REPORT IN ERROR NO SHUTDOWN FOR AMERICA WEST.Byline: Brent Hopkins Special to the Daily News A report that the Federal Aviation Administration Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), component of the U.S. Department of Transportation that sets standards for the air-worthiness of all civilian aircraft, inspects and licenses them, and regulates civilian and military air traffic through its air traffic control will shut down America West Airlines America West Airlines was one of the United States' ten major airlines. The airline was based in Tempe, Arizona, and is now a part of US Airways Group. At the time of its integration into US Airways, the airline maintained two hubs, one at Phoenix Sky Harbor International has the Burbank Airport carrier scrambling to assure passengers the airline will still be in the sky. U.S. News and World Report's Monday edition quotes FAA Flight Standards Service director Nick Lacey lac·ey adj. Variant of lacy. as saying that America West, the nation's ninth-largest air carrier, is in danger of losing its operating license due to maintenance problems. A shutdown would have a significant effect on local travelers who rely on the Phoenix-based carrier, Burbank's fourth-largest. The airline also serves Los Angeles International Airport “LAX” redirects here. For other uses, see LAX (disambiguation). “KLAX” redirects here. For other uses, see KLAX (disambiguation). Los Angeles International Airport (IATA: LAX, ICAO: KLAX, FAA LID: LAX . On peak travel days, such as Christmas weekend, as many as 18,000 fliers pass through Burbank, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Victor Gill, an airport spokesman. More than 6 percent of those passengers fly on America West. But an FAA spokesman said Lacey's remarks were misinterpreted by the magazine. ``There is no possible way America West will shut down,'' said Jerry Snyder. ``It comes down to a misunderstanding. The comments in the article were his response to a specific fictitious Based upon a fabrication or pretense. A fictitious name is an assumed name that differs from an individual's actual name. A fictitious action is a lawsuit brought not for the adjudication of an actual controversy between the parties but merely for the purpose of scenario.'' The magazine reports insufficient record-keeping of airplane maintenance - a point that the airline and FAA concede - will lead to a shutdown. ``They were not tracking properly whether they'd performed maintenance,'' Snyder said. ``There wasn't the proper follow-up. The plan wasn't specific enough to have the right checks and balances.'' In response, the airline agreed to examine maintenance more carefully. This has been approved by the FAA and will be strictly monitored in bimonthly bi·month·ly adj. 1. Happening every two months. 2. Happening twice a month; semimonthly. adv. 1. Once every two months. 2. Twice a month; semimonthly. n. pl. meetings until June to ensure that it is followed. ``We have been monitoring them closely and will continue to do so,'' Snyder said. The flap couldn't have come at a worse time, said America West spokeswoman Janice Monahan. The airline had nearly a half-million passengers systemwide over the Thanksgiving holiday and is expecting as many through the new year. ``We've been assured by the FAA that they are not considering any action considering our operating license,'' Gill said. ``We don't have to worry. Neither do our customers.'' The report comes as the FAA is completing a survey of all major airlines' maintenance documentation. After an Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines, (NYSE: ALK) is an airline based in Seattle, Washington, United States. It operates hubs at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Portland International Airport. crash off the coast of Oxnard on Jan. 31, killing 88 people, the FAA launched a close study of that airline's maintenance procedures and subsequently required major improvements. The cause of that crash has not yet been determined officially, but problems with a tail control system are suspected. After completing the Alaska Airlines review, the agency decided to review safety maintenance management at the rest of the nation's 10 largest carriers. The Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. contributed to this report. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) An America West plane takes off from Burbank Airport on Friday, contradicting reports of an airline shutdown. David Sprague/Staff Photographer |
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