Airlines

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 »

But union states that it won’t end efforts to protect pilot interests

April 28, 2008 -- HOUSTON—The Continental pilots union, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l. (ALPA), issued a statement today after the Continental Airlines’ announcement to its employees on Sunday, rejecting a combination with another airline.

Continental Airlines handcuff kit: Photo by bug138 (CC)    » read more »

April 25, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and Representative Andre Carson (D-IN) today sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Labor, Elaine Chao, asking for the release of National Emergency Grant funds to assist over 1,200 flight attendants and former employees of Aloha Airlines and ATA Airlines who recently lost their jobs of as a result of the abrupt termination in service.

ATA Airlines notice: Photo by davitydave (CC)

The members noted that it will be difficult for these working Americans to find new jobs as the airline industry continues to shrink.    » read more »

April 21, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senators Edward Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, and Patty Murray, Chairwoman of the Employment and Workplace Safety Subcommittee, sent the following letter to the CEOs of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines, calling for the airlines to respect and include the workers and their unions in the Delta-Northwest merger talks.

Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines jets: Photo by Cubbie_n_Vegas (CC)    » 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 »

New Jersey Senators have blocked the nomination for FAA chief over a number of issues, are adding aircraft inspections to the list

April 10, 2008 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank Lautenberg are taking to task the Federal Aviation Administration’s acting Administrator, Robert Sturgell, in a letter today regarding the massive flight cancellations that have hit air travelers over the past couple of days.    » read more »