FAA Administrator David Hinson and National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Jim Hall have reached "tentative agreement" on how to define accidents, according to Hinson. Now, an arm broken in turbulence will be given the same weight as "a complete hull loss." The Hinson-Hall pact will go to ICAO in an attempt to standardize definitions worldwide.
Air China has ordered three 747-400s valued at $510 million for use on routes to the U.S., Europe and Asia, Boeing said Friday. The company said Air China has ordered 47 of its aircraft, and China has taken delivery of more than 250 of them, representing more than 70% of the market for Western-built aircraft.
United hired 263 maintenance technicians, more than any other airline, from June 1995 to June 1996. American hired 258, according to the Future Aviation Professionals of America. Zantop International, which has been discussing a maintenance contract with ValuJet, hired 79 in the past 12 months. FAPA said Zantop is recruiting engine mechanics, flight line electricians, A&P mechanics, sheetmetalists and painters this month.
Hawaiian Airlines Inc. postponed plans for its rights offering, which had been scheduled last Thursday. The company said only that it will announce a new date in advance and mail a prospectus and subscription materials to shareholders as of the record date. Under the offering, shareholders other than the company's main investor, Airline Investors Partnership L.P., will receive one subscription right for each share of common stock it holds.
FAA said it completed on-time delivery of the Voice Switching and Control System June 28 when the last of 21 installations arrived at the Jacksonville, Fla., air route traffic control center. It is scheduled to be operational in February. FAA said VSCS, the largest automation system it has ever introduced, is fully operational at 11 en route centers.
Former DOT Inspector General Mary Schiavo, outlining to Congress what she described as a pattern of "vastly different" abuses at FAA, said there is a "common thread." Managers are "not held accountable for decisions that reflect poor judgment," and taking FAA independent "is only going to increase the problem."
British Midland has become the 41st participant in Infini's Locator Back system, which registers airlines' record locators in Infini's passenger name records.
DOT is seeking comments on a complaint brought by Northwest against the government of Indonesia. The carrier asserts that Indonesia is preventing it from exercising its bilateral rights to carry fifth-freedom traffic between Japan and Indonesia. The deadline for answers to the complaint is Aug. 1, and replies are due Aug. 6. (Docket OST-96-1547)
Delta will launch a SkyMiles dining program Aug. 15 that offers members three miles for every dollar they spend at participating restaurants. Delta's program does not require a special dining card or membership fee, or limit the number of visits per month to a restaurant. Members can pay for the meal in any form and receive the mileage credit by showing their SkyMiles card.
DOT has dismissed without prejudice Jet Aspen's certificate application and withdrawn its Jan. 19 show cause order tentatively granting the certificate. Objections to the show cause order filed by Tri Star Airlines and Peak International "raised issues pertinent to the applicant's compliance disposition," said DOT.
The Senate Appropriations Committee last week restored funding for development of the terminal digital radar program, ASR-11, which was zeroed in the House version of the fiscal 1997 DOT appropriations bill (H.R.3675). The Senate panel recommended $20 million for the program, $3.3 million less than the Clinton administration request. The committee restored $7.35 million cut by the House from the advanced en route automation (AERA) program request.
American's Sabre computer reservations system processed a record 4,969 messages per second on July 15, in large part because of the fare sales sparked by Southwest's $25 travel offer. The previous record, 4,802 messages per second, was set March 11.
United urged DOT to defer action on Continental Micronesia's application for renewal of its U.S.-Philippines service until all applications to serve the market and responsive pleadings have been received. "A piecemeal approach risks denial of due process in circumstances where there may be mutual exclusivity depending on the content of the remaining applications," United said, noting that applications are not due until Aug. 2.
In Federal Register dated July 12...Issued an airworthiness directive on Pratt&Whitney PW4000 engines to require inspection of the aft cascade support frame assembly of the thrust reverser...Issued an AD on Rolls-Royce RB211 engines requiring replacement of the existing rigid low-pressure fuel system tube assembly...Proposed an AD on certain Airbus A310 and A300-600 aircraft concerning inspections for debonding of elevator skins...Proposed an AD on Shorts Sherpa series aircraft concerning icing conditions...Proposed an AD on Shorts SD3 aircraft concerning corrosion
Air 21 is matching the $25 one-way fares started by Southwest for flights between Aug. 19 and Oct. 31. The purchase deadline is July 25. "Our passengers from Durango, Fresno, Grand Junction, Monterey and Palm Springs are now going to be able to take advantage of the Southwest fare special without driving to other airports," said Ed Barth, managing director-marketing. Seats are limited and the reduced fare may not be available on all flights.
Japan will restrict U.S. all-cargo services between Japan and five Asian points - Manila, Cebu, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang - if the U.S. follows through with its threatened actions against Japan Airlines, Japan's Minister of Transport said last week. Responding to Japan's refusal to allow Federal Express to operate beyond-Japan services, DOT issued a show cause order last Tuesday proposing to exclude from JAL's scheduled all-cargo services from Japan to the U.S.
Aviall appointed Charles Kienzle senior VP-operations; Rodney Brown manager-regional airline program, and Cornelius Van Den Handel treasurer and director-planning.
