Associated Press Dec 2, 08 10:15 AM CST
(AP)
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British Airways is in talks with Australia's Qantas Airways about a potential merger, the firm said today, sending its shares soaring as it fueled expectations of consolidation in the hard-hit aviation industry. Already pursuing a revenue-sharing deal with American Airlines and Spain's Iberia SA, BA said it’s exploring a "potential merger" with Qantas "via a dual-listed company structure."
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Ugly economy pushes demand down, along with price of fuel
Chicago Tribune Nov 24, 08 12:14 PM CST
(Newser)
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With many consumers too concerned about their wallets to make pricey trips, airlines are, for the first time in memory, lowering prices before the holidays, the Chicago Tribune reports. The reversal of convention is allowing late buyers to scrounge tickets for as much as $200 less than travelers who locked in prices over the summer, when fares reflected much higher oil prices, the San Jose Mercury News adds.
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Encryption makes boarding pass 'impossible' to forge
Wired Nov 18, 08 1:05 PM CST
(Newser)
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The government is finally closing a well-known loophole that makes it easy for would-be terrorists to board planes, Wired reports. Under current rules, it’s possible to forge a boarding pass at home. But new measures will put the passes, with secure barcodes, on smartphones, making it “well-nigh impossible to make a phony one,” Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff says.
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Airlines, cruises, hotels slash prices for those who can still afford it
Los Angeles Times Nov 10, 08 8:28 AM CST
(Newser)
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There’s a spot of good news for travelers amid the barrage of dire economic reports: Those looking for a flight, cruise, or hotel stay may find surprisingly good deals. As financial woes keep many Americans grounded, the travel industry is forced to drop prices to fill space, the Los Angeles Times reports. For the industry, “it’s very bad,” says a consultant.
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Test flight for Boeing's first new jet in 14 years pushed back for a fifth time
Associated Press Nov 5, 08 6:16 AM CST
(Newser)
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The maiden flight of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner has been delayed for the fifth time, reports the AP. The company says the 8-week strike by its workers means the next-generation passenger jet now won't take off until an unspecified date next year. Canceled orders are unlikely despite the delay, says an industry observer, as there is "really no alternative" until the competing Airbus A350 arrives in 2013.
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Virgin and British Airways workers land in trouble for Facebook comments
Guardian (UK) Nov 2, 08 4:16 PM CST
(Newser)
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Virgin Atlantic has fired 13 cabin staffers for mocking passengers and joking about engine safety on Facebook, the Guardian reports. The online messages quipped about cockroaches on planes and referred to passengers as "chavs," a British term for "white trash." The airline publicly chided the workers, saying they could not uphold standards "that Virgin Atlantic is renowned for if they hold these views."
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Tentative agreement would end 52-day machinists walkout
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Oct 28, 08 3:44 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Boeing's 27,000 striking machinists could be back to work within days if they approve a deal hammered out with the help of a federal mediator late last night, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. The deal will give machinists a 15% pay increase over four years and limit the amount of work outside companies can perform in Boeing plants. Job security has been the central issue for strikers.
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Firm may find compromise on crucial outsourcing issue
Seattle Times Oct 22, 08 3:16 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Boeing’s CEO is confident that the next round of talks could resolve a costly strike by its machinists union, the Seattle Times reports. With formal negotiations set to resume tomorrow, Jim McNerney thinks headway can be made on the pivotal issue of outsourcing the production of parts traditionally fashioned by the machinists.
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De facto new airline shuttles aliens home
Wall Street Journal Oct 17, 08 10:44 AM CDT
(Newser)
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There’s a new airline in town, and it’s offering all the amenities: leather seats, ample legroom, free food, and impeccable service. There’s just one problem: Its passengers would usually rather not be traveling, the Wall Street Journal reports. Welcome to ICE Air, the de facto new airline born from the recent crackdowns on illegal immigrants.
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EARNINGS REPORTS
Otherwise, quarter beat expectations
New York Times Oct 16, 08 7:36 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Southwest Airlines posted a $120-million third-quarter loss today, due almost entirely to a one-time $247-million charge on an oil bet gone wrong, the New York Times reports. Southwest aggressively locks in its fuel costs far in advance, which looked brilliant last year, as oil prices skyrocketed. But oil’s steep decline this quarter has turned the contracts toxic.
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FAA investigates Fla. incident in which 4 jets sent miles off course
Daily Mail (UK) Oct 15, 08 3:16 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an incident in which four Orlando-bound passenger jets were rerouted on Saturday in an effort to train a new air traffic controller. The Daily Mail reports the jets were directed into an area where thunderstorms were raging and that one, a Virgin Atlantic plane, was forced 70 miles off course. The FAA denies storms were in the area.
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Outsourced production remains logjam issue in dispute costing airplane-maker $100M a day
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Oct 14, 08 3:32 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Talks broke down between Boeing and its machinists’ union yesterday, with no agreement in sight to end the 38-day-old strike, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. Negotiations snagged over job security: Boeing has cut labor costs by outsourcing the production of certain parts formerly made by the machinists, and the return of those jobs is a requisite for the union to back any agreement.
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