CRS Industry Pioneer Max Hopper Retires From AMR

Staff Jan 09, 1995
Max Hopper, who was largely responsible for the development of Sabre from an airline-specific computer system to one of the world's largest and most advanced computer reservations system, will retire Jan. 15 after more than 20 years at AMR, the company said. The 60-year-old Hopper, an AMR senior VP and chairman of its Sabre Group, plans to remain active in the information services industry and will continue to serve AMR as a consultant. "Max has rightly been called the 'father of automation' in the travel industry," said AMR Chairman Robert Crandall.

'Doing-Business Problems' Dog Operations Abroad, GAO Says

Staff Jan 09, 1995
U.S. airlines encounter many problems when they operate abroad, including slot access limits and inadequate facilities at airports, the General Accounting Office found in a study completed late last year (DAILY, Jan. 4). After inspecting 13 European and Pacific Rim airports, GAO concluded that these and other "doing-business problems" constrain the operations of U.S. airlines and reduce their opportunities to compete effectively. Such problems were not limited to U.S. carriers, however - they affected all carriers except the host country's national airline.

U.S. Airline Stocks End Down Year On Down Note

Staff Jan 09, 1995
U.S. airline stocks tracked by The DAILY had a combined market value of about $20.99 billion on the final day of the 1994 trading year, a decline of more than 19% from the end of 1993, when the companies' market value was slightly more than $26 billion. It was an up-and-down year for the broader market, but airline company stocks seemed to spend much of 1994 on a downward trajectory. For example, combination carrier stocks peaked in value in January at $18.38 billion but did not come close to that mark again, ending the year at $14.36 billion.

Southwest is offering

Staff Jan 09, 1995
Southwest is offering a $39 introductory one-way fare for its new service, beginning Jan. 15, between Phoenix and Orange County John Wayne Airport. The fare requires a seven-day advance purchase by Feb. 2 and is good for travel through March 15. Southwest will offer four daily flights in the market.

Swissair refers to its talks with Sabena

Staff Jan 09, 1995
Swissair refers to its talks with Sabena about taking an equity stake in the Belgian carrier as "Project Flair." In a recent interview, the project leader, when asked about media reports that Swissair is seeking a 49% stake in Sabena, said, "Only rank beginners or party-poopers mention numbers while negotiations are in progress."

France Lifts ATR Restrictions; FAA Decision Due This Week

Staff Jan 09, 1995
French civil aviation authority - the Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile - Friday lifted its limited restrictions on use of the autopilot while operating ATR-42 and ATR-72 aircraft in certain icing conditions. The DGAC action sets the stage for a decision by FAA, expected this week, whether to lift or modify its ban on flying ATRs in forecast or known icing conditions. The French authority replaced its restrictions with an airworthiness directive to revise the flight manual to include changes in operating procedures in icing conditions.

British Airways Launches Worldwide Fare Sale

Staff Jan 09, 1995
British Airways has launched "World Offers," a fare sale on travel from its 18 U.S. gateways to dozens of cities in the U.K., continental Europe and beyond. Subject to governmental approval, BA is offering fare discounts of up to 64%. "It's not only London for sale, but a vast number of cities and countries around the globe linked, via London, through the British Airways network," said Dale Moss, executive VP-sales and marketing, USA. The U.S.- London roundtrip fare is $298, down 12% from the normal excursion fare.

British Airways Traffic Grows 6.7 Percent In December

Staff Jan 09, 1995
British Airways' systemwide passenger traffic rose 6.7% last month on 2.7% more capacity, pushing its load factor up 2.6 percentage points to 67.9%. The number of passengers boarded increased 6.3% to 2.22 million. U.K./Europe traffic rose 10% on 0.6% more capacity, boosting the load factor 5.3 percentage points to 61.9%. Intercontinental traffic increased 6% on 3.3% more capacity, improving the load factor 1.8 points to 69.4%.

Ice Threat Prompts FAA Emergency Order On P&W-Powered 757s

Staff Jan 09, 1995
FAA, in an emergency airworthiness directive issued last week, has ordered pilots flying Pratt&Whitney-powered Boeing 757 narrowbody twins to perform regular engine run-ups at more than 50% power during ground operations in cold weather. The AD followed reports of damage from ice chunks in PW2000 engines' high-pressure compressors. The agency also advised pilots or ground crews to look for ice buildup on the stator and remove it, if necessary, before taxiing out.

Industry

Staff Jan 09, 1995
Fantasy Of Flight aviation theme park named Debra Johnson director- marketing. International Lease Finance Corp. named Alan Lund executive VP and chief operating officer responsible for finance, accounting and human resources, as well as legal and administrative functions; and appointed John Plueger executive VP and chief operating officer responsible for marketing, airline and manufacturer relationships, and technical and purchasing aspects. Sundstrand elected Berger Wallin to the board and to the position of executive VP-special projects.

Airlines hired

Staff Jan 09, 1995
Airlines hired 6,694 pilots in 1994, up from 3,719 in 1993, and 2,279 remained on furlough at the end of the year, according to the Future Aviation Professionals of America. Regionals operating turboprop aircraft hired the most cockpit crewmembers for the year, 1,780.

FAA

Staff Jan 09, 1995
- In Federal Register dated Dec. 30...Proposed an airworthiness directive on certain Beech aircraft to require a circuit breaker on the landing gear motor control panel. - In FR dated Jan. 3...Issued an AD on certain Dassault Falcon 50 aircraft requiring, if necessary, rerouting and clamping of electrical wire bundles...Proposed an AD on certain Boeing 747 aircraft with General Electric and Pratt&Whitney engines to require modification of the nacelle strut and wing structure.

Alaska Airlines Traffic Up 38 Percent In 1994

Staff Jan 09, 1995
Alaska Airlines flew 38% more revenue passenger miles in 1994 than in 1993 on 28% more capacity, lifting its average load factor 4.3 percentage points. Passengers boardings increased 39.1%. In December, traffic rose 29% from the same 1993 period on 28% more available seat miles, boosting the load factor 0.6 points. Dec 94 Dec 93 12 Mths 94 12 Mths 93 RPMs 697,000,000 541,000,000 7,587,000,000 5,514,000,000 ASMS 1,108,000,000 869,000,000 12,082,000,000 9,426,000,000

Rolls-Royce and Gulfstream Aerospace

Staff Jan 09, 1995
Rolls-Royce and Gulfstream Aerospace have signed a $150 million contract for additional Tay engines for the GIVSP business jet program through the end of 1997. The aircraft is scheduled to begin flight tests later this year and enter service in 1996. The GV was the launch aircraft for Rolls's BR710 engine currently under development.

Bankers Trust Wants To Convert Its Northwest Preferred To Common

Staff Jan 09, 1995
Northwest shareholder Bankers Trust and the airline company have reached an agreement under which Bankers Trust will swap 1,727 shares of Northwest Series B preferred stock for 2.05 million shares of newly issued Northwest Class B common stock. The transaction, which is subject to a number of closing conditions, would increase Bankers Trust's ownership stake to 8% from 6%.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Staff Jan 09, 1995
Norwegian Cruise Line has become the second company to offer cruise products to travel agents through Apollo's LeisureShopper tour and cruise booking program.

Airlines

Staff Jan 09, 1995
Aloha appointed Joseph Hale senior VP-marketing. He was Delta's marketing director-Japan and previously worked 33 years for Pan Am. America West selected C.A. Howlett VP-public affairs. Lufthansa Cargo appointed Michael Vorwerk VP-cargo, USA.

America West Putting Advertising Account Up For Review

Staff Jan 09, 1995
America West said Friday it is putting its $18 million advertising account into review. The account is held by New York-based Rosenfeld, Sirowitz, Humphrey and Strauss (RSHS), which has been its agency since the airline was founded 11 years ago. The carrier has begun a comprehensive selection process from a "long list" of 10 potential agencies. It has invited RSHS to join in the review. "We need to ensure that America West is getting the best advertising and marketing support that money can buy," said Maurice Myers, president of the airline.

Crime bill (S.3)

Staff Jan 09, 1995
Crime bill (S.3) introduced last week by Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) includes criminal penalties for individuals violating FAA's Part 107 or 108 security regulations and a requirement that airline security screeners report to law enforcement authorities when they discover controlled substances or cash in excess of $10,000. Willful violations of the security regulations would bring a fine, imprisonment of up to one year, or both.

ARINC hopes to win

Staff Jan 09, 1995
ARINC hopes to win FAA approval early this year for a Global Positioning System augmentation system it developed with E-Systems. American wants to use the equipment for Cat 1 operations, also early this year.

Emirates Group To Open New Training Center In Dubai

Staff Jan 09, 1995
The Emirates Group will open a new training center in Dubai, part of a complex comprising the Dubai Aviation Club and the Dubai Aviation College, by the end of 1995, the company said. The training center, which will be designed to resemble an aircraft painted in the Emirates colors, will handle training for four Emirates divisions: flight operations, cabin crew, engineering and commercial. The "tail" section of the building will house flight simulators and an emergency evacuation simulator that Emirates helped CAE Electronics design.

Delta Traffic Up 3.4 Percent In December

Staff Jan 09, 1995
Delta's systemwide traffic rose 3.4% last month on 0.2% less capacity, lifting the airline's load factor 2.2 percentage points (DAILY, Jan. 6). The number of passengers boarded increased 4.6% from December a year ago. International traffic was up 3.5% on 5.1% less capacity, while domestic traffic rose 3.4% on 1.3% more available seat miles. "December record boardings made 1994 the best year in terms of load factor and passengers," said Robert Coggin, senior VP-marketing. Delta boarded 89.05 million passengers during the year.

U.S. Trade and Development Agency

Staff Jan 09, 1995
U.S. Trade and Development Agency is expected to issue a study today calling for a regional aviation board to oversee air traffic management in the Middle East. With representatives from Egypt, Jordan and Israel, the board would be patterned after air traffic management initiatives in Europe and operate under International Civil Aviation Organization standards.

Aviation Daily Air Transport Stock Indicators

Staff Jan 09, 1995

Privatization Of BWIA International Is Delayed

Staff Jan 09, 1995
The privatization of Trinidad&Tobago's BWIA International Airways through the acquisition of a 51% stake by investors led by the Acker Group has been put on hold, according to local press reports. The privatization was to have been completed by the end of 1994 (DAILY, Nov. 23). According to a report in the Barbados Advocate, opponents of the transaction allege that the government gave the U.S.-based Acker Group, led by former Pan Am Chairman Edward Acker, preferential treatment over local investors.