Industry News

Briefings ...

aAAE — American Assn. of Airport Executives applauds expansion of the Registered Traveler program with the opening of RT lanes at Washington-Dulles Int’l and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airports.

aci World — appoints Angela Gittens as director general. Gittens is the former director at Miami and Atlanta Int’l Airports, and most recently had served as a consultant with HNTB.

aci-na/aaae — Spring Legis-lative Conference attendees are told that chances are slim for comprehensive reauthorization of FAA this year. Doubt remains that the measure will be passed for FY09.

aCI-nA — Airports Council Int’l-North America honors Rep. Jerry F. Costello (D-IL) with the 2008 Commissioners Congressional Leadership Award for his ongoing support of the aviation industry. Rep. Costello chairs the Aviation Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
• ACI-NA will join other industry stakeholders to begin work with TSA to review and validate the risk management methodology the agency will use as part of a risk-based security regime.
• ACI-NA meets with a TSA contractor team that is studying the issue of harmonizing international and domestic general aviation security measures. ACI-NA suggests that the TSA team visit U.S. airports that have significant international general aviation traffic to review their operations and the Customs and Border Protection’s arrival process, and that any changes to general aviation security protocols should be very carefully considered to ensure they are as efficient as possible and avoid unnecessary operational impacts.

akron-canton airport — announces a $110 million expansion, planning to build 1,000 parking spots, three gates, a 25-percent larger security area, a business lounge, a ticket counter, ARFF facility, customs area, and a runway extension.

american airlines — cancels eight domestic flights from Los Angeles Int’l Airport after grounding 80 of its MD-80 jetliners nationwide for wiring inspections after federal regulators raise questions about domestic airlines complying with safety regulations for parts.

arinc inc. — is awarded a technology contract valued at over $1 million to install its iMUSETM common-use check-in and boarding system for use by participating airlines for the North Terminal Redevelopment Project at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

asig® — is selected by AeroMexico to provide the carrier with ground handling and aircraft fueling services at Chicago O’Hare Int’l Airport.

aspen avionics — receives FAA’s Approved Model List Supplemental Type Certificate for the EFD1000 Primary Flight Display (PFD). Combined with the Technical Standard Order certification, this authorizes installation of Aspen’s Evolution PFD in some 400 aircraft models.

atlantic aviation — reportedly buys three FBOs from SevenBar Enterprises, in Albuquerque and Farmington, N.M., and Hailey, ID, bringing Atlantic’s total to 68 locations.

avfuel — debuts shopAvFuel.com, a source for researching and purchasing aviation supplies, including aviation refueler and fuel storage system parts; quality assurance test equipment; deicing fluids; fuel additives; FBO supplies; and apparel.
baa — is under fire by members of Parliament for its “stranglehold” over British airports. Opponents argue that the operator’s monopoly, particularly in London, has stifled competition.

bob hope airport commissioners — complete an FAA-required study that could lead to mandatory nighttime curfews for flights. Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority votes 8-0 to move forward, via a Part 161 study, for 45 days of public comment; airport seeks FAA approval of a curfew by summer 2009.

bruegger’s bagels — opens one of its first airport locations at Boston Logan.

casper/natrona county (wy) int’l airport — implements an oxygen concentrator program allowing passengers requiring medical oxygen to use one of the airport’s concentrators at no cost.