Although DOT Secretary Federico Pena has agreed to continue staff- level aviation talks with the U.K., a U.S. official says there is "no particular basis for any hope right now" for a breakthrough in the lengthening impasse. "We see no evidence at the moment that the British are going to afford us the flexibility that we need, especially with respect to Heathrow access."
Canadair Business Aircraft Division of Bombardier appointed Matthew Hartnett VP-used aircraft sales and Richard Beine sales director for its U.S. subsidiary, Canadair Challenger.
DOT has issued a show cause order tentatively granting Laker Airways a certificate to operate scheduled domestic and international service. The department said it also will allow the carrier to enter into agreements with charter operators and receive contract deposits after issuance of a final order on the certification proceeding. Laker plans to operate scheduled combination service initially between New Orleans and Fort Lauderdale, using Boeing 727-200 aircraft, and transatlantic charter passenger service using three DC-10-30 aircraft (DAILY, Oct. 30).
Airport Group International Executive VP and General Manager Robert Aaronson will become interim president and chief executive following the resignation of Viggo Butler.
Sabre Decision Technologies and China Southern Airlines have signed a contract to plan and design a state-of-the-art multimillion dollar airline systems operations control center in Guangzhou, China. Sabre will provide the computer systems and software, American will assist with training China Southern employees to operate the center, and Sabre Computer Services will help develop air/ground communications systems. The project will begin this spring. AMR China, based in Beijing, helped secure the contract.
Citing time constraints, FAA is allowing only 21 days for comments on a special rule requiring slot reservations for arrivals and departures at airports near Atlanta during the Olympic Games, July 5-Aug. 11. The slot system would apply to VFR arrivals and departures at four airports and non- scheduled IFR operations at 11 airports. Comment deadline is Jan. 22.
American Eagle will begin offering two daily roundtrips Jan. 15 between Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and Santo Domingo. An introductory roundtrip fare of $89 will be valid from Jan. 15 through Feb. 29. The 33- seat Shorts 360 will be used to operate the nonstop flights. American Eagle also will add one daily flight for a total of five between San Juan and Mayaguez on the same day. In Mayaguez, American Eagle has moved to the new terminal that houses U.S. inspectors, and passengers no longer will need to claim their baggage in San Juan when connecting to the U.S.
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Amadeus has called "illegal" Northwest's declaration that it will downgrade or possibly terminate its participation in System One because of fee increases that go into effect this month. Amadeus said Northwest's notice violates the participation agreement with System One and applicable law. The computer reservations system also said the 3.5% increase is the first raise in fees since transaction-based pricing was introduced in September 1994. Northwest, a parent of Worldspan, did not oppose another CRS's increase of 6.2% to 7.1% in June 1995, Amadeus said.
Alaska Airlines, in what it called an industry first, began last week to offer customers the ability to book tickets on the Internet. "We surveyed our frequent flyers, and nearly half said they wanted the convenience of making travel plans on their home or office computer," said Bill Ayer, VP-marketing and planning. Travelers also can book flights on Alaska's sister carrier, Horizon Air.
U.S. scheduled airlines likely will earn a net profit of $2 billion for 1995, the Air Transport Association said in its yearend report. Carriers earned $2.2 billion in the first three quarters of the year, and ATA expects a break-even fourth quarter. The association, which is trying to regain an exemption from the fuel tax, played down the record-breaking profits, which surpass all previous annual profits posted by the industry. The second best year for U.S. carriers was 1988, when profits totaled $1.69 billion.
Rolls-Royce promoted John Rose, currently managing director-Rolls- Royce Aerospace Group, chief executive following the retirement of Terrence Harrison; named Lord Moore non-executive deputy chairman, and promoted Colin Green to managing director-Aerospace Group. Ralph Robins continues as executive chairman of the company, and Kenneth Bushell was named VP-St. Louis office.
KLM filed a lawsuit against international partner Northwest and its directors over the U.S. carrier's move to put a poison pill provision in place (DAILY, Nov. 17). The suit, filed Dec. 27 in the Chancery Court of Delaware, claims Northwest's action was "not to protect the Northwest stockholders from hostile acquisition but to restrict KLM's ability to exercise" an option to increase its holdings in Northwest from 19% to 24%.
Expect TWA to hire more top executives in 1996 and sign as many as four new transatlantic code-share agreements, says S.G. Warburg. The finance house thinks the airline will employ new management and technology in a financial turnaround that will pick up steam later in the year.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has asked FAA to approve VFR or IFR en route and terminal-approved Loran and GPS receivers for distance measuring purposes on instrument approaches. The association said it also is asking the agency to permit IFR use of panel-mount VFR Loran or GPS and hand-held GPS receivers. FAA wants to withdraw from a commitment to install DME at 87 locations in the U.S.
United offered employment to about 2,440 flight attendants during 1995, more than 1,000 more than any other carrier, according to the Future Aviation Professionals of America. National carrier World Airways hired 1,131 during the first 11 months. ValuJet hired 750 through November, was expected to hire 100 in December, and plans to add 50 a month through March.
DOT extended through Jan. 25 its deadline to act on Fine Airlines' complaint against Peru, citing "indications through diplomatic channels" that negotiations to resolve the dispute are under way. Fine complained that Peru barred it from operating to, from or over the country. Peru said Fine transported weapons to Ecuador when Ecuador and Peru were engaged in hostilities. (Docket OST-95-691)
Raytheon Aircraft named Doug Mahin VP-strategic planning&new business development; Keith Nadolski VP-sales and marketing, and Scott Kalister VP-marketing.
Winter fare reductions started last week, led by Delta's offer of up to 50% discounts, which was matched by other major carriers. The reduced fares apply to travel in the U.S. and to Canada and Mexico with a seven-day advance purchase. Tickets must be bought by Jan. 10 for travel Jan. 2-Feb. 29. USAir announced a new spring and summer fare schedule for east-west flights in more than 850 markets for travel March 8-Sept. 15. The prices are as much as 44% lower than regular tariffs.
After much feedback from customers, Continental has brought back the snack of choice, peanuts. Coach passengers can choose between dry roasted or honey roasted, as well as pretzels and goldfish. First-class, business- first and long-haul passengers have more of a selection. They get mixed nuts and ramekins.
FAA's most important safety goal for the new year is the sharing of safety information by airlines and the agency. Other safety objectives for 1996 are improvements in crew training, air traffic control equipment and procedures, weather observation and reporting, aircraft maintenance procedures and inspections, and flight operations procedures.
