United plans to begin rotating the movies it shows inflight every two weeks, doubling the frequency, to provide a change of pace for passengers who travel the same route frequently. In another change, it will add some popular television situation comedies to United Entertainment Network. Beginning next month, at least one of the programs, including "Seinfeld," "Frasier," "Friends," "Home Improvement," "Mad About You," "The John Larroquette Show" and "Wings," will be shown on all United flights, domestic and international, that have video programming.
Lufthansa CityLine GmbH, the growing regional carrier, decided yesterday to move all administrative operations to Cologne, in western Germany, within two years. The move was approved by CityLine's supervisory board early this month. Previously, CityLine separated business administration in Kriftel/Taunus and maintenance and flight operations in Cologne. Lufthansa made the move contingent on successful negotiations with Cologne/Bonn Airport to accommodate the carrier.
The Senate yesterday passed 99-to-0 legislation (S.1994) to reauthorize FAA programs, adopting a new aviation safety and security package and language proposed by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) regarding airport revenue diversion similar to his bill (S.1774) on the subject.
Canadian startup carrier WestJet must appoint a qualified person to oversee aircraft maintenance and implement an aircraft maintenance system that meets Transport Canada requirements within two weeks or face suspension of its operating certificate, Transport Canada said. WestJet voluntarily stopped operating this week after being notified of Transport Canada's intent (DAILY, Sept. 18). The Canadian agency said it is acting "out of an abundance of caution."
United broke ground on a $9.5 million cargo transfer facility at New York Kennedy Airport. The facility, scheduled to be ready by April, will give the carrier 80,000 square feet of warehouse space and 11,500 square feet of office space. It will have four drive-up ramps, 12 standard truck doors equipped with dock levelers, and two oversized docks with scissor lifts.
DOT issued a show cause order tentatively permitting foreign air carriers - except those from the U.K. and Japan - to conduct vastly expanded cargo operations verging on open skies at international airports in Alaska. Requested in July by the state and its two state-operated international airports - Anchorage and Fairbanks - the order enables foreign airlines holding DOT authority for scheduled all-cargo or combination service to transfer freight among their own aircraft and conduct all forms of change- of-gauge operations (DAILY, July 30).
Calgary-based regional startup carrier WestJet Airlines has voluntarily suspended operations following an audit of its maintenance practices and is threatening a lawsuit against the Canadian aviation regulatory agency. Although Transport Canada says it issued a notice of suspension of the carrier's operating certificate yesterday, it also said WestJet "voluntarily withdrew their planes from service." WestJet claims, however, it made the decision to cancel flights, but then adds it was "forced" to do so.
Carnival Air Lines and Paradise Island Airlines have signed a five-year agreement to code share on Carnival's routes between the Northeast, California, Florida and the Bahamas, and on Paradise routes between South Florida and the Bahamas. The marketing pact, which takes effect Nov. 15, will give Carnival 82 new domestic and international connecting flights.
Information services company EDS has been chosen by the Terminal One Group Association (TOGA) at New York Kennedy Airport to be the chief technology integrator for the airport's new Terminal One, which opens in 1998. TOGA is a limited partnership of Air France, Japan Airlines, Korean Air and Lufthansa. EDS will integrate public information systems on flight, gate and baggage claim news. Airlines will share check-in counters, displaying their logos electronically.
Federal Express wants DOT to renew its exemption authority to operate scheduled all-cargo service between San Juan, Puerto Rico, on the one hand, and Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, on the other hand. FedEx currently provides service between the points through two contract wet-lease arrangements with Reliant Airlines operating five-times-weekly San Juan- Barbados service for FedEx, using 5,500-pound payload Falcon DA-20 aircraft. Merlin Express operates similar service between San Juan and Trinidad for FedEx, using 4,500-pound payload Metroliner III aircraft.
Magadan Airlines, operating as Mavial, requested an exemption to operate scheduled combination service between points in Russia and co-terminal points Anchorage and Seattle, via intermediate points. Mavial also asked for authority to operate combination charter service between any point in Russia and any point in the U.S., and between any point in the U.S. and any point in a third country, as permitted under the U.S.-Russia bilateral agreement. It said it expects to use Tupolev 154 or other aircraft.
Aero Systems Engineering and Giffels Associates announced an alliance to design, integrate and supply vehicular test facilities. ASE is a leader in designing and equipping aerospace engine test cells and aerodynamic and climatic wind tunnels. Giffels Associates is one of the nation's top architectural/engineering firms. The companies said their combined experience "makes the alliance one of the world's foremost suppliers of test facilities, bringing a one-stop shopping capability for turnkey test facilities."
America West appointed Jacques Lazard VP and treasurer, responsible for capital structure management, financing, tax, insurance and cash management. Lazard joins the carrier from UDC Homes Inc., Tempe, Ariz.
Marshall Aerospace signed an agreement designating Lockheed Martin Aircraft Center to perform L-1011 freighter conversions, which will significantly enhance Marshall's conversion capacity by opening two production lines. The U.S. company will install FAA-approved kits supplied by the Cambridge, U.K.-based firm and accomplish the conversion at its Greenville, S.C., facility. Marshall will continue to act as prime contractor for all L-1011 freighter conversions and will handle customer contracts.
TNT-Skypak has leased a facility near Los Angeles Airport to expand and relocate its regional headquarters. The new location is at 8701 Bellanca Ave. About 40 workers will be employed at the new site.
Open skies advocate Michael Levine, executive VP-marketing and international for Northwest Airlines, yesterday likened past and present U.K. liberalization talks to the dance of the seven veils - just when it looks like the British will "take it all off" in exchange for code-sharing approvals, they are wearing "the aviation equivalent of a body stocking."
National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Barry Krasner announced at the union's biennial convention in Pittsburgh that he will not seek a third three-year term as head of the organization. Citing a desire to spend more time with his wife, Krasner will leave office next year. NATCA Executive VP Mike McNally said Krasner "knew his last three years would be hell - and so far, they have been. At every turn, the agency, DOT and Congress have been after us. Barry has led us to victory."
Federal Express is committing to spending $20 million-$30 million per aircraft to upgrade the 36 DC-10-10s it agreed Monday to acquire from United, industry sources told The DAILY. Experts agree, however, that the deal is a win for both carriers, since United will divest DC-10s - 18 of which have been retired and put in storage - while FedEx will gain a fleet of aircraft it needs for capacity growth (DAILY, Sept. 17).
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced this week a 10- point program to tighten security at its three airports - Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark - and give it more control over movement of airline and airport personnel on airport property. The plan was drafted by a working group headed by Deputy Executive Director John Haley. The port authority intends to require all airline contractor personnel involved in security to obtain port authority-issued identification cards, and to establish a 10-year employment history check for screening personnel.
ATN Systems Inc. (ATNSI) has selected a vendor team to develop the Aeronautical Telecommunication Network Conformance Test Suite (CTS). Headed by ARINC, the team includes AlliedSignal, Sextant, Sofreavia and Thompson-CSF. Part of the ATN Router Project, the CTS will be used to test ATN router equipment in aircraft and ground systems, and assist in certifying ATN router avionics. Beginning the project in December, the team is slated to deliver the final conformance products by August 1998.
Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa Cargo are expanding the frequency of their joint freighter service between Singapore and Frankfurt, adding two weekly 747 flights Oct. 31. The service, which doubles the number of flights offered, also will connect with Lufthansa's cargo hub in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. SIA will operate Singapore-Sharjah and Lufthansa Sharjah- Frankfurt, putting 400 tons of weekly freighter capacity between the two countries in each direction.
TWA's board voted yesterday to exercise its options for 10 new McDonnell Douglas MD-83s, bringing to 15 the number of MD-83s the airline has on firm order. McDonnell Douglas announced the order at the Farnborough Air Show subject to TWA board approval (DAILY, Sept. 4). The long-term leasing arrangements, announced in July, call for TWA to take delivery of its first MD-83 in July next year. The 10 aircraft ordered yesterday will be delivered between June 1998 and April 1999.
