| November 4, 2009 | News for the commercial aviation industry |
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- Smisek: Continental still open to merger with United
Continental Airlines is keeping a close eye on Delta Air Lines' merger with Northwest Airlines, Continental President Jeff Smisek admits. Though the Houston-based carrier is currently happy to remain independent as a member of the Star Alliance, Smisek says he would reconsider a full merger with United Airlines if "Delta outperforms us financially." Some analysts say a combination between the third- and fourth-largest U.S. carriers is "inevitable," though a United spokeswoman refused to speculate on specific merger plans. "We have long believed the industry will benefit from consolidation, particularly as the competitive landscape has been reset," she noted. Bloomberg
(11/3)
, Chicago Tribune
(11/3)
     
 | Passengers don't care that the part is "on the way" when their plane is on the ground
That's why more airlines are turning to AAR for reliable and affordable nose-to-tail MRO services, parts and supplies. With comprehensive solutions for commercial customers, AAR is an easy choice in a tough industry. Visit aarcorp.com for more. |
- Composite cost index falls in Q2 for airlines
The composite cost index in the second quarter fell 29% for U.S. airlines, according to the Air Transport Association. Although fuel prices dropped 36% from year-ago levels, airline insurance jumped 24% and landing fees rose 7%. "Airlines remain intensely focused on reducing expenses and identifying additional sources of revenue, but this is a challenging environment," said John Heimlich, chief economist for ATA. Tulsa World (Okla.)
(11/4)
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ATA reports second consecutive quarter of airline cost declines: Read here.
- Despite promising signs, global airline losses seen hitting $11B
Airlines around the globe have so far reported a combined $400 million in profit for the third quarter, but an international trade association still predicts full-year losses of $11 billion. Statistics show that "travel volume growth turned positive in September for the first time in a year," though yields remained "extremely challenging." More than 100 new aircraft were delivered in September, outpacing the number of planes slated for retirement. Air Transport World
(11/4)
- Odds may be long, but Miami International is betting on slots
Lawmakers in Miami are moving forward with efforts to install slot machines at Miami International Airport, despite an outcry by local gaming operators and long odds in the state legislature. The slots are viewed as a long-shot attempt to deal with ballooning debt stemming from the airport's expansion. By 2015, the airport will need $1.1 billion in annual revenue to cover debt payments, compared to the $630 million it currently takes in. The Miami Herald
(11/4)
 | Thanks to some of the largest and most sophisticated maintenance facilities in the business, Delta TechOps offers Complete Fleet Services to support most major aircraft. From routine airframe maintenance to the most complex engine and component repairs, we have the right combination of people, technology and facilities. For more information, visit www.DeltaTechOps.com. |
| Energy Bulletin |  | |
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- FTC to begin implementing anti-manipulation policy for energy market
The Federal Trade Commission is set to implement a rule that would impose fines of as much as $1 million a day on energy traders and companies caught manipulating oil markets. False statements related to pricing or petroleum output, fraudulent data and so-called "wash sales" are among the possible violations. The policy may prompt businesses to reconsider disclosing their cash oil deals to price-reporting groups, an antitrust lawyer said. Reuters
(11/4)
- Boxer brings in EPA to address economic issues tied to climate bill
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., chairwoman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, began the markup of the climate bill and devoted a special session in which an Environmental Protection Agency official addressed questions on the economic details of the legislation. Only one Republican member of the panel was present when the hearing began, but none showed up for the EPA briefing. While Boxer said she has the right to advance the measure without Republican support, she remained "very hopeful" of their participation and declined to give a deadline for the committee to complete its work. The New York Times (free registration)/ClimateWire
(11/3)
, Bloomberg
(11/3)
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ATA Fuel SmartStat
 Check the latest weekly average jet fuel price by region, courtesy of Oil Price Information Service. For historical data or for more information about energy-related matters, please visit the energy/fuel section of the ATA Web site.
| Regulatory Update | | |
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- Delta blasts "appalling" delay tactic by flight attendants union
The Association of Flight Attendants has withdrawn its request for a unionization vote at Delta Air Lines, preferring to wait for a rule change that would lower the barrier to union representation. One Delta executive called the delay tactics "appalling," adding that "our flight attendants are trapped in a big labor power play, where their individual interests are being disregarded." Under a proposed rule change by the National Mediation Board, those who fail to cast ballots in a labor election would be disregarded, rather than counted as a "no" vote. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (free registration)
(11/3)
, American City Business Journals/Atlanta
(11/3)
, Swelblog.com
(11/4)
- Editorial: Time for Congress to step up TSA oversight
A Washington Times editorial blasts the TSA for spending nearly $800 million on screening technology without a comprehensive risk analysis or cost-benefit analysis. "TSA can't provide a timetable for beginning cost-benefit analyses or for creating performance measures for its new technologies," the paper complains, urging stepped-up pressure from Congress. The Washington Times
(11/4)
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| Industry Trends | | |
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- Questions arise about whether negotiated hotel, airline rates will stick
Each year at about this time, travel-management companies negotiate hotel and airline rates for the following year for the corporate clients. Last year, economic chaos surrounded the annual ritual, prompting rates to be renegotiated several times. Now, as the travel managers are negotiating rates, many industry insiders are wondering whether the rates will stick or continually be renegotiated as they were last year. The New York Times
(11/2)
- More business travelers take day trips to save money
Business travelers are increasingly turning overnight work trips into one long day of travel to save money as well as time. Some travelers are even taking the one-day jaunts on trans-Atlantic trips. Richard Job of the Flight Centre said he's talked to executives who fly from Vancouver, B.C., to London and back in the same day. "That's something new to them in the last six to 12 months," Job said. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
(11/4)
| Career Development | | |
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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 |
| Manager - Engineering | TeamSAI, Inc. | Atlanta, GA |
| Manager - Technical Manuals | TeamSAI, Inc. | Atlanta, GA |
| 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 |
| Sales Manager - Cargo | Aloha Air Cargo | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Director, Business Development | Aloha Air Cargo | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Manager of Public Relations, Houston, TX | Continental Airlines | Headquarters - Houston, TX |
| ATC Coordinator | Virgin America | Burlingame, CA |
| Senior Engineer (Powerplant) | Alaska Airlines | Seattle |
| 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 |
| Technical Purchasing Manager | Spirit Airlines | Miramar, FL |
| Human Resources Manager | Hawaiian Airlines | Honolulu, HI |
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| SmartQuote | | |
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 | If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it."
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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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| | Recent ATA SmartBrief Issues:
- Tuesday, November 03, 2009
- Monday, November 02, 2009
- Friday, October 30, 2009
- Thursday, October 29, 2009
- Wednesday, October 28, 2009
| | | Lead Editor: Angela Giroux-Scheide
Contributing Editor: Robert Jones
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