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January 2012 |
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Best wishes for a Successful 2012!
Here's hoping your New Year has begun well, and because of your loyal support, the Regional Airline Association (RAA) has never been stronger or carried a more prominent voice than it does today.
Check our progress 24/7 on the RAA website, on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as well as:
• Monthly RAA Associate Member update- view our archive of emails here.
• Quarterly issues of our Regional Horizons magazine, available in print and electronically here.
• The RAA Convention in Minneapolis (May 21-24) will feature three special Convention Issues and report breaking news each day.
• Click here to view the 2011 RAA Annual Report - one-stop reference guide to Regional Aviation in North America
Headlines
Members in the News
RAA's 2012 Officers and Associate Member Council Announced
Welcome new RAA Associate Members for 2012!
Mitsubishi tests "Iron Bird"
RAA 2012 Convention News
Exhibit Information & Preliminary Schedule of Events
Industry News
Pilot-Rest Rules May Force Adjustments by U.S. Regional Airlines
Jets to Return to Joplin Airport in February
How Larger Regional Aircraft Are Upscaling Interiors
US Airways Adds Direct Flights from Fayetteville to Washington, D.C.
Jet Service Coming Back to Mathis Field
Regional Airline Flight Attendants Vote on Union in Merger
American Eagle Halts Pilot Hiring in Bankruptcy
FAA Levels $777,000 Penalty Against Horizon Air
Pinnacle Airlines to Ask Creditors for Help
Two Muslim Men Kicked Off a Flight Last May Sue Delta and a Regional Carrier, Seeking Damages
SeaPort Airlines Raises Concerns in Some Communities, Hopes in Others
Austin Software Startup Looks to Expand Market for Pilot-focused Products
Members in the News
RAA's 2012 Officers and Associate Member Council Announced
Click here to read the official press release.
Welcome new RAA Associate Members for 2012!
Aircraft Interiors Expo
Bentley Leathers, Inc
Biobor-Hammonds Fuel Additives, Inc.
Choice Hotels
McBreen & Kopko
NYCO
T-LOAD USA LLC
Interested in joining RAA? Please visit the
RAA Associate Membership page for more information.
RAA Associate Member Benefits:
Showcase your products and services to airline members
Participate in the Purchasing Forum held on the last day of the
Convention (Exhibitors only)
Network with regional airline carriers
Stay current on industry issues and advertise your company in RAA
publications. Download the 2012 Media Guide.
Mitsubishi tests "Iron Bird"
Mitsubishi’s MRJ hydraulic and flight control system rig (dubbed “Iron Bird”) was tested December 22 at its Oye Plant in Japan and marked an important milestone in the program.
RAA 2012 Convention News
Exhibit Information & Preliminary Schedule of Events
Tap into the fastest growing aviation market in North America! Flying more than half the scheduled flights and 1 out of every 4 airline passengers, regional airlines deliver the only scheduled service to nearly 75% of the nation's airports. Exhibit space starts at $17/square foot!
Please contact David Perez Hernandez or (312) 673-4838 now for more information.
Download the preliminary Schedule of Events!
Industry News
Pilot-Rest Rules May Force Adjustments by U.S. Regional Airlines
Bloomberg (12/21/11) Levin, Alan
Regional airlines may experience the biggest impact from revised pilot-fatigue rules. The cost increases from the new rules will be "modest," at 3% to 4% for most regional carriers, said Robert Gerbracht of PIAS Inc., a firm that sells pilot-scheduling software to airlines. New Federal Aviation Administration rules, to take effect in two years, will reduce pilots' work hours and give them longer rests. Pilot work days will be reduced to nine to 14 hours, and they will get at least 10 hours off between shifts. Carriers will have to hire more pilots and reduce service to adapt, potentially increasing the costs passed on to fliers. "The ink isn't even dry on this yet and people are predicting the end of an industry," said Roger Cohen, president of the Regional Airline Association.
Jets to Return to Joplin Airport in February
Associated Press (12/29/11)
Regional jets will be flying into Joplin, MO, again starting in February for the first time in a decade. American Eagle has said it plans to stop flying turboprop planes from its main hub in Texas and switch to regional jets early next year. Joplin Regional Airport manager Steve Stockam says American has already rescheduled bookings for Joplin. It will be the first time jet service has been available at the airport since Ozark Air Lines operated in the region a decade ago before going out of business. Stockam says the jets will be smaller but faster than the turboprop planes American currently uses.
How Larger Regional Aircraft Are Upscaling Interiors
Flight Global (12/21/2011) Kirby, Mary
Many regional airlines are giving their aircraft makeovers to look and feel more mainline. This includes dual-class and even triple-class configurations, new LED lighting for interiors, and slim-line seats. Some 223 regional aircraft operating as Delta Connection for example, will have in-flight connectivity. The 30 Bombardier Q400 turboprops that Colgan Air operates on behalf of United-Continental will be retrofitted with a three-abreast first class cabin, an economy plus section, and economy. Modern cabins are expected to "become part of the standard package" for regional aircraft, says Regional Airline Association President Roger Cohen. "So many regional aircraft are now operating on what would be considered mainline routes. The majority of flights are on regional aircraft. These passengers expect every amenity they are going to be getting on the mainline carrier."
US Airways Adds Direct Flights from Fayetteville to Washington, D.C.
Fayetteville Observer (NC) (01/04/12) Futch, Michael
US Airways has announced that daily nonstop service from Fayetteville, NC, to downtown Washington, DC, will start on March 25. Flights between the two destinations will be operated by regional carrier Air Wisconsin. "This is exciting, and it's a huge success for this community—direct service to National Airport, which is very difficult to get given the slot controls," said Fayetteville Regional Airport Director Brad Whited. The daily service was made possible following the Dec. 13 closure of US Airways' slot transaction agreement with Delta Air Lines, completing a slot swap deal permitting US Airways to expand service at Reagan National.
Jet Service Coming Back to Mathis Field
Go San Angelo (TX) (12/20/11) Kelly, Michael
Starting in January, jet aircraft scheduled service will resume in San Angelo, Texas. American Eagle Airlines has announced that it will replace its ATR-72 turboprops, used for several years on the San Angelo to Dallas-Fort Worth route, with Embraer EMB-140 and EMB-145 regional jets. The regional jets carry fewer passengers than the retiring ATRs, which will reduce the daily flight capacity out of San Angelo by 64 to 80 seats each way. Most airlines are attempting to eliminate aircraft that carry fewer than 70 passengers, but American Eagle will continue small aircraft operations because of a labor agreement that specifies the use of American Airlines pilots on all equipment flying more than 70 passengers.
Regional Airline Flight Attendants Vote on Union in Merger
Atlanta Journal-Constitution (12/21/11) Yamanouchi, Kelly
In the merger of Atlantic Southeast Airlines and ExpressJet, flight attendants from both regional carriers voted for representation by the International Association of Machinists, a move toward combining employee groups. The Machinists union already represented ExpressJet flight attendants, and will also take over representation of those from Atlantic Southeast. The Atlantic Southeast flight attendants were formerly represented by the Association of Flight Attendants. The Machinists union said that it has begun negotiations for a single contract for the combined flight attendant group.
American Eagle Halts Pilot Hiring in Bankruptcy
Associated Press (12/14/11)
American Eagle, the regional-flying affiliate of American Airlines, has suspended new hiring of pilots since parent AMR Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection. The airline canceled a recent training class for 20 pilots. Spokesman Tim Smith said the pilots were furloughed, or laid off with rehiring rights, as required by the airline's labor contract with the Air Line Pilots Association. AMR has announced plans to spin off Eagle to AMR shareholders as a separate, publicly traded company. However, the deal has been postponed because of the bankruptcy filing. Eagle could use the bankruptcy case to reject leases on its small jets, which are costly to operate at current high prices for jet fuel, and to reduce flying.
FAA Levels $777,000 Penalty Against Horizon Air
Occupational Health & Safety (12/12/11)
The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a $777,000 civil penalty against Horizon Air Industries for allegedly operating 32 Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft on nearly 50,000 flights without completing all required tests on new wing lighting systems. FAA said that Horizon installed a new external lighting system on those aircraft, "but did not conduct required tests for radio frequency and electromagnetic interference" before the aircraft were back in service. The flights occurred between Oct. 19, 2009, and Mar. 17, 2010, after which the FAA discovered the compliance problems and "Horizon immediately completed tests and inspections of all 32 aircraft before further flights."
Pinnacle Airlines to Ask Creditors for Help
Bloomberg (12/08/11)
Pinnacle Airlines has been working since early December to reach deals with its major partners, creditors and employees to cut back on costs and minimize debt. Though revenue improved during the first nine months of 2011, costs increased faster than revenue, causing the company to lose $8.8 million in that time period. As part of the effort, Pinnacle is seeking modifications to current deals with three airline companies: Delta Air Lines, US Airways Group, and United Continental Holdings. The company is also working with employees to reduce costs.
Two Muslim Men Kicked Off a Flight Last May Sue Delta and a Regional Carrier, Seeking Damages
Associated Press (12/19/11)
Two Muslim men who say they were kicked off an airplane in May after the pilot objected to their presence are suing Delta Air Lines and a regional carrier that operated the Delta Connection flight from Memphis to Charlotte, NC. According to the suit, shortly after the plane pulled away from the gate, the pilot announced the aircraft was returning to the terminal, at which point the men were pulled off the plane. The pilot then refused to allow them back on the plane even after passengers were told that any who were apprehensive about the presence of the two men could take a different plane and would be given a generous voucher. No passengers took the offer. Delta and Atlantic Southeast Airlines, which is owned by SkyWest, issued a statement that read: “Atlantic Southeast and Delta oppose discrimination in any form from any source, and our employees act at all times in the best interest of passenger safety and security.”
SeaPort Airlines Raises Concerns in Some Communities, Hopes in Others
Oregonian (01/04/12) Tobias, Lori
SeaPort Airlines will start flying out of North Bend, OR, on Jan. 15. After that, it will add service to Jackson and Nashville, TN. And in March, the airline will begin flights out of Yakima and Wenatchee, WA. The question is, however, how long will it last? In less than three years, SeaPort has added and abandoned service in five different communities, most recently announcing last week it would drop its Portland-to-Seattle route and cease operations at Seattle's Boeing Field. A SeaPort official says the airline is trying to make things work for everyone, but it can't fly where it can't make a profit.
Austin Software Startup Looks to Expand Market for Pilot-focused Products
Statesman.com (Austin American-Statesman) (12/26/11) Hawkins, Lori
An Austin, Texas, software startup has changed the way Southwest Airlines hires pilots and now it wants to do the same for the country's regional airlines. Pilot Credentials is offering a Web-based service that helps airlines evaluate pilot candidates by tracking flight hours, certifications, and experience to develop a list of the most qualified candidates. The program also helps manage the federally mandated paperwork and schedule interviews, saving recruiters hours on the phone. With this new software, airlines can measure pilots' credentials and categorize planes by size and type. The service includes access to a global database of nearly 10,000 pilots, where pilots pay a yearly fee to be listed and also keep their flight hours, certifications, and other records current.
Abstract News © Copyright 2012 INFORMATION, INC.
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About RAA
With safety as its highest priority, RAA represents North American regional airlines, and the manufacturers of products and services supporting the regional airline industry, before the Congress, DOT, FAA and other federal agencies.
With more than 13,000 regional airline flights every day, regional airlines operate more than half of the nation’s scheduled flights with nearly 75% of US airports relying on regional airlines exclusively.
Founded in 1975, Washington, DC-based RAA also provides a wide array of technical, government relations and public relations services for regional airlines. The association's 30 member airlines and nearly 200 associate members represent the key decision makers of this vital sector of the commercial aviation industry.
For more information on Regional Horizons e-NEWS contact:
Regional Airline Association | 2025 M Street, NW | Suite 800 | Washington, DC 20036-3309
Tel: 202/367-1170 | raa@raa.org
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