BRITISH AIRWAYS AND SPAIN'S IBERIA TO MERGE; FORM LARGEST EUROPEAN CARRIER
Two struggling airlines have reached agreement to join forces in a merger that will create the largest carrier in Europe. According to sources at Iberia Airlines, a binding agreement that will create one of the world's largest airline companies has been reached and will soon be officially announced. The combined airline will operate with a fleet of 419 aircraft and serve 215 destinations world-wide.
British Airways - Iberia will be larger than Air France - KLM and Lufthansa. Iberia is slated to own 45 percent of the new company and British Airways the remaining 55 percent. A statement issued by the two companies said: "....the merger will create global carrier better able to compete with larger rivals....It will meld BA's network of U.S. routes with Iberia's Latin America services." British Airways also has tremendous strength to Asia where Iberia is stronger to South American and African destinations.
It is estimated that the combined airline will handle 62 million annual passengers.
US AIRWAYS TO REINSTATE MELBOURNE, FLORIDA SERVICE
After a 12-year absence, US Airways is returning to Melbourne, Florida in 2010 with three daily flights from its Charlotte hub. Regional carrier PSA Airlines will operate the service utilizing RJ700 regional jets as US Airways Express. February 12, 2010 is the official start date for the new service. On and off discussions about the airline returning to Melbourne have taken place since 2006. The airport has agreed to waive certain airport landing fees and other charges to the tune of $850,000 over two years. A 70 percent load factor will collect $1.1 million for the airport in fees and concession sales.
UNITED ANNOUNCES NEW SERVICES TO EAU CLAIRE, HOUGHTON, MUSKEGON AND PADUCAH
Four small cities will be the happy recipients of United Express service starting February 11 of next year. One of these cities, Eau Claire, lies just 75 air miles from Minneapolis/St. Paul, the former home of Northwest Airlines and still a major hub for Delta Air Lines. However, Eau Claire has been begging for more than just flights to MSP for many years. It'll be interesting to see if there is any reaction from Delta with flights to Detroit, perhaps? SkyWest will be the United Express carrier on the new routes with 50-passenger regional jets being utilized. The Eau Claire and Hancock/Houghton service starts on March 1 of next year.
BAGHDAD VACATION ANYONE?
For the first time in nearly 20 years, non-stop commercial airline service will return to the Baghdad, Iraq to Paris, France city-pair. Iraqi Airways which is government-owned says the new flights are being "prompted by demand following a drop in violence levels and a rise in investor interest." The airline didn't say if the demand is for one-way flights to France or if there is indeed eastbound passenger interest as well. Recently the airline began flying from Baghdad non-stop to Stockholm, Sweden and has announced that the next new service planned will be to Germany. With the new flights to Baghdad, from the Twin Cities travelers will be able to fly Delta non-stop to Paris and get to Iraq with just one connecting flight. How exciting! Can Air Afghanistan be far behind?
INTERESTING NEW POLLS FROM TRIPADVISOR.COM
According to new polls recently completed by tripadvisor.com, 86% of respondents think that airline pilots should take a mandatory breathalyzer test before being able to fly each flight. This survey was conducted after the recent arrest of a United Airlines pilot in London who was over the limit and about to fly a plane full of passengers to Chicago. Another poll by the travel web-site revealed that 57% of airline passengers would advise the flight crew if a passenger on-board appeared to have flu-like symptoms. What could be done about this after departure isn't known as most flights these days are very crowded. September's industry load factor was better than 86%. The same survey showed that 51% of travelers would fly with the flu to avoid paying a booking change fee. How do you like that one!
Comments
This is a great article, especially on a special day...
Air Afghanistan? Love it. Iraqi Airways? Why not? Then again...WHY? Don't people know we are having an after-the-war war there? Great article, esp from a seasoned writer such as yourself :)
The Northwest pilots accused of overshooting Minneapolis should have just said they were trying to get to Eau Claire. Instead of being vilified they would have been pioneers.
I vote yes for the breathalyzer test!
i agree with the survey!
Breathalyzer- I would have to agree. TOOOO many pilots have made the industry look bad and put fear into people. Time to regulate.
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