Aircraft News - North America

AirGuide Business, April 21, 2008

Continental Airlines

A document released by the US DoT inspector general said Continental Airlines flight crews reported that their planes ran low on fuel nearly 100 times in 2007 as they approached Newark Liberty International Airport. None of the flights landed with less than the minimum amount of fuel required by the FAA. An Air Transport Association spokesman stressed that safety remains the top priority for U.S. carriers. Apr 17, 2008

Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, Boeing

The new Delta, after the merger of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines, with its combined fleet of 117 Boeing McDonnell Douglas MD-88s and 94 Douglas DC-9s, is an ideal customer for Bombardier's 100-to-130-seat CSeries aircraft, especially with its US$7-billion in liquidity, he said. Northwest has also been very vocal in the past about its interest in the new jets, which would offer 40% less fuel burn than its existing fleet. "The question at this point is not whether or not the merged firm will order the CSeries, but rather one of timing," Mr. Poirier said in a note to clients. "We believe the companies could announce an order pending completion of the deal." Apr 16, 2008

Southwest Airlines, Boeing

Southwest grounded dozens of older Boeing 737s and canceled flights in March as a result of the controversy. Prompted by problems at Southwest and congressional pressure to respond, the FAA launched an industrywide review of compliance with its safety directives. That audit led to grounded planes and canceled flights over recent weeks at several airlines. The most severe problems were at American Airlines where 300 MD-80s were grounded and more than 3,000 flights canceled last week. Apr 19, 2008

Southwest Airlines, Boeing

Southwest said it would grow its fleet in 2009 by no more than 14 Boeing 737-700 aircraft, half its previous plan. US airlines are suffering under high fuel prices and a weakening domestic economy. Although Southwest has a history of successfully hedging against higher fuel costs, it said on Thursday it was concerned about rising energy costs. "We cannot ignore the threat of volatile and unprecedented jet fuel prices," Chief Executive Gary Kelly said in a statement. Tough market conditions helped prompt a proposed merger between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines and could spur a wave of consolidation amid fears of falling travel demand. Kelly said on CNBC television that his company needs to adjust to the changing environment and that Southwest "can't just stand still." However, he added, "I don't think that means we have to look for a merger partner," saying the best course of action for Southwest may be to do nothing amid the consolidation. Apr 17, 2008

Trans States Airlines, Embraer

Trans States Airlines, which grounded 24 of its 50 Embraer ERJ-145s Tuesday for maintenance, expected to have all of the aircraft back in service by last night. They were grounded after an internal audit revealed that they had exceeded time limits on inspections. Apr 18, 2008