Getting that federal bailout cash means keeping all existing destinations in service for the US airlines. That could prove troubling for some as the cutbacks are already in motion.
DoT
Airlines press back on accessible lavatory plans
Airlines are not keen to update the on-board lavatory experience to support passengers with reduced mobility, citing costs and limited options as part of the objections.
Silver Airways plans ATR expansion in the Caribbean
Silver Airways has big plans for its Caribbean flight network. The carrier intends to increase capacity from its San Juan hub to destinations across the region as it shifts its Saab 340 fleet out of the islands, replacing them with larger ATR turboprops. The ATR-72 will more double the available seats in some markets from […]
Wheelchair accessibility regulations to be updated with Department of Transportation proposal
The US Department of Transportation is finally poised to take action related to wheelchair-bound passengers on single-aisle aircraft. While any progress is good news, the limited scope of this effort leaves much to be desired.
JetBlue wants to give United Airlines its Mexico City slots, if the DoT will let it
Why does JetBlue care what happens to its slots in Mexico City as it pulls out of that market next month? Turns out competition among airlines is a good thing, and the carrier just might have its eye on another prize some 5,500 miles away.
Some thoughts on Muilenburg’s testimony about the 737 MAX crash
What can we gather from more than three hours of testimony by Boeing executives and government safety officials before the US Senate Commerce Committee today? Mostly that the format is terrible for getting real answers to the critical questions surrounding the 737MAX crashes, subsequent grounding and potential, eventual return to service. Still, a few interesting bits bubbled up through the testimony.
Hawaiian, JAL come up short on anti-trust immunity plans
Hawaiian and JAL had grand plans to coordinate their operations between Asia and Hawaii. The US DoT has other ideas. The ATI application was denied this week, citing insufficient benefit to passengers.
Can Delta’s pilots derail a joint venture success story?
Delta’s recently approved Joint Venture for transatlantic operations hit a small speed bump as the carrier’s pilots filed an objection. While unlikely to be taken too seriously by the Department of Transportation the filing does highlight challenges the carrier will face in future contract negotiations.
American Airlines, Qantas receive antitrust immunity
The US Department of Transportation issued its final approval for antitrust immunity (ATI) of the American Airlines-Qantas joint business agreement on Friday afternoon. Expect to see new routes, fares and other cooperative efforts within the next six months.
American gives up on China – Chicago connections
Just over a year after admitting publicly that the routes “often don’t earn enough cash to cover the price of fuel” American Airlines is officially surrendering its route authorities from Chicago-O’Hare to Beijing and Shanghai. Both Delta and United figure to gain significantly as a result.