Japan," the state said.
FAA has released a flight standards information bulletin to clarify a notice of enforcement issued in February which industry said caused misinterpretations. The notice of enforcement said that all businesses producing aircraft parts intended for commercial sale and installation must apply for and obtain parts manufacturer approval (PMA). The notice was intended to ensure industry awareness of the agency's plan to enforce regulations governing all persons producing aircraft parts, and reduce the use of unapproved parts.
British Airways' systemwide passenger traffic rose 11.7% in May on 5.9% more capacity, boosting the airline's passenger load factor 3.7 percentage points to 70.2%. The airline's U.K./Europe traffic increased 3.5% on 0.8% more capacity, but its intercontinental traffic jumped 14% on 7.3% more capacity. The airline boarded 2.73 million passengers during the month on a systemwide basis, an increase of 6.7% from May a year ago.
Delta is offering special Saturday fares from its Cincinnati hub to 69 points in the East and Midwest, discounting some tickets as much as 83%, based on the unrestricted coach fare. Delta said fares are as low as $78 roundtrip to Columbus, Dayton, Fort Wayne, Huntington/Ashland, Indianapolis, Lexington and Louisville. The fares are good for travel on a Saturday, with a return flight the same day or any Saturday up to 30 days from departure. The fares are available for both Delta and Comair flights.
KLM will cancel more than 20 flights and reschedule several others in anticipation of a six-hour work stoppage by its pilots slated for Thursday. The KLM pilots union, VNV, conducted a similar strike last week to protest a management proposal to increase the retirement age for new KLM pilots, and other proposed labor contract amendments (DAILY, May 31). The strike is scheduled to take place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time Thursday and will effectively ground all 53 KLM flights that normally depart Amsterdam Schiphol Airport during that period.
ValuJet's May passenger load factor jumped 6.4 percentage points from a year ago to 71.5% as its traffic rose 228% on 198% more capacity. "May was an exceptional month for us," said Chairman Robert Priddy. The 6.4- point rise in load factor was more significant, he said, because in May 1994 ValuJet was offering a two-for-one fare special. For the month, ValuJet boarded 409,130 passengers, including a record 19,438 on May 26. For five months, its traffic shot up 245% on 221% more capacity, for a 67.7% load factor.
FAA said yesterday that Express One International voluntarily grounded its fleet of 39 aircraft at midnight Sunday following an investigation that "disclosed serious safety concerns." A national aviation safety inspection program audit of the Dallas-based cargo and passenger carrier "disclosed systemic problems with systems that control and track the day-to-day airworthiness" of the carrier's 727s and DC-9s, the agency said.
Advanced avionics developed for the Boeing 777 are likely to pay off handsomely for Honeywell. Its avionics content on the aircraft totals more than twice the revenue for Honeywell systems on the 757, and it was contracted to install some of the 777 avionics technology on the next- generation 737. Honeywell already is marketing the avionics to other customers, and the new flat-panel displays will go in the space shuttle cockpit.
FAA has renewed a prohibition against overflights or flights by any airline serving the U.S. from Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). It further prohibited any flights to or from the U.S. by an aircraft serving an intermediate point on the way to Serbia and Montenegro. FAA cited national security reasons for its action. A previous prohibition expired Aug. 26, 1994.
Kiwi International's traffic, boosted by a two-for-one promotion, hit a record in April and more than doubled in May 1995 from May 1994. Kiwi carried 141,000 passengers in April and 149,573 passengers in May. The airline says it has seen a tremendous response to its new Bermuda service, launched about 10 days ago.
Air Canada is now online through the Internet and CompuServe. Users can access information on Air Canada's Aeroplan program, complete schedule and new services and alliances. "As we serve more new destinations and offer more new services around the world, we are looking for new and effective ways of informing and entertaining our customers - and potential customers," said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Hollis Harris.
FAA Administrator David Hinson and other top ranking agency executives will tout GPS at a two-hour seminar at the Paris Air Show. FAA also will have a fiber optic display on satellite navigation, data link and free flight.
Granted orally an exemption to Bay Air Cargo to operate charter cargo service between a point or points in Brazil and a point or points in the U.S., and other charters...Granted orally an exemption to Servicios Aereos Litoral to engage in scheduled combination service between Hermosillo, Mexico, and Phoenix and between Tijuana, Mexico, and Los Angeles.
Continental is planning to inaugurate service to Nashville Sept. 7 from its principal hubs at Houston, Newark and Cleveland. It will operate three daily nonstop flights with 737s from Houston Intercontinental, two daily flights from Newark and two from Cleveland. One-way fares will be as low as $89 to Houston, $174 to Newark and $69 to Cleveland.
United and Marriott Hotels, Resorts and Suites have agreed to a partnership that enables Marriott Miles members to earn 500 miles in United's Mileage Plus program for each Marriott stay. Members can earn an additional 2,500 miles for every fifth stay. No flights are required, and there is no limit on mileage earned. To launch the partnership, Marriott and United are offering a sweepstakes with a grand prize of a lifetime of free travel anywhere in the world on United and a lifetime of free stays at Marriott hotels.
DHL Worldwide Express promoted George Gonzalez to director-operations and transportation for the Latin America and Caribbean region. Swissair appointed Werner Rohrer general manager-marketing for North America and Dieter Luethi general manager-Western region of the U.S.
New Entrant carrier Presidential Air is seeking additional time to complete its FAA certification process. The carrier notes that since getting its certificate last May to begin interstate and foreign charter flights (DAILY, May 18, 1994), several significant changes have taken place. The airline has replaced several key staff members and revised its original marketing plan, which now uses Airbus A300-B4 aircraft instead of Boeing 737s. Presidential said it scrapped plans to use 737s when it found it "financially advantageous" to lease the A300s.
The turnover last week by the Navy to the FAA's Eastern Region of airspace over Bermuda will provide more efficient flight management, according to John Walker, air traffic division manager. And along with a reduction in vertical separation from 2,000 to 1,000 feet beginning in early 1997, even more airspace will be made available, Walker said. The West Atlantic is experiencing some of the largest traffic growth, as Europeans "have discovered" the Caribbean and Florida, "so there is tremendous demand," Walker said.
Orange County Chapter of the American Society of Travel Agents will host a meeting for California travel agents June 8 that will feature tourism officials from Egypt, Israel and Jordan to promote travel to those countries. The meeting, which will include speakers, a trade show, dinner, entertainment and camels, is from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Radisson Plaza Hotel, 18800 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine, Calif.
