Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines, which closed their merger last month, said they are aiming to integrate their flight schedule by next summer as DL unveiled new flights intended to increase connectivity between the two networks and expand its global reach. DL plans to launch 15 new international routes in June to coincide with the network integration. It will start daily 777-200ER flights between JFK and Tokyo Narita as well as five-times-weekly A330-200 Salt Lake City-NRT and daily 757-200 NRT-Ho Chi Min services. It will add a second-daily Atlanta-NRT flight on May 4.
Air Pacific will cease twice-weekly Honolulu-Vancouver Nov. 28 owing to losses of FJD11.7 million ($6.5 million) over the past five years. It will continue to offer access to YVR via Los Angeles in partnership with Alaska Airlines. AirAsia will launch daily Kuala Lumpur-Tiruchirapalli Dec. 1 aboard A320s. KLM Cityhopper will launch thrice-daily Amsterdam-Liverpool on March 29 aboard an F70.
Swissport International won a seven-year license from Luxembourg-Findel International to conduct ground handling activities including passenger and ramp services.
Ryanair said two cabin crew and eight passengers received medical attention "as a precaution" following a 737-800 overrun at Rome Ciampino yesterday morning. The LCC said the aircraft, on its way from Frankfurt Hahn, "suffered multiple bird strikes" and the left main landing gear "suffered substantial damage on landing." Photographs showed the left engine resting on the tarmac. There were 166 passengers onboard. Italy's ANSV said the aircraft "exited beyond the threshold" of CIA's 7,220-ft. runway.
Indianapolis International Airport's new $1.1 billion passenger facility is scheduled to handle its first arrivals tonight and be fully operational Wednesday. New terminal is 1.2 million sq. ft. and includes 40 gates (two can accommodate the A380) and 96 check-in counter positions. Construction began in July 2005.
Yangtze River Express Airlines resumed four-times-weekly Shanghai-Los Angeles with a converted 747-400SF. It will take delivery of a third 747-400 freighter next year and said it intends to fly to other US destinations.
Ryanair opened a base at Reus Friday and launched service to Santander (daily), Seville (twice-daily), Santiago de Compostela (daily) and Paris Beauvais (daily). Daily flights to Palma de Mallorca begin Dec. 19. Allegiant Air will transfer its twice-weekly Bellingham-San Francisco service to Oakland on Feb. 2. Cayman Airways will launch twice-weekly Washington Dulles-Grand Cayman on Dec. 13 and re-launch twice-weekly Chicago O'Hare-GCM on Dec. 17 aboard 737-300s. AirTran Airways re-launched seasonal daily Akron/Canton-Fort Myers.
Delta Air Lines announced a series of initiatives to align its travel policies with those of Northwest Airlines, including fees of $15 for the first piece of checked luggage and $25 for the second piece on domestic flights from Dec. 5. First and business class customers and certain premium members of DL or NWA loyalty programs will be able to check up to three bags of 70 lb. each for free. Full-fare coach and international passengers will be able to check up to two 50 lb. bags for free. DL was the only major US network carrier not charging for the first checked bag.
