- Cut: Northwest Ramp Workers 11.5% Pay[May 24, 2006]
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. "The [negotiating] committee unanimously recommends ratification of this tentative agreement to avoid the elimination of our contract," leaders said in a letter posted on the IAM website.
- Bombardier, Embraer to 'Mind the gap'[May 24, 2006]
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. "Airlines are adjusting to a new norm," he said, "[but] they seem to draw the line at 100 seats." The airframer has 372 firm orders for CRJ700s/CRJ900s.
- Korean Air inaugurates flights to Turkey[May 21, 2006]
Korean Air, the national flag carrier of the Republic of Korea, will begin thrice weekly regular flight services between Seoul (Incheon), Korea and Istanbul, Turkey as of May 21.
- Survey: Americans hit the skies to Europe[May 22, 2006]
Americans have lost their anxiety about overseas travel and are now hitting the skies to Europe and other international destinations this summer, according to research and sales data released by AAA.
- Virgin Blue denies destroying documents[May 22, 2006]
The Australian Taxation Office has accused Virgin Blue executives of destroying documents relating to an elaborate taxation scheme after the airline became the target of an investigation.
- AMR Prices $400 Million Stock Offering[May 16, 2006]
FORT WORTH, Texas -- AMR Corp., the parent of American Airlines, said Tuesday it has priced a public offering of $400 million in newly issued shares at $26.80 per share.
- Airbus to Begin A320 Conversion Line[May 17, 2006]
Airbus has chosen Russia as its initial partner in the eventual passenger-to-freighter conversion of its A320 family aircraft, announcing yesterday at the ILA Airshow in Berlin the execution of a preliminary cooperation agreement with EADS EFW, MiG and Irkut.Conversion activities for A320s and A321s will include design, kit production, conversion and maintenance and are scheduled to begin in Russia in 2011. This is the first announcement of any A320 passenger-to-freighter conversion program.
- Rearden Commerce to Integrate the Data[May 17, 2006]
Rearden Commerce is to integrate FlightStats real-time data for airport, airline and flight status into its automated traveler notifications. (5/17/2006)
- US Releases Air Security Regulation[May 19, 2006]
The US government's final rule on air cargo security was issued this week after three years of debate and revision, marking the first major change to the regulations since 1999."Working with the industry, we have set a solid foundation for a major segment of the transportation network," US Transportation Security Administration Assistant Secretary Kip Hawley said. "In addition, TSA is working with our partners on a series of separate operational measures that raise security in air cargo."
- Delta Signs Agreements with Galileo[May 18, 2006]
Galileo International has signed a seven-year, full content agreement with Delta Air Lines. (5/18/2006)