Korean Air Lines has ordered four modified Cessna Citation Ultras for crew training, the manufacturer said. The contract calls for the first Ultra to be delivered in the second quarter. "The Citation Ultras will provide KAL with a step-up aircraft between their piston-engined and turboprop fleet and their airliners," said Gary Hay, Cessna senior VP- marketing and product support.
Japan's Infini computer reservations system has successfully completed cut-over its Group PNR Handling Phase 2 product (GHP2), enabling China Airlines to delegate some of its basic group passenger processing functions to travel agents. The enhanced Infini group function allows specified travel agents selected by China Airlines to create the group PNRs (passenger name records) in the Infini system and to enter group passenger names and any other related information.
Northwest applauded DOT's code-share study findings, while Delta pressed to distinguish its proposed alliance with Virgin Atlantic from the BA/USAir pact, according to initial responses to the report issued Dec. 28. "We are pleased that the DOT report has so strongly endorsed code sharing in general and the Northwest/KLM alliance in particular as a model for such alliances," said Elliot Seiden, Nortwest VP-law and government affairs. The study reported that the Northwest/KLM pact provided "sizable benefits to U.S. passengers and small (but positive) benefits to U.S.
Northwest said its yearend fare sale, announced Friday, is superior to the recent promotion by Continental that was matched and, in some cases, expanded by other carriers because it covers Northwest's entire U.S. and Canadian network, as well as some Mexican and Caribbean destinations (DAILY, Dec. 30). Northwest also said it is offering deeper discounts. Examples of the fares are $298 for roundtrip travel between New York and Vail, Colo., $398 for Boston-Tucson and $598 for Kansas City-Honolulu flights.
America West and Mesa Air Group have entered into an agreement for America West Express jet service, to be provided with two Fokker 70s to broaden service to markets not receiving jet service by America West. The America West Express service will focus on operations in markets of 800 to 1,000 nautical miles, the carriers said. Mesa Air Group comprises five airline divisions, and Mesa Airlines of Farmington, N.M., operates the flights.
Air Line Pilots Association may ask FAA to ban the practice of airlines requiring pilots to pay for their own training, which can cost up to $10,000. ALPA President Randy Babbitt said he has discussed the situation with FAA Administrator David Hinson and asked him to look into the practice, which places "an economic barrier in front of qualifications."
A safety seminar scheduled Jan. 9-10 in Washington will focus on setting goals to improve safety for all airlines operating aircraft seating 10 or more passengers. The seminar, called Zero Accidents-The Challenge, is not voluntary except for those airline executives who are willing to risk the wrath of DOT Secretary Federico Pena and FAA Administrator David Hinson. Pena and Hinson called for the meeting following several fatal accidents in the latter part of 1994.
LOT Polish Airlines and Lufthansa will begin code-sharing flights between Berlin and Warsaw on Monday as part of a recently signed cooperative agreement. The six weekly Berlin-Warsaw roundtrips will be operated by LOT using a 737. Thirty seats on each flight, split evenly between business and economy classes, will be allotted for Lufthansa passengers. In November, LOT and Austrian Airlines began joint-venture flying between Krakow and Vienna. Under that agreement, the two carriers will share profits and costs, and coordinate flight schedules.
British Midland Chairman Michael Bishop, an opponent of state subsidies for airlines, says he is "delighted that Lufthansa is now putting its weight firmly behind the argument for reform." Bishop said the European airline community is now divided into two camps - the traditionalists and the reformers.
TAP Air Portugal has received authority from the European Commission to begin taking delivery of four Airbus A340s to replace Lockheed L-1011s. The EC had held up delivery to ensure that Portuguese government guarantees will cover loans from British, French and German banks for the aircraft.
