News
Arbitrator Approves Air Canada Pilot Deal
A Canadian government-appointed arbitrator chose to enforce Air Canada's final offer over one proposed by the union representing its 3,000 pilots, ending a long and bitter contract dispute but angering the pilots.
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Air France-KLM Halves Q2 Operating Loss
Air France-KLM halved its operating loss on improved passenger activity but a drop in the value of hedging contracts, a restructuring charge and ongoing wrangles with unions continued to hover over its worsening bottom line.
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Europe Weakness Hits Ryanair Profits
Ryanair, Europe's biggest budget airline, announced a profit slide of 29 percent in the three months to June as it grappled with a toxic mix of austerity, recession and stubbornly high fuel prices.
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Dubai Passenger, Freight Traffic Increases
Passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport jumped 16.0 percent from a year earlier in June, boosted by an increase in passengers from the wider Middle East, operator Dubai Airports said on Monday.
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Allegiant to add 19 used A319s to growing fleet
Las Vegas, Nev.-based Allegiant Air, the low-cost carrier owned by Allegiant Travel Co., said it will lease 19 used Airbus A319s to begin entering its fleet in the 2013 second quarter. The leisure specialist plans to use the aircraft to support planned capacity growth and to replace at least two older aircraft. “The A319 is a new aircraft type for Allegiant, but we otherwise see this as a continuation of our existing business model,” president Andrew Levy said. “A319 asset values have significantly declined and now mirror the environment we saw when we first began buying MD-80s.”
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LATAM looks to late 2013 decision on alliance
LAN Airlines and TAM, which completed their merger under LATAM Airlines Group last month, will decide which alliance to join “not before the first half of 2013,” LATAM GM-Europe Francisco Vidal told local media. LATAM’s alliance choice has been a key issue throughout the transaction process, as the merged entity has created a mega-airline company that is expected to control more than 40% of the Latin American air passenger market.
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United launches ad campaign during 2012 Olympics
United Airlines has launched a series of commercials highlighting the carrier's role as the official airline of Team USA for the 2012 Olympic Games. The television ads are narrated by actor Matt Damon, and will run on NBC throughout the network's coverage of the Games.
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JAL sees light at end of bankruptcy tunnel
Japan Airlines is recovering from bankruptcy with a 17% operating-profit margin and new ties to the U.S. market. About 40% of its international routes were cut post-bankruptcy, and the airline is teaming with an ailing American Airlines to boost offerings.
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NTSB is investigating Boeing 787 engine issue
The National Transportation Safety Board is probing a Boeing jet that experienced engine issues during preflight testing Saturday at Charleston International Airport in South Carolina. "[W]e are unaware of any operational issue that would present concerns about the continued safe operation of in-service 787s powered by GE engines," Boeing stated. "However, should the investigation determine a need to act, Boeing has the processes in place to take action and will do so appropriately."
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Pistole: Shoe, liquid security requirements will remain in place
The Transportation Security Administration will continue to require travelers to remove their shoes and jackets and will keep the ban on liquids in place for the foreseeable future, TSA Administrator John Pistole said in a recent interview. “Clearly, we've had success in not having a repeat of 9/11,” Pistole said. “We can't go back to the pre-9/11 days.” However, the TSA's PreCheck program allows travelers who submit to a background check to move more quickly through checkpoints. The program is in place in 16 airports. Pistole said the TSA expects to expand it to 35 airports.
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Americans with top security clearance OK for PreCheck, Pistole says
Speaking at a recent forum, Transportation Security Administration chief John Pistole says the agency has allowed Americans with top security clearances to enroll in the PreCheck program. The program allows travelers who have submitted to background checks to move through security checkpoints more quickly. Pistole says the TSA signed an agreement with the director of national intelligence that allows individuals with clearances to participate. "The beauty of it from my perspective is that the information that the person is a known and trusted traveler is embedded in a bar code [in the passport]. And it doesn't distinguish between a member of the intel community [and a] frequent flier," Pistole said. "So the security officer at the checkpoint doesn’t know whoever you are."
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New device for US Airways aims to ease in-flight purchases
Flight attendants at US Airways will be equipped next year with a handheld device made by GuestLogix that they can use to facilitate passengers' onboard credit-card purchases. Through the device, US Airways hopes to encourage travelers to spend money through the carrier on such items as tickets to sporting events or shows.
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Agency that runs LAX offers 9 safety, efficiency proposals
The agency that runs Los Angeles International Airport has come up with nine proposals designed to improve safety and efficiency of the airport's north airfield. The proposals range in cost from $2 billion to $16 billion. One option calls for moving the north runway 350 feet.
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Fla. airport begins negotiations with airlines
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is renegotiating contracts with 15 airlines at Orlando International Airport in Orlando, Fla. "These talks are vital, as they help us with the continued expansion and operations of the airport," said Phil Brown, executive director of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
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Other News
Members of the Assn. of European Airlines (AEA) have joined Ryanair (FR) in blasting a steep increase in Spanish airport fees. Spanish state-owned airport operator AENA increased its charges July 1, a move that AEA claims doubles fees at popular airports such as Madrid Barajas (MAD) and Barcelona El Prat (BCN). AEA has “strongly condemned” the move, saying it is for “purely budgetary reasons.” It added the change was made “without formal consultation or proper justification,” which are requirements under the EU airport charges directive. “The increase is disproportionate and was implemented without the necessary consultation with the airlines; therefore, AEA urges the European Commission to launch an investigation,” said the association, which represents 33 European network carriers, including Air France, British Airways, Iberia, KLM and Lufthansa.
Aigle Azur (ZI) plans to launch service from France to Asia. ZI CEO Meziane Idjerouidene said the new routes will be announced at the end of this year or the beginning of 2013. He did not disclose possible destinations. The carrier, which operates mainly routes in Maghrib countries, also has service to other parts of Africa and some destinations in Europe. To begin its Asian expansion, ZI will add long-haul aircraft to its fleet, which now comprises four Airbus A319s, five A320s and four A321s. Idjerouidene said additional long-haul aircraft will also be from Airbus but did not name the exact type or the leasing company.
Aer Lingus (EI) and Etihad Airways (EY) have announced codeshare and interline agreements. The move comes just days after EY president and CEO James Hogan told ATW that commercial developments in the two carriers’ relationship were imminent
United Airlines will host a live webcast of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft rolling out of the paint hangar at Boeing's Everett, Wash., facility. The webcast will stream live at unitedhub.com at 5:30 a.m. PT. The live stream will provide viewers with a look at the airline's customized livery that is exclusive to the fleet, featuring a gold line that wraps the fuselage and swoops from nose to tail. The swoop is inspired by the trademark swoop painted on each of Boeing's aircraft and is being adopted for the United 787 in a tribute to the two companies' long history of working together. United will take delivery of its first 787 in late September.
Aviation Quote
The hunters are the ones who go out and kill. Maybe one out of ten good fighter pilots will be one of the hunters.
— Jack Ilfrey, USAAF, 8 victories WWII.
On This Date
---In 1948…President Harry S. Truman formally dedicates Idlewild Field, aka New York International Airport (now known as John F. Kennedy International Airport). Along with the ceremonial opening (service actually began July 9th) comes the International Air Exposition, complete with an armada of over 1,000 planes, including bombers and other military aircraft. Over 100,000 spectators drove or took special LIRR trains to Aqueduct race track, where they could take a shuttle bus to the air field to view what is said to have been the greatest display of U.S. air power ever displayed up until that time.
---In 1964…Ranger 7 sends back the first ever close-up photographs of the moon, with images 1,000 times clearer than anything ever seen from earth-bound telescopes.
---In 1964… A. H. Parker sets a new sailplane distance record of 1,000 km (621 miles) in a Sisu-1A.
---In 1972…after 41 years in operation, Northeast Airlines completes its final day of service before being merged into Delta Air Lines the following day.
---In 1973…Delta Air Lines Flight 723, a DC-9-31 aircraft (reg. N975NE) acquired in the Northeast Airlines merger a year to the day earlier, crashes on approach to Boston Logan Airport (BOS), killing all but one of the 89 people on board. The lone survivor would succumb to his burns four months later.
---In 1981…The leader of Panama, Omar Torrijos, is killed in the crash of a DeHavilland Twin Otter at Amador near Panama City, Panama.
---In 1984…Venezuelan commandos storm an Aeropostal DC-9 on the ground in Curacao that had been hijacked after departing Caracas three days earlier. The hijackers, a Dominican and a Haitian who had demanded money, are both killed, and all 82 passengers are released unharmed.
---In 1991…The United States Senate passes an amendment to a military spending bill that would remove the ban that prevents women from flying combat aircraft. Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney does not oppose the change.
---In 1992…Thai Airways Flight 311, an Airbus A310-300, registration HS-TID crashes into a mountain while attempting to land at Kathmandu (KTM), killing all 113 on board. The accident is blamed on a combination of pilot error and an inexperienced air traffic controller.
---In 1992…China General Aviation Flight 7552, a Yakolev 42D, crashes shortly after takeoff from Nanking, killing 108 of the 126 people on board.
---In 1997…First flight of the Boeing 737-800.
---In 2002…First flight of the Boeing 747-400ER.
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miamiair wrote:Agency that runs LAX offers 9 safety, efficiency proposals
The agency that runs Los Angeles International Airport has come up with nine proposals designed to improve safety and efficiency of the airport's north airfield. The proposals range in cost from $2 billion to $16 billion. One option calls for moving the north runway 350 feet.
Options call for increasing the separation between the northern runways by 100, 260 and 350 feet to make room for a centerline taxiway. Airport officials have said that the report is also expected to include an option to leave the runways alone, but make improvements to the taxiways.
"Any movement of the runway to the north will permanently alter flight patterns over Southern California, newly exposing millions of residents to aircraft noise, pollution and safety issues," Schneider said. "If necessary, we will go back to court to protect our communities and to force LAX to reconsider other runway configurations."
