Dec 07, 2006 06:45 AM (ET)
Airport Project Fails To Take Off
Cape Cod (Mass.) Times - Dec 07, 2006 10:10 PM (ET)
No new road, no new airport terminal. That's the word from Cape Cod Commission executive director Margo Fenn, who faced a barrage of questions from the Yarmouth selectmen Tuesday night over the county agency's review of a terminal expansion project at Barnstable Municipal Airport.
Airport Study Cleared For Completion
Cecil (Md.) Whig - Dec 07, 2006 10:06 PM (ET)
The push for an official county airport gained momentum Tuesday night, with county commissioners giving a study for the project a green light to gather public input. The board voted 4-1 to complete the four-year feasibility study for the proposed airport, which is being considered for two sites west of North East near Interstate 95.
Airport Traffic Jumps In October
Charlotte Business Journal - Dec 07, 2006 10:04 PM (ET)
Some 1.28 million passengers boarded planes at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport in October, a 12 percent increase from the same month in 2005. The number of daily flights increased to 626 from 601.
Airport Seeks Council's OK On $10 Car Rental Transaction Fee
Palm Springs (Calif.) Desert Sun - Dec 07, 2006 10:04 PM (ET)
The Palm Springs International Airport commissioners on Wednesday agreed to consider asking the City Council to impose a $10 transaction fee on car rentals at the airport. Richard Walsh, aviation director, said California law allows the fee to be collected to create a revenue source to pay debt service on bond issues sold to finance construction of car rental facilities.
Airport Looks To Land Frontier
Palm Springs (Calif.) Desert Sun - Dec 07, 2006 10:03 PM (ET)
Frontier Airlines is blazing a new path that could lead to daily, year-round service from Palm Springs International Airport. The Denver-based airline, serving 56 markets in the United States, one in Calgary and seven in Mexico, asked 50 communities to respond to a request for proposals to determine where it will place a fleet of Bombardier aircraft it plans to acquire beginning June 2007.
Airport Panel Approves 2008 Capital Improvements Budget
Texarkana Gazette - Dec 07, 2006 10:01 PM (ET)
With proposals for construction projects over the next year at the Texarkana Regional Airport, officials have planned more than one capital projects budget. Besides the $6.7 million capital improvements budget for next year, the Airport Authority’s Finance and Accounting Committee also approved a capital improvements budget for 2008 during a meeting last week.
Opening Of Sofia Airport's New Terminal Delayed After Christmas
The Sofia Weekly - Dec 07, 2006 10:00 PM (ET)
The new terminal of Sofia Airport will not open in time for the Christmas rush as initially planned, the transport ministry announced. Officials from the ministry commented the delay was not caused by technical reasons, but declined to further elaborate.
Charlotte Douglas To Go Smoke-Free
News 14 Charlotte - Dec 07, 2006 09:59 PM (ET)
Beginning next year, smokers flying out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport might be a little bit more on edge as they wait for their flights to depart. Effective March 15, airport restaurants and bars will go smoke-free.
Calm Mood Prevails During Airport Talks
Casa Grande Valley (Ariz.) Newspapers - Dec 07, 2006 09:57 PM (ET)
Though threats of a lawsuit are not gone, they may have subsided following a well-received discussion about the airport's new rates for commercial users. The meeting was called last week by Mayor Byron Jackson as a last ditch effort to resolve the volatile and numerous issues surrounding a contentious policy that legally went into effect earlier this week.
Objectors Backtrack Over Airport Rail Link Disputes
The Scotsman - Dec 07, 2006 09:55 PM (ET)
More than half of the officials objections to the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link scheme have now been withdrawn. The council's transport firm TIE, which is in charge of the project, said it was delighted the number of objections has fallen from 48 to 18.
FAA: MB High-Rise Construction Won't Impact Airport Radar
Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun News - Dec 07, 2006 09:54 PM (ET)
Construction of high-rises in southern Myrtle Beach, except in limited areas, is not likely to create safety hazards for a new airport radar, according to a long-awaited FAA study released Thursday. The FAA said most development projects could probably proceed despite the radar upgrade planned for early next year.
RDU To Rebuild Terminal C's South Concourse
Triangle (N.C.) Business Journal - Dec 07, 2006 09:51 PM (ET)
The Raleigh-Durham International Airport Authority formally decided on Thursday to replace the south concourse of Terminal C, a move that increases the project's cost from $430 million to $579 million. The authority had been considering the move for months; Thursday's unanimous vote via teleconference made it official.
Union Warns Of Holiday Airport Delays
ABC News (Australia) - Dec 07, 2006 09:48 PM (ET)
The union representing airport staff is warning passengers to expect lengthy delays over Christmas because of understaffing at Brisbane's domestic and international terminals. The Australian Services Union says Qantas terminals are already understaffed and the airline has refused to bring in more staff to work over the busy holiday season.
Some Delta Creditors Form Separate Group
Reuters - Dec 07, 2006 09:39 PM (ET)
A group of nine unsecured creditors of Delta Air Lines Inc. have formed an unofficial committee to represent their interests, as the bankrupt carrier faces a takeover bid, according to court filings on Thursday. The formation of the unofficial committee, which consists of creditors such as Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc., comes after US Airways Group Inc. made an unsolicited $8.6 billion takeover offer for Delta on November 15.
Boeing Downplays Threat From New Airbus Jet
AFP - Dec 07, 2006 09:38 PM (ET)
US aircraft giant Boeing Co. played down the competition posed by the A350 long-haul plane newly unveiled by its fierce European rival Airbus. "We are not horribly concerned" about delays in orders for the US group's 787 Dreamliner, said Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of marketing, Randy Baseler.
Airbus To Hike Investment In India To $1 Billion
AFP - Dec 07, 2006 09:36 PM (ET)
Europe's Airbus has said it will hike investment in India to at least one billion dollars as it forecast the country would need 1,100 new planes over 20 years to meet soaring travel demand. The aircraft maker had pledged to plow back 500 million to 600 million dollars into India over the next decade as part of a 2.5-billion-dollar deal in early 2006 to sell 43 aircraft to state-owned carrier Indian, Airbus said.
India Needs 1,100 Aircraft In Next Two Decades; Airbus
AFP - Dec 07, 2006 09:35 PM (ET)
India's fast-growing aviation market will need 1,100 passenger and cargo aircraft worth 105 billion dollars over the next two decades, European aircraft maker Airbus Industries says. India will also become the fastest growing country for air travel demand in the next decade, Airbus said in a statement released in New Delhi.
Hong Kong Airlines To Launch Clark-HK Route On Dec. 10
Asia Pulse - Dec 07, 2006 09:34 PM (ET)
Hong Kong Airlines will begin its Hong Kong to Clark service route with its maiden flight to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) here on December 10. Victor Jose Luciano, president and chief executive officer of Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC), said Hong Kong Airlines will be deploying its fleet of Boeing 737-800s and Boeing 787s, the last with a seating capacity of 156 economy and eight business class.
Delta Pilots Union Chief Warns On Merger Job Cuts
Reuters - Dec 07, 2006 09:33 PM (ET)
The leader of the pilots union at Delta Air Lines Inc. said on Wednesday he opposed a US Airways Group proposal to take over Delta, warning that about 1,000 Delta pilots would lose their jobs. Lee Moak, the leader of the Delta chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association, said if US Airways' $8.7 billion takeover of Delta succeeds, it would mean "several thousand employees" would lose their jobs at Delta overall.
Boeing's 787 On Schedule, Demand Strong
AP - Dec 07, 2006 09:31 PM (ET)
Boeing Co.'s 787 Dreamliner remains on schedule for its first test flight next summer and for delivery to airlines in 2008 despite the ongoing challenge to make it lighter, the new head of the company's commercial airplanes unit said Wednesday. Scott Carson told an investment conference in New York that Boeing has 435 firm orders for the new jet from 35 customers along with another 21 nonbinding commitments.
Airbus Apologizes To Thai Airways For A380 Delays
AFP - Dec 07, 2006 09:30 PM (ET)
European firm Airbus apologized to Thai Airways for delays in the delivery of six A380 superjumbos, but the kingdom's flag carrier warned that the order could still be cancelled. The A380, the world's largest commercial airline, is currently at Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport on a three-day visit that Airbus hopes will convince Thai Airways not to cancel its order.
EU To Press On With Airbus-Boeing Fight -Mandelson
Reuters - Dec 07, 2006 09:29 PM (ET)
The European Union plans to press on with its case in a transatlantic dispute over alleged illegal aid paid to U.S. plane maker Boeing and European rival Airbus, EU trade chief Peter Mandelson said on Wednesday. "We will proceed with our counter-case until such time there is genuine evidence of a willingness on the U.S. side to negotiate," Mandelson said.
EU May Try New Approach To Aviation Pact With U.S.
Reuters - Dec 07, 2006 09:14 PM (ET)
European ministers may demand the European Commission make fresh proposals to solve an impasse with the United States over an aviation agreement after Washington dropped a key element, EU President Finland said on Thursday. The United States withdrew a proposal on Tuesday to ease restrictions on overseas investment in U.S. airlines, a central demand from the European Union in talks toward an "open skies" pact to liberalise trans-Atlantic aviation.
Roadblock For US Air
The Street - Dec 07, 2006 01:29 PM (ET)
Pilots at Delta Air Lines have stipulations in their contract that would prevent a merger with US Airways from taking place, the chairman of the pilots union said Wednesday. The labor pact, which has been approved by the bankruptcy court, "is a controlling agreement in this merger, and it has several provisions that prevent [US] Airways from merging with Delta," said Lee Moak, in an interview.
Delta's Board Will Review US Airways' Takeover Bid
Bloomberg News - Dec 07, 2006 01:27 PM (ET)
Delta Air Lines Inc. Chief Executive Officer Gerald Grinstein said the bankrupt carrier's board will formally consider US Airways Group Inc.'s $8.53 billion takeover bid. "Soon we'll share" the airline's analysis of the hostile offer with Delta's board and official creditors committee, Grinstein told Delta's 51,000 employees in a letter Tuesday.
Delta Pilots To Lobby Congress To Oppose US Airways Bid
AP - Dec 07, 2006 01:23 PM (ET)
Delta Air Lines' pilots union plans a massive rally against U.S. Airways' hostile takeover bid and said it will lobby Congress to block the deal. U.S. Airways says it won't back down, and its shares rose sharply yesterday.
Airline Chiefs Press Congress On USAir Merger Bid
Reuters - Dec 07, 2006 01:18 PM (ET)
Chief executives of Delta Air Lines Inc. and US Airways Group Inc. pressed Congress on Wednesday on their opposing views on merging their companies, congressional officials said. Doug Parker of US Airways met with incoming Democratic House Transportation Committee Chairman James Oberstar, who also held discussions with Gerald Grinstein of Delta about US Airway's $8.6 billion hostile bid.
Boeing Will Add Third 787 Model If Carriers Ask: Exec
Reuters - Dec 07, 2006 01:08 PM (ET)
Boeing Co. will add a third major model to its 787 Dreamliner series if airlines ask for it, Randy Baseler, vice-president of marketing, said on Thursday. Boeing has been working tentatively for some months on a possible 787-10 model to add to its hot-selling 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes, which will fly 210-290 people over 8,000 nautical miles.
Spain's Abertis Looks At Leeds Airport-Paper
Reuters - Dec 07, 2006 06:38 AM (ET)
Spanish infrastructure group Abertis is looking at Leeds Bradford airport with regard to a possible purchase, El Economista newspaper reported on Thursday. The Barcelona-based company, which operates Luton airport, is looking at the books of the airport, owned by Leeds and Bradford councils plus other regional councils, an Abertis spokesman told the paper.
Lounges Among Airport's Changes
Arizona Daily Star - Dec 07, 2006 06:37 AM (ET)
Starting today, Tucsonans will have to meet and greet incoming passengers at Tucson International Airport in the baggage claim area. But two new "welcome lounges" will provide a spot for those homecoming hugs with a little less industrial feel than conveyer belts and banging baggage might envision.
How South Africa's Comair Dodges Airline Turmoil
iAfrica.com - Dec 07, 2006 06:37 AM (ET)
The airline industry globally is in turmoil. Yet Comair is set to lift its headline earnings per share by up to 60 percent — despite rocketing fuel costs and increased competition. So just what are they doing right?
Lower Airport Fees Proposed
St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press - Dec 07, 2006 06:35 AM (ET)
Northwest Airlines and 14 other carriers that fly in and out of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport could get a $21.8 million break next year. The finance committee of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which oversees the airport, on Wednesday voted to recommend reducing 2007 airport rates and fees to airlines by $15.5 million and waiving $6.3 million the airlines owe in 2005 and 2006 terminal and airfield costs.
Monorail Given Permit To Extend To McCarran Airport
KVBC (Las Vegas) - Dec 07, 2006 06:34 AM (ET)
A critical step in the future of the Las Vegas Monorail was taken Wednesday afternoon. The County Commission granted a land use permit for extending the system to McCarran Airport.
Airport Application Goes To Public Comment
East Haven (Conn.) Advertiser - Dec 07, 2006 06:33 AM (ET)
The public got its only chance to testify in front of a state Department of Environmental Protection hearing officer Dec. 6 on Tweed New Haven Regional Airport's application to fill about 11 acres of tidal wetlands to create federally mandated 1,000-foot safety areas at either end of its main runway. A crowd of people from the abutting Morris Cove section and the town of East Haven, in which much of the city-owned airport is located, wasexpected.
Airlines May Seek Cut In Airport Charges
Daily News & Analysis (India) - Dec 07, 2006 06:32 AM (ET)
Airlines and civil aviation minister Praful Patel are headed for a face-off over the recently introduced congestion surcharge of Rs 150 per passenger. If industry insiders are to be believed, airlines, which are in no mood to relent to Patel’s request to rollback the levy, may use the opportunity to negotiate for a cut in the landing, parking and navigational charges at major airports.
DIAL Unveils Masterplan For Delhi Airport
Indian Express - Dec 07, 2006 06:30 AM (ET)
Delhi International Airport Ltd, the joint venture company responsible for the modernisation of the Delhi Airport on Wednesday unveiled the masterplan for the airport. The company plans to invest $1.5 billion, up from the initial plans to invest $1 billion, in the first phase of development of the new terminal building as the company is envisaging that the new terminal should be able to cater to 37 million passengers by 2010.
Flatulent Passenger Grounds U.S. Airline Flight
Reuters - Dec 07, 2006 06:28 AM (ET)
It may be one problem airline security officials never envisioned -- a passenger lighting matches in flight to mask odours from her flatulence. The woman's actions resulted in an emergency landing on Monday in Nashville of an American Airlines flight bound for Dallas from Washington, D.C., said Lynne Lowrance, a spokeswoman for Nashville's airport.
Macquarie Departure Could Spark Sale Of Birmingham Airport
The Business (London) - Dec 07, 2006 06:26 AM (ET)
Australian investment bank Macquarie is preparing to sell its stake in Birmingham International Airport, in a move that could prompt a full sale of Britain’s fifth busiest airport. The Business understands that Macquarie has offered to sell its 24% holding to the seven West Midlands councils that together already own 49% of Birmingham.
GTSI Receives FAA Contract
AP - Dec 07, 2006 06:25 AM (ET)
Information technology contractor GTSI Corp. on Wednesday said it has a one-year contract to supply computers and related hardware to the Federal Aviation Administration. The contract has four, one-year options which, if exercised, would bring the deal's value to $63 million.
All Sofia Airport Flights Cancelled By Thursday Noon
The Sofia Weekly - Dec 07, 2006 06:24 AM (ET)
No planes will be allowed to land on or take off from Sofia Airport by Thursday noon due to the thick fog, the airport's press centre announced. Bulgaria's football team Levski, which was returning from London after their match against Chelsea, managed to land in Plovdiv on Wednesday as their plane was redirected.
BA Chairman Says Airline Consolidation To Take Off
Reuters - Dec 07, 2006 06:23 AM (ET)
British Airways Chairman Martin Broughton said on Wednesday he expected more consolidation in the aviation industry but investors should be careful about selling their shares to predatory private equity firms. Asked to comment on a private equity bid for Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd, Broughton said he expected other airlines to be targeted by prospective buyers.
Biometric Scanning 'To Cut Airport Queues'
ITV.com (U.K.) - Dec 07, 2006 06:22 AM (ET)
A biometric scanning system has been unveiled at Heathrow airport which could signal the end to check-in queues. The voluntary scheme will allow passengers to register their fingerprints and iris pattern.
Why Are Our Airport Rail Links So Bad?
London Times - Dec 07, 2006 06:21 AM (ET)
When you travel to other countries on business, you realise just how useful well-integrated rail links to airports are. Fly into Charles de Gaulle in Paris and you can catch the TGV right there to cities across France, including Lyon and Nice.
Chinese Group Shows Off Airport Radiation Scanner
London Times - Dec 07, 2006 06:17 AM (ET)
A Chinese group that plans to list in London next year will meet BAA, the airports operator, and the British Government this week to discuss supplying radiation scanners to UK airports. Nuctech was spun out of Tsinghua University, an institution dubbed “the MIT of China”. It will also hold talks with British authorities on a system that detects liquid explosives and their components, which has been approved by the Home Office.
Airport Safety Grip Tightens
Melbourne (Australia) Herald Sun - Dec 07, 2006 06:16 AM (ET)
Airline passengers are expected to have to abide by strict new rules on cabin baggage from next year. The quantity of liquids allowed aboard will be restricted and tighter hand-luggage limits enforced.
Northwest Out, Midwest Aviation Might Be In
Marshall (Minn.) Independent - Dec 07, 2006 06:15 AM (ET)
There’s a change in the flight plan for commercial scheduled air service at the municipal airport in Marshall. Northwest Airlines is no longer interested in providing scheduled air service from Marshall to the Twin Cities. Midwest Aviation of Marshall, however, is.
London's Heathrow Airport Starts Trial Of Biometric Scanning
Deutsche Presse-Agentur - Dec 07, 2006 06:14 AM (ET)
Passengers at London's Heathrow airport were Wednesday invited to participate in a trial of the most advanced passenger screening equipment, involving the taking of fingerprints and biometric scanning of the face and eyes. Airport authorities said travellers volunteering for the trial would have the advantage of bypassing long queues in departure halls.
Lufthansa First To Order 747-8I With 20 Firm, 20 Options; Also Orders Seven A340-600s
Air Transport World - Dec 07, 2006 06:10 AM (ET)
Lufthansa's board yesterday approved orders for 20 747-8 Intercontinentals--the first of the variant to be sold by Boeing--plus 20 options and seven A340-600s, a total investment in long-haul planes valued at nearly $7 billion. The 747-8Is will be delivered from 2010 to 2013 while the A340-600s will begin delivering in 2008.
UK Seeking To Lower Emissions, Double Passenger Taxes Despite Airline Objections
Air Transport World - Dec 07, 2006 06:09 AM (ET)
The UK yesterday announced that taxes on airline passenger tickets will double to £10 ($19.80) for most flights from Feb. 1, with duties on long-haul business class tickets doubling to £80 per ticket, as part of an effort to reduce carbon emissions. Finance Minister Gordon Brown told the House of Commons that aviation accounts for a fifth of carbon emissions produced by transport and that the UK "must take action domestically" to increase pressure for a wider EU and/or international agreement on reducing aviation emissions.
US Airways Emphasizes Commitment To Delta Merger, Calls For Due Diligence
Air Transport World - Dec 07, 2006 06:07 AM (ET)
US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker yesterday reiterated his company's commitment to its proposed $8 billion takeover of bankrupt Delta Air Lines, calling on DL's board and creditors' committee to begin due diligence on the merger offer. Parker's statement came a day after he told USA Today that the merger is "not going to happen" unless Delta management, which repeatedly has opposed the US plan, endorses the offer and works "together" with US to implement the merger.
NWA Reaches Agreement To Sell Seven DC-10s To ATA Airlines
Air Transport World - Dec 07, 2006 06:02 AM (ET)
Bankrupt Northwest Airlines said in a court filing yesterday that it has agreed to sell seven DC-10-30s to ATA Airlines, a transaction NWA said would bring "relief" that will help it to reorganize and eventually emerge from Chapter 11 protection. The carrier plans to retire all its DC-10s by the end of next month and said it marketed the seven planes to "70 potential purchasers."
BMED Gets Good Response On London-Africa Service
Air Transport World - Dec 07, 2006 06:02 AM (ET)
BMED said it is getting a better-than-expected response from passengers for new A320/A321 services from London Heathrow to the West African cities of Dakar, Senegal and Freetown launched in late October. "We do research on route development and Senegal and Freetown came up as a good opportunity for our airline," BMED CEO David Richardson told ATWOnline this week at the British Embassy in Washington.
Boeing's Bair Confident On 787 Diet Plan
Air Transport World - Dec 07, 2006 06:01 AM (ET)
Boeing's 787 is still overweight, although not the 5,000 lb. disclosed a month ago (ATWOnline, Nov. 7), but the company is confident it will "meet all commitments on weight," 787 VP and GM Mike Bair said yesterday during a call with reporters. An example of significant savings is a redesigned seat track that will remove several hundred pounds, he said.
