Airline News - North America

Airguide Online, March 27, 2006

Air Canada

Air Canada Jazz will begin daily nonstop service to Yellowknife from Edmonton on July 3 and from Calgary on July 4. It will launch daily nonstop service Aug. 1 on the following new routes: Edmonton-Victoria, Calgary-Comox, Edmonton-Kelowna and Winnipeg-London, Ont. Mar 23, 2006

Alaska Airlines

Alaska inspection finds no cabin-pressure flaws. Alaska Airlines said an inspection of its entire fleet found no flaws or weaknesses that could cause an unexpected loss in cabin pressure. The airline began the inspection after five jets experienced in-flight problems with pressurization systems. Mar 22, 2006

AMERICAN AIRLINES

American hopes food wins international travelers over. American Airlines is paying attention to food service as it prepares to launch flights from Chicago to Shanghai. American will serve travelers two meals and a snack on the Shanghai route. Fierce competition on international routes is pushing airlines to improve food service. Mar 23, 2006

American backs group that supports Wright law. American Airlines is backing a community group that supports a law restricting flights from Dallas Love Field. Meanwhile, citizens and lawmakers in other states are involved in the Wright Amendment debate; some officials in Nebraska want Wright repealed while some Ohio officials oppose changes. Mar 22, 2006

Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines broke the silence on the US side in the standoff between US and Venezuelan authorities, announcing Friday that it "will try to accommodate travel needs of passengers flying to and from Caracas through its extensive network into the region" if Venezuela follows through with its threat to restrict access of US carriers from the end of this month. CO said it will allow passengers to exchange tickets without penalty or apply for refunds. "Continental remains committed to the Venezuela market and to providing its regular, consistent, high-quality service from its Houston and New York area hubs, and hopes that the negotiations between the National Institute of Civil Aviation and the FAA will develop positively in the next days," it said. Mar 20, 2006

DELTA AIR LINES

Delta Air Lines, which is expanding its transatlantic services this summer with 11 new routes and more than 50 daily flights to 29 cities in 17 countries in Europe and India, is looking for still more destinations, especially in Eastern Europe. Routes to larger cities not already well-connected to the US will be added from Atlanta, while expansion to secondary destinations such as Edinburgh is targeted from New York JFK. A source close to the airline said an Atlanta-Prague service is a possibility. In addition, Delta is working to secure rights for Atlanta-Beijing service. The carrier has an order for three 777-200s, which could be delivered as dash 200LRs in 2008. It estimates that its international revenues should rise from 20% to 35% of the total by September and further on to 40%. International capacity will grow from 23% to 31% during that timeframe. Mar 22, 2006

SkyWest Airlines took delivery of Bombardier's 250th CRJ700 last week in Montreal. It will be SkyWest's first aircraft operated for Delta Connection. It flies 180 CRJs including 57 CRJ700s. Mar 21, 2006

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

Hawaiian posts fourth-quarter, full-year losses on higher taxes. Hawaiian Holdings, parent of Hawaiian Airlines, reported a net loss of $19.5 million for the three months ended Dec. 31 and a 2005 full-year loss of $12.4 million. Mar 23, 2006

Mesa Air

Mesa Air unit launches Hawaii service. Mesa Air Group's "go!" airlines will launch inter island flights in Hawaii starting June 9. The new service sparked a fare war in Hawaii. It will compete with Hawaiian and Aloha airlines. Mar 24, 2006

Mesa to launch Hawaii service June 9; Hawaiian locks up NWA code. Mesa Air Group yesterday announced the name and launch date of its new Hawaii-based inter-island carrier. Mar 24, 2006

Midwest Airlines

Midwest Airlines is expanding its Kansas City and Milwaukee services from June 1. Frequencies will be added from Kansas City to Boston (to twice-daily), Los Angeles (to thrice each weekday during summer), Milwaukee (to seven flights per weekday), New York La Guardia (to four times each weekday) and San Diego (to twice-daily during summer). Flights are aboard 717s. From Milwaukee, Midwest will offer seasonal nonstop daily service to San Francisco through Sept. 30, supplementing a year-round flight through Kansas City. Seasonal frequency increases will occur on services to Baltimore/Washington International (to thrice each weekday from May 1) and Denver (to four times per weekday from June 1). Mar 21, 2006

NORTHWEST AIRLINES

Northwest "surprised" by attention to seat assignments: Northwest Airlines is surprised its decision to charge more for certain seat assignments attracted so much media attention. A Northwest spokesman said four other carriers already do similar things, including a United Airlines strategy that allows coach passengers to upgrade to "Economy Plus" seating. Mar 20, 2006