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May 2012 |
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Know Before You Go!
 What Everybody Ought to Know about This Month’s RAA Annual Convention
- Attend 35 industry-related sessions
- Mingle with more than attendees
- Network with representatives from 37 airlines
- Support the next generation of aviators by visiting University Commons
- Showcase your supplies and services to airline purchasing agents
RAA's Annual Convention is just two weeks away! Building on the success of previous conventions, RAA has opened up the show so that there is definitely something for everyone. We hope you will make plans to join us!
Coming Up...
Get Connected Today!
 
Get connected before the show and follow the official hashtag throughout the convention on our giant twitterboard in the Exhibit Hall provided by @ATRNorthAmerica
Headlines
Members in the News
Stacey Bechdolt Becomes RAA Director-Safety & Technical Affairs
RAA Welcomes Seaborne Airlines
40 New Companies Join RAA as Associate Members
RAA 2012 Convention News
RAA Looks to the Future...And to Broadening Our Impact on the World!
Latest from Washington, DC
RAA Recommends Changes to First Officer Qualification NPRM
RAA Files Comments with Department of Labor in Response to NPRM Implementing the FMLA for Flight Crews law
Industry News
Eagle’s Garton Tackles ‘Challenges’ on Multiple Fronts
Cohen: Balance Sheet Can’t Measure Regionals’ Full Progress
Foose Offers Mixed Review of New Regs
Flying Between Smaller Cities Is Becoming a Marathon Sport
Delta Subsidiary to Acquire Trainer Refinery Complex
New Aircraft To Fuel Island Air Upsurge
Cheap Flights Lure Ottawans to New York State
Pinnacle Airlines COO John Spanjers to Succeed Sean Menke as CEO
Silver Airways Selected to Serve Two Pennsylvania Airports
Cedar City's SkyWest Jet Service to Begin
Silver Airways Looks Golden to Tupelo Airport to Replace Delta Air Lines
Delta Breaks Ground on LaGuardia Terminal Expansion
Regional Airline Pulls Out of Lancaster Co.
Flight Attendant Union Calls for Strike Vote
Members in the News
Stacey Bechdolt Becomes RAA Director-Safety & Technical Affairs
RAA announced the addition of Stacey Bechdolt as Director-Safety & Technical Affairs to its Washington, DC-based staff.
Most recently serving as Manager-Training Compliance and AQP Coordinator for Comair, Bechdolt has years of experience in the airline industry and is an aviation attorney specializing in aviation regulations, operations and safety. A member of various FAA rulemaking committees, Bechdolt also holds a number of NTSB certificates in related aspects of accident investigations. A graduate of the Indiana University School of Law with a Masters Degree from the University of Pacific, Bechdolt is also a certified private pilot.
Check out the RAA Staff page for contact information for all RAA staff!
RAA Welcomes Seaborne Airlines
Seaborne Airlines of the US Virgin Islands has recently joined the RAA membership. Operating two divisions, Seaborne Airlines offers high frequency seaplane flights between the harbors of downtown St. Croix/St. Thomas and airshuttle service serving St.Croix/St. Thomas and San Juan airports. Headquartered in Christiansted, St. Croix, RAA’s new airline member serves more than 175,000 Virgin Island passengers annually.
40 New Companies Join RAA as Associate Members
RAA is pleased to announce that more than 40 companies have joined RAA as either new associate members or exhibitors for this month’s Annual Convention in Minneapolis. If your company is a “newbie”, please attend the Maximize Minneapolis Info-Session on Tuesday, May 22 in Room 101F at the Convention Center. Invitations will be sent out to all convention registrants this week! For more information, contact Staci Morgan.
RAA 2012 Convention News
RAA Looks to the Future...And to Broadening Our Impact on the World!
Help Make Their Future Bright! RAA through a relationship with the University Aviation Association had a record number of scholarship applicants this year! The RAA Associate Member Council continues its tradition of raising money for the association’s scholarship fund to support the development of the next generation of aviators. Donate items today for the Silent Auction to be held in the Exhibit Hall during the MSP Convention. Click here to donate items to the Silent Auction.
Ask the Experts! Bring your tough questions for the Pilot Supply & Demand Panel session. Subject matter experts will be on hand to give their unique perspective on this #1 issue for the industry during a morning General Session on Wednesday, May 23.
Passion+Inspiration=Barrington Irving, Experience Aviation- You won’t want to miss his presentation during lunch in the Exhibit Hall on Wednesday, May 23 about his quest to inspire young people to pursue an aviation career.
Making a Difference for those in Need. Jack McHale, Director of the MD-10 Project of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital Organization, will share unforgettable stories about a hospital with wings that gives the gift of sight to developing countries around the world.
Next! Learn and Plan for RAA’s next Convention-Montreal, May 6-9, 2013. Representatives from Montreal will be available during the show to answer any questions and to book your space for next year’s Exhibit Hall display.
*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
*A yearly RAA tradition continues in Minneapolis .....Start thinking about joining us on Monday, May 21st! Golf Tournament
Latest from Washington, DC
RAA Recommends Changes to First Officer Qualification NPRM
Click here to read the full RAA press release about the FOQ comments
Did you know you can see RAA comments, presentations and testimony all in one convenient place? Click here to see our archives from the past three years.
RAA Files Comments with Department of Labor in Response to NPRM Implementing the FMLA for Flight Crews law
Click here to read the comments.
Industry News
Eagle’s Garton Tackles ‘Challenges’ on Multiple Fronts
Aviation International News (05/01/12) Polek, Gregory
American Eagle President and Regional Airline Association Chairman Dan Garton discussed issues facing his airline and the industry in general in an interview with Aviation International News, including regulatory changes, a looming pilot shortage, and the potential for service interruptions at American Eagle. American hopes to add larger-gauge regional jets to its fleet to increase competitiveness, though its pilot contract currently limits the capacity of Eagle RJs to 70 seats and the number of its Bombardier CRJ700s to 47 airplanes. A new scope clause proposed by American would allow regional affiliates to fly either jets or turboprops with a passenger capacity of 88 seats and an mtow up to 114,500 pounds.
Cohen: Balance Sheet Can’t Measure Regionals’ Full Progress
Aviation International News (05/01/12) Polek, Gregory
Notwithstanding consistent losses through which the regional airline industry’s publicly traded carriers have suffered lately, the last three years have proved a period of considerable progress on several fronts, most notably safety. Regional airlines have answered virtually every demand placed upon them by lawmakers and the general public. No stranger to scrutiny, the industry has once again managed to emerge from an extremely difficult period stronger in many ways than ever, leaving it still better equipped to deliver the safe, efficient product the traveling public expects, RAA President Roger Cohen told Aviation International News as RAA’s annual convention approached. Today, at least one collective bargaining group at every RAA member airline has adopted the Aviation Safety Action Program, while 98 percent of all regional airline passengers fly on airplanes operated by carriers that have at least committed to adopting a flight operations quality assurance program.
Foose Offers Mixed Review of New Regs
Aviation International News (05/01/12) Polek, Gregory
RAA Vice President Scott Foose knows the “granularities” of the various issues with which the association grapples every day as well as anyone in the industry. He also brings as balanced a perspective as one could find on the merits and shortcomings of some of the rulemaking stemming from H.R. 5900, the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010. With this year’s FAA reauthorization and publication of final rules and NPRMs associated with the agency’s 2009 “Call to Action,” Foose and the RAA can finally offer a fairly comprehensive assessment of the fallout from some of the most intense public scrutiny the industry has ever confronted. In an interview with Aviation International News ahead of this year’s RAA Convention, Foose offered some mixed reviews of the resulting regulatory changes.
Flying Between Smaller Cities Is Becoming a Marathon Sport
New York Times (05/02/12) Mouawad, Jad
Flying between smaller cities in the United States is not easy anymore. The major airlines have been paring service for much of the last decade. But their cutbacks accelerated three years ago as carriers merged, fuel prices spiked and the recession reduced demand for seats. Even after the economy started to recover and passengers came back, the big airlines did not restore many of their flights, particularly on routes to small airports, as they sought to bolster their profits. The strategy has squeezed the regional airlines. Three regional carriers have filed for bankruptcy protection since 2010, including Pinnacle Airlines in April. From 2006 to 2011, the nation’s top 25 airports lost 4% of their nonstop domestic capacity, according to Jeffrey Breen, the president and co-founder of the Atmosphere Research Group. In that same period, the next 25 airports lost 13%. At the next 50 airports, the drop in direct service was 15%. Smaller airports were down 19%.
Delta Subsidiary to Acquire Trainer Refinery Complex
PRNewswire (04/30/12)
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, Monroe Energy, has agreed to purchase the Trainer refinery facility south of Philadelphia. The agreement with Phillips 66 entails Monroe entering into strategic sourcing and marketing pacts with Phillips 66 and BP, and the procurement includes pipelines and transportation assets that will provide access to the delivery network for jet fuel reaching Delta's operations throughout the Northeast, including its hubs at LaGuardia and JFK airports. Following receipt of $30 million in state government aid for job creation and infrastructure enhancement from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Monroe's investment to purchase the refinery will be $150 million, and Monroe will invest $100 million into converting the existing infrastructure to maximize jet fuel production. Production at the refinery, in conjunction with multi-year agreements to exchange gasoline, diesel, and other refined products from the refinery for jet fuel, will fulfill 80% of Delta's US jet fuel requirements. "This modest investment ... will allow Delta to reduce its fuel expense by $300 million annually and ensure jet fuel availability in the Northeast," according to Delta CEO Richard Anderson.
New Aircraft To Fuel Island Air Upsurge
Aviationpros.com (04/09/12) Segal, Dave
Island Air is planning on adding a new turboprop aircraft to increase service. The airline averages 48 daily flights to smaller airports like Molokai, Lanai, and Kapalua in West Maui, Hawaii. Over the next year, the airline plans to increase its workforce to about 350 employees, up from the current 270. By the end of 2013, Island Air will have replaced its current fleet of five aircraft with six larger aircraft from turboprop maker ATR. The new aircraft will increase the total seats available on Island Air to as much as 408, up from the existing 181 seats.
Cheap Flights Lure Ottawans to New York State
CBC News (Canada) (04/23/12)
A marketing campaign by Cape Air is enticing Ottawa aircraft passengers to an airport in New York state for cheaper flights. The airline flies out of Ogdensburg, NY, to Albany, NY, and Boston, MA, with low-cost tickets driven by U.S. federal subsidies and lower gas costs. Each year, the Canadian Airports Council estimates Canadian airports lose about five million passengers to nearby US markets. Council president Daniel-Robert Gooch says it is becoming an economic problem for the country, not just an aviation problem. Cape Air's marketing manager Jacqueline Donohoo said a recent ad campaign directed at Ottawans is increasing business. In March alone the airline carried over 60% more passengers than in the previous year, an increase attributable to marketing in Canada.
Pinnacle Airlines COO John Spanjers to Succeed Sean Menke as CEO
PR Newswire (04/19/12)
Pinnacle Airlines has announced a leadership transition, in which Chief Operating Officer John Spanjers will succeed Chief Executive Officer Sean Menke, effective June 1. Menke has chosen to resign, but until June 1 will work closely with Pinnacle's leadership team to support a seamless transition. The transition is not expected to impact the timeline of Pinnacle's Chapter 11 proceedings or its ability to restructure.
Silver Airways Selected to Serve Two Pennsylvania Airports
Altoona Mirror (04/27/12) Stephens, Kay
The federal government has selected Silver Airways to take over subsidized flights at the Altoona-Blair County and John P. Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County airports in Pennsylvania. This change depends on Silver Airways negotiating a codeshare agreement with United Airlines, and having aircraft to accommodate these airports. Silver has taken delivery of four Saabs and expects 12 more. With a codeshare, Silver Airways will be able to fly as a United Express carrier and use the United gates and ticketing systems at Washington-Dulles International Airport. If these negotiations are resolved, Silver Airways will succeed Colgan Air as the Essential Air Service carrier providing passenger service at the airports.
Cedar City's SkyWest Jet Service to Begin
The Spectrum (04/25/12) Huntsman, Josh
Just four months after halting the process, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given approval for jet service through SkyWest Airlines to begin between Cedar City Regional Airport and Salt Lake International Airport. Jet flights are set to start June 1. FAA released a statement in January saying the Cedar City Airport would need an environmental assessment not because they would utilize jets, but because jet services would be a regularly scheduled. FAA moved quickly in approving an environmental assessment, thanks in large part to the efforts of U.S. Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Mike Lee (R-UT). Hatch applauded the FAA's decision, saying jet service from Salt Lake City to Cedar City would "strengthen the connection between Northern and Southern Utah."
Silver Airways Looks Golden to Tupelo Airport to Replace Delta Air Lines
Washington Post (04/12/12)
Air Choice One and Silver Airways are looking to secure a two-year contract with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Essential Air Service program to provide commercial service to Tupelo, MS. The program currently pays Delta Air Lines $1.6 million for service. Silver Airways would provide a 34-passenger SAAB flight to Atlanta. Tupelo Regional Airport Executive Director Josh Abramson says he favors Silver Airways because flying to an airport like Atlanta would provide a major convenience for local fliers.
Delta Breaks Ground on LaGuardia Terminal Expansion
MarketWatch (04/11/12)
Delta Air Lines and city, state, and federal officials recently broke ground on a $160 million renovation and expansion of the airlines facilities at New York LaGuardia Airport. The project includes a 630-foot connector bridge that connects Terminals C and D, a new Delta Sky Club, and expanded security lanes in both terminals. The project, the largest expansion project at LaGuardia in over 40 years, is part of Delta's creation of a new domestic hub at LaGuardia, which will provide service to 26 new cities by July 11. Many of the flights will use regional jets with two-class service and in-flight Wi-Fi. These routes were primarily serviced by smaller turboprop aircraft. Part of some itineraries may be handled by Delta Connection carriers, including Chautauqua, Comair, Compass Airlines, ExpressJet Airlines, GoJet Airlines, Mesaba, Pinnacle Airlines, Shuttle America dba Delta Shuttle, and SkyWest.
Regional Airline Pulls Out of Lancaster Co.
WGAL-TV 8 (PA) (04/14/12)
Cape Air has announced that it will stop flying out of the Lancaster airport in Pennsylvania. The company, which had been operating under a government contract to fly into the small airport, said the business never took off. Cape Air flew short hops to Baltimore and Hagerstown, MD. The airline was subsidized by taxpayer dollars, something the company said it does not want anymore. The company's air service in Lancaster was part of a bid for the Department of Transportation's Central Air Service, designed to provide airline flights to small cities. Cape Air won the bid to start flying to Lancaster in 2009, but decided not to renew. The federal government paid Cape Air about $1.6 million each year to fly in and out of Lancaster.
Flight Attendant Union Calls for Strike Vote
MarketWatch (04/25/12)
Air Wisconsin Airlines Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), are preparing for a possible strike following the recent stall in mediated negotiations. Strike vote ballots will be sent to the over 300 flight attendants at the airline, and a count of the ballots is scheduled for May 22. "Air Wisconsin Flight Attendants make great contributions to the success of our carrier through our professionalism and crucial role as first responders. It is time that management recognize Flight Attendants as key partners in the future success of our carrier and gets serious about negotiations," says AFA Air Wisconsin President Brenda Barrall.
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 one 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 28 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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