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Most Clicked ATA SmartBrief Stories


1. Smisek: Continental still open to merger with United

ATA SmartBrief | Nov 04, 2009

Continental Airlines is keeping a close eye on Delta Air Lines' merger with Northwest Airlines, Continental President Jeff Smisek admits. Though the Houston-based carrier is currently happy to remain independent as a member of the Star Alliance, Smisek says he would reconsider a full merger with United Airlines if "Delta outperforms us financially." Some analysts say a combination between the third- and fourth-largest U.S. carriers is "inevitable," though a United spokeswoman refused to speculate on specific merger plans. "We have long believed the industry will benefit from consolidation, particularly as the competitive landscape has been reset," she noted. Bloomberg (11/03) Chicago Tribune (11/03)


2. Southwest pilots approve five-year contract

ATA SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2009

By a vote of nearly 88%, Southwest Airlines pilots have ratified a new, five-year contract with the carrier. About 93% of Southwest's 5,900 pilots cast their ballots following an unsuccessful ratification vote in June. "Our pilots are the hardest working and most productive in the business and deserve a contract that reflects this, yet is still in keeping with the current uncertain economic outlook," said Southwest CEO Gary Kelly. Chicago Tribune (11/02) Denver Post, The (11/02) Air Transport World (11/03)


3. Mesa reevaluates after losing United contracts

ATA SmartBrief | Nov 06, 2009

AviationWeek.com (11/05)


4. On the set of Hollywood's major airlines

ATA SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2009

Wall Street Journal, The (11/05)


5. Delta lease at Hartsfield-Jackson has implications

ATA SmartBrief | Nov 02, 2009

Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The (free registration) (11/01)


6. Regional airlines profit while majors struggle with falling demand

ATA SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2009

Regional airlines are enjoying profits and growth at a time when network carriers are cutting back due to declining traffic, USA TODAY reports. Big airlines are relying on regional affiliates to fly more routes, resulting in smaller -- but fuller -- planes. That trend helped the top 20 regional carriers to earn a combined $785 million over the past 12 months, while the five big network carriers lost $4.4 billion. "If good times for regional operators persist and newer jets get larger and capable of flying longer distances, we may one day find ourselves aboard regional jets for all domestic travel," writes travel columnist David Grossman. USA TODAY (11/03)


7. Hawaiian Air unveils new uniforms

ATA SmartBrief | Nov 02, 2009

Honolulu Advertiser, The (11/01)


8. Southwest starts Milwaukee service as Midwest changes planes

ATA SmartBrief | Nov 02, 2009

Southwest Airlines on Sunday started service to Milwaukee, while the city's longtime airline leader prepared for a major change. Southwest will operate 12 nonstop flights from Milwaukee on its Boeing 737 aircraft. Meanwhile, Midwest Airlines said Monday would mark its final Milwaukee flights with Boeing 717 aircraft operated by original Midwest crews. Parent company Republic Airways plans to serve Milwaukee with more fuel-efficient planes such as the Embraer 190 and Airbus 319. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (10/31) WTMJ-TV (Milwaukee) (11/01)


9. No clear blame -- or recourse -- on pilfered baggage

ATA SmartBrief | Nov 04, 2009

Though pilfering of checked baggage is rare, TSA insists it is mainly an airline issue, because TSA officers touch only a small number of bags, and then only in the company of other officers. Federal claims for missing and damaged property have fallen from about 1,900 a month to 1,400, but airlines individual airlines do not report such statistics. Meanwhile, the airlines have widely varying policies on how quickly a theft must be reported: Some require notice in as little as four hours, while others will take claims for up to 10 days. St. Petersburg Times (Fla.) (11/04)


10. SkyWest to offer branded service under AirTran deal

ATA SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2009

Regional carrier SkyWest Airlines is preparing to fly for the first time as a branded airline under a partnership with AirTran Airways. Starting Dec. 4, SkyWest will serve six destinations from Milwaukee using 50-seat CRJ200s painted in SkyWest livery. "This unique partnership and expanded service is an exciting next step for our Milwaukee focus city," said an executive at AirTran. Air Transport World (11/05)




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