Kiwi is offering its KiwiPack package delivery service free to customers Dec. 15 through Dec. 25. Customers need only to check in a package at the ticket counter at least one hour before departure and arrange for it to be picked up in baggage claim at the destination airport. The offer is limited to two packages per person. KiwiPack normally costs $35 for packages up to 51 pounds and $50 for packages 51-70 pounds.
American has been named the best airline for domestic flights by readers of Business Traveler International magazine for the sixth year in a row. The magazine targets frequent-flying executives.
AirTran Airways reported that its traffic increased by 539% last month over November 1994, to 56.9 million revenue passenger miles, on 393.2% more capacity, yielding a 13.6-point load factor improvement, to 59.7%. The carrier transported 65,748 passengers, a 543.1% increase for the month. AirTran operates from Orlando to 17 cities using a fleet of seven 737-200s, and expects to take delivery of three more of the aircraft in mid-January. On Feb.
Many airline experts predict a consolidation of the U.S. airline industry in 1996, but "that's not going to happen," says Paine Webber airline analyst Samuel Buttrick. The only possible combination he sees next year is a merger of Northwest and Continental. Such a union would add a fourth airline to the ranks of the "Big Three," but it would not trigger other transactions.
British Airways unveiled a new management structure that places more responsibility on a smaller group of the company's top officers who will report to Chief Executive-designate Robert Ayling. Under the new scheme, announced yesterday, 11 senior officers will report to Ayling. The move streamlines the old structure, under which 25 top officers had direct access to Chairman Colin Marshall. "This new structure frees Bob to be more of a visionary, to get out and see the troops," a BA spokesman said. The changes go into effect Jan.
Carnival Air Lines traffic jumped 41% in November over the same month last year, to 156 million revenue passenger miles, on 33% more capacity. The load factor improved from 62% to 66%. A major reason for the traffic increase, a carrier spokesman said, is the increase in its fleet from one 254-seat A300 last November to the current six, bringing its total fleet to 22 aircraft. Carnival also added several routes during the winter and operated extra sections from Florida to Nassau. Nov. 1995 Nov. 1994 11 Mths 1995 11 Mths 1994
Atlantic City will have a much-needed new look for those entering by the main entrance to the city through several projects to recapture lost tourism dollars. The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) awarded contracts this week for construction of a $90 million roadway project for the primary entrance, to be completed in mid-1997. The project includes landscaping, a park, a fountain and a 60-foot lighthouse-style tower and boardwalk. At night, a computerized light show will greet visitors.
American Society of Travel Agents intends to put more resources into advertising the benefits of using an ASTA travel agent in 1996, and will seek more partnerships with suppliers, according to ASTA President Jeanne Epping. In a news conference Tuesday to highlight the results of ASTA's board meeting, Epping said ASTA's recently completed 1995 Membership Needs Assessment Survey found 73% of agents believe ASTA should focus its resources on building consumer awareness of the benefits of using a travel agent.
Travel Industry Association is predicting strong, if not record- breaking, travel this winter. Winter vacation travel will flourish, and U.S. citizens will take 145 million vacation trips, up 5% from last winter, with 78% traveling by automobile, TIA found in research conducted for the American Automobile Association. Christmas holiday travelers will be out in record numbers - TIA expects more than 38 million, with 29.8 million of those taking to the roads.
Air Transport Association Cargo Traffic October, 10 Months 1995 Revenue Ton-Miles (000) October October % 1995 1994 Change Domestic Freight 731,457 734,080 -0.4 Mail 148,423 145,307 2.1 Total 879,880 879,387 0.1 International
Qantas Airways and National Jet Systems signed a 10-year agreement yesterday with CAE Electronics Pl for use of the first de Havilland Dash 8- 100 simulator to be based in the Asia-Pacific region. Qantas's partners, Eastern Australia Airlines, Sunstate and Southern Australia Airlines, operate 13 Dash 8-100s. National Jet Systems, an independent operator, flies four of them and will take delivery of four more next year. Operators in China, New Zealand and South Africa have expressed interest in using the simulator, Qantas said.
The number of passengers handled at seven U.K. airports grew 6.8% in November from the same month last year, with Stansted leading the way. Stansted experienced a 44% surge in traffic fueled by domestic flights and new charter service, according to BAA plc, the management firm that operates the country's main airports. Scheduled traffic grew 13% at Gatwick and 4% at Heathrow, which reported a 14% increase in long-haul traffic. Traffic from Glasgow increased 7.5% overall with an 11% upturn in North Atlantic traffic and a 10% increase in domestic passenger traffic.
Sabena and TAP Air Portugal will code share on twice-weekly Lisbon- Brussels-Macau flights. The new service will be operated with A340s, starting April 1.
Los Angeles Department of Airports said yesterday that Los Angeles Airport will discontinue passenger facility charge (PFC) collections Jan. 1, saying that the revenues are not necessary to meet its capital needs and that the action will save passengers $60 million a year. Airlines already had been notified of the halt in PFC collections. Los Angeles has approval to assess a $3 PFC for a people mover at LAX, sound mitigation programs at LAX and Ontario Airport and construction of a new terminal at Ontario.
Honeywell said its commercial avionics division will continue to hold prices for spare parts at July 1993 levels through the end of 1996. "We are continually looking for ways to help customers reduce costs, and this is one of the most visible ways of boosting an industry that is now in recovery after some difficult economic times," said Vance Bradley, VP- customer support.
Heavylift-VolgaDnepr, the British-Russian joint venture, has asked DOT for authority to operate a one-way charter cargo flight with its An-124-100 aircraft between Wilmington, Ohio, and Boeing Field in Seattle between Dec. 13 and 23. The airline will transport one GE90 aircraft engine and related parts on the flight. (Docket OST-95-919)
The Aero International (Regional) joint venture of France's Aerospatiale, Italy's Alenia and British Aerospace expects Germany's Daimler-Benz Aerospace - which controls both the Dornier Do 328 and Fokker regional aircraft lines - to sign on eventually as a partner. "I even believe it is, eventually, a necessity if one believes in Europe," AIR chief Henri- Paul Puel told reporters at a news conference yesterday confirming plans unveiled at the Paris Air Show to open for business Jan. 1 (DAILY, June 13).
Collins Commercial Avionics said FAA has granted approval of the "world's first" supersonic antenna for traffic alert and collision avoidance systems. "This is welcome news for Air France and British Airways, the two operators of commercial supersonic aircraft," said Clayton Jones, VP and general manager. The new antenna, which was developed in association with Chelton Electrostatic for use on the Concorde, features a radome of advanced thermoplastic with a preformed foam center. Flight testing was accomplished on 15 flights between London and New York.
General Aviation Administration of China, FAA, the U.S. Commerce Department and several other organizations are sponsoring a China-U.S. Airport Development and Management Seminar March 10-14 in Schenzhen, China. Senior managers of China's major airports are expected to attend and discuss near- term and long-term airport improvement plans. Attendees will have an opportunity to set up one-on-one meetings with Chinese airport officials.
BFGoodrich Aerospace Landing Gear Services Division said it has obtained contracts valued at $34 million for landing gear exchange, overhaul and support from four airlines - Thai Airways, China Air Lines, BWIA and America West. The contract with America West comes in addition to the carrier's assigning its fleet heavy maintenance to BFGoodrich on Dec. 2.
Fuel Cost and Consumption U.S. Majors Nationals and Large Regionals November 1994 - October 1995 Total Total Cost Gallons (Dollars) 1994 November Domestic 1,028,586,664 585,805,134 International 348,209,948 223,078,197 System Total 1,376,796,612 808,883,331
The air courier express industry is expected to reach revenues of $40 billion this year, compared with $36.4 billion in 1994 and $30.4 billion in 1993, according to a survey conducted by the Air Courier Conference. Total number of employees and independent contractors rose from 469,200 in 1993 to 514,092 in 1994, while the number of vehicles grew from 227,000 to more than 230,000 during the period.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Aerospace, will sponsor a trade mission April 2-10 to Ankara and Istanbul, Turkey, and Cairo, Egypt. Ellis Mottur, deputy assistant secretary of commerce for technology and aerospace industries, will lead the mission, which will include one-on-one appointments with government and industry officials and site tours of aviation facilities. For more information, call Audrey Smerkanich, Office of Aerospace, at 202-482-6235.
James Tarrant, deputy assistant secretary of state for transportation affairs, will leave his post early next year and be replaced by his current second in command, Special Negotiator Joel Spiro. Serving in his current position for four years, Tarrant was the lead negotiator in several negotiations, including the U.K. talks. He will teach courses in political science and aviation at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.
Western Express has applied for authority to operate charter all-cargo service between any point or points in Canada and any point or points in the U.S. Initially, the carrier plans to operate flights between Vancouver and Seattle. The Vancouver-based carrier, which operates one Metro II and one Fairchild F27, is acquiring and leasing additional Metro aircraft. Western Express said it signed contracts in November 1995 with United Parcel Service and is in the process of dealing with other courier companies. (Docket OST-95-925)
