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Flight attendant who tried to sneak 70 pounds of cocaine at LAX arrested in New York, authorities say -- A flight attendant who fled from Los Angeles International Airport just minutes before police found a large stash of cocaine inside her carry-on luggage surrendered to authorities in New York City on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. Marsha Gay Reynolds, who was last seen running away from a security checkpoint inside LAX's Terminal 4 on Friday, surrendered to agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Wednesday evening, according to Laura Eimiller, a spokeswoman for the FBI in Los Angeles. James Queally & Richard Winton/Los Angeles Times
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JetBlue increasing flights at Long Beach Airport -- JetBlue announced this morning it is increasing the number of destinations and flights at Long Beach Airport. The airliner will add a new nonstop flight to Reno-Tahoe International, beginning Aug. 15. The destination will be the 12th city served nonstop by JetBlue, which is the major carrier at Long Beach Airport. A special introductory fare of $59 is available through Thursday. The times of the new flights are 12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m and 2:15 - 3:40 p.m. Long Beach Press-Telegram
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Denver airport reopens after blizzard slams region -- Denver International Airport reopened around 7 p.m. MT Wednesday, resuming very limited operations after a shutdown of nearly seven hours after a blizzard wreaked havoc on the region. Airports frequently suspend flight operations during periods of bad weather, but the outright closure of an airport usually only happens during the most extreme of weather events. Denver warned fliers to expect a busy day Thursday as the airport tried to get back up and running. Ben Mutzabaugh & Trevor Hughes/USA Today
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| Brussels Terrorist Attacks |
Fliers see bigger security presence at U.S. airports -- Security personnel remained on high alert at U.S. airports Wednesday, maintaining a high-visibility presence a day after the terror attack at a Brussels airport and subway station. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said on Tuesday that the agency has not determined any specific, credible threat against U.S. airports. Still, Johnson said the agency would step up its presence at key transportation hubs. Ben Mutzabaugh/USA Today
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Swift changes in global airport security standards unlikely, U.N. aviation arm says -- The terrorist attacks in Brussels aren't likely to prompt quick or dramatic changes in global airport security standards, according to the aviation arm of the United Nations. In a release condemning Tuesday's violence at an airport and a subway station in Brussels, the top two officials of the International Civil Aviation Organization on Wednesday indicated they don't anticipate any immediate or sweeping changes to such standards or guidelines. Andy Pasztor/Wall Street Journal
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Global airlines expand fee waivers for Brussels flights -- Brussels Airport confirmed flight operations there will be grounded at least through Friday following Tuesday's terror attack. It remained unclear whether operations could actually resume Saturday. Many industry observers have openly wondered how much time it might take before the airport to begin accepting passengers given the damage it sustained in Tuesday's attack. Ben Mutzabaugh/USA Today
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State Department urges travelers in Europe to be vigilant -- The State Department issued an advisory with tips for traveling across Europe, a move that follows the Brussels bombings at the city's nearby airport and a subway station Tuesday. "Terrorist groups continue to plan near-term attacks throughout Europe, targeting sporting events, tourist sites, restaurants and transportation," the department said. "U.S. citizens should exercise vigilance when in public places or using mass transportation." Bart Jansen/USA Today
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Brussels Airport to remain closed through Friday; U.S. issues travel alerts after attacks -- Brussels Airport will remain closed at least through Friday after deadly terrorist attacks in which two bombs exploded in the airport's departures hall. The Islamic State claimed credit for Tuesday's attacks that killed more than 30 people and injured more than 260 in bombings at the airport and at a metro stop in the Belgian city. The airport closure in Brussels comes during one of the busiest travel times throughout Europe. Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times
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Police increase presence at Long Beach Airport after Brussels terror attacks -- Police increased their presence at the Long Beach Airport Tuesday following news of the Brussels terror attacks that killed over 30 people and injured many more at a subway station in the city and the city's international airport. Long Beach Airport police have increased patrols, as evidenced by higher visibility of officers at the location, according to airport spokeswoman Stephanie Montuya-Morisky. Stephanie Rivera/Long Beach Post
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Palm Springs Airport, Sheriff's officials 'vigilant' in wake of Brussels terror attacks -- Terror attacks that left more than 30 dead at a Brussels airport and subway station prompted heightened security measures at transportation hubs across the area Tuesday, including Palm Springs International Airport. Tom Nolan, airport executive director, said elevated security measures have been put in place in light of the attacks without interrupting air service. No flights have been canceled or delayed Tuesday. City News Service
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House markup of airport, border security bills grows heated -- A lengthy markup of airport and border security measures quickly turned testy on Wednesday after lawmakers opened with a somber moment of silence for the victims of the Brussels terrorist attacks. The House Homeland Security Committee approved a stack of bills by voice vote to strengthen airport and border security. One of the bills, H.R. 4549, would require the Transportation Security Administration to provide security screening at certain small airports. Melanie Zanona/The Hill
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HNA investment in a US airline would boost Hainan Airlines in US-China market, reshape competition -- HNA, the holding company that owns flagship airline Hainan Airlines, has grown a portfolio of airline investments outside greater China that has recently expanded to Brazil's Azul, and could be extended to include TAP Portugal. Some of the stakes have been placed to allow HNA to be an active investor and boost its presence in the foreign market. With this general strategic objective - and cash to spend - it is logical for HNA to consider investing in a US airline. CAPA Centre for Aviation
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Where will Southwest Airlines expand next? -- Southwest Airlines has nearly expanded to every conceivable airport in the U.S., outside of Hawaii and Alaska. So where will it go next? In presentation earlier this month, Southwest CFO Tammy Romo said airline is continuing to look south, beyond the current international markets (listed on the map below) that Southwest already serves. Cuba is, of course, the next country Southwest is seeking to add, but Romo hinted that other destinations might be possible, too. BrianSumers.com
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Australian authorities tight-lipped on Qantas pilot death -- Authorities in Australia were tight-lipped Thursday about the circumstances surrounding the death of an experienced Qantas Airways Boeing 747 pilot, who crashed a small plane off the country's coast this week. Paul Whyte, a first officer on the Australian airline's international flights, was the only person aboard a rented Cessna 172 when it vanished from radar late Monday over the Pacific Ocean seven miles northeast of Byron Bay, near Australia's most easterly point, Northern Rivers Aero Club president Wally Soward said. Rod McGuirk/AP
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American Airlines announces profit sharing for 110,000 workers -- After two years of saying higher wages was a better way to reward airline employees than profit sharing, American Airlines chief executive Doug Parker announced it will offer a profit sharing plan to over 110,000 employees. The Fort Worth-based carrier said it will put five percent of every pre-tax dollar it earns in 2016 into a profit sharing pool that will be shared by pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, ground workers and all non-management level employees. Andrea Ahles/Fort Worth Star-Telegram
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American Airlines flight attendants to receive 6 percent pay raise -- It's no April Fools' Day joke. American Airlines will give its 25,000 flight attendants a six percent pay raise on April 1, the company announced on Wednesday. The Fort Worth-based carrier said it was adjusting the flight attendants' pay rates now in advance of a contract clause that will go into effect after United Airlines reaches a new deal with its flight attendants. Andrea Ahles/Fort Worth Star-Telegram
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American tweaks bag allowance on premium tickets -- American Airlines is changing its baggage policy for premium customers, but there's a chance that many of the affected fliers may not notice. On any flight booked after March 29, travelers in American's domestic first class and international business class cabins will only be allowed to check two bags for free. That's down from the current three free bags. "Very few people used it," American Airlines spokesperson Josh Freed told Today in the Sky, of the decision to drop the third free bag. Jelisa Castrodale/USA Today
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Could low-cost airline merger create 'Frontier Spirit' Airlines? -- America's next airline merger appears to be moving along very slowly, not that anyone involved in it has anything to say about it. Someday, we must assume, Frontier and Spirit will merge to form the largest ultra-low-cost airline in the U.S. Perhaps the airline can be called "Frontier Spirit." Perhaps, in keeping with the Western theme, the Denver-based carrier will cut a deal to have a Wells Fargo credit card. Ted Reed/TheStreet
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Debris is probably from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, investigators say -- The authorities said Thursday that two pieces of debris found in Mozambique were highly likely to have come from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which has been missing for more than two years. A third piece of debris, found in South Africa and bearing part of the logo from the engine maker Rolls-Royce, has yet to be analyzed. Darren Chester, the Australian infrastructure and transport minister, said in a statement that an investigation team from Malaysia had found that both pieces of debris were consistent with panels from a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft. Michelle Innis/New York Times
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Airlines complain to Brussels over parts and maintenance contracts -- Airlines have lodged a formal complaint with European regulators over the $60bn market for spares and repairs on the world's fleet of 24,000 aircraft, as EU investigators intensify their preliminary inquiry into whether carriers are being forced to accept anti-competitive maintenance contracts. Iata, the airline industry lobby group, last week sent a letter to the European Commission listing grievances such as requirements by engine and component manufacturers to use only their spare parts for repairs. Peggy Hollinger/Financial Times
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Newport pilot inducted into California Aviation Hall of Fame -- Newport Beach pilot who has performed in air shows throughout the world and broke an aviation speed record in the 1970s was honored Wednesday with membership in the California Aviation Hall of Fame. Steve Hinton, 63, is one of four inductees this year into the hall, a state-registered subsidiary of the Museum of Flying, based in Santa Monica. The hall recognizes "the most influential individuals that made a significant impact on the growth and development of aviation and aerospace," according to the museum's website. Bradley Zint/Daily Pilot
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Republicans blast Democratic plan to earmark funds for potential L.A. Olympics -- A proposal by Senate leader Kevin de Le�n (D-Los Angeles) to provide up to $250 million in financial guarantees as part of Los Angeles' bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics drew strong opposition Wednesday from Republicans. A bill introduced by De Le�n would create an Olympic Games trust fund to help cover up to $250 million in cost overruns if Los Angeles was selected to host the Games and then went over a proposed $6-billion budget. Patrick McGreevy/Los Angeles Times
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LA proposes taxing pot to fund housing for homeless -- Last month, Los Angeles city officials approved a nearly $2 billion plan to solve its homelessness crisis by building more housing with support services for residents over the next decade. Now the question is: how is the city going to pay for this? The city's budget analysts have narrowed their top funding ideas to nine. Several proposals involve new taxes and fees that would require voter approval. Josie Huang/KPCC
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