Airlines

February 9, 2009 -- The on-time performance of the nation’s largest airlines improved in 2008 compared to the previous year, according to the Air Travel Consumer Report released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

According to information filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), the 19 carriers reporting on-time performance recorded an overall on-time arrival rate of 76.0 percent for January through December 2008, up from 2007’s 73.4 percent rate. During December 2008, the carriers posted an on-time performance rate of 65.3 percent, up from December 2007’s 64.3 percent but down from November 2008’s 83.3 percent.    » read more »

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 »

24 August 2008 -- Kyrgyz officials say a passenger plane has crashed shortly after taking off from the capital, Bishkek, killing 68 people on board.

The Boeing-737 jet was headed to Iran's capital, Tehran, with 90 passengers and crew on board. About 10 minutes after takeoff Sunday, it crashed in a field near Bishkek's airport and burst info flames. Officials say only 22 people survived.

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov says the plane suffered a sudden loss of cabin pressure, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing.

Government spokeswoman Rosa Daudova says the plane was carrying 24 Kyrgyz citizens, 52 Iranians, three Kazakhs, two Canadians, one Chinese and one Turkish national.    » read more »

21 August 2008 -- Authorities are investigating what caused a Spanish passenger jet to crash on takeoff from a Madrid airport, killing 153 people in the country's worst air disaster in more than two decades.

The Spanair plane was carrying 172 people, including the crew, when it veered off the runway during takeoff Wednesday, broke into pieces and burst into flames.

Spain's Development Minister Magdalena Alvarez said most of the 19 people who survived the accident were injured.

It was not immediately clear what went wrong, but investigators ruled out foul play. Alvarez said the plane's two black box (flight data) recorders were recovered, and that they should help determine what caused the crash.

The plane was bound for the Canary Islands.

Source: VOA News

WASHINGTON, (08/12/2008) - Servicemembers traveling for official business, including deployments, will continue to receive full reimbursement for reasonable, authorized excess baggage fees, defense officials said.

A recently updated fact sheet from the Department of Defense Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Committee explains department policy regarding excess baggage in light of new charges many airlines have imposed for checked baggage.    » 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 »

June 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) urged Congress this week to act to stabilize energy markets and end the rampant speculation that has led to the recent jumps in oil prices and put an economic stranglehold on the U.S. airline industry. ALPA, together with other unions, organizations, and corporations, called for swift action in a joint transportation industry coalition letter sent to Congressional leaders.    » 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 »

May 13, 2008 -- Atlanta – Captain Lee Moak, Chairman of the Delta Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, the governing body of the union representing the over 7,300 pilots of Delta Air Lines, will testify before the United States House of Representatives’ Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Aviation.

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

The hearing will take place on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 2 p.m. EDT in Room 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building.    » 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 »

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 »