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December 4, 2007 News for the commercial aviation industry     Company Watch    Carriers scale back January capacity Despite strong demand for travel, U.S. airlines continue to scale back their capacity. An analysis by USA TODAY found that the six largest airlines have scheduled 4.4% fewer seats in January than they did last year. Some carriers are moving more capacity to international routes, while others are scaling back as a reaction to higher fuel prices. USA TODAY (12/4) American reports traffic, capacity growth American Airlines said its November traffic climbed 4.1% compared with year-earlier levels. The airline also said that capacity rose 2.2%. The Dallas Morning News (12/3) Continental posts higher November unit revenue Continental Airlines said its November unit revenues rose between 7% and 8%. The carrier also reduced its capacity growth estimate for next year, citing higher jet fuel costs. Reuters (12/4) Teamsters file petition to conduct vote at United The Teamsters hope to represent United Airlines mechanics and are seeking a membership vote. The mechanics are now represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association. The New York Times/Reuters (12/3) Other News Southwest plans to cut capacity growth in 2008 Reuters (12/4) Delta may post Q4 operating loss Reuters (12/4) Trouble finding support for your components? Send us a request. With over 26,000 line items of capabilities we aren't done yet! Aero Instruments & Avionics is consistently responding to customer inquiries for new support, and our wide inventory of advanced test equipment keeps us ahead of our competition in the race to satisfy you. Your trusted source for avionics and instrument component services since 1968. www.aeroinst.com   Inside Aviation    Column: Airlines hope for more access to military routes The two extra air routes opened to U.S. carriers flying along the East Coast helped minimize delays during the Thanksgiving travel period, The Wall Street Journal's Scott McCartney writes. An Air Transport Association spokesman noted that carriers should be able to use the military routes more often. "We need access to that space when we run into unusual weather and heavy traffic," he said. "We all know it's doable. We all know it helps." The Wall Street Journal (12/4) Airline executives may comment on consolidation Airline executives are expected to address merger and acquisition activity today at a securities conference in New York City. Executives from major carriers, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Northwest Airlines and US Airways are among those scheduled to speak. CNNMoney.com/Dow Jones Newswires (12/3) US Airways-America West 2005 merger hasn't sparked consolidation Some analysts note that the merger between US Airways and America West lowered costs in the short term but was not enough to trigger consolidation throughout the industry. TheStreet.com (12/3)   Regulatory Update  October on-time performance improves from last year Airlines' October on-time performance improved on a year-over-year basis, according to government statistics. DOT Secretary Mary Peters on Monday said that six carriers are taking steps to address chronically delayed flights. The number of chronically delayed flights also declined for the second consecutive month. Meanwhile, the number of mishandled bags also declined from year-ago levels. Ultimately the key to improving on-time performance system-wide, the airlines and others claim, will be moving forward with airspace modernization. Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, Texas) (12/4) , Travel Weekly (12/3) , Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg (12/4) , USA TODAY (12/3) , The New York Times (12/4) ACLU official challenges behavioral screening An American Civil Liberties Union official has filed a federal lawsuit stating a behavioral screening system used in U.S. airports to identify possible terrorists violated his constitutional rights. Police began using the Behavior Assessment Screening System in 2002. It allows them to question passengers whose behavior appears suspicious. Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, Texas)/Associated Press (12/3) Clear installs enrollment kiosk in Denver hotel A Denver hotel has installed a kiosk that can enroll guests in an airport-security fast-pass program. The Clear kiosk scans the traveler's fingerprints and iris, and the images are sent to the TSA for threat assessment and approval. The Denver Post (12/3) Other News Sen. Hutchison poised to replace Lott on aviation subcommittee The Hill (12/3) The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) Would you like to learn more about the EDS Airline SOA? Click here for access to our latest viewpoint paper. High Tech Avionics & Accessories is a globally recognized repair station specializing in component maintenance for commercial & military aircraft. High Tech uses state-of-the-art equipment such as the IRIS 2000 & the RADA SMART CATS ATE, has extended capabilities for NG components, and is expanding accessory repair capabilities to include a variety of commercial hydraulic components. Small company, Big impact on your aircraft operations Give your aircraft utilization time a big boost by tapping into our expertise. Let us develop new and innovative ways to meet your aircraft inspection requirements. Visit ATINDT.COM/services and start avoiding down-time events. Interested in learning more about advertising in ATA SmartBrief? Contact Jim Eubanks at 202-737-5500 ext. 289 or jeubanks@smartbrief.com.     Association News  Edna says "Fiddlesticks" to bigwig jets on YouTube Watch the ATA Smart Skies campaign webisode, named "Excursions with Edna," on YouTube and learn what you can do to ensure tax fairness for Edna and the millions of commercial passengers like her. After all, Edna likes wearing Big Wigs, not subsidizing them. Learn more about ATA -> Search ATA Web site  |  ATA News ATA Economics/Statistics  |  ATA Technical Specifications/Publications   Industry Trends  Pilot program allows some travelers to check in using cell phones Continental Airlines and the TSA are launching a new system that will allow travelers to use their cell phones or personal digital assistants as boarding passes. The pilot program will begin at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport today. Houston Chronicle (12/4) United targets customers online with behavioral advertising United Airlines is among the companies using behavioral targeting to create the advertisements it places on Yahoo. People browsing for reasons unrelated to travel may see an advertisement for flight deals between the city where they live and a city they frequently visit. Advertisers based the targeted ads on what a person reads and shops for online as well as their key word searches and the Web sites they visit. The New York Times/Associated Press (12/3) Cost of domestic business travel will climb 6% in 2008, survey says A new survey predicts the average cost of a domestic business trip will climb 6% in 2008. The American Express Global Business Travel Forecast estimates the cost of international business travel will rise almost 7%. USA TODAY (12/4) Other News Frequent flier finds ways to stay stylish The New York Times (12/4)   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.   ADVERTISEMENT   SmartQuote  When you're angry, never put it in writing. It's like carving your anger in stone. That makes implacable enemies." --Estee Lauder, founder of Estee Lauder Inc.   Subscriber Tools       Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy   Advertise Sales Account Director: Jim Eubanks 202-737-5500 x 289 Download Media Kit Job Board: Lee Vanderwerff 202-737-5500 x 248   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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