REGIONAL AVIATION NEWS :: AUGUST 25, 2008

TSA Investigating AE for Security Violations
In a move that looks suspiciously like retribution, the Transportation Security Administration slapped American Eagle with an investigation alleging "multiple security violations" at Chicago. The investigation, which could result in $175,000 in fines, was launched a day after American Eagle...

Mesa Confirms KunPeng Sale, go! Loses $7.4M
For the first time Mesa discussed its proposed sale of its joint venture with Shenzhen Airlines, Kunpeng Airlines, as reported by Regional Aviation News six weeks ago, with investors, saying it has reached a letter of intent, cut in June, to sell its share of the airline owing to increasing losses and the...

Commentary: FAA Does Not Trust Itself
As the Federal Aviation Administration faces more Congressional questioning of its oversight programs, one of the alphabet soup groups has actually quantified the FAA’s lack of standardization actually costs just one part of the industry. The aviation industry has long known that FAA inspectors and...

Aviation’s Most Exciting Period?
At least one person is enjoying the roller coaster ride that is the international aviation industry today and that is someone from the ivory tower – William Swelbar from MIT’s International Center for Air Transport. Calling this the most exciting of times, Swelbar began his remarks by attacking...

RAA, ATA Fight New Drug Testing Rules
Saying it raises a host of personnel problems, the Regional Airline Association joined with the Air Transport Association (ATA) asking the Department of Transportation to delay its August 25 requirement that airlines “directly observe” the urine collection from specified employees under...

Wall Street Tentatively Turns Back to Airlines
After a lengthy dry spell in which Wall Street either completely ignored airlines or drove their per-share prices down beyond measure, US Airways signaled that the market may be softening on airline prospects now that fuel is moderating. Its recent stock offerings yielded $179 million after underwriting...

Labor Day Pax to Drop 5.7 Percent
The Air Transport Association of America forecasts that 16 million passengers will travel globally on U.S. airlines during the 2008 Labor Day holiday period, spanning Wed., Aug. 27 through Wed., Sept. 3. This is a decline of 5.7 percent from the 17 million passengers estimated to have traveled on U.S...

Happy Birthday, FAA
“The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is celebrating its half-century as the “nation’s guardian of aviation safety and maestro of the intricate air traffic ballet that carries more than two million people to their destinations every day,” crowed the agency in a recent Fact Sheet...

Pilot Hiring Halved in July, Regional Hiring Continues
Airlines that report to AIR, Inc. hired a total of 287 pilots in July, 56 percent fewer than in the previous month. National carriers hired the most with 79, followed by the majors with 72. The non-jet carriers put 33 pilots into their...