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.
U.S. National Carriers Productivity In Revenues And Expenses Per Employee Fourth Quarter 1994, In Dollars Total Total Operating Operating Revenues Expenses Total Airline (000) (000) Employees Alaska 256,022 255,189 6,477
American Airlines' VP-Human Resources Mary Jordan has been named president of American Eagle carrier Wings West Airlines. Jordan began her career at American as a financial analyst and held various positions in finance before joining the personnel department in 1989. She replaces Barbara Feeser, who has rejoined American's headquarters staff in Fort Worth.
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.
Boeing believes the commercial aircraft industry will supply 15,462 new airplanes worth $1.04 trillion to the world's airlines between now and the year 2014, a market $60 billion richer and 1,408 aircraft larger than projected a year ago, in its annual Current Market Outlook. Nancy Bethel, VP-marketing at Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, told reporters yesterday that the recovery, while slower than expected, is nonetheless under way and picking up steam, in line with last year's forecast.
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.
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.
United's VP and Treasurer Bruce Ashby has joined Delta as VP-marketing development, a new position. His appointment becomes effective June 16. Ashby will oversee all flight scheduling, marketing analysis including domestic route development, interline and code-share development, pricing and revenue control.
United could see more negative publicity at another Boeing 777 inaugural ceremony - again by its own employees. United's Association of Flight Attendants unit will rally tomorrow at Washington Dulles Airport, as they have at two other events for the 777, to protest the planned opening of a foreign domicile in Hong Kong. The union says the highest paying jobs are being shipped overseas because many of its members cannot afford, or do not want, to transfer to Hong Kong.
The U.S still is sorting through aviation issues regarding Japan to determine whether to respond with a show cause order announcing sanctions or pursue talks, DOT General Counsel Stephen Kaplan told The DAILY yesterday. It remains to be seen whether telephone talks between DOT Secretary Federico Pena and Japan's Minister Shizuka Kamei were productive, he said, noting that there is "no new resolution but some suggestions" from both sides "on how to move forward in a process sense."
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.
First Aviation Services said it acquired National Airmotive Corp. for $30.4 million. National Airmotive, a distributor and overhaul agency for gas turbine engines, employs 350. First Aviation Services is a unit of First Equity Development, an investment banking firm specializing in the aerospace industry.
Mesa Air Group's board of directors has rejected Continental's offer to combine wholly owned subsidiary Continental Express with Mesa. The proposal, for Mesa to issue $90 million in common stock, representing 32% of the outstanding common stock of the combined company, in exchange for a 100% stake in Continental Express, was unanimously rejected as not in the best interest of Mesa shareholders.
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.
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).
After months of negotiations and political wrangling, the U.S. and U.K. agreed yesterday on an incremental deal, providing additional U.S. carrier service between Chicago and Heathrow. The pact is "an important first step" toward liberalizing the U.S. aviation relationship with the U.K., DOT Secretary Federico Pena said. "The deal means that passengers will be able to benefit from greater frequency of transatlantic service and a wider choice, bringing with it the prospect of more competitive fares," said British Transport Secretary Brian Mawhinney.
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
TWA is seeking authority to operate scheduled combination service between St. Louis and Cozumel, Mexico. If its request is approved, the carrier plans to operate a single weekly flight, beginning Nov. 26, using Boeing 727 aircraft. If the service proves successful, the carrier said it will expand operations in subsequent seasons. (Docket 50380)
Federal Express has applied with the Taiwan government for permission to set up an integrated freight courier service operation center at Chiang Kai-shek Airport. A source close to the company said FedEx plans gradually to shift its Asian transshipment center from Subic Bay, in the Philippines, to Taipei. Under the new plan, FedEx will set up a door-to-door vertical and integrated air cargo express service center at Chiang Kai-shek in three stages. Stage 1 will begin this year, Stage 2 in 1997 and Stage 3 in 2000.
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.
America West yesterday launched a five-day fare sale for travel to Mexico. Tickets must be purchased through June 9 for travel July 6-Aug. 31. Fares to Mazatlan and Los Cabos range from $99 to $164 each way and to Mexico City $149 to $189, based on roundtrip purchase. The carrier is doubling its flights to the two points, giving Mazatlan daily service except on Thursdays and Los Cabos daily service on five days and two daily flights on Thursdays and Saturdays. America West also is offering members of its FlightFund program extra miles during the summer.
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.
Korean carrier Asiana Airlines has become the 16th member of the Orient Airlines Association. The carrier, established in 1988, recently announced its first annual profit, and says it has plans to increase the size of its fleet and international route network. Asiana operates a fleet of 35 Boeing aircraft to 26 points in the U.S., Japan, China and Southeast Asia, as well as domestic service in Korea.
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.
Air Canada will launch daily nonstop service between Montreal and Atlanta on July 4. The airline already operates four daily flights between Toronto and Atlanta. Southbound flights from Montreal will be operated with DC-9s, while northbound flights will be flown with A320s. The Montreal-Atlanta service will be the fifth new route launched by Air Canada since Canada and the U.S. signed an open skies agreement in February.
