Airline Industry News – Week Ending 11.25.06

Other than being SUPER busy this week with the holiday travel rush and infrequent flyers dealing with new security measures, there isn’t a whole lot going on in the airline industry.

The Transportation Department reported to Congress that airlines need to improve: Giving passengers accurate and timely information about delays and cancellations, training employees who assist passengers with disabilities, explaining to frequent fliers the rules and restrictions governing redemptions and compensating passengers who agree to give up seats on overbooked flights.

Pilots are arguing against the mandatory retirement age currently in place. At this time, pilots are forced in to retirement once they reach age 60. It even happened to a friend’s Dad. There are 60 year olds out there who are in better shape than people in their 40s, so I have to agree with them.

I bet the pilots are going to LOVE the prospect of pilotless flights in the future.

The City of Palmdale is requesting proposals for commercial service at Palmdale Regional Airport to help ease congestion problems at LAX.

Air France-KLM and Alitalia are considering a merger, however prospects don’t look great.

American Airlines is offering bonus miles for shopping online.

China Airlines is getting a new in-flight publication in January of 2007.

Delta Airlines and US Airways merger is still in the rumor mill. Nothing seems to have been done, though Delta’s pilots have voiced an anti-merger opinion.

EasyJet is now including airline failure insurance (SAFI) in travel policies offered to UK passengers.

FMC Travel Solutions has introduced India’s first 24 hour a day airport service.

Philippine Airlines has begun e-ticketing through Amadeus.

Qantas Airways has been inquired about by Macquarie Bank and Texas Pacific Group about a takeover.

Skywest has been awarded additional regional coverage for Delta.

TAM has received permission to begin daily flights between Brazil and Italy.