Meeting News - April 21, 2008 - (Page 10)

Transportation & Services Running Scared: Airlines Rush for Inspections Planes taken out, flights canceled in the wake of Southwest Airlines-FAA controversy air for tests. In a statement, the airny further stated, “United will not New York—Shortly after Southwest operate these aircraft until the tests Airlines made headlines for its $10.2- line said, “As part of a regular review are complete.” The airline offered million fine by the FAA for continuof maintenance records, the compaing to fly more than 100 of its planes ny discovered that the functional test travel waivers to affected customers and waived certain flight after missing mandatory safety change fees. checks—and facing the pressure A week earlier, Delta Air of the FAA’s increased mainteLines grounded 177 MD-88 nance record auditing—several planes. Both Delta and United major airlines grounded planes had the planes back in the skies to conduct new inspections. within 48 hours. While the The most recent carrier to do grounded planes only affected so was American Airlines (AA), a small portion of the airlines’ which was asked by the FAA to total number of scheduled ground its MD-80 fleet for the flights, passengers were left batsecond time on April 8, cancel—Steve Gorman, EVP, operations, Delta Air Lines tling delays and cancellations. ing about 3,000 flights by the In a statement on Delta.com, time planes returned to flight on April 13. The airline had previthat checks the firing system on one Steve Gorman, executive vice presiously voluntarily halted flights on its of the five bottles in the cargo fire dent of operations, stated,“Though 300 MD-80 planes for two days in suppression system on the Boeing these re-inspections impacted the March. Also on April 8, Alaska Air777 was not performed, and this was travel plans of many of our customlines grounded its nine MD-80s. voluntarily disclosed to the FAA. ers, safety is our number-one priority On April 2, United Airlines took United is in the process of checking and conducting these inspections all 52 of its Boeing 777 jets out of the this part of the system.” The compaproactively was the right decision.” Edited by Lori Morris lori.morris@nielsen.com Flying the OpenSkies New airline takes name from recently enacted Open Skies agreement New York—With the Open Skies agreement (March 10 MN cover story) now allowing airlines to operate flights between more cities in the U.S. and the European Union regardless of the carriers’ countries of origin, British Airways is on schedule to launch a premium transatlantic airline this summer. Appropriately named OpenSkies, the airline plans to provide service between a number of European cities and New York, starting with a non-stop flight from Paris. “As the Open Skies agreement goes into effect, we’re building a new kind of airline for a new world of transatlantic travel,” said Dale Moss, managing director of OpenSkies. Added Joe Laughlin, VP of sales, “OpenSkies has the passion of a startup and the support and infrastructure of British Airways.” OpenSkies is retrofitting Boeing 757s to make them more comfortable, convenient, and environmentally friendly. According to the company, winglets will be added to increase fuel economy and aircraft range and reduce carbon emissions. Cabins will be transformed with a three-class, 82-seat configuration. Business-class passengers will enjoy seats that convert to six-foot flat beds, while those in premium economy seats will benefit from what the company states is more legroom than any other premium economy offering. All classes will feature power outlets, personal entertainment units, and meal service. “We’re doing everything with the customer in mind,” said Laughlin. One Boeing 757 will be ready for the summer launch, with five more planned by the end of 2009. H www.meetingnews.com impacted the travel plans of many of our customers, safety is our number-one priority. “Though these re-inspections New Theme Venues Look for Universal Appeal Universal City, CA—Groups can travel back in time to the cowboy culture of the Old West or the decadence of 19thcentury Paris at Universal Studios Hollywood’s two new event venues, Wild West Arena and Moulin Rouge. Groups can saddle up for fun at Wild West Arena. Wild West Arena can accommodate 500 to 1,200 people in its 12,000-plus sf of outdoor space, which includes a dance floor, bandstand, and mechanical bull in a recreated old country western set. Smaller groups will find a more intimate setting in Moulin Rouge, set inside the Streets of the World attraction. Moulin Rouge can host up to 150 guests and features a Parisian courtyard with views of San Fernando Valley. The venue is adjacent to the Globe, a 9,600-sf event space. Rules Locked In for Western Hemisphere Travel Washington, DC—The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State announced the final component for the land-and-sea portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The rule, effective June 1, 2009, states that all travelers must present a passport or other approved secure document denoting citizenship and identity for all land and sea travel into the U.S. This includes travelers who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada, and Bermuda. 10 MeetingNews April 21, 2008 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/mn031008/index.php http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/mn031008/index.php http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - April 21, 2008

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