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March 2012 |
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Looking to the future, RAA announces first speakers for 2012 convention
 You won’t want to miss Wednesdays’ sessions dedicated to further exploring the looming pilot supply and demand issue. RAA Chair Dan Garton will start the day with a strategic outlook of the regional airline industry and two general sessions will follow featuring moderated panel discussions to outline how this issue will affect all segments of industry.
To learn about a successful aviation mentoring program stop by the Exhibit Hall during lunch to hear Barrington Irving’s story of his 97-day journey flying 30,000 miles inspiring today’s youth that you can achieve your dream.
Coming Up...
RAA on the road
RAA President Roger Cohen will give “the real story” about the regional airline industry during his presentation at the 37th Annual FAA Forecast in Washington, DC on Friday, March 9. Check the RAA website at the end of this week to see his view behind the headlines.
Jeppesen will graciously host the RAA Flight Technology Committee this week at its Englewood, CO facility for its three-day meeting.
RAA Senior Director-Industry & Regulatory Affairs Liam Connolly will attend Cygnus Aviation Expo in Las Vegas this week.
Headlines
Members in the News
RAA showcases women in regional aviation in special supplement
RAA Associate Member movers and shakers!
RAA 2012 Convention News
Don't miss out! Register today!
On the Hill
Pilot Certification and Qualifications Requirements for Air Carriers NPRM (FOQ)
Industry News
Silver Airways Continues Fleet Upgrade, Announces New Gainesville, FL, Service
Cape Air Taps ITA for Reservation System
Island Air Expands Interisland Fleet by Six
Durbin Joins Mayor Spring and Cape Air to Dedicate Newly-Opened Maintenance Facility at Quincy Regional Airport
American Airlines Offers Ideas for More Revenue
New Law Means Aircraft Stay Flying in Eastern Montana
AirNet Sells Organ Flights to Focus on Its Air Cargo
Great Lakes to Use Larger Aircraft for Service in Jamestown, N.D.
ExpressJet, Delta Put Aviation Students on Career Pathway
US Airways Express PSA Airlines to Have Cincinnati-Washington Flights
Pinnacle, Pilots at Odds Over Permanent Pay Cut
Members in the News
RAA showcases women in regional aviation in special supplement
While there are many women contributors to the regional airline industry, Regional Horizons takes great pride in showcasing the combined efforts of the female team at New England Airlines spanning over 40 years! Owner and Vice President Lois Bendokas tells the story of how this RAA member airline serves as a lifeline to this fishing community in the 2011 Women in Aviation Special Supplement. Click here to read all of the Supplement interviews or pick up your copy at the International Women in Aviation Conference this week in Dallas.
RAA Associate Member movers and shakers!
• FlightSafety International has appointed Bob Reding Senior Advisor to the company’s CEO, Bruce Whitman to help secure new opportunities for the aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators. Most recently, Reding served as American Airlines Executive VP-Operations, but he also had been employed by American Eagle as COO.
• SuperJet International announced Nazario Cauceglia is the new Chief Executive Officer replacing Carlo Logli. Cauceglia is the former Alenia Aeronautica (Alenia Aermacchi) Chief Technical Officer.
• Bombardier named a new president, Michele (Mike) Arcamone, last month to succeed Gary Scott, who retired on October 1, 2011.
• Former SkyWest Airlines Vice President-Planning Eric Christensen joined Embraer at the end of 2011 as its Regional Vice President-Marketing for its Commercial Aviation North America division.
RAA 2012 Convention News
Don't miss out! Register today!
*Who do I contact for ______? A comprehensive contact and social media link page for all your convention needs. Contact Us!
*All new registration pricing for RAA's most "open" show ever! Registration is now open. Registration
*Book your rooms now! The beautiful Hilton Minneapolis will make a great home during the RAA convention. RAA rate is good through April 27. Hotel Information
*A yearly RAA tradition continues in Minneapolis .....Start thinking about joining us on Monday, May 21st! Golf Tournament
On the Hill
Pilot Certification and Qualifications Requirements for Air Carriers NPRM (FOQ)
The Regional Airline Association (RAA) acknowledges the February 27, 2012 public release of the First Officer Qualification (FOQ) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and looks forward to contributing to the rulemaking process.
RAA, on behalf of its airline and associate members, is committed to safe, professional and reliable flight operations, and trusts that the NPRM reflects the comprehensive research of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the safety experts who comprised its related Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC).
Industry News
Silver Airways Continues Fleet Upgrade, Announces New Gainesville, FL, Service
Silver Airways Press Release (02/24/12)
Silver Airways has accepted delivery of the third of six Saab 340Bplus aircraft to be added to its fleet by July 2012. Named “Ella’s Dream,” the new aircraft honors Ella McNellie, a 7-year-old cancer victim from Oil City, PA. The Saab 340s will all be deployed along the carrier’s Florida-Bahamas routes. Silver Airways has also announced that it will expand its route network in Florida this spring with the start of new daily scheduled service connecting Gainesville Regional Airport with Orlando and Tampa.
Cape Air Taps ITA for Reservation System
Boston Globe (03/01/12) Johnston, Katie
ITA, a Cambridge online travel company bought last year by Google, has partnered with Cape Air to launch a reservation system that gives airlines more flexibility to accommodate passengers. The system works more like a website than Cape Air’s old reservation system, allowing agents to point and click instead of typing in a long string of codes. Individual items such as pricing and schedules can be adjusted independently, something not possible with the design of Cape Air’s former system, Sabre, which has been used by airlines since the 1960s. Google is in talks with several airlines about the ITA reservation system, but has not made public any other deals yet.
Island Air Expands Interisland Fleet by Six
Maui Now (02/24/12) Isotov, Sonia
Island Air recently announced that it will add six new aircraft to its fleet: three ATR 72-212 by the end of 2012 and another three ATRs in 2013. Island Air is preparing for the initial integration of the ATR aircraft with the Dash-8 fleet. “It’s a busy and exciting time for our Island Air Ohana,” Lesley Kaneshiro, the chief executive officer of Island Air, said. “We’ve just hired seven new pilots and as we grow, other employment opportunities will also become available.” Island Air now offers 331 weekly flights between the islands of O’ahu, Maui, Molokai, Lana’i, Kaua’i, and Hawai’i.
Durbin Joins Mayor Spring and Cape Air to Dedicate Newly-Opened Maintenance Facility at Quincy Regional Airport
eNews Park Forest (IL) (02/23/12)
Passenger traffic at Quincy Regional Airport in Illinois is reaching an all-time high. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin pointed out the importance of the Quincy community’s relationship with Cape Air by dedicating a new facility for regular and unscheduled aircraft maintenance. This will increase Cape Air's presence in the Quincy community and add three skilled jobs to the area. Recent legislation has secured the Essential Air Service (EAS) program to over 150 U.S. cities, and last April, the U.S. Department of Transportation approved Cape Air as an EAS provider. The approval took effect Dec. 1, 2011, and will last through Nov. 30, 2015, during which time Cape Air must fly 36 weekly nonstop roundtrips from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport to Quincy and Marion, IL. Cape Air first began providing air service to Quincy in November 2009.
American Airlines Offers Ideas for More Revenue
Associated Press (02/21/12)
American Airlines expects to boost revenue and make money by replacing old aircraft with new ones, strengthening business ties with other airlines, and providing more services. After filing for bankruptcy late last year, American and parent AMR Corp. have proposed saving $2 billion a year by eliminating 13,000 jobs, ending traditional pensions, and making other changes. AMR chief commercial officer Virasb Vahidi says two-thirds of the extra revenue will come from improving American's service with new aircraft, and nearly one-third will come from ventures with international partners and closer partnerships with other U.S. carriers. American relies on AMR-owned American Eagle to provide flights to and from smaller cities. Its contract with union pilots limits most of those flights to 50-seat aircraft that aren't economical at today's high fuel prices. American wants to use bigger regional jets, with up to 88 seats, that could be operated by regional airlines and would displace the larger jets that are flown by its own pilots.
New Law Means Aircraft Stay Flying in Eastern Montana
KFBB.com (02/20/12) Keegan, Charlie
For air travelers in eastern Montana, the new FAA Modernization and Reform Law will keep Essential Air Service (EAS) program funded at least through 2015. The federally subsidized EAS program helps pay for flights from Billings, MT, to seven smaller communities. Because of the new law, Silver Airways is guaranteed a 5% profit. Silver Airways intends to keep its aircraft in operation. "We just have to make sure that we're reliable, that the price is good and is such that passengers go out and use the flights," says Mickey Bowman, the vice president of the EAS program for Silver Airways. Silver Airways is paid for every complete flight; aircraft even fly without passengers. Silver Airways is also attempting to set up a route from Billings to Helena, to be in operation by May, though this would not be part of the EAS program.
AirNet Sells Organ Flights to Focus on Its Air Cargo
Columbus Dispatch (OH) (02/16/12) Wartenberg, Steve
RAA airline member AirNet has sold its division that provides same-day delivery of human organs and tissue to MNX, a Los Angeles-based company that specializes in the same kind of service. AirNet will continue to operate its cargo airline service, with its hub remaining in Chicago and headquarters at Rickenbacker Airport. Unlike AirNet's services, which provided same-day express service concentrated on flights from one point in the United States to another, MNX’s operations are international. “There’s very little overlap in our customer base,” MNX CEO Scott Cannon said, adding that the purchase of AirNet was all about acquiring the company’s customers. The local operation will continue under the AirNet name initially but will later be rebranded as MNX.
Great Lakes to Use Larger Aircraft for Service in Jamestown, N.D.
Jamestown Sun (02/16/12) Lucin, Kari
Great Lakes Aviation has agreed to use 32-seat Embraer Brasilias for its commercial air service from Jamestown Regional Airport (JRA) to Minneapolis, MN, rather than the 19-seat Beech 1900 in its contract. Unlike the Beech 1900, the Brasilia has a galley, a lavatory and a beverage service, and it is staffed by a flight attendant. JRA and Cheyenne, WY-based Great Lakes Aviation finalized the agreement prior to the evening meeting of the Airport Authority. The Brasilia will depart from Jamestown to Minneapolis twice a day for a flight scheduled to take one hour and 15 minutes from gate to gate, with actual flight time lasting about an hour. There may be a possibility of future flights west to Williston, ND, said Matt Leitner, airport manager, because the aircraft is based there.
ExpressJet, Delta Put Aviation Students on Career Pathway
Western Michigan University (MI) (02/10/12) Roland, Cheryl
Western Michigan University's College of Aviation is partnering with two air carriers that will help WMU students achieve careers as commercial airline pilots. Under the WMU/ExpressJet Airline Pilot Pathway Program (AP3), WMU aviation students will begin a pilot screening process early in their WMU careers to prepare for jobs as first officers with ExpressJet. If they successfully meet all the screening requirements, participants will also be guaranteed an interview for a pilot position with Delta Air Lines. WMU is the fourth collegiate aviation program in the United States chosen to participate in AP3, which is meant to provide the airline with a reliable source of quality pilots.
US Airways Express PSA Airlines to Have Cincinnati-Washington Flights
USA Today (02/15/12)
US Airways is launching a nonstop service between the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and Reagan National Airport starting in May. The airline's wholly-owned subsidiary PSA Airlines will operate the service on 50-passenger Canadair Regional Jet aircraft. The airline will operate three flights from Cincinnati to Washington and three flights from Washington to Cincinnati each day except Saturdays. The move is among changes that have followed US Airways' acquisition of more takeoff and landing slots at Reagan National Airport in a trade with Delta Air Lines for slots at New York's LaGuardia Airport.
Pinnacle, Pilots at Odds Over Permanent Pay Cut
Aviation Week (02/28/12) Compart, Andrew
Pinnacle Airlines is facing several unresolved issues, including a disagreement over whether a cut in pilots' pay should be permanent or temporary. Management of the carrier is currently trying to avoid filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, CEO Sean Menke says. He added that the airline is working with Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) leadership to resolve seniority list integration issues. Pinnacle’s ALPA unit says the airline wants the pilots to agree to a permanent 5% wage reduction, but the union will not agree to it. Pinnacle is also negotiating with United Continental on a long-term change to the agreement under which Pinnacle’s Colgan Air subsidiary operates Bombardier Q400s and Saab 340s for United. A recent, two-month accord with United is effective until April 2.
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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