TAM to Offer Direct Flight Between Cabo Frio and Buenos Aires
June 27, 2008
Company will be the only one to offer direct flights on this route
SAO PAULO, Brazil, June 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — TAM (Bovespa:
TAMM4 and NYSE: TAM) will operate a weekly direct flight between the cities
of Cabo Frio, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, and Buenos Aires, in
Argentina, between July 5 and August 9. The new service will provide for
the growing volume of passengers traveling from the capital of Argentina to
the northern coast in the state of Rio de Janeiro during the high traffic
season, stimulating tourism in that region.
The TAM flight service will be offered in the modern Airbus A320
aircraft, which has a capacity of up to 174 passengers. With the start of
operations, TAM will be the only airline to offer direct flights on this
route, connecting Cabo Frio to Buenos Aires without any stops.
The flight will depart from the Cabo Frio International Airport at 9:20
p.m. and arrive at the Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires at
12:40 a.m.* The return trip will depart from Buenos Aires at 5:00 p.m.* and
arrive in Cabo Frio at 8:00 p.m.
At present, the company operates 49 regular weekly flights to Buenos
Aires, with departures from Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Florianopolis,
Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Sao Paulo. The
company also offers a daily flight connecting Sao Paulo to the city of
Cordoba in Argentina, with a stop in Asuncion, Paraguay.
To meet demand during the high traffic season, the company will be
offering extra flights to Buenos Aires, with departures from Porto Seguro,
Recife, Salvador, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, from June 19 to August 10.
The company will also offer direct flights from Sao Paulo to Bariloche
in Argentina from July 3 to August 10. With the start of this service, TAM
will be the only airline offering direct flights on this route.
Cries of the Flying Public Are Finally Heard
June 26, 2008
New Airline Passengers Rights Bill a victory
NAPA, Calif., June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A new, separate Bill
providing significant relief for air passengers from extended on-board
delays was welcomed today by Kate Hanni, Founder-President of the Coalition
for Airline Passengers’ Rights, Health and Safety, formerly Coalition for
an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights (CAPBOR). The new Bill, H.R. 6355 was
introduced in Congress June 24 by Congressman James Oberstar, Chairman of
the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
and Congressman Jerry Costello, Chairman of the Aviation subcommittee.
“Despite frustrations inevitably encountered in the process, we are
delighted that passengers’ rights are clearly now on the agenda of the
House’s appropriate leadership,” Ms. Hanni said. “This Bill is intended to
move passengers’ rights legislation along on its own merit, since similar
passenger legislation was already passed by the House in the FAA
Reauthorization Act, which has become stalled in the Senate,” she added.
H.R. 6355, the “Air Service Improvement Act of 2008,” requires air
carriers and large and medium hub airports to file emergency contingency
plans with the Secretary of Transportation for her review and approval. The
Secretary may establish minimum standards for plans and require airlines to
modify the plans they submit. These plans must detail how the air carrier
will provide food, water, restroom facilities, ventilation, and necessary
medical treatment for passengers on board an aircraft that is on the ground
for an extended time period without terminal access. The Coalition had
fought hard for plans that required Transportation Department approval, as
opposed to the voluntary plans the DOT, favored.
Airlines that do not comply are subject to a $25,000 per day penalty.
The Bill will also establish an Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer
Protection. Full Text of the Bill at:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.6355
The Coalition strongly urges everyone to contact his/her representative
in Congress and insist that they co-sponsor H.R. 6355 to end the repeated
incidents of passengers being held aboard airliners for prolonged periods
without adequate food, water, ventilation and sanitary facilities.
The Coalition has 23,100 people and claims successes as the New York
Passengers’ Bill of Rights, 2 DOT Rulemakings; one doubled compensation for
Denied Boarding and the correct reporting of Diversions and Cancellations
when “Stranded” on the Tarmac.
SOURCE Coalition for an Airline Passengers Bill of Rights
TAM Receives Another Two Airbus A320s
June 26, 2008
The company’s operating fleet is now 108 aircraft
SAO PAULO, Brazil, June 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — TAM (Bovespa:
TAMM4 and NYSE: TAM) has added two more Airbus A320s, capable of carrying
up to 174 passengers, to its operating fleet. With these two A320s, TAM now
has a fleet in operation consisting of 108 aircraft, made up of 105 Airbus
models (15 A319s, 73 A320s, 3 A321s, 12 A330s and 2 A340s) and 3 MD-11s.
From the start of 2008, the company began to operate on the domestic market
with a fleet made up exclusively of Airbus aircraft.
TAM has a consistent and flexible long-term fleet plan to sustain
expansion in the international and domestic markets. The company plans to
end 2008 with 123 aircraft. The forecast for the end of 2012 is 147 planes
in operation.
Used on TAM’s domestic routes and South American destinations, the
A320s are among the most comfortable aircraft operating within Brazil in
their category. All of TAM’s aircraft are equipped with the best and most
advanced equipment options and software offered by the manufacturer, making
the fleet one of the most advanced in the world.
To sustain its international network expansion, TAM will receive two
Airbus A330 aircraft by the end of the year. In the second half of the year
the company will also begin to receive four Boeing 777-300 ERs, which will
replace the MD-11 aircraft used on long-haul routes. Additionally, TAM
intends to introduce two Boeing 767-300s into its fleet in the next few
months in order to take advantage of the growth opportunities in the
international market.
GOL Receives Antitrust Authority Approval of VRG Acquisition
June 26, 2008
SAO PAULO, Brazil, June 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — GOL Linhas Aereas
Inteligentes S.A. (Bovespa: GOLL4 and NYSE: GOL), parent company of GOL
Transportes Aereos S.A. and VRG Linhas Aereas S.A., announced today that
the Brazilian Administrative Board for Economic Defense (Cade) approved the
completion of the VRG acquisition by GTI S.A., a subsidiary of GOL Linhas
Aereas Inteligentes S.A. with no restrictions, allowing the Company to
consolidate its passenger and cargo transportation.
“We are very happy to have received Cade approval, which will allow us
to consolidate our investments and improve synergies between the airlines’
operations. The addition of VRG will increase our network capacity and
allow us to offer more convenient flight schedules, launch new routes and
add service to new destinations, which will have a positive effect on the
dynamics of the Brazilian aviation industry as a whole. Most importantly,
the acquisition will benefit our customers, who will now have access to
more options in the market,” says Constantino de Oliveira Junior, GOL’s
President and CEO.
Additionally, integrating GTA and VRG’s operations will allow the
Company to optimize revenues and costs as well as maximize the consolidated
company’s operational, financial and ancillary revenue capabilities. The
Company will continue to invest in IT, quality passenger service, and
expanding GTA and VRG’s route networks through organic growth and
operational agreements with other airlines.
Cade determined that the acquisition will have no effect on market
competition or consumer options in the Brazilian aviation industry. The
acquisition of VRG, which was announced on March 28, 2007, and approved by
the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac) on April 3, 2007, had already
received favorable rulings from the Ministry of Justice’s Secretary of
Economical Law (SDE), the Ministry of Finance’s Secretary of Economical
Monitoring (SEAE) and Cade’s Public Attorney.
SOURCE GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A.
Raytheon Solipsys Releases 3-D Visualization Tool
June 26, 2008
TEWKSBURY, Mass., June 26, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — Raytheon Company’s
(NYSE: RTN) Solipsys has released a three dimensional extension for its
Tactical Display Framework (TDF 3D), a real-time visualization capability
used in command and control, homeland defense, surveillance and air traffic
management systems.
TDF 3D enhances the Tactical Display Framework software product by
displaying tracks, history, sensors, overlays, pairing lines and imagery in
three dimensions.
“TDF 3D provides the user with powerful controls to navigate the 3-D
view of the battlespace,” said Mark Trenor, president of Raytheon Solipsys.
“With TDF 3D, the operator can offset, slide and fly through the view,
orbit the area of interest, zoom, and auto track objects.”
TDF has been deployed since 1997. Written in Java for maximum
portability, it has become the standard in command and control display
systems used in many military applications, including the U.S. Air Force
AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft), U.S. Central Command
Air Forces’ Battle Control Center, the U.S. Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyer,
and the U.S. Army JLENS (Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated
Netted Sensor System) program. TDF 3D ensures the continued warfighter
demand for TDF-based systems by bringing three dimensions to strategic and
tactical situational awareness.
Raytheon Solipsys is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Raytheon Company
operating in Integrated Defense Systems. The business’ specialty is design
and development of command and control software solutions.
Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon’s leader in Joint Battlespace
Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad
international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile
Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland
Security.
TAM Formalizes Adherence to Global Compact
June 25, 2008
Company is the first airline in South America to become a member of this
United Nations (UN) initiative
SAO PAULO, Brazil, June 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — TAM (Bovespa:
TAMM4; NYSE: TAM) has formalized its adherence to the Global Compact, an
initiative developed by the United Nations (UN). Launched in 1999 during
the World Economic Forum at Davos, the Global Compact aims at mobilizing
the international business community to adopt fundamental, internationally
accepted values in the areas of human rights, labor relations, the
environment and the fight against corruption in its business practices.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080221/SPTH002LOGO )
The letter of adherence was sent by TAM President, Captain David
Barioni Neto, to the Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon. In the
letter, TAM commits to the inclusion of the ten principles of the Global
Compact in its strategy, culture and daily operations, in addition to
making an effort to publicly disseminate this commitment among its
employees, partners, customers and the general public.
In doing this, on May 15th TAM became the first airline in South
America to appear on the list of companies that are signatories of the
Global Compact (http://www.unglobalcompact.org). “This initiative
strengthens TAM’s commitment to sustainable development and to principles
to ensure the ethical management of the company,” Barioni stated.
The Global Compact consists of ten universal principles, derived from
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Declaration of the
International Labor Organization on Fundamental Principles and Rights at
Work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the United
Nations Convention on Corruption. As of today, the initiative has more than
5,200 participants in 120 countries.
The ten principles of the Global Compact are:
Principles of Human Rights
1. To respect and protect human rights;
2. To prevent violations of human rights;
Principles of Labor Rights
3. To support freedom of association at work;
4. To abolish forced labor;
5. To abolish child labor;
6. To eliminate discrimination in employment;
Principles of Environmental Protection
7. To support a preventive approach to environmental challenges;
8. To promote environmental responsibility;
9. To encourage technologies that does not harm the environment;
Principle against Corruption
10. To combat corruption in all its forms, including extortion and
bribery.
Spirit Airlines Announces New Daily Service Between Fort Lauderdale and Bogota, Colombia Starting July 24, 2008
June 25, 2008
– $69 Roundtrip Introductory Fares* Available at http://www.spiritair.com –
MIRAMAR, Fla., June 25 /PRNewswire/ — Starting July 24, 2008, ultra
low cost carrier Spirit Airlines is offering daily non-stop service from
its Fort Lauderdale home to Bogota, Colombia. In addition to this new
non-stop service from Fort Lauderdale, Spirit also offers convenient
connections from its network of 16 other destinations in the United States
to Bogota.
Spirit is celebrating this new service with $69 roundtrip introductory
fares* available today and tomorrow at http://www.spiritair.com. In addition, $69
each way fares for travel on Mondays – Thursdays from September 4 – October
31, 2008, are also available today and tomorrow at http://www.spiritair.com
The new route will be operated by Spirit’s new Airbus fleet, the
youngest in the Americas.
The city of Bogota, with a population of seven million inhabitants, has
become one of the most important capitals and business centers in the
region. Its year-round spring-like climate and location at an altitude of
9,000 feet above sea level, provides a pleasant location for walking, and
an excellent backdrop for restaurants, shopping, nightlife, coffee
production and commercial centers. Bogota also has become a primary
destination for congresses, fairs and conventions for the entire Latin
America and Caribbean region.
“We are excited about liberating millions of Colombians in Bogota from
high fares as we’ve already done in Cartagena and other cities in the
region,” said Spirit Chief Marketing Officer Barry Biffle. “This new
service will offer over 100 million people low fare access to Bogota
through our Fort Lauderdale gateway.”
Referring to Spirit’s new flight to Bogota, Colombia, Oscar Rueda
Garcia, Vice Minister of Tourism of Colombia said: “Spirit’s arrival marks
a new stage in the history of Colombia’s tourism, in which we are eagerly
awaiting the best fares in order to promote tourism for the country. This
new stage of flying, which began to Cartagena on May 8, 2008, met with
great success and we hope that very soon will cover other tourist
destinations throughout the country.”
Hawker Beechcraft Plans Mexican Assembly Plant
June 25, 2008
WICHITA, Kan., June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — In a move that will
send economic shock waves across Kansas for generations, Hawker Beechcraft
is planning to build a tip-to-tail aircraft assembly plant in Chihuahua,
Mexico. The company plans to move from manufacturing small parts to full
aircraft assembly after 2012.
The five-year plan, code named Project Pelican, is outlined in
documents http://www.ll733iam.com/projectpelican.pdf containing detailed
instructions on how the company planned to conceal the scope of the plan
from the public, the press and employees at Hawker Beechcraft’s Wichita, KS
assembly plant.
“Never mention the potential of full aircraft assembly,” is among the
covert marching orders for Hawker Beechcraft managers tasked with
purchasing land, negotiating tax breaks with the Mexican government and
hiring a workforce for as little as $3 an hour.
Instead, managers are instructed to frequently cite global competition
and the need for “additional capacity other than Wichita.”
“Hawker Beechcraft shows no recognition of the damage they do to our
economy, our industrial base or our national security when they transfer
sophisticated technology and production to countries that turn around and
compete with U.S.-based companies,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger.
“Thanks to NAFTA and other job-killing trade deals, we’re encountering this
phenomenon at every bargaining table in the aerospace industry.”
“The real story is what’s going on in Wichita,” said Hawker Beechcraft
spokesperson Andrew Broom, in an article
http://www.kansas.com/107/story/443599.html published in the Wichita Eagle.
Broom did not deny the company’s outsourcing plans.
“Never before did Hawker Beechcraft disclose their intent to build a
final assembly line in Mexico,” said IAM Aerospace Coordinator Ron
Eldridge, who is engaged in contract negotiations for 4,300 IAM members at
Hawker Beechcraft. “This is deceit on a grand scale and will be a huge
issue in the workplace and at the bargaining table.”
The IAM represents nearly 20,000 workers at Kansas aerospace and
aircraft companies, including Hawker Beechcraft, Cessna, Bombardier, Spirit
AeroSystems and Boeing. For more information about the IAM, visit
http://www.goiam.org. For additional information about Project Pelican, visit
http://www.projectpelican.blogspot.com.
SOURCE International Association of Machinists and Aerospace
Workers
Air Transport Association Calls on Congress to Address Fuel Price Crisis
June 25, 2008
Cites Crippling Effects on the U.S. Economy and Environmental
Investments
WASHINGTON, June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Air Transport
Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization for the
leading U.S. airlines, today testified before the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science and Transportation to outline its continued, proactive
efforts to further reduce the industry’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
while identifying the severe economic consequences of the current “fuel
price crisis.”
ATA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John M. Meenan
presented statistics demonstrating that the airline industry represents
just 2 percent of all domestic GHG emissions, as compared to 25 percent for
the balance of the transportation sector. He testified that the investments
the airlines have made that have resulted in the industry’s outstanding
environmental track record are being threatened by the historically high
cost of jet fuel. Meenan urged Congress to craft policies that will help
solve the problem, pointing out the severe consequences of inaction.
Meenan told the committee that the industry continues to build on its
impressive record of improving fuel efficiency and reducing its GHG output
despite the high costs of jet fuel. U.S. airlines improved fuel efficiency
by 110 percent between 1978 and 2007, resulting in 2.5 billion metric tons
of carbon dioxide savings – roughly equivalent to taking 18.7 million cars
off the road each of those years. Further, U.S. carriers burned almost 3
percent less fuel in 2007 than in 2000, but carried 20 percent more
passengers and cargo on a revenue ton mile basis.
According to ATA, fuel prices now average 30 to 50 percent of airline
operating expenses, costing $41.2 billion in 2007, and these costs are
projected to grow to $62 billion in 2008. These costs significantly
threaten the U.S. airline industry’s growth and ability to invest in fuel
efficiency improvements, a sign of dire consequences for the United States.
“The nation’s airlines expect to lose in the range of $10 billion this
year – a loss on par with the worst year in this industry’s history,” said
Meenan. “High fuel prices are the sole reason.”
In addition to its fuel efficiency improvements, statistics show that
the growth of the U.S. economy is strongly influenced by the growth of the
commercial aviation industry. Annually, the commercial aviation industry
drives $1.1 trillion in economic activity, contributing 5.2 percent of U.S
gross economic output. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics recently
assessed that in 2006, 5.3 percent of the total value of international
merchandise trade was shipped by air and that air shipments accounted for
32.4 percent of the value of all exports, more than any other
transportation sector.
“This nation’s economy is inextricably linked to the viability of its
air transportation system. If the airlines continue to spiral downward, so
will the economy,” said Meenan. “Aviation contributes $690 billion to the
U.S. GDP – that’s 10 million new jobs.”
Meenan repeated the ATA call for Congress to take action to support
U.S. airlines’ ongoing commitment to the environment. Congress should
modernize the aging air traffic control system, reinvigorate environmental
aeronautics R&D programs and spur further commercial development of
alternative jet fuels. Meenan stressed the importance of immediately
addressing the fuel price crisis at this critical juncture.
“Unlike the temporary revenue hits from 9/11 and other one-time demand
shocks, the airlines now are facing a massive structural cost increase,”
said Meenan. “Not even Chapter 11 can lower the price of fuel. More than
14,000 airline jobs have been cut so far this year, and that is just the
tip of the iceberg. Scores of communities stand to lose all scheduled air
service by early next year. More airlines – in addition to the nine that
have already filed for bankruptcy or stopped operating – may simply shut
down.”
ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent
of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For additional information
about the industry, visit http://www.airlines.org.
SOURCE Air Transport Association
LANVACATIONS Announces Premium Business Packages to Peru Priced From $1399
June 25, 2008
Travel to South America Has Never Been More Stylish
BOTHELL, Wash., June 24 /PRNewswire/ — LANVACATIONS, the vacation
division of LAN Airlines, is offering the opportunity to experience Lima in
luxury. In collaboration with LAN Peru, this offer allows passengers to
indulge in LAN’s super-comfortable and newly redesigned Premium Business
Class at a fraction of the regular price.
LAN’s Premium Business is the only business class with 180-degree
reclining, full-flat seats on flights between the US and South America. The
cabin offers an on-demand entertainment system that only a select number of
airlines offer, including 32 movies, 55 TV programs and series, 450 music
CDs and 14 games available to play individually or with other passengers.
“This package is perfect for a lavish weekend getaway or can serve as a
base for planning your custom-designed dream vacation,” stated Martin
Froggatt, President of LANVACATIONS. “In addition, through our strong
partnership with PromPeru, Peru’s tourism marketing organization,
LANVACATIONS ensures that passengers receive the highest quality vacation
and the assurance of traveling with a trusted partner.”
The Lima Premium Business Supersaver package is priced from $1399 and
includes roundtrip premium business class flights to Lima, roundtrip
airport transfers, 3 night hotel accommodations, breakfast daily, hotel
taxes and service charges, and 24 hour emergency telephone numbers. Package
price excludes airport taxes and fees. This package departs on certain days
and a Saturday night stay is required. Contact one of LANVACATIONS’ South
America experts to assist in building an itinerary that best fits your
schedule.
For more information about the Lima Premium Business package, travel to
South America, and reservations, please visit http://www.lanvacations.com
or call a reservations expert at 1-800-435-3593 (6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. PT
Monday – Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Saturday and Sunday).
About LANVACATIONS:
LANVACATIONS offers complete travel experiences to the countries of
South America (Chile, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia and
Uruguay) and caters to a full range of ages, interests and budgets. From
unique tour packages to group itineraries and independent travel programs,
LANVACATIONS, the experts in travel to South America, has the perfect South
America vacation package for you.
LANVACATIONS was developed due to the dramatic growth of the LAN
Airline Alliance network to and throughout the South American region, as
well as the tremendous increase in demand for travel to South America. LAN
Airlines appointed Europe Express, Inc. to represent the new LANVACATIONS
as it continues to surpass travelers’ expectations by providing complete
travel experiences to a variety of unique destinations and yet untouched
regions throughout the southern hemisphere
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