Industry News

iata — International Air Transport Association based in Geneva reports December global international cargo traffic plummeted by 22.6 percent compared to December 2007. The same comparison for international passenger traffic showed a 4.6 percent drop. For the full-year 2008, international cargo traffic was down 4 percent, passenger traffic showed a modest increase of 1.6 percent.

lambert-st. louis int’l airport — announces the approval of an expanded Foreign-Trade Zone by 820 acres. The expanded FTZ includes four sites: (1) NorthPark, a 550-acre redevelopment tract located east of Lambert; (2) Hazelwood Commerce Center, a 170-acre industrial park northwest of Lambert; (3) Lindbergh Distribution Center, a 528,000-sq. foot distribution center northwest of Lambert; and (4) a 750-acre airport-owned tract adjacent to Lambert’s airfield. Lambert is part of the newly created Midwest China Hub Commission (MCHC), a group that represents St. Louis government and business interests and which is working with the Chinese to establish the St. Louis region as a multi-state commercial hub for China.

lexington (KY) blue grass airport — announces that runway 8-26, the runway that was mistakenly used by the pilot of ill-fated Comair Flight 5191 in August 2006, will be permanently closed. A new runway will be constructed in an east-west orientation (runway 9/27).

midcoast aviation — at St. Louis Downtown Airport in Illinois opens a 7,200-sq. ft. green completions delivery center and a new 18,000-sq. ft. technology center. The new technology center houses Midcoast’s engineering and certification staff of 140.

nbaa — National Business Aviation Assn. teams up with the General Aviation Manufacturers Assn. to relaunch its corporate aviation advocacy campaign, “No Plane No Gain.” The program, initially launched in 1993, will utilize a multi-faceted approach, including a new website, www.noplanenogain.org, which underscores the importance of business aviation and provides resources for the business aviation community.

• Testifying before the House Aviation Subcommittee, NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen challenges critics who have questioned the value of business aviation. Says Bolen, “It’s dangerous because it’s costing jobs. It’s dangerous because it is threatening an entire manufacturing base. It’s dangerous because it is taking away a tool many companies absolutely rely on to remain competitive and survive.”

opa-locka executive airport — tenants petition President Obama to remove the airport from Miami-Dade County and to place it under an independent authority. Obtained in 1961 through the federal surplus properties program, it was once the busiest airport in the nation. Six tenants have filed federal discrimination complaints against the county as well as lawsuits, and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta has overturned in one case the FAA’s no discrimination decision by the county. Group expresses concerns of racial discrimination and retaliation by the county against minority tenants, including the pending eviction from the airport of Opa-Locka Flight Line, an African-American owned fixed base operation.

pride business development holdings, inc. — of New Orleans, a manufacturer of defense and homeland security material supplied to the U.S. government and its allies, announces the formation of US Aerospace, which will offer an improved solution for the expedited restoration of crisis impaired military and commercial runways.

san diego int’l airport — reports on the results of a blue-ribbon panel looking into the overhaul of Lindbergh Field. The Ad Hoc Airport Regional Policy Committee recommends an estimated $5 billion to $11 billion in improvements through 2030, including the relocation of most passenger services to Lindbergh’s north side. The concept now goes to the San Diego City Council and the San Diego Association of Governments for consideration.

sebring (FL) flight center — is now under the management of ABS Aviation Management Services, which took over all day-to-day activities including customer relations, training, safety, fuel quality control, ordering, and pricing.