Travel Safety & Security Update.

The FAA has declared the US airline recovery over. Transportation secretary Norman Mineta said he was no longer talking about recovery - the first time since the 2001 attacks. Mr. Mineta and other federal regulators and industry leaders said airlines will still face a tough year but could be on the up in 2007. Fuel prices are expected to rise 15% in 2006 before declining until 2011, according to estimates from the FAA. It also said fares will go up. http://www.faa.gov Mar 5, 2006

FAA may introduce user fee proposal soon. The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to introduce a proposal next month for user fees to fund the air traffic control system, said James Coyne, President of the National Air Transportation Association. The Air Transport Association supports user fees, but contrary to previous reports, ATA has not signed an agreement with the FAA regarding funding for user fees. Mar 3, 2006

Device use could affect cockpit operations. In-flight use of electronic devices and mobile phones could disrupt navigation systems in aircraft, particularly during takeoff and landing, according to a study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers. Granger Morgan, who leads the university's Department of Engineering and Public Policy Department, said the FAA-backed study indicates device use should be limited for now, although he noted, "there has never been an accident that you can clearly say was caused by electromagnetic interference." Mar 2, 2006

TSA rehires Orlando screeners who failed tests. The Transportation Security Administration has rehired a group of Orlando security screeners who were fired after failing one of two exams related to their jobs. "We've gone back to reevaluate that policy and decided to allow a TSO [transportation security officer] to stay on if they passed one of the tests," TSA spokesman Christopher White said. "I think it's really to keep a pool of experienced TSOs on the job that otherwise wouldn't be on the job." Mar 2, 2006

FAA expects thousands of "microjets" in next few years. The Federal Aviation Administration predicts that thousands of "microjets" will soon start flying, possibly creating a new generation of air taxis. The small passenger jets can land at small airports with short runways, and the FAA predicts by 2010, more than 1,650 of the planes will be flying. "We think this growth is more than just somebody's pipe dream," said Sharon L. Pinkerton, FAA assistant administrator for policy and planning. Mar 1, 2006

Fares will increase, more people will travel, FAA predicts. The lowest airline fares will gradually increase, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA also expects the number of passengers to climb 45% to 1.07 billion by 2017. The FAA also predicted that fuel prices will rise 15% in 2006. Mar 1, 2006

Airlines support funding FAA with user fees: A proposal by the airlines would fund the Federal Aviation Administration budget by replacing passenger ticket taxes with user fees. Airline chief executives on the board of the Air Transport Association support the plan. The proposal calls for airlines to pay for the airspace they use, and it will probably include a fee for taking off, ATA President and CEO James May said.

Mar 1, 2006

TSA says travelers may lock luggage. Travelers can now secure their luggage with one of the two locks endorsed by the Transportation Security Administration. Previously, TSA urged travelers to keep their bags unlocked so security agents could search them. Air Transport Association spokeswoman Victoria Day said the ATA has at times issued press releases pointing consumers toward TSA's Web site travel tips. Mar 1, 2006

Coast Guard raised concerns about Dubai port deal. Coast Guard officials in December said allowing a Dubai company to manage some U.S. port operations could raise security concerns. "Intelligence gaps" prevented the Coast Guard officials from assessing the risk, according to a document presented at a Senate briefing. A Department of Homeland Security official said the concerns were addressed before the deal was approved. Feb 28, 2006

Monocular pilot sues airline for declining to hire him. The Federal Aviation Administration allows pilots who are blind in one eye to fly passenger planes. One monocular pilot has sued Island Air for refusing to hire him. Air Transport Association spokesman David Castelveter said it is up to individual carriers to decide whether it wants to hire a pilot after the pilot has demonstrated to the FAA they are qualified and safe. Feb 27, 2006

Chertoff says aviation system remains terrorist target. The U.S. aviation system remains "the No. 1 target" for terrorists, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff warned. If lawmakers reject a fee increase for passengers, the agency may cut security spending at airports, Chertoff said. The Air Transport Association opposes the boost in fees, and says higher fees will cause more financial damage to the airline industry.

Feb 27, 2006

Air travel security evolves since terror attacks. The U.S. has changed its approach to security in the years since the Sept. 11 terror attacks. Passengers can now carry small scissors on planes. Soon U.S. passports will contain computer chips that can be read by scanners. The government is also rolling out the Registered Traveler program, which is designed to speed frequent fliers through airport security. The Air Transport Association opposes the program and says improved checkpoint screening makes it unnecessary. Feb 27, 2006

Alaska Airlines

No common cause found for Alaska pressure incidents. Alaska Airlines has not found a common cause for a series in-flight problems with its cabin pressurization systems. "Each has been due to a different root cause, which would suggest this is not a systemic issue," Alaska Airlines spokeswoman Amanda Tobin said Friday. The airline is inspecting its 110 jets. Feb 27, 2006

Honeywell

Honeywell launches new safety equipment. Honeywell is introducing an assortment of new aviation-safety equipment, including more precise weather radars and systems to prevent runway collisions. The company hopes airlines purchase the new devices, but some carriers are hesitant because the past three years have been among the safest ever for passenger flights. Mar 2, 2006