Briefings Apr11 ...

DOT SECRETARY RAY LAHOOD < and more than 2,000 general aviation workers, state and local officials, and industry leaders gather in Wichita for a general aviation rally. The event, held at Cessna Aircraft Company, was organized by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) in partnership with Cessna, Hawker Beechcraft, Bombardier Learjet and general aviation suppliers throughout Kansas. LaHood tells the group he will try to persuade President Obama to visit Wichita soon.

ACANA < Air Charter Assn. of North America (ACANA) based at Winter Park, FL names Joel Thomas, president and founder of Stratos Jet Charters, Inc., as its president.  ACANA, an invite-only, non-profit organization, is comprised of air charter service providers in North America.

ACI < irports Council Int’l, surveying over 900 airports worldwide, reports global passenger traffic grew in 2010 at a better than expected rate of 6.3 percent and cargo rose strongly by 15.2 percent, as compared to 2009. Aircraft movements remained stable at just under 1 percent.

Sacramento County Airport System < creates 11,000 jobs with a payroll of $442.5 million and contributes approximately $4 billion to the local economy, according to the airport system’s most recent Economic Impact Study. The study includes data from Sacramento Int’l, Mather, and Executive airports.

Qantas Airways < launches non-stop service from DFW.

Iberia Airlines < launches nonstop flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Madrid’s Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD).  Iberia Airlines’ three weekly flights will be the only nonstop service between the U.S. West Coast and Madrid.

Cutter Aviation < based in Phoenix announces completion of its implementation of a first-of-its-kind comprehensive FBO Safety Management System specifically developed to provide total safety management for two primary FBO business units: Line Service / Ground Handling and Aircraft Technical Service. The aim of the FBO-ISMS program is the establishment of a culture of safety to better protect technicians and team members of both departments, while ensuring a consistent standard of safety.

Vector Aerospace < Helicopter Services-North America of Langley, BC (www.vectoraerospace.com), a subsidiary of Vector Aerospace Corp., receives renewal as a Sikorsky Aerospace Authorized S-76 Overhaul and Repair Center, as well as renewal as a Sikorsky Aerospace Authorized S-76 Customer Support Center.

NATA <  National Air Transportation Assn. partners with McFarren Aviation Consulting to raise funds for the Veterans Airlift Command, a charitable organization that provides free air transportation to wounded warriors, veterans, and their families.

SLC < Salt Lake City Int’l Airport announces plans for a revitalized concessions program at the nation’s 25th busiest airport. Through a competitive solicitation process, vendors proposed products or services in bundled packages of retail spaces. The approach was designed to give concessionaires optimal exposure, better serve airport customers, and bring in new concepts with both retail and food and beverage offerings.Among contracts awarded, local firm Air Terminal Gifts will continue to have a presence, partnering with Atlanta-based Hojeij Branded Foods and garnering 15 locations in the food and beverage program.

American Airlines < teams with British Airways and Iberia and, for the first time ever, coordinate the airlines’ schedules for flights across the North Atlantic — including American’s London express service with 15 flights per day from the New York city area to London.Travelers will benefit from more conveniently timed flights during peak periods.

AUSTIN-Bergstrom Int'l Airport < becomes the first airport in the U.S. to enable American Airlines customers to print their own tags for checked luggage as they use self check-in kiosks. American is testing Self Tag at nine check-in kiosks.

• AUS also begins construction to add two passenger screening lanes and increase the flow of passengers through security checkpoints by over 20 percent.   The expansion will bring the number of passenger screening lanes to eleven.

Jacksonville Aviation Authority < offers curbside valet customers at Jacksonville Int’l Airport (JAX) the ability to receive boarding pass at the curbside valet booth.