United Parcel Service announced it is expanding its policy to require customers who ship packages from retail shipping locations to present a government-issued photo ID for verification of identification. The directive will apply at The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations as well as authorized shipping outlets worldwide.
Mechtronix Systems will supply Mexico-based Interjet with one A320 FFS X simulator for its new training facility in Toluca. It will be Interjet’s first FFS and the first A320 full motion simulator to be installed in Mexico in 12 years. Interjet operates a fleet of 22 A320s and awaits delivery of 12 more.
The US Air Transport Assn. expects 43.6 million passengers to travel on US carriers over the Christmas-New Year holidays, up approximately 3% from the 42.3 million passengers estimated to have flown during the same period in 2009. ATA projects daily passenger volumes will range from 1.7 million to 2.3 million during the period. The busiest days are expected to be Dec. 21-23, Dec. 26-30 and Jan. 2 and 3, based on sample data from 2009. On the busiest days, average load factors may approach 90%, it said.
Airbus Quovadis' subsidiary announced it successfully demonstrated India's first Required Navigation Performance flight in cooperation with IndiGo Airlines at Cochin International using an IndiGo A320. The RNP procedure for the airport was developed by Quovadis. Airbus said Jet Airways will soon demonstrate the procedure at the airport using a Boeing 737-800.
The US Dept. of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that US airlines carried 57.3 million scheduled domestic and international passengers in September, up 4.9% from the year-ago month. Traffic rose 6.6% to 64.5 billion RPMs on a 4.9% rise in capacity to 79.6 billion ASMs, producing a load factor of 81%, up 1.3% from 79.7% in September 2009. Load factors for domestic and international flights were 79.9% and 83.5%, respectively.
Ying’an Airlines, the Pu’er-based regional carrier in Yunnan, received CAAC approval to launch despite the regulator’s policy of tightening the grip of new entrants owing to safety concerns in the aftermath of the crash of a Henan Airlines jet in August ( ATW Daily News, Oct. 26).
ARC reported that November ticket sales through participating travel agencies climbed 12.4% compared to November 2010 to $5.76 billion, marking the eleventh month this year of improving sales and renewed market strength after a 7.9% year-over-year rise for the month of October.
Lufthansa ordered eight more Embraer E-195s, in a deal valued at $338 million, based on list prices and January 2010 economic conditions, according to the Brazilian manufacturer.
Bahrain is to get a new business aviation operator. TAG Aviation signed the papers with the Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority at MEBA yesterday for its Bahraini Air Operator's Certificate (AOC).
Keeping a close eye on the state of the MEBA static park is Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-based Sogerep Aviation. From its offices within sight of the landmark Kingdom Tower, the company runs a spares and support operation that includes, among its prime customers, the local Gulfstream fleet as well as aircraft from the Savannah manufacturer that need parts as they pass through Saudi Arabia.
Travelport and Brussels Airlines announced a global, full content agreement for Galileo and Worldspan-connected users, effective immediately. CTC Aviation Group reached a three-year contract with flydubai to assist with pilot recruitment. The carrier said it is required to add 140 pilots annually over the next three years.
Delta Air Lines announced Tuesday it received notification from the National Mediation Board that 70% of employees voting in the passenger service election rejected representation by the International Assn. of Machinists. This is the final major workgroup to reject unionization as a result of the Northwest merger in October 2008 ( ATW Daily News, Nov. 23).
Flybe, which is preparing for an initial public offering on Dec. 14, is facing a possible strike action by its 700 pilots over a “number of issues outstanding” including pay, pensions and work patterns.
British ground support specialists TDH Visions announced at MEBA Tuesday that it had signed a major distribution deal with Germany's Franke Care System.
Quest Aircraft Company has earned FAA approval for the KODIAK aircraft's ice protection system, which is now installed on three aircraft. Paul Schaller chief executive said: “Ice protection is an option that many of our customers have been looking forward to having available to them.”
With the first severe weather of the winter in England, Harrods Aviation has done a timely deal to offer customers aircraft de-icing at London Luton Airport. The company chose specialist provider, Glistening Jets, to deliver the dedicated service.
VIP passengers and crew on Comlux aircraft will have round-the-clock access to specialised medical care – both in flight and on the ground – thanks to a new agreement between the Comlux group and MedAire, (stand C735) the international SOS company.
Despite the dramatic global market decline of last year, the Middle East has seen a fairly large influx of new players into its business aviation market since the beginning of 2009, according to Swedish online air charter specialist Avinode.
Travel Ad Network acquires TravelMuse Amadeus begins rollout of EMD to European agencies American Express offers online/offline service platform British Airways adds surcharge to U.K. agents’ credit card bookings Groupize launches online marketplace for motorcoach travel Kony Solutions develops 'write once, use everywhere' platform for mobile apps World news briefing
Orbitz for Business said it will provide an offline method of booking American Airlines flights if the carrier makes good on its threat to inhibit Orbitz Worldwide websites from issuing its tickets. Orbitz told its corporate customers that it will provide a dedicated 800 number for a call center staffed with customer service personnel trained to handle reservations and questions about American and to accommodate their corporate policies.
US Dept. of Transportation said there were no tarmac delays longer than 3 hr. in October, down from 11 flights in the year-ago month, according to a report released Tuesday. The report noted that this is the first month there were no tarmac delays of more than 3 hr. since October 2008. The 3 hr. tarmac delay rule went into effect in April ( ATW Daily News, Nov. 12).
