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E L L I O T T ' S TRAVEL NOTES
Travel news, opinion and analysis

January 5, 2005

I-Air Cuts Flights to Avoid Chapter 11
In a cost-cutting move, Independence Air plans to eliminate 150 of its 560 daily flights -- most in and out of Dulles International Airport -- at the end of this month. The financially troubled carrier will continue to offer flights to each of the 38 cities it serves from its Dulles hub but the frequency will be scaled back in many cases, said Rick DeLisi, the airline's spokesman. Flights to Florida from Charleston, S.C., Greenville-Spartanburg, SC, and Huntsville, Ala., will be eliminated. "We are better balancing our system-wide capacity with our expectations for customer demand," DeLisi said. "We are working on maximizing revenue and reducing overall costs." (Post) Posted 5:35 a.m.
• Might File as Soon as This Month (Post-Standard)
• Earlier: United Wants I-Air Back (AP)

If Independence Air goes Chapter 11, no one will be able to say the current industry malaise is a high-cost carrier problem. Not after ATA's recent troubles. This is affects everyone.

Winter Fare War Heats Up
Airline fare wars -- brought on to spur travel to warmer climes in the cold winter months -- are heating up at the worst possible moment for US Airways. Confronting a barrage of discounted fares by low-cost carriers Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways, the nation's seventh-largest airline yesterday fired back with some fare cuts of its own, announcing one-way fares as low as $49 to Florida and the Caribbean. The move also came as competitors AirTran Airways and Independence Air unveiled winter fare discounts, and as Delta Air Lines is readying systemwide price cuts. (Post Gazette) Posted 5:45 a.m.

Airline Weight Standards Increased
Transport Canada wants the standard number used to estimate the weight of airline passengers to be increased, which could hurt profits at smaller carriers, analysts say. The federal agency wants airlines to estimate the average weight of men at 206 pounds, up 13 pounds, and at 171 pounds for women, an increase of 25 pounds – based on the growing girth of Canadians. Airlines use the numbers to determine how many people they can safely carry. Underestimating that weight and overloading were factors in two recent crashes of a charter plane in Ontario and a commuter plane in the U.S. (CBC) Posted 5:50 a.m.

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Psst! 3 SkyMiles Secrets
I'm all for pinching pennies and paying the lowest airfare whenever possible. But the reality is that a few passengers account for a majority of an airline's profits. Shouldn't an airline's reward program reflect that reality? Many readers of this column apparently don't think so. Which is funny, because many of those same readers also run businesses. They wouldn't think twice at rewarding their best customers. (Travelcomment.com) Posted 6:55 a.m.

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Nervous Travelers Book Away From US Airways
US Airways Group Inc.'s problems during the holidays with mishandled baggage are prompting travel agents and customers to book trips with other airlines. Travel agents said they're concerned that operations disruptions or even liquidation will lead to more canceled trips as the bankrupt airline continues contract negotiations with the baggage-handlers union and faces $260 million in airplane payments in the next two months. (Dow Jones) Posted 6:05 a.m.

TSA Worried About Digital Watches
Federal law enforcement officials believe terrorists linked to al-Qaeda may try to use watches to bring down commercial planes. The threat is serious enough that airport screeners nationwide have been alerted. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security are warning transportation officials to look for al-Qaeda terrorists wearing two types of digital watches. (ABC News ) Posted 6:10 a.m.

NJ Man Arrested For Aiming Laser at Planes
A New Jersey man was charged Tuesday under federal anti-terrorism laws with shining a laser beam at a charter jet flying over his home, temporarily distracting the pilots. David Banach, 38, is the first person charged in a rash of recent incidents in which lasers were shined at aircraft around the country. Justice Department officials said they do not suspect terrorism in any of the cases, but said Banach's arrest shows how seriously they take the matter. (USA Today) Posted 6:15 a.m.

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