U.S. airlines hired a record number of pilots in 1996 - 10,625, up from 8,814 in 1995 - according to airline career specialist Air Inc. The majors, which usually hire fewer pilots than smaller carriers, hired the most this time - 3,080, compared with 2,773 for the nationals, 2,305 for jet regionals and 1,825 for other regionals.
Continental on Friday awarded $68 million in 1996 profit-sharing checks among 37,500 employees. This is the second year in a row employees have received profit-sharing.
Summary of U.S. National Carriers Systemwide Traffic July 1996 Revenue Average Revenue Passengers Length of Passenger Enplaned % Travel Miles Carriers (000) Change (Miles) (000) American Trans Air 539 23.82 1,849 996,986 Carnival 230 15.98 1,195 274,206
Japan Airlines responded in kind to a fierce attack by Federal Express, opposing not only FedEx's arguments against new JAL cargo authority but even its motion for leave to file on the matter. JAL's motion is somewhat moot since FedEx already filed, and DOT officials must read the document even if only to exclude it. But JAL's action signals growing indignation on both sides of the dispute, part of the beyond-rights debate that is the focus of the U.S.-Japan stalemate negotiators hope to start breaking when they meet next month in Washington.
Despite a recent history of deadlock, DOT Deputy Assistant Secretary Patrick Murphy said, "The time is ripe for the U.S. and Japan to strike a bold and bigger aviation agreement." Speaking in Washington last Thursday before the Institute for International Economics, Murphy said the U.S. "is no longer prepared to sign a small deal satisfying the short-term needs of a few U.S. and Japanese carriers while at the same time restricting future U.S. rights," a common outcome in the past.
Orally approved an exemption permitting Amerijet International to operate cargo service between Los Angeles and Mexico City/Guadalajara/Merida, and to integrate the flights with its existing Miami-Merida/Mexico City/Guadalajara service...Orally approved an exemption for Thai Airways International to extend for another 30 days its authority to operate through wet-lease by another carrier all-cargo service on a Bangkok-Osaka- Los Angeles routing.
National Business Aircraft Association promoted David Almy to VP- communications and announced that Auburn University of Alabama named NBAA VP-International Affairs Dennis Wright Outstanding Aviation Management Graduate for 1997.
British Airways is marketing its African holidays packages to people with a thirst for the exotic. Gorilla tracking and rooming above a volcanic crater are among the adventures awaiting travelers.
Greenwich Air Services and UNC Inc. announced Friday that UNC will merge into Greenwich, establishing Greenwich as the dominant company in commercial engine services and business aviation services with annual revenues of nearly $1.8 billion. Greenwich last June acquired parts of Aviall for $230 million, establishing itself as the leader in turbine engine overhaul, and UNC last May acquired Garrett Aviation Services for $150 million. UNC last week reported record revenues for 1996 of $832 million, up from $536 million.
British Airways Chief Executive Bob Ayling says the capacity of Heathrow slots U.K. authorities are asking the American-BA alliance to give up is "almost as large as the entire market between the U.S. and The Netherlands." In a speech last week, Ayling said the 168 slots could generate up to $1 billion a year for alliance competitors.
Tower Air's new frequent flyer program awards free tickets based on segments flown, not miles. "There are also no expiration dates," said Tower Air President Morris Nachtomi, "which means Tower passengers can take as long as they want to accumulate awards." Passengers will receive one free domestic ticket for every 10 segments, or one free one-way international ticket for every 20 one-way domestic tickets, or one free international ticket or two domestic tickets for five international tickets.
Addressing labor union complaints that it is slow to change its corporate culture, United plans a "culture convention" during the first quarter to start drafting a three-year plan to turn itself into the company its workers want. The pilots and flight attendants have been most vocal in arguing that United needs to be more employee-friendly and trustworthy.
Air Express International reported that fourth quarter net income rose 32% to $12 million while revenues increased 15% to $379.1 million. For the year, net income was up 33% to $38.5 million and revenues gained 9% to $1.3 billion.
Aerospace Industries Association International Council elected John Snyder, VP-international business development at Hughes Aircraft, chairman and Ramona Hazera, director-export administration and compliance for Lockheed Martin, vice chairman. AIA's Technical Operations Council elected James Sinnett, VP-technology at McDonnell Douglas, chairman.
Breaking the tension as American and its pilots negotiated down to the wire last week, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) declared suddenly at a House aviation subcommittee hearing that he had "a very dramatic announcement regarding the strike." After he had everyone's attention, DeFazio conceded that he just "wanted to see the cameras pivot."
Southern Air Transport and the Teamsters union have asked the National Mediation Board to help settle their dispute over a pilots contract. The union is seeking one hour of flight time credit for every four to six hours away from home. The company currently credits one hour for every eight hours away from home.
FAA Associate Administrator for Research and Acquisition George Donohue said Friday, "I have no intention of shutting down the national satellite test bed." Donohue was reacting to the fiscal 1998 budget FAA issued last week, which showed the program had been zeroed out. FAA staff is trying to determine how much money the program will receive in next year's budget. Donohue also said the agency's financial picture must improve if it is to meet the recommendations of the Gore Commission.
After months of delay, DOT finally issued an order agreeing with Northwest's July 3, 1996, complaint against the Japanese government but deferred a decision on what, if any, sanctions to apply. DOT postponed action in a series of 30-day extensions, but the number of delays is limited by law and the department had no choice but to issue a ruling before scheduled U.S.-Japan talks next month. Northwest has been denied the right to operate beyond Osaka to Jakarta on a route that would originate in Seattle.
Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG is "back in the black" and "on the road to success" after a tough period of restructuring since 1995, President and Chief Executive Manfred Bischoff said yesterday. Sales rose 13% in 1996, from 11.5 billion Deutschmarks to DM13 billion (US$767 million), and new orders rocketed 54% to DM16.9 billion. Sales increased most in the aeroengine and space divisions, up 35% and 10.5%, respectively. Defense and civil system sales declined 1%, however.
Swissair will ban smoking on all transatlantic flights, beginning March 30. The ban also will apply to alliance partners Sabena, Austrian and Delta, Swissair spokesman Jean-Claude Donzel said. Swissair owns 49% of Sabena.
Allied Pilots Association negotiators in Washington may be hoping for the best - a contract agreement with American - but they are ready for a strike and a shutdown at midnight Friday. How do they intend to get home after the deadline? They're booked on Delta.
..Bombardier took orders for 60 CRJs during 1996 to capture 53% of the regional-jet market for aircraft of 20-90 passenger seats. That was up from 38 units the previous year. Orders for Dash 8 turboprops increased from 42 in 1995 to 71 to capture 35% of the 20- to 90-seat market in that category. Industry regional jets ordered during 1996 totaled 113, up by one from the previous year's 112 jet orders in the same passenger range. The number of total industry regional turboprops ordered last year was identical to the number ordered in 1995 at 201.
