| November 6, 2009 | News for the commercial aviation industry |
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| Company Watch |  |  |
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- Delta, American step up JAL courtship
Both American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are upping the stakes in their courtship of debt-laden Japan Airlines. American is presenting regulators and management with a presentation on the "Oneworld Total Value Proposition," arguing that stronger ties could be worth up to $100 million in cost savings and additional revenue for JAL. Meanwhile, Delta President Edward Bastian has reportedly been in Tokyo five of the past six weeks, and sources say Delta is willing to cover the cost of a JAL switch from Oneworld to SkyTeam. The Wall Street Journal
(11/6)
    
- Midwest, Frontier expected to be profitable in 2010
The CEO of Republic Airways predicts both his latest acquisitions, Frontier Airlines and Midwest Airlines, will make a profit next year. "As we go into 2010, obviously we're expecting the brand business (Midwest and Frontier) to produce positive earnings," Bryan Bedford told analysts, while admitting that the parent company's third-quarter results were "a little messy." Republic repeated its intention to run Midwest and Frontier as separate brands and said it will focus on bringing in more ancillary revenue. The Denver Post
(11/6)
- American flight attendants plan "dress rehearsal" strike
Flight attendants at American Airlines plan to stage a "simulated strike" at airports around the country on Nov. 18 to show how travel could be disrupted by a real work stoppage. The union plans to ask the National Mediation Board to clear the way for a strike by declaring a 30-day cooling-off period if mediation fails to produce a contract by January. The airline points out that mediation lasts an average of 19 months, "and we've been in mediated negotiations for roughly nine months," with about 72% of contract points already settled. Chicago Tribune/The Associated Press
(11/5)
, Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas)
(11/5)
- AirTran CFO: Price sensitivity wanes during travel
Amid rising fuel prices and weak demand, AirTran Airways says ancillary fees continue to be a bright spot on the balance sheet. The discount carrier says fee revenue should hit $340 million this year, up 45% compared to 2008. Arne Haak, the company's chief financial officer, told investors on Thursday that consumers search out the lowest price when initially buying a ticket, but don't mind paying for extras to enhance the trip as they go along. Chicago Tribune/The Associated Press
(11/5)
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| Energy Bulletin | | |
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- Group: World's biofuel policies must be based on sound scientific data
The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance is calling on world leaders to enact programs that will spur the use of biofuels for transportation as well as encourage investment in current and next-generation alternative fuels. Governments and international agencies must use reliable scientific evidence to ground their policies in areas including the effects of indirect land use, the group urged, as well as recognize the rising efficiency rates of biofuels production. The GRFA's recommendations were discussed in a paper addressed to officials who will be attending the U.N. climate-change summit in Copenhagen. EthanolProducer.com
(11/5)
| Regulatory Update | | |
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- Senate eyes crackdown, Northwest pilots appeal license revocation
Several senators have introduced legislation that would ban pilots from using most personal electronic devices in the cockpit. "Most major air carriers have already recognized this problem and have rules prohibiting it, but this legislation gives the FAA the ability to enforce those rules with penalties," Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said. Meanwhile, two Northwest Airlines pilots are appealing the FAA's decision to revoke their licenses after they missed their scheduled landing while working on personal laptop computers. The pilots filed their appeal with the NTSB late Wednesday, and an administrative law judge should hear the case within 120 days. The Wall Street Journal/The Associated Press
(11/5)
, The Hill/Blogs
(11/5)
- Opinion: Congress already addressing TSA oversight issues
The House Committee on Homeland Security has "taken the first step" in addressing concerns over poor use of screening technologies, writes Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., in a letter to the Washington Times. Thompson says H.R. 2200, passed by the House in June, will help to "ensure transparency, effectiveness and proper vetting of technologies that will mitigate risks at checkpoints across our airports." The Washington Times
(11/6)
- Cargo screeners ramp up as federal deadline approaches
National Cargo Screeners Inc. of Orlando, Fla., is one of the companies certified by the TSA to screen the tons of freight loaded onto passenger flights every day. The company says its powerful X-ray machine "looks for any device that looks like an explosive. Really any device that could be construed as a threat to an aircraft." As a federal deadline looms for screening 100% of airline cargo, NCSI is planning to expand. WOFL-TV (Orlando, Fla.)
(11/6)
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| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Aviation Technical Services (ATS) has began work installing Aviation Partners Boeing winglets on Hawaiian Airline (HAL) 767-300ER aircraft. Based in Everett, WA, ATS is the largest third party single site MRO provider in North America (eight in the world per June 2009 Issue of Aviation Week's Overhaul & Maintenance magazine). www.atsmro.aero.
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Interested in learning more about advertising in ATA SmartBrief? Contact Jim Eubanks at 202-737-5500 ext. 289 or jeubanks@smartbrief.com.
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| Industry Trends | | |
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- Airlines push for direct links with distributors
Several airlines are moving ahead with plans to develop direct ties with corporate travel agencies and other distributors, bypassing global distribution systems. The time line for such efforts is unclear, but American Airlines, Air Canada, Southwest Airlines and other carriers are interested in enhancing their control of product and inventory. Management.travel
(11/5)
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 Air Service Development Positions, Varying Levels | Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Int'l Airport (Kenton County Airport Board) | Cincinnati |
| Planning Project Manager | Frontier Airlines | Denver, Colorado |
| Pricing Analyst | Alaska Airlines | Seattle, WA |
| Principal Engineer | Delta Air Lines Inc. | Atlanta |
| Brokering and Rotables Manager | Wencor | Miami, FL (US) |
| Sr. Analyst Network Planning | Jetblue Airways | Forest Hills New York |
| Manager of Public Relations, Houston, TX | Continental Airlines | Headquarters - Houston, TX |
| Customer Service Manager (LGA) | Spirit Airlines | Flushing, NY |
| Senior Analyst Industrial Engineering | JetBlue Airways | Forest Hills, New York |
| Product Manager JetBlue Getaways | JetBlue Airways | Forest Hills, New York |
| Senior Engineer (Powerplant) | Alaska Airlines | Seattle |
| Technical Purchasing Manager | Spirit Airlines | Miramar, FL |
| ATC Coordinator | Virgin America | Burlingame, CA |
| Manager - Engineering | TeamSAI, Inc. | Atlanta, GA |
| Manager - Technical Manuals | TeamSAI, Inc. | Atlanta, GA |
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| SmartQuote | | |
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 | You wouldn't have won if we'd beaten you."
--Yogi Berra,
National Baseball Hall of Fame member
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| About ATA |
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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. ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90
percent of U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the association's fundamental purpose is to foster a business and regulatory environment that ensures safe and secure air transportation and
permits U.S. airlines to flourish, stimulating economic growth locally, nationally and internationally. For additional industry information, visit
www.airlines.org.
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