Independence Air cuts flights
I-Air cuts flights to avoid Chapter 11 — In a cost-cutting move, Independence Air plans to eliminate 150 of its 560 daily flights — most in and out of Dulles International Airport — at the end of this month. The financially troubled carrier will continue to offer flights to each of the 38 cities it serves from its Dulles hub but the frequency will be scaled back in many cases, said Rick DeLisi, the airline’s spokesman.
Winter fare war heats up — Airline fare wars — brought on to spur travel to warmer climes in the cold winter months — are heating up at the worst possible moment for US Airways. Confronting a barrage of discounted fares by low-cost carriers Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways, the nation’s seventh-largest airline yesterday fired back with some fare cuts of its own, announcing one-way fares as low as $49 to Florida and the Caribbean.
Airline weight standards increased — Transport Canada wants the standard number used to estimate the weight of airline passengers to be increased, which could hurt profits at smaller carriers, analysts say. The federal agency wants airlines to estimate the average weight of men at 206 pounds, up 13 pounds, and at 171 pounds for women, an increase of 25 pounds – based on the growing girth of Canadians.
Nervous travelers book away from US Airways — US Airways Group Inc.’s problems during the holidays with mishandled baggage are prompting travel agents and customers to book trips with other airlines. Travel agents said they’re concerned that operations disruptions or even liquidation will lead to more canceled trips as the bankrupt airline continues contract negotiations with the baggage-handlers union and faces $260 million in airplane payments in the next two months.
TSA worried about digital watches — Federal law enforcement officials believe terrorists linked to al-Qaeda may try to use watches to bring down commercial planes. The threat is serious enough that airport screeners nationwide have been alerted.
NJ man arrested for aiming laser at planes — A New Jersey man was charged Tuesday under federal anti-terrorism laws with shining a laser beam at a charter jet flying over his home, temporarily distracting the pilots. David Banach, 38, is the first person charged in a rash of recent incidents in which lasers were shined at aircraft around the country.