DOT tentatively reallocated USAfrica's six frequencies and a currently unallocated frequency in the U.S.-South Africa market to World Airways and Southern Air Transport. Awarded five frequencies, World plans to fly three weekly combination and two weekly cargo flights between New York and Johannesburg, via Accra, Ghana, using MD-11 aircraft. Southern Air Cargo plans twice-weekly all-cargo service between Columbus, Ohio, and New York, on the one hand, and Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa, on the other, using 747Fs.
Former FAA deputy administrator Barry Harris has been elected chairman and chief executive of new carrier Independence Air. The prospective Atlanta startup, awaiting government approval to begin service, intends to operate long-haul passenger and freight service with 270-seat A300B4s. Independence said it expects to launch service this year between Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York.
With antitrust immunity, requested Friday, Delta, Swissair, Sabena and Austrian plot a cooperative alliance creating "a seamless air transportation system" (DAILY, Sept. 11). Currently limited to point-to- point code-share arrangements on a limited number of routes, the expanded alliance would enable the carriers to coordinate scheduling, marketing, planning and pricing. Delta would enter into three separate and parallel cooperation agreements with the three European carriers, as well as an agreement that would coordinate the three parallel pacts.
The airline industry is considering a reform proposal that would initially establish FAA as an autonomous agency controlled by the aviation industry, and ultimately set up air traffic control as a separate, government- sponsored enterprise, sources said yesterday. The proposal, still being refined, is expected to be presented Thursday to the Air Transport Association board. ATA President Carol Hallett last week criticized the House FAA reform bill (H.R.2276) as inadequate (DAILY, Sept. 8).
Worldspan's top marketing official, Senior VP Lew Ellsworthy, left the computer reservations system company last week. His departure is the first major move at Worldspan since Mike Buckman succeeded Cal Rader as chief executive in June.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) voted last week to reject a petition by UPS to be governed by the Railway Labor Act (RLA), like all other airlines, instead of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). UPS wants protections provided by the RLA regarding labor instability and service disruptions; the act requires mediation before strikes are permitted. The NLRB determined that the air portion of UPS's package delivery system is not part of its core business.
Continental is urging DOT to reverse its tentative decision granting Delta and USAir new Toronto service from Atlanta and Pittsburgh, respectively, and award New York/Newark-Toronto service to Continental.
Consolidated Freightways said yesterday it has accepted $100 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.35% notes due 2005 that have been tendered by the holders pursuant to the company's exchange offer. The company originally issued the notes on June 1 in a private placement. Under the terms of the exchange offer, the company will issue $100 million aggregate principal amount of 7.35% notes due 2005 in exchange for the tendered notes.
Rep. Norman Mineta (D-Calif.), ranking Democrat on the House Transportation Committee, announced yesterday he will resign Oct. 10 to become VP of the transportation systems and services division of Lockheed Martin Corp. Mineta, 63, who entered Congress in 1975, chaired the House Public Works Committee - predecessor to the Transportation Committee - in the last Congress and was chairman of the House aviation subcommittee from 1981 through 1988.
USAir has requested authority to operate combination service between Charlotte, N.C., and St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles. The carrier also asked for two years' renewal of its authority to operate combination service between Baltimore/Washington and Philadelphia, on the one hand, and St. Maarten, on the other hand. The carrier anticipates operating one weekly roundtrip between Charlotte and St. Maarten, using Boeing 757 aircraft. USAir currently operates twice-weekly BWI-St. Maarten service, using 757s. After initially operating one roundtrip between St.
DOT's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) has issued the report Federal, State, and Local Transportation Financial Statistics, Fiscal Years 1982-1992, detailing transportation-related revenues and expenditures by mode and government jurisdictions. A copy can be ordered by contacting BTS at 202-366-DATA or by fax on 202-366-3640.
ValuJet officials, meeting yesterday with the Association of Flight Attendants to begin drafting an initial contract, said they will consider the union's proposal, the same as the one governing flight attendants at Southwest, during the next 10 days.AFA considers this a good sign. Meanwhile, the Teamsters union is assessing interest in representation among the growing carrier's ground workers.
Amerijet International has asked for authority to operate scheduled all- cargo service between Miami and points in Venezuela. Specifically, the carrier wants to operate from Miami to Caracas, Maracaibo and Velencia; however, it requests that the authority not be limited to specific point- to-point service but be as expansive as the current U.S.-Venezuela bilateral agreement permits.
Capital Cargo International Airlines has applied for a certificate to operate charter and scheduled all-cargo service. If approved, it will begin Dec. 1 operating service between Orlando, Fla., and Central America using one Boeing 727-200 aircraft. It plans to add a second aircraft to its fleet in October 1996.
Northrop Grumman delivered its 1,000th CF6-80C2 translating cowl engine set, which creates reverse thrust on a number of widebody aircraft, including the Airbus A300 and A310, the Boeing 747 and 767 and the Douglas MD-11.
MarkAir's pilots will take a 20% pay cut for 90 days while their union, the Air Line Pilots Association, negotiates a longer-term deal with potential purchaser Terry Hallcom. The pay reduction, to take effect Sept. 1 subject to a ratification vote of the membership, was offered last week during bankruptcy court hearings and approved by the court. Hallcom, chief operating officer for USAir Shuttle, would buy MarkAir through his company, B&T Holdings (DAILY, Sept. 7).
Singapore Airlines plans to take over regional subsidiary SilkAir's service to Hangzhou in eastern China. SIA will begin operating a weekly Airbus A310-300 flight on Nov. 1. SilkAir, which has served Hangzhou since April 1994, will operate its last flight in the market on Oct. 25. SIA is making the change because SilkAir is streamlining its fleet and plans to stop flying the A310. Instead, SilkAir's fleet will comprise only Boeing 737s and Fokker 70s, which do not have the range to fly nonstop to Hangzhou from Singapore.
ValuJet will expand service from Atlanta and Washington Dulles next month. On Oct. 1, it will add one daily nonstop frequency to Fort Myers, Fla., from Atlanta and on Oct. 25, it will add one nonstop each to Boston, Columbus, Dallas/Fort Worth, Hartford, Louisville, Newport News, New Orleans and West Palm Beach. The additions will give the carrier 105 peak daily departures from the Georgia airport. From Washington, ValuJet will introduce new service to Columbus with two daily flights, beginning Oct. 1. Fares start at $49 one way.
- In Federal Register dated Sept. 1...Proposed an airworthiness directive on CFM International CFM56 series engines requiring part number reidentification of certain low-pressure turbine rotor stub shafts and conical supports. - In FR dated Sept. 6...Issued an AD on General Electric CF6-50 engines requiring inspection of high-pressure compressor rotor Stage 3-9 spools.
Senate Commerce aviation subcommittee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) tomorrow is scheduled to introduce an FAA reform bill supported by both the Clinton administration and key Democrats on the committee. DOT Secretary Federico Pena and FAA Administrator David Hinson are expected to participate in a news conference tomorrow announcing the legislation. The legislation will closely resemble earlier drafts (DAILY, Aug. 23), and it calls for two stages of fees that would flow directly to FAA outside the usual budget restrictions.
United's systemwide passenger traffic rose 0.9% in August on 3.2% more capacity, causing its load factor to decline 1.8 percentage points to 76.3%. The number of passengers carried rose 3.6%. Atlantic traffic fell 6.3% as Atlantic capacity declined 8.4%, but traffic was up in other markets. "We are pleased we improved upon last August's strong traffic performance, even though fare levels are generally higher," said John Edwardson, president. August 1995 August 1994 8 Months 1995 8 Months 1994
Trondent Development Corp. has joined the Apollo computer reservations system's Apollo Partners Program. Trondent's services include technology and MIS consulting, Focalpoint SE installation and custom application development, as well as various software packages, designed to reduce agency transaction costs. Trondent markets two products that have been approved for the Apollo Partners Program and is developing three others for which acceptance is pending.
To spur progress in the U.S.-U.K. talks, beginning today in London, the U.S. is beefing up its negotiating team by adding Mark Gerchik, acting assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs.Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Transportation James Tarrant still will chair the talks, but the U.S. believes that participation by a political- level person will stress the importance of the negotiations, Gerchick told The DAILY, adding that U.S.-U.K. ministerial contact is likely this week.
