Airport News - North America.

Mar 26, 2007

Canadian airports under fire for 'gaping holes' in security, high charges Canada's airports and government, already under fire for high fees, yesterday were forced to defend against charges from a senior Canadian legislator that airport security is lax and little more than a "PR show." Mar 23, 2007

No Airline Shutdown In Indonesia Ratings Report No Indonesian airline will be closed after ratings of the carriers are announced on Thursday, the country's aviation chief said, amid pressure to improve air safety following a string of accidents in recent months. Mar 22, 2007

US FAA said it plans to hire nearly 1,400 air traffic controllers this year for a net increase of 189 over 2006 hiring levels. It plans to hire and train more than 15,000 controllers over the next decade. It currently employs 14,618. Mar 21, 2007

Private firms should take over flight security Turning flight security over to private companies would allow experts to design security systems without mandates from bureaucrats, writes Becky Akers in the Christian Science Monitor. "Private security firms would rely on effective antiterrorist tools rather than political correctness," writes Akers, who is writing a book on the TSA. "They would actually keep us safe, not just make us feel that way." Mar 21, 2007

DOT inspector says many towers often understaffed A government investigator on Tuesday said air traffic control towers at small and medium airports frequently have been understaffed. The DOT's inspector general found many towers were staffed with a single controller on duty, a violation of federal rules. An FAA spokeswoman said the FAA is following the inspector general's recommendations. Mar 21, 2007

Modernizing ATC will cost up to $44B, FAA says The FAA estimates modernizing the nation's air traffic control system will cost up to $44 billion. Funding for the project will be split between government-funded infrastructure and what users will pay to equip their aircraft Mar 20, 2007

Carriers develop new systems to track customers' experience Airlines say they review all customer complaints and always respond, even if it is only an apology, the Wall Street Journal's Scott McCartney writes. Meanwhile, some airlines are developing new systems to track the passenger experience on computers. The systems would flag a bad experience and may result in an apology and a voucher from the gate agent when the traveler checks in. Mar 20, 2007

Airports support, unions oppose open skies The tentative EU-US open skies agreement continued to elicit a variety of responses last week, including unexpectedly strong support from Airports Council International-Europe and ACI-North America, which issued a statement jointly urging the signing of the accord at the forthcoming EU/US Summit on April 30. Mar 19, 2007

EU considers broadening use of passenger name records Officials in the EU are considering expanding the use of passenger name records as part of anti-terrorism efforts. "U.S. authorities have shown to us some very useful analyses they have gotten from PNRs," said Jonathan Faull, head of the EU's Directorate-General for Freedom, Security and Justice. He said Europe must first reconcile the idea of passenger records with fundamental concerns about freedom Mar 19, 2007

Registering planes without safety checks post threats Europe's blacklist of carriers considered too dangerous to fly within the EU is shedding light on the threat hazardous aircraft poses to global aviation. Some countries in Africa and the former Soviet Union register planes without properly regulating them. Officials say there may be hundreds of planes that are flying in violation of international standards or operating near illegality. Mar 19, 2007

Atlanta's

Atlanta's "end-around taxiway" may save carriers millions A three-quarter-mile strip of pavement at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport could save passengers time and trim millions from airlines' annual fuel costs. The airport's "end-around taxiway" is expected to open next month. Mar 19, 2007

Baltimore Washington International

Luggage piles up at BWI after storm Officials at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport say it could take days to reunite thousands of suitcases with their owners. A storm on Friday prompted thousands of cancellations, separating travelers from their bags. Mar 21, 2007

Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

Orlando board approves tighter screening of airport workers The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority board of directors approved a plan to spend $5 million to improve the screening of airport workers. The funding will allow the airport authority to buy additional equipment and increase staffing. Mar 22, 2007

Minneapolis/St Paul International

Rising costs tighten profits for airport businesses Companies that operate airport restaurants and snack shops say higher costs are making it more difficult for them to post profits. Rent and terminal fees totaled 19% of sales in 2006 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Mar 19, 2007

New York John F. Kennedy International

Airlines mishandled winter weather Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Executive Director Anthony Shorris blasted airlines for poor treatment of passengers at New York JFK and other New York airports during recent winter storms. Mar 20, 2007

New York Newark Liberty International

Mini-clinic, pharmacy to open in Newark airport Express health care clinics have already opened in retail settings, and now Harmony Pharmacy and Health Center is breaking ground into a convenient new setting -- airports. The company plans to open a health center, pharmacy and retail store this week in Terminal C at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, and the center will offer travelers various medical services provided by a nurse practitioner, who also can write prescriptions. Mar 21, 2007

New York Newark Liberty International

Registered Traveler comes to Newark The Clear Registered Traveler Program is making its debut at Newark Liberty International Airport's Terminal B, with new technologies such as shoe scanners not currently in operation. However, carriers are taking a "wait-and-see approach" before signing on to participate. Mar 21, 2007

NYC Air Shuttle

NYC Air Shuttle Added to GDS US Helicopter Corp. announced it has extended its agreement with Worldspan, so that its fares and inventory are available in the technology company's global distribution system. The company provides airport transportation between some of New York's major airports, including John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty, the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and the Atlantic Metroport at East 34th Street. Due to this new agreement agents can book US Helicopter segments simultaneously with flight arrangements, under one itinerary and fee, the company said. Mar 22, 2007

Toronto Pearson International Airport

No budget relief for Pearson's airport tax Toronto's Pearson International Airport will continue to be one of the world's most expensive places to land a jetliner after yesterday's federal budget contained no airport rent reductions. The Air Transport Association called for the Canadian government to take more action to curb airport rents. Mar 20, 2007

US Airways, Philadelphia, Phoenix.

US Airways eyes ultra long haul US Airways is considering expanding its international network to include transpacific services from Philadelphia and transatlantic services from Phoenix. Mar 19, 2007

West Palm Beach

Residents fight runway extension in West Palm Beach A group of West Palm Beach residents against expanding the airport's runway may conduct a study on the runway's environmental impact. They are also asking officials to extend the comment period on the proposal. Mar 21, 2007

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Mar 19, 2007