May 24, 2006 06:35 AM (ET)
Study Cites Need For New Hotel On Airport Grounds
Miami Today - May 24, 2006 09:08 PM (ET)
A consultant's conclusion that a new hotel on the grounds of Miami International Airport would be a moneymaker for the airport has led aviation department officials to begin laying plans. "Ultimately, we found a need for a three-star, four-diamond hotel in Miami International Airport," said Chuck Martinez, principal of Miami hospitality consultant Adelfi, a 2-year-old company paid $150,000 by the aviation department in September to explore construction of a second on-site hotel.
Airport Gets $150,000 FAA Grant For Taxiway
Lincoln County (Maine) News - May 24, 2006 09:06 PM (ET)
Despite Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cutbacks this year, Wiscasset Municipal Airport will receive its annual $150,000 entitlement grant to help complete its new taxiway. That is good news to Wicked Good Aviation, which will need that amount and more to finish the construction project that is now approaching its second phase, according to manager Ann Walko of Wicked Good Aviation.
Airport Blaze Drama
Sydney Morning Herald - May 24, 2006 08:50 PM (ET)
A large fire broke out in a cargo area of Istanbul's main Ataturk Airport on Wednesday, injuring three people but not causing any air traffic delays, officials said. Fire engines and ambulances rushed to the scene of the fire where huge plumes of black smoke billowed up from the airport which serves Turkey's largest city.
Halifax Airport Completes Massive IP Upgrade
IT Business (Canada) - May 24, 2006 08:47 PM (ET)
The Halifax International Airport Authority said Wednesday that it has completed an IP network upgrade that touches almost every aspect of its operations, including those of the airlines it serves. Halifax airport has spent the last few years remodeling its facility as part of a $90-million terminal expansion project that increased its public space by 40 percent.
Laurel Airport Master Plan Calls For New Runway
Laurel (Mont.) Outlook - May 24, 2006 08:46 PM (ET)
Last January the Laurel Municipal Airport Authority received an update to its master plan that was drafted in 1996. The plan update calls for construction of a $3.9 million crosswind runway in 2009 or 2010.
Airport Authority Accepts $500,000 Grant
Charlotte (Fla.) Sun-Herald - May 24, 2006 08:44 PM (ET)
There's some emergencies you don't mind at all. The Charlotte County Airport Authority held a so-called "emergency meeting" Tuesday evening to accept a $500,000 grant from the Florida Department of Transportation for an instrument landing system.
Phoenix Joins Williams Gateway Airport Authority
East Valley (Ariz.) Tribune - May 24, 2006 08:37 PM (ET)
The Williams Gateway Airport Authority voted to add Phoenix to its membership Monday, formalizing an emerging partnership with Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Board members voted 3-1 to add Phoenix to the authority that oversees Williams Gateway Airport. Mesa, the Gila River Indian Community and Queen Creek all voted in favor of adding Phoenix as a partner, with only Gilbert voting against.
Late Easter Makes Record April At International Airport
Fort Myers (Fla.) News-Press - May 24, 2006 08:34 PM (ET)
More than 847,000 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport last month, making it the busiest April in the airport’s 22-year history. This represents a 3.87 percent increase over the previous April, which is more than three times the national average of 1.2 percent for the same month as reported by the Air Transport Association.
Airport Authority, County Commissioners To Settle Dispute Over Appointments
Great Falls (Mont.) Tribune - May 24, 2006 08:31 PM (ET)
The Great Falls Airport Authority board will ask county commissioners for a face-to-face meeting to settle a legal dispute about board appointments. A motion to make that request passed unanimously at the airport authority's Tuesday afternoon meeting.
Airport Ramps Up Security
Capital News 9 (Albany, N.Y.) - May 24, 2006 08:28 PM (ET)
Albany International Airport has increased security by adding a new machine that test for traces of explosives. It's the newest way to make our airlines safe, and it's simple, you just step on in. Albany International Airport Federal Security Director Paul Varville said, "There will be 37 jets of air that will be puffed against the person's body and clothing and then that residue will go up into the top unit and will be analyzed for explosive traces."
United To Give Up Six Gates At Denver
Crain's Chicago Business - May 24, 2006 07:45 PM (ET)
United Airlines is giving up six gates it leases at the Denver International Airport and in return is getting a new regional jet facility and forgiveness for $110 million in debt owed on a problematic baggage system it no longer uses. The carrier will on July 1 relinquish one gate used for its low-cost Ted operations at the airport’s concourse A and will exit the remaining five gates in the next nine to 12 months.
New hangar To Be Constructed At Elkhart Municipal Airport
WNDU (South Bend, Ind.) - May 24, 2006 06:45 PM (ET)
Growth at Elkhart Municipal Airport will mean a big boost for the economy. People are on cloud nine about the announcement of a huge, new hangar and charter business based in Elkhart.
Sanders Stays Out Of Airport Battle For Miramar
San Diego Union Tribune - May 24, 2006 06:33 PM (ET)
Mayor Jerry Sanders on Wednesday said he planned to take no position on the proposed November ballot measure on joint use of the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station. Instead, the mayor said he planned to work on maintaining a “constructive dialogue with the military” until the Pentagon determines its priorities have changed.
Demand Remains Strong As Planes Fill Up: American Airlines
Reuters - May 24, 2006 06:30 PM (ET)
Air travelers in the United States face crowded planes and rising fares this year, but those conditions have not dampened ticket demand, the chief executive of American Airlines said on Wednesday.
The world's largest airline, a unit of AMR Corp. , is expecting record-high domestic load factors this summer even as ticket prices inch higher, the CEO, Gerard Arpey, said.
United To Offer Non-Stop Flights Between Washington, Kuwait City
World AFP - May 24, 2006 04:49 PM (ET)
United Airlines plans to begin offering non-stop flights between Washington and Kuwait City, the Chicago-based airline said.
Three weekly flights will be offered beginning in late October, pending approval from the Kuwaiti government.
Ferrovial Says BAA Pension Trustee Agrees Plan
Reuters - May 24, 2006 04:39 PM (ET)
A consortium led by Spain's Grupo Ferrovial said on Wednesday it had reached an agreement with the trustee of the pension scheme at BAA Plc regarding strategy in the event of the consortium taking over the UK airports operator.
The consortium's Airport Development and Investment Limited (ADI), "has today reached agreement with the trustee of the BAA Pension Scheme as to an appropriate and robust strategy (including a strengthened funding target and security) for the scheme in the event of an acquisition of BAA Plc by ADI," the consortium said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange.
Retired Delta Pilots Ask Court To Nix Deal
Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram - May 24, 2006 12:23 PM (ET)
A group that represents some retired Delta Air Lines Inc. pilots asked a bankruptcy court judge Tuesday to reject the carrier's latest wage concession agreement with its pilots union.
The Delta Pilots' Pension Preservation Organization said in its objection that if the agreement reached last month is approved it would set the stage for drastically reducing certain pension benefits of the airline's 5,800 retired pilots.
US Airways' Rehiring Spree
The Street - May 24, 2006 12:22 PM (ET)
It's not just shareholders who have benefited from the US Airways merger.
Last year's combination of US Airways and America West Airlines is also creating jobs at the airline, including 600 reservations jobs that had been outsourced abroad.
Aerospace Notebook: Planning For Disaster Is Essential
Seattle (Wash.) Post-Intelligencer - May 24, 2006 12:21 PM (ET)
When Alaska Airlines Flight 261 fell out of the sky six years ago off the Southern California coast, the Seattle-based carrier had an emergency plan for how to deal with such a huge air disaster.
Most airlines do.
Americans Won't Let Fuel Prices Keep Them Home
Pittsburgh (Pa.) Tribune-Review - May 24, 2006 12:19 PM (ET)
Don't talk to Christel Thompson about the increased cost of driving on vacation this summer. She thinks she's getting a bargain.
SFO Expecting Busy Summer Season
Examiner (Calif.) - May 24, 2006 12:18 PM (ET)
Airport officials expect this vacation season to be busy, with summer passenger figures steadily rising back toward — but still not reaching — pre-9/11 figures.
Passenger levels dropped sharply after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and struggled along with the entire travel industry to come back in the subsequent economic recession.
Chance Of Canceled Flight Higher At Small Airports
Chicago (Ill.) Tribune - May 24, 2006 12:14 PM (ET)
Travelers departing small airports in states like Arkansas and Montana are more likely to have their flight canceled than those flying from a big city, a new government study found.
And while big and small communities experience about the same number of flight delays, planes tend to wait longer when leaving from small airports.
Cellphones On A Plane!
Fortune Magazine - May 24, 2006 12:12 PM (ET)
The security line feels like a maze, the legroom in coach reminds you of the time your son talked you into climbing into his crib, and it looks as if you'll have to circle over O'Hare a few more times.
But don't complain yet: The most unpleasant place for business travelers may be about to get even more disagreeable.
Controllers Don't Like Them Either
Aviation Now - May 24, 2006 12:10 PM (ET)
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has already gone on record vociferously opposing user fees as a funding mechanism for the FAA and, especially, for ATC.
When the FAA and Air Transport Association began talking in early 2005 about instituting user fees, NATCA commissioned aviation economist and consultant Darryl Jenkins to analyze the concept.
LAX, TSA Working To Ease Summer Travel Bottlenecks
Daily Breeze (Calif.) - May 24, 2006 12:08 PM (ET)
A special task force of federal security screeners has begun taking up positions at Los Angeles International Airport to help cover the coming rush of summer travelers.
Airport officials will announce today that they expect this summer to be the busiest in five years.
BWI Traffic Patterns To Change
Baltimore (Md.) Business Journal - May 24, 2006 12:05 PM (ET)
Traffic patterns at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport will shift May 25 as the airport nears completion of its $1.8 billion expansion project.
Fast-growing BWI, which boasts its "user-friendly" appeal, said the renovated roadway will improve traffic flow and increase capacity.
Demise Of The Optional Gratuity
Los Angeles (Calif.) Times - May 24, 2006 12:03 PM (ET)
Tipping is a traveler's last resort for getting and rewarding good treatment.
But now, suppliers are toying with that sacred cow by imposing mandatory gratuities and other charges.
IdeaWorks Study Finds More Than 15 Million Reward Trips During 2005
EyeforTravel - May 24, 2006 12:01 PM (ET)
The company, which analysed the 10-K annual report filings of the largest US airlines to determine frequent flier reward activity for 2005, shared that a record 15,581,000 reward tickets were provided to members during 2005.
The activity analysed in the report captures more than 88 percent of the 745 million passengers that flew on all US-based airlines during 2005.
ANA To Resume Tokyo-Chicago Flight Service
Kyodo News - May 24, 2006 08:46 AM (ET)
All Nippon Airways will resume its Tokyo-Chicago flight service suspended since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States, ANA President Mineo Yamamoto said Wednesday.
Starting this fall, ANA will operate seven round-trip flights a week between Tokyo and Chicago, with revenues projected at 10 billion yen a year, Yamamoto said at a press conference.
Singapore's Changi Airport Named World's Best In 2006
Asia Pulse - May 24, 2006 08:44 AM (ET)
Singapore's Changi Airport has been named the World's Best Airport in 2006 as part of the largest global passenger survey of airport standards.
Director-General of Singapore Civil Aviation, CAAS, Mr Wong Woong Liong, said the airport had never won the Skytrax award before despite having won many best airport awards in the past.
Continental Facing 'Major' Challenges In Micronesia
Asia Pulse - May 24, 2006 08:43 AM (ET)
The arrival of more U. S. Marines and the expansion of the casino industry on Tinian are not enough reasons to consider more development plans for the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI), according to a senior airline executive, Walter B. Dias.
He said Continental Micronesia is experiencing major challenges in its Micronesian operations.
India Deccan Aviation's IPO Extended, Band Widened
Reuters - May 24, 2006 08:41 AM (ET)
An initial public offering by Indian discount carrier Deccan Aviation due to end on Tuesday has been extended and the price band widened after market volatility disrupted investor interest, its managing director said.
The offering comprises a fresh issue of 24.55 million shares, or a quarter of the post-issue capital, and was due to have raised as much as 4.3 billion rupees ($94 million) if priced at the top of the 150-175 rupees per share range it opened with.
New U.S. Airline To Fly From New York To Russia
Asia Pulse - May 24, 2006 08:39 AM (ET)
A new U.S. airline, Baltia Air Lines, based at the JFK Airport in New York at Terminal 4, is getting ready to start nonstop service to St. Petersburg, Russia with a Boeing 747. Currently, the only other US airline operating to Russia is Delta Air Lines which flies nonstop to Moscow.
Santan Arriving At Airport's Door
Arizona Republic - May 24, 2006 06:53 AM (ET)
Williams Gateway Airport's journey to become a regional jobs center and reliever airport will get its second tailwind within weeks as the Santan Freeway opens June 12 at the former airbase's front door. "It will change the entire dynamic for the way this area is viewed," said Doug Hazen, owner of AMAC Logistics, which manages international cargo shipments at the airport.
Budapest Airport To Sell Off Ground Handling Operation
Caboodle (Hungary) - May 24, 2006 06:51 AM (ET)
Budapest Airport yesterday announced plans to sell its ground handling subsidiary via a closed international tender. Bids should be filed in July and the contract can be signed in August. CEO-designate Stewart Wingate declared in a statement that "Ground handling is not a business that an airport operator is best-placed to run, as it can be managed much better by a specialist ground handling company.
Airport Authority OKs Budget With Terminal Improvements
San Diego Union Tribune - May 24, 2006 06:50 AM (ET)
San Diego International Airport travelers will see additional improvements to Terminal 2, and a fifth security-dog team will be assigned to the facility under a $128 million operating budget for fiscal 2007. The spending plan, up 7.4 percent from the current year, was adopted yesterday by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.
Air Traffic Controllers FAA Are At Impasse
Seattle Post-Intelligencer - May 24, 2006 06:34 AM (ET)
Air traffic controllers at Sea-Tac Airport handed out leaflets Tuesday about their stalled contract, saying it would lead to pay cuts for incoming employees at a time when many veterans have to retire. Their union, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, and the Federal Aviation Administration have been at an impasse since April.
Noblesville Says No Way To Airport From Fishers
Indianapolis Star - May 24, 2006 06:33 AM (ET)
This city said no thanks Tuesday night, leaving Fishers stuck -- at least for now -- with an airport on 445 acres of real estate worth tens of millions of dollars. The unanimous vote by the Noblesville City Council is a major defeat for Fishers, which has envisioned the Metropolitan Airport site as a future commercial hub that could include a park-and-ride facility for a possible rapid transit line to Indianapolis.
No Charges For Marshals In Airport Shooting
Los Angeles Times - May 24, 2006 06:32 AM (ET)
Two federal air marshals were justified in killing an airline passenger at Miami International Airport in December and will not be charged with any crime, authorities concluded. The air marshals had no way of knowing that 44-year-old Rigoberto Alpizar suffered from bipolar disorder when they heard him shout the word "bomb" while running through an airplane cabin, according to a report released by the Miami-Dade state attorney's office.
City To Fund Fire Station For Airport
Pueblo (Colo.) Chieftain - May 24, 2006 06:30 AM (ET)
While the city signed off on using $11.15 million from the half-cent sales tax for economic development to bring a flight school to Pueblo, it will spend another $2 million to help maintain the fire station at the airport. The city already pays for the station there, but the transfer of $2 million in half-cent revenues will relieve some of the pressure on the city's general fund to operate the station, City Manager David Galli said.
Jo'burg Airport To Get R8bn Facelift
Business Day (South Africa) - May 24, 2006 06:29 AM (ET)
Johannesburg International Airport is set to undergo a massive reconstruction in the next six years with the building of a new R8bn terminal to accommodate growing passenger numbers and air-traffic movements. Also included in the plan is the construction of a new cargo facility to meet the “alarming growth rate” of just-in-time shipments into and out of the country, said the airport’s GM, Chris Hlekane.
Passenger Figures Don't Faze Airport
ABC News (Australia) - May 24, 2006 06:26 AM (ET)
Gold Coast Airport Limited says it is not concerned by statistics which show passenger numbers are starting to plateau. Queensland Airports figures show that after three years of double digit growth, the Gold Coast airport's passenger figures rose by 4.5 per cent in the month to April, compared to the same period last year.
Private Cars Face New Charges For Airport Stops
The Scotsman - May 24, 2006 06:26 AM (ET)
Car drivers will have to pay to collect family and friends from two of Scotland's major airports under a major transport and environment scheme aimed at encouraging more people to use public transport. The new system, under which motorists are charged £1 to park for up to two hours at a designated "pick-up" area, began operating at Edinburgh Airport last month.
Bombardier, Embraer Careful To 'Mind The Gap'
Air Transport World - May 24, 2006 06:13 AM (ET)
Regional jet manufacturers Bombardier and Embraer have made their intentions clear: Both will continue to focus primarily on marketing and development of aircraft in the 60/100-seat range. At the Regional Airline Assn. conference yesterday in Dallas, Bombardier VP-Marketing and Communications Trung Ngo noted that rising fuel costs, renegotiated labor contracts and the success of low-cost carriers have helped drive the market for larger regional aircraft.
New Italian Government Declares Dissatisfaction With Alitalia
Air Transport World - May 24, 2006 06:04 AM (ET)
Although the Italian government reduced its stake in Alitalia below 50% in its recent recapitalization (ATWOnline, Nov. 14, 2005), new Transport Minister Alessandro Bianchi felt justified in calling for a change in management at the struggling flag carrier, which reported a widened €156.6 million ($200 million) first-quarter loss last week that it attributed largely to the impact of protests by Alitalia Servizi workers. The airline said bad weather and the January strikes knocked €80 million off operating revenues and €40 million off the operating result.
Northwest Ramp Workers To See 11.5% Pay Cut In New Agreement
Air Transport World - May 24, 2006 05:52 AM (ET)
Northwest Airlines' 5,600 ramp service employees and stock clerks will see their hourly base wage rates reduced by 11.5% if they ratify a tentative five-year agreement reached between the airline and negotiators for the International Assn. of Machinists last week (ATWOnline, May 22). But if they reject it, as they did an earlier contract in March, they likely will receive even worse terms from a court-imposed settlement, union leaders told membership.
Minister Confirms Aeroports de Paris IPO Before Summer
Air Transport World - May 24, 2006 05:50 AM (ET)
Aeroports de Paris' IPO should take place before summer, French Finance Minister Thierry Breton confirmed yesterday. "The company is ready. It is opportune to give it the necessary means to support its expansion.
European Union Gives Ferrovial Green Light
Air Transport World - May 24, 2006 05:39 AM (ET)
BAA may be opposed to a takeover by Spain's Ferrovial Group but the European Commission will not stand in the way. The EC yesterday approved Ferrovial's potential acquisition of the UK airports operator, saying "the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition."
United Continues Management Musical Chairs
Air Transport World - May 24, 2006 05:34 AM (ET)
United Airlines continues to shuffle senior managers into and out of positions. Barely a month after naming Sean Donohue to the newly created position of VP-customer experience (ATWOnline, April 19), the carrier yesterday moved him to the position of senior VP-onboard services responsible for worldwide flight attendant operations, food and beverage operations and flight attendant manpower planning and scheduling.
Air Deccan IPO Sputters On Takeoff
Air Transport World - May 24, 2006 05:33 AM (ET)
Deccan Aviation, parent of LCC Air Deccan, struggled to attract investors for its IPO as India's stock market sputtered last week and has extended its deadline to Friday. Deccan issued the IPO on May 18, the same day India's stock market plunged in what many in the country are calling an unprecedented crash.
