NewsQantas, Emirates Looking For More Tie-UpsDubai airline Emirates and Australia's Qantas will look to extend their partnership to include ground services and catering, they said, a day after launching an alliance. Their tie-up received a final sign-off from Australia's competition regulator last week but has been criticized by rival airlines for being too broad and further entrenching Qantas' dominant position in the Australian domestic market. "Of course, there will be any number of possibilities when two companies come together," Emirates president Tim Clark told a press conference in Dubai. "As we move forward we will be looking at some of those possibilities like catering, ground handling and others."
LinkIAG, Airbus In Talks On A350 Order - ReportInternational Airlines Group could order Airbus's new A350 long-range aircraft for its British Airways arm as soon as this week, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. The exact number of aircraft to be ordered and the potential value of the contract were still under discussion with the talks mainly for the A350-1000, the largest aircraft in the A350 range, the WSJ said, citing two people familiar with the talks. The financial daily cited one of the people as saying the order could also include the smaller A350-900.
LinkCourt Won't Hear Appeal Of Ticket Price Ad RuleThe US Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge to a federal government rule that requires airlines to advertise the full cost of tickets. Allegiant Travel, Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines had all challenged the US Department of Transportation's regulation, which prohibits airlines from leaving taxes and government fees out of their advertised rates. A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the rule in July on a 2-1 vote.
LinkAmerican, Orbitz Settle Distribution Costs DisputeAmerican Airlines and online travel agency Orbitz, which have been locked in a years-long dispute over travel distribution costs and methods, on Monday said they have reached an agreement resolving the litigation between them. The companies declined to comment on details of the settlement agreement, which must be reviewed and approved by the US bankruptcy court presiding over American parent AMR's Chapter 11 case.
LinkAlaska Integrates GPS In Search And RescueA test program in Alaska to integrate the consumer tracking devices Spot and Spidertracks with FAA search-and-rescue has been successful, officials said last week. The Enhanced Special Reporting Service was tested for two years and now has been made an official option for all pilots flying VFR in Alaska. The technology could be a lifesaver in Alaska's remote terrain. "For example," FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer told the Alaska Dispatch, "if a pilot leaves Anchorage for Nome in a Cessna 172, it's about a four-and-a-half-hour flight. Typically, the search would begin for the overdue pilot 30 minutes after they were to have arrived. With this technology, the search would begin when the plane stops moving and will more closely pinpoint the aircraft's location." The program is available only for VFR flights within Alaska, but it may be expanded in the future, the FAA said.
LinkUnited reschedules launch of Denver-to-Tokyo serviceUnited Airlines has pushed back the launch of its Denver-to-Tokyo service until June 10. United plans to use the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for the route, which was originally scheduled to begin March 31. Last week, Boeing CEO Jim McNerney said the company is "very close" to gaining approval of the 787 for passenger flights.
LinkUnited finishes most of integration work with ContinentalUnited Airlines switched over its passenger services system last year with some turbulence after its merger with Continental, but is looking ahead to smoother skies. "Most of the integration work is behind us -- not all of it, but most of it -- and we're full-speed ahead at advancing the business again," said Jeff Foland, executive vice president of marketing, technology and strategy.
LinkUS Airways To Start Service Between CLT and LHRUS Airways announced it will begin operating daily non-stop flights from Charlotte to London Heathrow starting March 30. The airline, which is slated to complete its merger with American Airlines by the end of the year, currently flies between Philadelphia and London and Charlotte and London’s Gatwick airport. The Gatwick flight will be discontinued effective after today.
LinkAirlines don't plan to alter flights due to sequestrationDespite dire warnings from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, airlines plan to operate business as usual. "A4A member airlines have no plans to cancel or suspend flights or operations as a result of the FAA's announcement," said Airlines for America spokeswoman Jean Medina.
LinkBoeing postpones flight test of 787Boeing postponed a 787 test flight scheduled for Saturday. The flight was designed to test the revamped power panel engineering, a separate issue from the 787 battery retooling.
LinkTSA concludes investigation at Newark Liberty airport in N.J.The Transportation Security Administration fired four employees and disciplined dozens of others after a yearlong investigation into lax screening procedures at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. "Accountability is an important aspect of our work, and TSA takes prompt and appropriate action with any employee who does not follow procedures or engages in misconduct," said Lisa Farbstein, a TSA spokeswoman, in a statement.
LinkTSA launches PreCheck program for Raleigh-Durham airportThe Transportation Security Administration has rolled out its PreCheck program at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina. The program allows frequent fliers and other select travelers to enroll for expedited security screening.
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