Air traffic

Top 100 Airports: Highest Fare in Cincinnati, Lowest Fare at Dallas Love

January 28, 2009 - Average domestic air fares in the third quarter of 2008 reached $362, the highest level of average fares for any quarter in the 13 years measured by available data , the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today.

BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the average domestic itinerary fare in the third quarter was 2.8 percent higher than the $352 average domestic fare in the second quarter of 2008, the previous quarterly high . See http://www.bts.gov/xml/atpi/src/avgfareseries.xml for historic data.    » read more »

June 15, 2008 -- HONOLULU – An attempt by management and pilots at Hawaiian Airlines to turn around a strained and difficult post-bankruptcy relationship appears to be failing. After more than a year of effort to reach a new contract outside of the regular negotiating process, both sides are still far apart and the pilot group is rapidly losing patience, according to the Hawaiian Airlines unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA).

Hawaiian Airlines jet: Photo by Dylan Ashe (CC)    » read more »

Hainan Airlines now offering the only non-stop flight between the Northwest and China

June 9, 2008 -- SEA-TAC – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today helped greet passengers arriving on Hainan Airlines’ new direct passenger flight between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Beijing, and proclaimed today, “Hainan Airlines’ Day,” in Washington.

Hainan’s new flight is the first non-stop commercial flight between the Washington state and China since 1997. “This new direct flight is great economic news for Washington,” Gregoire stated during the celebration. “It comes at a time when other parts of the nation are facing a struggling economy, and airlines are being impacted by high fuel prices and even consolidating or limiting existing flights.”    » read more »

Merger will formally take effect on June 1

May 14, 2008 -- OTTAWA, ONT.—The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), today announced that its Executive Board has ratified the merger between ALPA and the First Air Pilots Association (FAPA). In April, FAPA members overwhelmingly voted to merge their independent union with ALPA. The merger will formally take effect on June 1, 2008.    » read more »

Northwest Airlines to add daily non-stops to Beijing and London

May 8, 2008 -- SEATTLE – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire joined representatives from Northwest Airlines and the Port of Seattle in announcing two new international air routes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Beijing and London.

NWA jet landing: Photo by Travis Church (CC)    » read more »

May 6, 2008 -- Washington, DC— U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today made the following statement after Republican Senators blocked the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act, legislation to modernize the FAA and our air traffic control system, improve safety inspections, and protect the rights of the flying public.

Airplane, runway: Photo by S Fujiwara (CC)    » read more »

May 6, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC—“I am extremely disappointed that Senate Republicans have once again blocked Democratic efforts to address the very real problems with our nation’s air travel. The legislation that was blocked today included several important and necessary provisions that would have addressed our ailing aviation system.

Security line at San Jose airport: Photo by sevenblock (CC)    » read more »

Amendments Follow Specter’s Field Hearing on Philadelphia International Airport

May 5, 2008 -- U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) filed two amendments to the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act which is currently being considered by the Senate.

Rocking chairs at Philadelphia International Airport: Photo by Jon Protas (CC)

The amendments seek to reduce overflights over Delaware County and delays caused by flight over-scheduling at Philadelphia International Airport. Senator Specter investigated both of these issues at a field hearing he convened in Philadelphia on Friday, April 25th.    » read more »

Reports suggest TSA uniforms and security information were not properly secured

April 17, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama sent the following letter to Assistant Secretary Kip Hawley at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), calling on him to address recent reports of possible security vulnerabilities at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago.

TSA bag inspection: Photo by Joel Franusic (CC)    » read more »

April 16, 2008 -- “Today's rules put forth by the Federal Department of Transportation (DOT), in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), were intended to be a step toward making air transportation more reliable and comfortable for passengers. But these rules are not the right solution, and, in the case of the auctioning of slots at LaGuardia, are woefully misguided.

Baggage area, Laguardia Airport: Photo by Sarah Gilbert (CC)    » read more »

NTSB Sunshine Meeting Underscores Need to Act

April 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C.— This week’s National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) findings made clear that pilot fatigue persists as a significant aviation safety risk. Solutions must include changing corporate cultures so that they seek to partner with, not punish, airline pilots for expressing fatigue concerns.

Jet takeoff, Boston: Photo by Mark Leary (CC)    » read more »

Senators Want Assurances Montana Won't Be Hurt By Mega Deal

April 15, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Montana’s U.S. Senators are reserving judgment on the impending merger between Delta and Northwest Airlines, saying they’ll oppose the deal without assurances Montana’s service and rates will be protected.

NWA jet Montana: Photo by David Moffitt (CC)

Northwest Airlines and Delta serve multiple cities across Montana. The two companies announced the planned merger Monday. The U.S. Justice Department must still approve the merger.    » read more »

Saint Paul – The following is a statement from Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty regarding the announced merger of Delta and Northwest.

“We will be closely scrutinizing the impact of the merger and will strongly stand up for Minnesota’s interests during the review process. Our goal will be to maintain hub operations, related levels of flight service, and the maximum number of airline jobs in Minnesota.

Northwest Airlines A330-300 at Minneapolis Airport: Photo by Mike Smail (CC)    » read more »

April 15, 2008 -- ATLANTA – Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the merger between Atlanta-based Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines:

“Delta has long been a cornerstone of Georgia’s corporate community as well as one of our largest employers, and I am proud that the airline created from this partnership will continue to call Georgia home,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.

Delta Airlines Boeing 777: Photo courtesy Delta Airlines    » read more »

Merger helps offset record oil prices, creates stronger global airline to compete in Open Skies environment; Delta pilot leadership reaches agreement on post-merger contract

ATLANTA, Georgia and EAGAN, Minnesota – April 14, 2008 – Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) and Northwest Airlines Corporation (NYSE: NWA) today announced an agreement in which the two carriers will combine in an all-stock transaction with a combined enterprise value of $17.7 billion, creating America’s premier global airline.

Delta Airlines Boeing 777-200LR: Photo courtesy Delta Airlines    » read more »