Airline News - North America.

Nov 13, 2006

Inexpensive fares are scarce for holiday travel, analysts say. Travelers are facing higher fares for flights around Thanksgiving and Christmas, experts say. Fares for travel around the Thanksgiving holiday have climbed 15% from last year's levels, and the Air Transport Association expects air travel to increase by 3% compared to last year. Nov 10, 2006

DOT stats show more flights leave late. Bureau of Transportation statistics show 19.64% of flights from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30 were late in departing. The statistic is the worst in years. In 2000, 19.24% of flights left late during the first nine months of that year. Nov 7, 2006

AirGuide estimates 2 million passengers per day to travel over 12-Day Thanksgiving period: AirGuideOnline.com is forecasting that 25 million passengers -- an average of more than 2 million per day -- will travel globally on U.S. airlines during the 2006 Thanksgiving holiday season spanning Friday, Nov. 17 through Tuesday, Nov. 28. Nov 6, 2006

Flights expected to be 80% full over Thanksgiving holiday. The Air Transport Association predicts that 25 million people will travel globally on U.S. carriers during the Thanksgiving holidays. Airlines will post load factors of 80%, according to the ATA. "Airports will be packed and, at times, lines could be long," ATA President James May says. "So it is critical that passengers understand what to expect, especially given new security measures." Nov 6, 2006

Some bumped travelers don't use vouchers. Some travelers who are bumped from their flights do not use the vouchers they receive from airlines as compensation. However, an Air Transport Association spokesman says vouchers given to travelers who are involuntarily bumped may not have as many restrictions as vouchers that are distributed because of "inconvenience." "Most passengers will find that taking a voucher for travel is more lucrative or beneficial to them than the cash, so that's generally their preference," he notes. Nov 6, 2006

Air Canada

Some technology innovations seem obvious. Air Canada flights feature three-prong, U.S.-style power outlets on every seat back, The New York Times' David Pogue writes. In addition, travelers can start, stop and pause movies on touch-screen entertainment systems, Pogue writes. Pogue urges U.S. carriers looking for a competitive advantage to follow Air Canada's example. Nov 10, 2006

Air Canada

Air Canada sanctions lifted by Sabre. Sabre is ending sanctions on some Air Canada fares that began last May after the airline began charging less for its lowest fares if customers opted out of certain benefits such as pre-assigned seats. Sabre and Air Canada have made progress in negotiations to make the fares available through the global distribution system. Nov 7, 2006

Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz 

Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz are boosting capacity in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador by 16% through more frequencies and fleet reallocation, the carriers announced yesterday. The increase will equal more than 10,000 additional seats per week and will cover 21 additional weekly flights to/from and within Newfoundland and Labrador, 27 in New Brunswick and 73 in Nova Scotia. Nov 8, 2006

American Airlines

American Airlines will operate thrice-weekly seasonal Miami-Montevideo service from Nov. 17 to April 10 using a two-class 767. Nov 9, 2006

Delta AirElite

Business has been good for Cincinnati-based Delta AirElite, which also offers pay-as-you-go air charter, aircraft management and its Fleet Membership card programs. The company operates a vast number of Gulfstream, Learjet, Hawker and Cessna aircraft models. Nov 10, 2006

Delta AirElite

Delta AirElite president and CEO Michael B. Green, said DAE has experienced increased demand in all aspects of its business. "Demand for international flights has been especially strong. The added Challenger 604 will help us continue to meet this demand," he said. Nov 10, 2006

Delta AirElite

Delta AirElite's access to more than 400 business jets positioned throughout the U.S., DAE said it has strategically increased its fleet size through charter management agreements; agreements which allow DAE to increase corporate jet aircraft availability, but without large capital commitments. DAE has focused on charter management agreements, too, providing options for corporations and aircraft owners who want to lower aircraft ownership costs, by generating revenue having their corporate jets certified for DAE's commercial charter operations. Delta AirElite is a CharterX network customer and a Wyvern-recommended operator. http://www.AirElite.com or http://www.airguideonline.com/airgtravel_res2.htm#jetset Nov 10, 2006

Mesa Air

Mesa Air to launch new flights from Chicago. Mesa Air Group will operate flights from Chicago Midway to three Illinois cities starting in early February. The flights are part of a program created by state lawmakers to provide better in-state service to smaller cities. Nov 8, 2006

United Airlines

United Airlines will launch service to Huntsville from Denver (daily from Feb. 14 operated by SkyWest Airlines) and Washington Dulles (twice-daily from April 9 operated by Mesa Airlines). Nov 9, 2006

WestJet

WestJet will operate weekly seasonal Halifax-Tampa service March 13-May 1. Nov 7, 2006

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Editor: Aram Gesar, eMail: [e-mail]

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Oct 30, 2006