Air Transport Association CEO Responds to Vice President Biden’s Suggestion to Avoid Air Travel
April 30, 2009
Remarks Made This Morning on the NBC Today Show
WASHINGTON, April 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today wrote to Vice President Biden regarding his remarks made this morning on the NBC “Today” show.
“Vice President Biden’s comment that people should avoid air travel in response to the H1N1 flu outbreak was extremely disappointing,” said ATA President and CEO James C. May. “The airlines have been working daily with government agencies, none of whom suggest people avoid air travel, unless they are not feeling well. The fact is that the air onboard a commercial aircraft is cleaner than that in most public buildings.”
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. Announces New Measures in Response to Increased Health Alert
April 30, 2009
GUADALAJARA, Mexico, April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: PAC; BMV: GAP) (“the Company” or “GAP”) today announced the following:
As a result of the health emergency that is developing globally, mainly in the United States and Mexico, due to the spread of the swine flu virus, GAP is working with the Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT) and the Federal Health Department (SSA) to establish special health vigilance measures at the airports. This is due to the epidemiological alert level, which has been raised from a ‘Phase 3’ to a ‘Phase 4’ and currently to a ‘Phase 5’ alert, which implies containment of the virus, whereas ‘Phase 3’ only implied strengthening the response capacity to the virus.
As a result, the Company will immediately implement two review mechanisms, which are:
1 – Systematic examination of travelers at risk via the distribution of a survey to 100% of passengers prior to boarding.
2 – Verification of body temperature with a digital measurement camera, survey and visual revision to those that board an international flight and proceed with health alert proceedings.
With this revision, the Company seeks to minimize the effects on passenger comfort. In addition, the Company is analyzing more practical options in which high technology can be easily implemented in order to avoid actual physical contact with the passengers and enhancing the response rate as not to prolong waiting times at the airports.
The Company continues to widely recommend that passengers arrive at the airport two hours prior to departure for domestic flights and three hours prior to departure for international flights.
These steps have been taken at all Mexican airports. The objective of these actions is to contain the virus and give airports the ability to provide passengers with a safety measure in order to promote Mexico’s attractiveness as a tourist and business destination, while strengthening contingency plans until the situation returns to normal levels.
With the implementation of these additional measures, the Company seeks the cooperation of all passengers, given the significant health crisis. Any action taken will most certainly benefit everyone and will help in overcoming this problem currently affecting Mexico. As this is a contingency, it is subject to change. The Company will continue to update the market as necessary.
Company Description:
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (GAP) operates 12 airports throughout Mexico’s Pacific region, including the major cities of Guadalajara and Tijuana, the four tourist destinations of Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, La Paz and Manzanillo, and six other mid-sized cities: Hermosillo, Bajio, Morelia, Aguascalientes, Mexicali and Los Mochis. In February 2006, GAP’s shares were listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “PAC” and on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “GAP”.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts, and are based on management’s current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans” and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial conditions, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.
In accordance with Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and article 42 of the “Ley del Mercado de Valores,” GAP has implemented a “whistleblower” program, which allows complainants to anonymously and confidentially report suspected activities that may involve criminal conduct or violations. The telephone number in Mexico, facilitated by a third party that is in charge of collecting these complaints, is 800-759-0045. GAP’s Audit Committee will be notified of all complaints for immediate investigation.
Airlines Tackle $1.4 Billion Online Fraud Challenge With 41st Parameter’s Device Identification Technology
April 30, 2009
41st Parameter’s FraudNet Providing a Holistic Approach to Fraud Management which is critical to Global Carriers’ Profitability Outlook
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 30 /PRNewswire/ — 41st Parameter Inc., a leading provider of internet fraud detection and prevention systems to the Airlines Industry, announced today its FraudNet solution is significantly reducing fraud losses for airlines across multiple card not present channels; allowing for legitimate sale of seat capacity and revenue retention. According to the recent Airline Online Fraud Survey, curtailing fraud loss and profit protection are key initiatives for airlines during tough economic times.
FraudNet utilizes multiple risk models providing the most accurate, end-to-end fraud screening available; beginning the moment a reservation is initiated through time of departure. As the Airline Industry’s most installed, dedicated fraud detection solution, FraudNet incorporates the leading device identification technology PCPrint(TM), with hundreds of algorithms to automatically assess and score reservation risk. Additional protection is also provided to an airline’s most valuable customers, frequent flier program members by securing passenger’s accrued miles from unfamiliar device access and account takeover.
“The Airline Industry has undergone a reservation process transformation and clearly understands the dramatic cost savings associated with the online channel,” said David Britton, an experienced fraud prevention expert and Senior Vice President of Product Management for 41st Parameter. “Leading global airlines seeking to improve their profitability are utilizing PCPrint and FraudNet to minimize their risk while shifting a greater percentage of their sales to the web.”
Resources:
Mr. Britton will participate in an upcoming panel of industry experts on the topic of “Payment Fraud Trends in the Airline Industry.” This pre-event workshop is part of the Airline A-La-Carte Pricing Conference in Miami, FL and will take place on May 11 at 4:45 ET.
Recent 41st Parameter FraudNet selections in the Travel Services Industry include three US based global airlines and an International payments processor representing multiple airline clients.
About 41st Parameter
41st Parameter provides solutions for detecting and preventing fraud across multiple channels for the world’s most valued and recognizable brands. Leading travel services, financial institutions, and e-commerce companies rely on 41st Parameter’s technology to protect them from cybercrime threats including card not present fraud, new account origination fraud, phishing and account compromise, credit bust outs, and fraud ring detection. Founded in 2004, 41st Parameter makes the process of detecting and preventing fraud easier and more effective, reducing both expenses and potential losses. As a leading web fraud detection innovator the company supplies industry-proven solutions which integrate advanced device identification with comprehensive risk management capabilities.
NASA Gives ‘Go’ for Space Shuttle Launch on May 11
April 30, 2009
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., April 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — NASA managers completed a review Thursday of space shuttle Atlantis’ readiness for flight and selected an official launch date for the STS-125 mission to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope. Commander Scott Altman and his six crewmates are scheduled to lift off at 2:01 p.m. EDT, May 11, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Atlantis’ launch date was announced following Thursday’s Flight Readiness Review. During the meeting, top NASA and contractor managers assessed the risks associated with the mission and determined the shuttle’s equipment, support systems and procedures are ready for flight.
Atlantis’ 11-day mission will include five spacewalks to refurbish Hubble with state-of-the-art science instruments. After the astronauts’ visit, the telescope’s capabilities will be expanded and its lifetime extended through at least 2014.
Commander Altman will be joined on the mission by Pilot Gregory C. Johnson and Mission Specialists Andrew Feustel, Michael Good, John Grunsfeld, Megan McArthur and Mike Massimino. The spacewalkers are Feustel, Good, Grunsfeld and Massimino. McArthur is the flight engineer and lead for robotic arm operations.
Cessna Stops Work on Jet
April 29, 2009
Textron Inc. said it expects to deliver no more than 300 Cessna corporate jets this year, about 20 percent less than its previous forecast, and to stop work on the new Columbus aircraft as a global recession reduces demand.
The Cessna shipments compare with 476 planes last year and an original 2009 target of 535. Providence, Rhode Island-based Textron disclosed the plan in slides prepared for its first- quarter earnings conference call with analysts. About 120 to 130 of the planes shipped this year will be Mustang models, Chief Operating Officer Scott Donnelly said on the call. Mustangs are Cessna’s smallest jets, with a base price of about $2.7 million.
Cessna started selling the new eight-seat 850 Citation Columbus last year with a goal of starting deliveries in 2014. The plane was Cessna’s largest and was designed for intercontinental flight, with a base price of about $27 million. Work on the Columbus will be suspended and Textron said it will return about $50 million in deposits.
Engineer Juarez Wanderley High School Ranked First in the state of Sao Paulo, on ENEM Exam
April 29, 2009
The High School also improves its overall performance and is ranked eighth in Brazil
São José dos Campos, April 29, 2009 – The good performance of the students of Engineer
Juarez Wanderley High School on the Brazilian High School Exam (Exame Nacional do
Ensino Médio – Enem), in 2008, gained it first place in the State of São Paulo. The High
School, founded and maintained by the Embraer Institute of Education and Research (Instituto
Embraer de Educação e Pesquisa), was also ranked eighth in the Nation.
“The excellent results obtained by our students is good reason for pride on the part of all of
us at Embraer, and demonstrate the great potential of these young people,” says Pedro
Ferraz, Director of the Embraer Institute of Education and Research. “All of the students of
the High School come from the public school system. We firmly believe that education is the
primary means of the Nation’s development and of a worthy future for its people.”
The students of Engineer Juarez Wanderley High School are selected according to the results of an
entrance exam and, to be eligible, they must have studied the previous four years, that is, the equivalent
of U.S. middle school, in the public school system. Ever since it was created, in 2002, the High School
has proven itself to be a model educational institution for the entire country. In the Enem exams of 2006
and 2007, it was ranked as one of the four best schools in the State of São Paulo, and among the top 25
of Brazil. In 2008, 100 percent of its graduating class passed college entrance exams.
The Enem exam (www.enem.inep.gov.br) was created in 1998 by the Ministry of Education, for the
purpose of evaluating the performance of Brazilian high school seniors from private and public
schools. Since 2006, the results have been made public. The evaluation takes into account the grades
obtained by the students in the objective and composition sections, as well as a corrective
participation coefficient related to the respective school.
About Engineer Juarez Wanderley High School
Engineer Juarez Wanderley High School was founded in February 2002 and is maintained by
Embraer through the Embraer Institute of Education and Research (Instituto Embraer de Educação
e Pesquisa). It is located at Embraer’s Eugênio de Melo Unit, in São José dos Campos, Brazil,
where it offers a full-time ten-hour daily schedule to 600 students in the sophomore through senior
classes, for a total of 6,000 class hours in the entire course. All of the students receive instruction,
on-site meals, uniform, transportation, and educational materials free of charge.
Besides the top-quality academic curriculum and the extracurricular environmental, social,
and cultural activities, the High School offers students an 800-hour University Preparation
Program, which is divided among the areas of the sciences (Pre-engineering), humanities
(Pre-administration), and medical research (Pre-biomedical). These are developed in
partnerships with the Center of Occupational Research and Development (CORD), from the
United States, Rede Pitágoras, and Sírio-Libanês Hospital, respectively.
The students of Engineer Juarez Wanderley High School are selected by an entrance exam and, to be eligible, they must have taken the previous four years of studies (equivalent to middle school in the U.S.) in the public school system. The competition is stiff, with a ratio of as many as 25 candidates per opening.
CAE partners with Jazz and expands technical training offering
April 29, 2009
WORLD AIRLINE TRAINING SYMPOSIUM (WATS), ORLANDO, FLORIDA–(Marketwire – April 29, 2009) – (NYSE:CGT)(TSX:CAE) – CAE announced today that it has signed a technical training and courseware agreement with Canadian airline Jazz Air LP (“Jazz”). Under the agreement, Jazz maintenance training programs will be licensed to CAE and deliverable anywhere in the world, expanding CAE’s commercial type training program portfolio.
“CAE aligned itself with Jazz because of their significant operational know-how that brings line-experience to the programs and in turn to CAE customers,” said Jeff Roberts, CAE’s Group President, Civil Products and Training & Services. “We continue to expand our maintenance training portfolio to provide our clients with increasingly complete and integrated training solutions to meet all their training requirements.”
“Jazz is pleased to enter into a technical training partnership with CAE,” said Scott Tapson, Jazz’s Vice President, Business Development. “This agreement is one of many growth initiatives we are pursuing to diversify Jazz’s services and operations by leveraging our extensive expertise in airline operations.”
Through this agreement, CAE will offer classroom-based courses-some of which feature CAE Simfinity(TM) two-dimensional virtual maintenance trainers-covering various maintenance type-rating requirements for the CRJ100 and 200, CRJ700 and 900, and the Dash8 100 and 300 aircraft platforms. CAE will also gain access to an expanded and experienced instructor pool.
About Jazz
Jazz is the second largest airline in Canada based on fleet size and the number of routes operated. We operate more flights and fly to more Canadian destinations than any other Canadian carrier. Jazz forms an integral part of Air Canada’s domestic and transborder market presence and strategy. Jazz is owned by Jazz Air Income Fund (TSX:JAZ.UN). Jazz is a leading provider of charter services throughout North America, with a dedicated fleet of charter aircraft. We also offer a wide range of airline support services. Jazz continues to seek new strategic partners to expand its services and operations.
About CAE
CAE is a world leader in providing simulation and modelling technologies and integrated training solutions for the civil aviation industry and defence forces around the globe. With annual revenues exceeding C$1.4 billion, CAE employs approximately 7,000 people at more than 75 sites and training locations in 20 countries. We have the largest installed base of civil and military full-flight simulators and training devices. Through our global network of 27 civil aviation and military training centres, we train more than 75,000 crewmembers yearly. We also offer modelling and simulation software to various market segments and, through CAE’s professional services division, we assist customers with a wide range of simulation-based needs.
Embraer Completes First Year of Le Bourget Service Center
April 29, 2009
French facility performed more than 180 maintenance operations in the period
São José dos Campos, April 29, 2009 – Embraer has celebrated the first anniversary of its
Executive Jets Service Center at Le Bourget Airport, in France. The facility is dedicated
exclusively to the support of Embraer executive jets, and received the European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) Part 145 Certificate in March 2008.
“We are very pleased to commemorate this milestone,” said Sébastien Albouy, Senior
Manager, Embraer Executive Jet Service Center – Le Bourget. “Our team worked
very hard to perform up to 18 interventions per month, and to achieve a
98% customer satisfaction rate. The year 2009 will also be exciting, with the initial
operations of the Phenom 100 in Europe. We are finalizing the preparation of our
mechanics in the first training session at the CAE training center.”
The Embraer team in Le Bourget performed more than 180 maintenance operations since the
beginning of activities, including services in Russia, the Middle East, Africa, U.K., and Eastern
Europe, with Aircraft On Ground (AOG) 24/7 support (+33 6 7343 9641), line interventions,
and scheduled maintenance, achieving 100 percent contractual aircraft downtime.
The Le Bourget facility is part of the Embraer Executive Jets service center network in
Europe, which includes OGMA, in Portugal, and another four Embraer authorized service
centers. Located at one of the busiest European airports, 20 minutes from downtown Paris, the
Le Bourget service center has a total area of 36,674 square feet (3,407 square meters) and a
20,451-square-foot (1,900-square-meter) hangar, where it offers customers an executive
ambience with deluxe amenities.
Lockheed Martin Delivers 50th C-5 AMP Aircraft
April 29, 2009
MARIETTA, Ga., April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) recently delivered the 50th C-5 Galaxy strategic airlifter upgraded with Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) improvements. AMP is the first part of the two-phase C-5 modernization program. The aircraft, delivered to Air Force Reserve Command’s 433rd Airlift Wing at Lackland AFB, Texas, is now equipped with a state-of-the-art glass cockpit with modern avionics and flight instruments.
“This delivery brings the Air Force one step closer to realizing the full capability of an upgraded and more efficient C-5 fleet,” said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin C-5 program vice president. “We’re currently running two very successful AMP production lines. This effort, along with the upcoming second phase of the C-5 modernization program, will ensure the Air Force has a C-5 fleet that will be highly effective for the next 40 years.”
The AMP installations are taking place at Dover AFB, Del., and at Travis AFB, Calif. The fleet-wide AMP modifications are scheduled to be completed in the second quarter of 2014. A total of 111 C-5s are scheduled to be modified with AMP upgrades.
The AMP upgrades replace the analog cockpit instruments and systems in the C-5 with digital displays and equipment. This modernization phase also provides the necessary communications and navigational avionics to comply with Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) requirements, the new set of international standards for aircraft movement and reduced separation in flight.
The second phase of the C-5 modernization effort is the Reliability Enhancement and Re-Engining Program (RERP). RERP includes 70 enhancements or replacements of major components and subsystems, including the installation of GE CF6-80C2 commercial engines. Fifty-two of the 111 airplanes receiving the AMP upgrades are currently scheduled to receive the RERP upgrades. When one of the giant transport aircraft receives both the AMP and RERP modifications, it receives the C-5M Super Galaxy designation. Three aircraft (two former B-models and one former A-model) were used as the C-5M test fleet. All three of the C-5M aircraft have been delivered back to the U.S. Air Force.
The C-5 has been the backbone of strategic airlift in every military and humanitarian engagement since it entered service. It is the only aircraft capable of carrying 100 percent of certified military air-transportable cargo with a dedicated passenger compartment enabling commanders to have troops and their equipment arrive simultaneously in an area of operation. The C-5 can carry twice the cargo of other strategic airlift systems, and the C-5M Super Galaxy will be a force multiplier through 2040. Modernization of the C-5 pays for itself through savings in operation and sustainment costs.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.
Maiden flight for Brazilian maritime patrol aircraft P-3, modernised by Airbus Military
April 29, 2009
• This is the first of nine aircraft acquired by the Brazilian government
Madrid, 29 April 2009 – The maiden flight of the first Brazilian P-3 aircraft upgraded at Airbus Military’s facilities in Getafe (Madrid) took place today.
The event was attended by the P-3 programme’s Brigadier General, the head of the programme, the resident Brazilian team as well as executives from Airbus Military.
This maiden voyage represents a further milestone in the programme to modernise nine (9) P-3 aircraft for the Brazilian government, and marks the culmination of the equipment development and installation phase, and the start of flight tests to certify the mission and avionics systems.
The aircraft is fitted with the FITS (Fully Integrated Tactical System) mission system developed by Airbus Military in Spain, which is at the heart of a sophisticated arms system which ranges from maritime patrol to the most comprehensive anti-submarine warfare configuration. The FITS system, designed as a flexible and modular system, can be fitted in any kind of platform, including proprietary Airbus Military platforms such as the C-212, CN-235 and C-295, as well as more complex platforms such as the P-3 Orion and Airbus A319.
The nine (9) P-3 aircraft will be used primarily in marine patrol missions including control of the Brazilian EEZ (exclusive economic zone), border protection, drug law enforcement in the Amazon region and search and rescue missions along an area stretching over 6 million km2 entrusted by the OACI to the Brazilian government (virtually the entire South Atlantic).
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