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December 6, 2007 News for the commercial aviation industry   Company Watch    Delta's renovations in Atlanta create more space for travelers Delta Air Lines' renovated ticketing lobby at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport has created more room for travelers and easier access to security lines. Other airports are trying to minimize the effects of crowds by spreading out passengers. USA TODAY (12/5) Delta sets productivity target to ease effects of higher fuel: Delta Air Lines has set a $400 million productivity target, a move that it hopes will help offset higher fuel prices. President Ed Bastian said the airline will cut capacity and eliminate some jobs, mainly through attrition. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (12/4) US Airways CEO says airline industry needs consolidation US Airways CEO Doug Parker said Delta Air Lines could spark consolidation within the airline industry. Parker also noted that the industry desperately needs consolidation. Reuters (12/6) Frontier may launch turboprop unit on Friday Frontier Airlines expects to launch its new regional turboprop operation by Friday after it receives federal certification. The subsidiary, called Lynx Aviation, will operate 74-seat Bombardier turboprop planes. USA TODAY/Associated Press (12/5) Other News Higher fuel prices may spur consolidation, Southwest CEO says Reuters (12/5) US Airways posts higher November passenger revenue Reuters (12/5)   Inside Aviation  Government report released on runway incursions The Government Accountability Office review on runway incursions credited FAA for reducing runway incursion episodes from 2001, but it says more needs to be done. The GAO report noted that reducing accidents could be achieved by providing pilots with more accurate information about icy or snowy runways. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (12/6), NYTimes.com/Associated Press (12/6), The Washington Post (12/6), Chicago Tribune (12/6), The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (12/5), Aviation Daily (12/6) States file formal position with EPA on commercial aircraft emissions Five states, the cities of New York and Washington, D.C., and several environmental groups petitioned the EPA on Wednesday to establish standards for greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft engines. The Air Transport Association called new regulations "unnecessary," noting that "commercial airlines already are driven to be as fuel efficient and environmentally conscious as possible." Air Transport World (12/6), Bloomberg1 (12/5), NYTimes.com (12/6) Group says October air freight growth slows Slowing global air freight growth in October signals that airlines are facing more challenges. An industry group said that freight traffic increased 3.6%, less than the 5% growth rate in September. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (12/6)   Smart Advertising for Smart People ATA SmartBrief is a cost effective way to reach over 40,000 commercial aviation executives. To learn more, click here or contact Eric Hoffman at ehoffman@smartbrief.com or 773.549.3868.     Regulatory Update  Regulators say auctions may ease delays in New York An auction system could help ease delays at New York City's airports, regulators say. Requiring carriers to bid for takeoff and landing slots would create financial incentives for carriers to use fewer planes or shift flights to off-peak hours, regulators say. Air Transport Association President James May said any solution to the congestion problem should not put carriers at a disadvantage, adding that carriers have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the three airports in the New York City area. Bloomberg1 (12/5) Lawmaker hopes to get pilot-retirement bill passed before year's end The FAA reauthorization bill includes a provision that would raise the retirement age for commercial airline pilots to 65. That bill is unlikely to pass before Congress adjourns, so one lawmaker is taking steps to get the retirement provision passed before the end of the year. Air Transport World (12/6), Flight International (12/6) Other News Travel industry groups criticize TSA Secure Flight plan Management.travel (12/5) Hutchison becomes top Republican on aviation subcommittee Houston Chronicle (12/4)   Association News  ATA lauds Sen. Hutchison's taking key post on aviation panel The Air Transport Association issued a statement congratulating Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, on her appointment to the position of ranking member of the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Read more here. Learn more about ATA -> Website  |  Twitter  |  LinkedIn  |  Publications  |  News Econ & Stats  |  Public Policy  |  Ops & Safety  |  Environment  |  Energy   Industry Trends  Column: What makes people so fussy about air travel? Traveling on airlines is as comfortable as it has ever been, writes Pico Iyer in The New York Times. He notes that the cost of air travel has risen less than other luxuries and adds that some airlines offer games, music and movies. Iyer hypothesizes that some travelers are actually complaining about the democracy of travel when they complain about crowded planes. NYTimes.com (12/6) Airports move flu shot stations beyond security checkpoints Airports in several cities are setting up health stations where travelers can get flu shots to areas that are beyond airport security checkpoints. "It's helpful being on the airside because people don't know how long it's going to take getting through security so they don't want to take a risk of waiting in a medical clinic or being stuck in security and not making their plane," said Maureen Zampella, general operations manager of a service offering flu shots at the Newark airport. USA TODAY/Associated Press (12/5)   SmartQuote  Chaos in the world brings uneasiness, but it also allows the opportunity for creativity and growth." --Tom Barrett, public speaker, author and entrepreneur   Subscriber Tools       Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy Grab our News Widget   Advertise Sales Account Director: Jim Eubanks (202) 407-7822 Download Media Kit Job Board:  Celia Rothschild (202) 470-1159   About ATA Founded in 1936, the Air Transport Association of America, Inc. (ATA) is the nation's oldest and largest airline trade association, representing the leading U.S. airlines. 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