Industry Briefs

Airline Industry Information, July 31, 2002

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The Federal Aviation Administration is tightening rules allowing foreign pilots to fly private aircraft into the US. The agency will reportedly conduct background checks, verify the identity of the applicant and make sure the foreign licence is valid, in a bid to make it harder for foreign pilots from countries such as Libya, North Korea and Iraq to obtain certificates to operate aircraft in the US.

German carrier Lufthansa has reportedly placed an order with aircraft manufacturer Airbus SAS for ten A330-300 aircraft. The airline was reportedly holding talks with both Airbus and Boeing Co on the possible purchase of ten aircraft, and has apparently decided to order the aircraft from the European company. The order, which must be approved by the airline's supervisory board, will see the ten aircraft being delivered between 2004 and 2005.

The Selangor Official Assignee office, the receiver for insolvent Pelangi Air Sdn Bhd, has reportedly received three proposals to revive the Malaysian domestic carrier. The receiver - which held a meeting last week with the airline's shareholders to discuss the future of the carrier, its current assets and liabilities, and staff welfare - is scheduled to meet with the airline's creditors in September 2002.

Federal employees are to begin screening passengers at four additional US airports. The airports are Hartford, Conn.; Athens, Ga.; Columbus, Ohio; and two terminals at Orlando, Fla. Federal employees are now in place at a total of ten airports, including Baltimore, Md.; Louisville, Ky.; Mobile, Ala.; Kalamazoo, Mich.; Chicopee and Bedford, Mass.; and three terminals at New York Kennedy. The Transportation Security Administration must employ federal screeners at 424 US commercial airports by 19 November 2002.

Midwest Express Airlines has added two enhancements to its Frequent Flyer Programme. Members can now book award travel online at http://www.midwestexpress.com, and can also purchase additional frequent flyer miles for themselves or as gifts for other members. The online service also allows members to check their account balance, view seat availability and alternate itinerary choices, choose seat locations, select special meals and request special services.

Al Blackman is reportedly celebrating his 60th anniversary at American Airlines. The 76-year-old joined the company in 1942 as a sheet metal mechanic working on Sikorsky Flying Boats. During his career Blackman has worked on all major aircraft models operated by the airline, including the DC-3, and is now a maintenance crew chief at the company's maintenance base at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Blackman, who supervises a staff of 24 mechanics working on the 254-seat Boeing 777 aircraft, has no plans to retire soon.

From 1 August 2002, Japan Airlines will operate daily flights on the Kuala Lumpur-Tokyo route, following the delivery of a Boeing 747 aircraft and a Boeing 777 aircraft. The new service will complement the airline's existing services using the MD-11 aircraft, which operates flights on the route on Mondays and Saturdays. The Boeing 747 aircraft will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays while the Boeing 777 will operate on Fridays and Sundays.

Delta Air Lines is offering sale fares for travel between most US cities and destinations in Florida, Las Vegas and New Orleans. The special fares - available for travel on Delta, Delta Express and Delta Connection flights - must be purchased by 5 August 2002, with all travel taking place by 14 December 2002. The fares also require either a Saturday-night stay or a minimum stay of two nights, and a seven-day advance purchase.

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