Airline News - North America

Mar 24, 2008

Airlines say federal law preempts state passenger-rights bill. California lawmakers are considering legislation that would require airlines to reimburse passengers who are delayed on aircraft for more than three hours. The airlines oppose the legislation and say it is preempted by federal law. Mar 23, 2008

Some 100 small communities stand to lose air service if the US Dept. of Transportation moves forward with a congestion pricing plan, the Regional Airline said in a statement released yesterday. Another 450 airports would be "at significant risk of losing air service," according to the organization that represents regionals in the US and Canada. DoT has proposed a two-part formula for restructuring landing fees based on aircraft weight and a per-operation charge rather than the current weight-based standard. This would increase fees for smaller aircraft and could threaten service to small and medium-sized communities, RAA believes. Mar 20, 2008

Carriers are prepared to handle medical emergencies. The Air Transport Association wrote a letter to the editor in response to a recent USA TODAY article regarding in-flight medical emergencies. ATA notes that airlines are equipped with defibrillators, oxygen and well-stocked emergency medical kits and are prepared to handle medical emergencies. Mar 18, 2008

Aloha Airlines

Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have been engaged in a fierce battle against go! since it began low-fare inter-island service with 50-seat CRJs in June 2006. Both took legal action against the startup, charging that Mesa had misused confidential information obtained when it was considering an acquisition of the island carriers. Hawaiian was awarded $80 million in October 2007 by a bankruptcy court. Aloha's case is still pending. The inter-island fare wars and the continued escalation of fuel costs have chipped away at profits for all of the carriers. In the highly competitive inter-island market, Aloha was forced to match go!'s below-cost fares at a time when the airline industry was facing unprecedented increases in the cost of jet fuel said the airline. Mar 21, 2008

American Airlines

American Airlines said most of the 100,000 travelers affected by a severe thunderstorm that hit Dallas on Tuesday had resumed their travel plans by Wednesday evening. A company spokesman credited the programs, software and procedures put in place since 2006 for the smooth operations in the aftermath of disruptive weather. The storm also forced Southwest Airlines to cancel flights, and it said its operations also are back to normal. Mar 20, 2008

American Eagle Airlines

American Eagle Airlines will add a daily non-stop flight between Dallas/Fort Worth International and Buffalo Niagara International Airport - western New York state - from 1 June to 2 September. Mar 18, 2008

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines announced yesterday that it will follow United Airlines and US Airways in charging passengers $25 for a second checked bag starting May 1. The move comes as US carriers are scrambling to contend with rising fuel prices and a weak domestic economy and looking for "revenue enhancement" measures to help offset escalating expenses. Mar 19, 2008

Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines

Delta Air Lines and Hawaiian Airlines have announced a new partnership giving Skymiles and HawaiianMiles members the chance to earn and redeem miles across both networks. Mar 18, 2008

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