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ATA: Recovering Airline Traffic Makes ATC Modernization Imperative
The Air Transport Association (ATA) says the record industry-wide passenger and cargo volumes reported by U.S. carriers in 2005 drive home more than ever the need for a complete overhaul of the nation's "outdated" air traffic control (ATC) system.

New Challenger 605 is Latest Bombardier Model to Have ICG's Satcom
Bombardier Aerospace selected International Communications Group's (ICG) Iridium satellite communication system as standard equipment on all of its new Challenger 605 widebody business jets.

Copa Airlines Will Use Boeing's Maintenance Solution
Panama-based Copa Airlines will implement Boeing's Web-based maintenance system that uses intelligent documents and visual navigation methods to help its technical operations personnel to troubleshoot maintenance problems and manage structural repair records.

Cathay Pacific Equipping its B-777s and 747s with Boeing's Health Management System
Cathay Pacific Airways is the latest of several major airlines that will license Boeing's inflight airplane monitoring system to track maintenance trends and report anomalies.  Cathay will use the system on its B-777s and 747-400s.

Jeppesen Says 100 Operators Now Getting Charts Electronically
Jeppesen says that in less than two years, the number of airlines and operators using its chart and data delivery system has increased from 10 to 100 customers, and the adoption rate continues to grow.

Cessna Makes ACSS TCAS Standard on High-End Business Jets
Cessna will install ACSS's TCAS 2000 traffic alert and collision avoidance system as standard equipment on its Citation X, XLS and Sovereign models.  ACSS is an L-3 Communications & Thales company.

FAA Proposes Rule to Put Operational Time Limits on Air Transports
The FAA is proposing a new rule intended to prevent what it describes as "widespread fatigue damage," or WFD, on transport category airplanes, by requiring that design-approval holders establish their operational time limits.

Travel Organizations Support "Registered Traveler," Airlines Say No
The Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), the National Business Travel Association (NBTA), the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and the Voluntary Credentialing Industry Coalition (VCIC) say they support the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Registered Traveler program.  Many U.S. airlines continue to oppose it, however.

Unisys Study Indicates Strong Support for Biometric-Based ID
A new research study from the Unisys Corporation indicates that nearly 70 percent of consumers worldwide support the use of biometric technologies such as fingerprints or voice recognition administered by a trusted organization, as a way to verify an individual's identity.  The study's implications for aviation security seem obvious.

RTCA Offering New Documents on TCAS and Portable Electronic Devices
RTCA has new documents that assess aural alerting and display issues on TCAS II (traffic collision and avoidance systems), and offer guidance on allowing transmitting portable electronic devices (T-PEDs) on aircraft.

Kronos Joins FAA Research Group to Improve Airline Cabin Air Quality
Kronos Advanced Technologies says it will serve as a member and an industrial partner in the FAA's Air Transportation Center of Excellence for Airliner Cabin Environment Research (ACER CoE), which is looking for ways to proactively improve cabin air quality.

Raytheon and McNeil Security to Offer Airport Screening Services
Raytheon Technical Services Company (RTSC) and McNeil Security say they will offer private security screening services to U.S. airports.

SITA Expands Its Airport Management Applications Suite
SITA has expanded its suite of airport management applications, formerly known as Airport in a Box, to integrate network, hardware, and support components into a set of turnkey products with a centralized database.

Rannoch and Air-Transport IT Services Combining Airport Management Applications
Air-Transport IT Services (AirIT) and Rannoch Corporation have entered into a partnership, where AirIT will offer Rannoch's surveillance technologies as part of its airport management suite of products, and Rannoch will provide an airport management patent portfolio license to AirIT.  AirIT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fraport - Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide.

Aircraft Exchange Offering Free Classified Listing Service on Web
Aircraft Exchange has launched a free Web-based classified listing service for owners and dealers of personal, corporate, and sport aircraft.

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ATA: Recovering Airline Traffic Makes ATC Modernization Imperative

The Air Transport Association (ATA) says the record industry-wide passenger and cargo volumes reported by U.S. carriers in 2005 drive home more than ever the need for a complete overhaul of the nation's "outdated" air traffic control (ATC) system.

Last year, U.S. airline operations grew to a record 11.5 million departures, with carriers transporting 738.6 million passengers.

"Higher volumes of traffic, which are expected to continue to grow, strongly reinforce the need to modernize our antiquated air traffic control system," said ATA Vice President and Chief Economist John Heimlich.  "It is imperative that we implement technology upgrades and adopt procedures that will accommodate the growing demand being placed on the system by all users of ATC services and infrastructure."

"High traffic volumes should not be confused with profitability, especially against a backdrop of surging fuel prices," said Mr. Heimlich, adding that "Congress and the FAA must address the cost inefficiencies of our air traffic management system."

This recent industry data is just one component of the ATA Economic Report (formerly ATA Annual Report), which highlights significant facts and figures drawn from all areas of the U.S. airline industry.  The full report will be released this summer.

Some data is already available at www.airlines.org.  Choose Economics, and click on Annual Traffic and Capacity.  05-02-2006.  (Top)

New Challenger 605 is Latest Bombardier Model to Have ICG's Satcom

Bombardier Aerospace selected International Communications Group's (ICG) Iridium satellite communication system as standard equipment on all of its new Challenger 605 widebody business jets.

The 605 joins Bombardier's Challenger 300 and 604, the Global 5000, Global Express XRS, and all Learjet models, in having ICG's Iridium systems as standard.

The Challenger 605s will be fitted with ICG's ICS-200 dual-channel Iridium satellite phone systems, which will provide both voice and data services virtually anywhere around the globe.  The system incorporates two Iridium transceivers that use a single antenna, with an internal CTU (cabin telecommunications unit).

The Challenger 605, which also features Rockwell Collins' Pro Line 21 avionics and IFIS (integrated flight information system), should enter service in the third quarter of 2007.  04-29-2006.  (Top)

Copa Airlines Will Use Boeing's Maintenance Solution

Panama-based Copa Airlines will implement Boeing's Web-based maintenance system that uses intelligent documents and visual navigation methods to help its technical operations personnel to troubleshoot maintenance problems and manage structural repair records.

Boeing's Maintenance Performance Toolbox is a set of seven different, but integrated tools that can help an airline manage a variety of maintenance and engineering activities from start to finish, including tracking their associated technical publications.  This means that technical publications departments can use the Toolbox to create customized airline documents, modify original equipment manuals and create task cards.  Beyond that, a built-in workflow tracking system in Toolbox ensures that the document audit trail is complete and approved before release.

Trainers use the Toolbox as a teaching aid and as a means of supplementing their own multimedia materials, and students learn airplane systems with the same tool that they use on the job at the worksite.  As for mechanics, Toolbox gives them fast and efficient access to the information they need, whether they are on the flight line, in the hangar, or in a maintenance-operations control center.

Copa Airlines, which happens to be the first operator in the Americas to sign on for Toolbox, is using four of the suite's tools: structures, library, systems and authoring.  Boeing will provide secure hosting for all of Copa's data and access to the user interface of its Structures Tool through MyBoeingFleet.com. Mechanics and engineers need only a laptop, desktop or pen tablet computer and an Internet connection to access the system.

Boeing sees its Toolbox as s a key element in its larger effort to "e-enable" the air transport system.  04-30-2006.  (Top)

Cathay Pacific Equipping its B-777s and 747s with Boeing's Health Management System

Cathay Pacific Airways is the latest of several major airlines that will license Boeing's inflight airplane monitoring system to track maintenance trends and report anomalies.  Cathay will use the system on its B-777s and 747-400s.

Boeing's Airplane Health Management (AHM) provides real-time maintenance information to airlines that can be used to address potential problems while an aircraft is still in flight.  While designed to be a stand-alone fault-forwarding and prognostic tool, it is intended to be integrated with an airline's existing maintenance and engineering systems.

In addition, Boeing sees AHM as supporting long-term fleet reliability programs by helping airlines to identify recurring faults and trends.  Data collected from one airline can actually guide repair decisions, based on history and fleet experience, at another airline operating the same airplanes.  04-29-2006.  (Top)

Jeppesen Says 100 Operators Now Getting Charts Electronically

Jeppesen says that in less than two years, the number of airlines and operators using its chart and data delivery system has increased from 10 to 100 customers, and the adoption rate continues to grow.

The Boeing subsidiary believes this rapid market acceptance reflects its customer's desire to receive their navigational information without the constraints and expense inherent with paper.

Jeppesen's e-Link ground-based Internet chart and data delivery system, which became operational in mid-2002, allows airlines to securely access charts, NOTAMs (notices to airmen), and other critical flight data, electronically.

While electronic delivery is becoming increasingly popular, Jeppesen continues to offer its paper-base products as well, and some operators use both.  Many operators have used e-Link as an initial entry into digital information as they integrate EFBs (electronic flight bags) and other technologies into their cockpits.

Jeppesen says it is the only company that offers its customers what it calls a Total Mission Solution that includes EFBs, airline operations services, and full chart and document logistics management.  04-29-2006.  (Top)

Cessna Makes ACSS TCAS Standard on High-End Business Jets

Cessna will install ACSS's TCAS 2000 traffic alert and collision avoidance system as standard equipment on its Citation X, XLS and Sovereign models.  ACSS is an L-3 Communications & Thales company.

Besides the regular functionality of the TCAS 2000, it is notable for its long range (up to 80 nm active, 100+ nm passive) and its ability to be upgraded for future enhancements, such as ADS-B (automatic dependence surveillance-broadcast).  It has also been coupled with ACSS's TAWS (terrain awareness warning system) to create the T²CAS, which has had orders of more than 1,500 units, according to ACSS.

ACSS says the TCAS 2000 is now onboard more than 9,000 aircraft.  04-29-2006.  (Top)

FAA Proposes Rule to Put Operational Time Limits on Air Transports

The FAA is proposing a new rule intended to prevent what it describes as "widespread fatigue damage," or WFD, on transport category airplanes, by requiring that design-approval holders establish their operational time limits.

Design-approval holders would also be required to determine if maintenance actions are needed to prevent widespread fatigue damage before an airplane reaches its operational limit.  Beyond that, operators of any affected airplane would be required to incorporate the operational limit and any necessary service information into their maintenance programs.  Operating an affected airplane beyond the operational limit would be prohibited without specific approval, and possible changes in the aircraft's maintenance program.

Those wishing to comment on the proposed rule need to submit them on or before July 17, 2006.

The FAA says its rationale for the rule is to preclude WFD from occurring in transport category airplanes by being more proactive on WFD management.

For existing type certificates, this proposal would affect only airplanes with maximum takeoff gross weights (MTGW) over 75,000 pounds, including airplanes that have had the MTGW increased to greater than 75,000 pounds.  For future type certification, all TC applicants for transport category airplanes would be affected.

The proposed rule would require type certificate (TC) holders to establish an initial operational limit on certain airplanes.  Operation of these airplanes beyond the initial operational limit would be prohibited, unless operators have incorporated an extended operational limit into their maintenance programs. Type certificate holders would be required to develop the initial operational limits based on an evaluation of WFD susceptibility, both for existing airplanes and for proposed future certifications.

STC (supplemental type certificate) holders for these airplanes would be required to evaluate their certificates for WFD susceptibility and the ability of the airplane to remain free of WFD up to the initial operational limit established by the TC holder.

Once the proposed initial operational limits are developed, operational rules in parts 121 and 129 of the Federal Air Regulations would require operators to incorporate initial operational limits into their maintenance programs.

While the proposed operational rules would prohibit operation beyond its established limit, there would be means to extend the initial operational limit under certain circumstances, and with possible additional maintenance procedures and restrictions.  In addition, the proposed operational rules would address repairs, alterations, and modifications to airplanes operating with an extended operational limit.  04-30-2006.  (Top)

Travel Organizations Support "Registered Traveler," Airlines Say No

The Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), the National Business Travel Association (NBTA), the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and the Voluntary Credentialing Industry Coalition (VCIC) say they support the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Registered Traveler program.  Many U.S. airlines continue to oppose it, however.

"Registered Traveler has the potential to enhance security while improving service to the traveling public as part of a risk-based system," said Greg Principato, ACI-NA President. "But the benefits of a Registered Traveler program must be clear and make financial sense for passengers, airports and airlines."

"Business travelers and corporate travel managers have long supported the implementation of a Registered Traveler program that would provide volunteer participants with expedited security screening, shorten all security lines and allow TSA to more effectively focus its limited resources," said NBTA President and CEO, Suzanne Fletcher.

"ASTA fully supports the TSA's efforts to implement the Registered Traveler program-as it provides an innovative approach to ensuring a safe, convenient and efficient travel experience," said Kathryn W. Sudeikis, CTC, ASTA's president and CEO.

"TSA's Registered Traveler Program signals the emergence of a new industry where companies offering advanced biometric technology, software products, equipment and integrated services are working together to solve the challenges of the global war on terror.  The voluntary credentialing industry holds great promise to provide security and convenience for access control," said Tom Blank, Executive Director of the Voluntary Credential Industry Coalition (VCIC).

But ATA Says No

But the Air Transport Association (ATA), the trade association which represents the principal U.S. passenger and cargo airlines, disagrees, and issued the following statement today regarding the recent TSA announcement of its next steps for the program:

"ATA firmly believes that limited TSA resources should not be diverted from efficiently and effectively screening all passengers, to a program that provides limited and questionable benefits for some customers.  Instead, TSA should focus on programs that improve the overall passenger screening process."  05-01-2006.  (Top)

Unisys Study Indicates Strong Support for Biometric-Based ID

A new research study from the Unisys Corporation indicates that nearly 70 percent of consumers worldwide support the use of biometric technologies such as fingerprints or voice recognition administered by a trusted organization, as a way to verify an individual's identity.  The study's implications for aviation security seem obvious.

In the first worldwide survey of its kind to study consumer security preferences, the Unisys research also found that 66 percent of consumers worldwide also favored biometrics as the ideal method to combat fraud and identity theft as compared to other methods such as smart cards and tokens. This finding shows a slight increase from separate research that Unisys conducted in September 2005, which found 61 percent of consumers favored biometrics as the preferred method to fight fraud and identity theft.

"This research is revealing since many headlines today seem to question biometric adoption because of legitimate privacy concerns," said Mark Cohn, Unisys Corporation's vice president of homeland security solutions.

The Ponemon Institute conducted the survey on behalf of Unisys.  Additional findings on biometrics include:

• Convenience was the top reason for biometrics support with 82 percent citing the benefit of not having to remember separate passwords or other login data.  More than three quarters of consumers cited improving the speed of the identity verification process as their primary reason for using biometrics.

• Consumers from North America support biometrics for identity verification more than any other region (71 percent), followed by Europe (69 percent) and Asia Pacific (68 percent).  In contrast, Latin Americans were the least supportive (58 percent).

• Voice recognition is the most favored authentication method, cited by 32 percent of respondents, followed by fingerprints (27 percent), facial scan (20 percent), hand geometry (12 percent) and iris scans (10 percent), perhaps reflecting more consumer awareness of and experience with voice and fingerprint biometrics.

• North Americans are significantly less supportive of facial scans compared to other regions, with only 10 percent citing it as the preferred method, compared to 27 percent of consumers in Europe, 23 percent in Asia Pacific and 20 percent in Latin America.

• Of those respondents who did not favor biometrics for identity verification, almost three quarters (74 percent) were suspicious of the technology, followed by 62 percent who cited they prefer to give non-biometric identification methods.

• "Despite some geographic cultural differences with certain specifics of the technologies, overall as more and more people learn about biometrics, convenience seems to outweigh concerns," Cohn said. "Companies and governments can achieve the benefits of secure business operations with biometrics solutions through added efficiency and greater customer service."

Unisys just opened a new biometrics Centre of Excellence in Brussels, which along with its other location in Reston, Virginia, will be used to demonstrate real-life scenarios of biometrics technologies for travel security applications such and e-passports and customs declarations, as well as identity verification in healthcare records, financial data, law enforcement and other situations.

The Unisys research is part of a broader analysis of identity authentication that it intends to address at the upcoming 15th World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT 2006) that will take place in Austin, Texas, May 1-5, 2006. Unisys says it also will present policy proposals to WCIT delegates on the need for standards around procedures and practices in global identity authentication.  04-29-2006.  (Top)

RTCA Offering New Documents on TCAS and Portable Electronic Devices

RTCA has new documents that assess aural alerting and display issues on TCAS II (traffic collision and avoidance systems), and offer guidance on allowing transmitting portable electronic devices (T-PEDs) on aircraft.

The document, DO-299, "Assessment of TCAS II Aural and Display Issues," discusses the problem of opposite reactions to negative resolution advisories (RAs) that have continued with the introduction of TCAS II Version 7.  Special Committee 147 was tasked to analyze the display configurations and aural alerts for negative RAs to determine whether problems exist with current display and annunciation requirements.  The report documents results of SC-147's analysis and recommends an approach for resolving the problem.

DO-294A, "Guidance on Allowing Transmitting Portable Electronic Devices on Aircraft," provides expanded guidance to specifically assist regulators, and operators who are seeking operational approval for use of TPEDs.  It includes recommended aircraft test strategies, supporting analyses and clarifying rationale, fills in the "to-be-determined" elements in on-board radio receiver characterization, and suggests operator policies to manage T-PED usage.  In addition, it revises Appendix 6.D from procedural guidance to more generic test guidance.

To get more information and to purchase these documents, one can visit RTCA's On-Line Store.  05-01-2006.  (Top)

Kronos Joins FAA Research Group to Improve Airline Cabin Air Quality

Kronos Advanced Technologies says it will serve as a member and an industrial partner in the FAA's Air Transportation Center of Excellence for Airliner Cabin Environment Research (ACER CoE), which is looking for ways to proactively improve cabin air quality.

The ACER CoE was formed to examine cabin air quality and study chemical and biological threats in airliners, which has resulted in major advancements in aviation science, decontamination technologies and technology transfer.  Auburn University heads the ACER CoE, and its partners include the Air Force Research Laboratory, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, Purdue University, Harvard University, Boise State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Kansas State University, and the Ohio Aerospace Institute.

Boeing, GE and Steris are participating along with more than two dozen other privates companies that contribute their products and technologies.  ACER provides objective and independent evaluation of these companies' offerings and facilitates opportunities for the end users of technologies to work with the industrial partners.

Kronos will provide its real-time decontamination, air filtration, purification and technology expertise toward the effort.

ACER's current decontamination projects are focusing on the ground cleanup of aircraft following a chemical or biological incident (either unintentional or the result of terrorist action), and plans to expand its efforts to include real-time decontamination solutions in the near future.

FAA Centers of Excellence

Up till now, the FAA has awarded over $80M through grants and contracts to five Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in support of more than 350 research tasks.

These partnerships with universities throughout the U.S. are intended to form flexible, multi-disciplinary teams with other government organizations and industry affiliates to do aviation-related research.

To help fund the CoEs, the FAA contributes approximately $1 million in the first year and $500,000 each of the second and third years.  Additional funding comes from matching grants and cost-share contracts from consortium members.  04-30-2006.  (Top)

Raytheon and McNeil Security to Offer Airport Screening Services

Raytheon Technical Services Company (RTSC) and McNeil Security say they will offer private security screening services to U.S. airports.

The companies will offer a wide range of airport security services to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) including passenger and baggage screening services, as part of the TSA's Screening Partnership Program (SPP).  SPP allows airport operators to submit an application to have security screening provided by a qualified private company.

McNeil Security currently provides passenger and baggage screening services at Rochester, New York, one of the six airports participating in the SPP.  Raytheon delivers an array of homeland security applications and has worked with both the TSA and FAA to evaluate, deploy and integrate several airport security technologies.

The TSA's SPP is also known as the private security screening program or "opt-out" program and, besides Rochester, is currently operating at San Francisco International, Tupelo Regional, Kansas City International, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  05-01-2006.  (Top)

SITA Expands Its Airport Management Applications Suite

SITA has expanded its suite of airport management applications, formerly known as Airport in a Box, to integrate network, hardware, and support components into a set of turnkey products with a centralized database.

The improved and expanded group of IT (information technology) solutions, now called Airport Management Solutions, are designed for airports of all sizes, with the fundamental applications running over an IP (Internet protocol)-based LAN (local area network) and PC workstations, according to John Jarrell the senior vice president of SITA Airport & Desktop Services.

Airport Management Solutions is comprised of four main applications, which can stand alone or be partially or fully integrated with other products: AirportCentral uses a centralized database for managing airport operational systems; AirportHandling Manager is used to plan and manage human resources and mobile ground handling equipment; AirportResource Manager helps allocate and manage fixed airport resources; and AirportVision displays airport information.

A new component in the suite, AirportHandling Manager, consists of five modules to help airports manage the process of forecasting and scheduling staff and equipment allocations.  05-01-2006.  (Top)

Rannoch and Air-Transport IT Services Combining Airport Management Applications

Air-Transport IT Services (AirIT) and Rannoch Corporation have entered into a partnership, where AirIT will offer Rannoch's surveillance technologies as part of its airport management suite of products, and Rannoch will provide an airport management patent portfolio license to AirIT.  AirIT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fraport - Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide.

The purpose of the partnership is to allow each company's airport clients an easy access to the other's technology, which includes applications for automated aircraft billing and operational management.

For example, AirIT's PROPworks software helps airports to manage tenant agreements, property, and billing and invoicing.  The two companies believe their combined product offering can improve the reporting accuracy of the airports flight tracking and operational activity, and reduce the costs associated with manual intervention and reporting errors in the collection process.

Traditionally, revenues from landing fees - which can account for 20% to 30% of an airport's operational revenues - have been collected based on a carrier's self-reporting.  Now, however, because of independent automated surveillance systems, such as Rannoch's AirScene, airports can either automatically bill carriers directly or audit their self-reports.

In addition to combining their billing and management systems, Rannoch's terminal and surface surveillance multilateration, ADS (automatic dependent surveillance), and TIS (traffic information service) systems will also be integrated into AirIT's FIMS (flight information management system), RMS (resource management system) and FIDS (flight information display system).  Here too, the companies believe their alliance can help their airport customers improve their operations by introducing automatic real-time event reporting into their management and information systems.

Under the agreement, the companies will provide airport management solutions to over 20 airports in the next two years, with additional airports to follow in subsequent years.  An initial rollout is planned for several airports this year - two of which should be announced in the coming weeks.  04-30-2006.  (Top)

Aircraft Exchange Offering Free Classified Listing Service on Web

Aircraft Exchange has launched a free Web-based classified listing service for owners and dealers of personal, corporate, and sport aircraft.

The exchange will allow a seller to self-create an ad, with a free photo, and select the categories in which the aircraft will be featured.  The seller can also track how many times the ad is viewed.

While its basic service is free, Aircraft Exchange will offer one the ability to "highlight" an aircraft by paying $9.95 for 60 days, as opposed to a pay-per-click method.

The Exchange also will offer Featured Listings, which are basically "banner ads" that appear on the right-hand side of each page and contain a picture of the aircraft and a link to its details.  This service costs $39.95 for 30 days and $59.95 for 60 days.  05-02-2006.  (Top)

The A700 AdamJet flew to 41,000 feet and achieved a true airspeed of 340 knots on an April 20^th test flight to verify its planned maximum operating altitude.  The  aircraft climbed directly to 41,000 feet with a climb rate in excess of 1,000 feet-per-minute when passing through 39,000 feet.  The aircraft flew level at 41,000 feet for approximately five minutes, reaching a maximum true airspeed of 340 knots.  The test A700, serial number 002, has a recently installed DUA (digital acquisition unit) to monitor full engine and fuel instrumentation, and has begun performance testing, including airspeed calibration, takeoff, and landing tests.

A700 AdamJet

Source: Adam Aircraft

Member carriers of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines reported a 3.7% increase in passengers during March to 11 million.  RPKs (revenue passenger kilometers) increased 4.1% while capacity increased 2.3%.  Freight traffic increased 7.6% and ATKs (available tonne kilometers) increased 4.4%.  05-02-2006.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reported its industry billings totaled $4.0 billion in the first quarter of 2006, an increase of 39.7% compared to 2.9 billion in for the first quarter of 2005.  Shipments for the first three months of 2006 totaled 845, a 34.1% increase over the 630 airplanes shipped in the first three months of 2005.  Piston-engine aircraft shipments totaled 597 units compared to 434 units delivered in the first quarter of 2005, a 37.6% increase.  Turboprop shipments increased from 57 units last year to 59 units this year.  Business jet shipments were 189 in the first quarter of 2006, a 36.0% increase from the 139 units delivered in the first quarter of 2005.  05-02-2006.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that first quarter 2006 international passenger traffic increased 5.9% while international freight traffic was up 5.2% over the same period for 2005.  For the month of March, passenger growth decreased 5.7% while freight increased 6.2% over 2005.  05-02-2006.

The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) said its reporting airlines carried 745.7 million passengers on their total systems during 2005, up from 712.6 million carried in 2004.  During the first nine months of 2005, U.S. airlines carried 5.9% more passengers than in the same period in 2004 while in the last three months they carried 0.7% more passengers than in 2004. The passengers were carried on 11.0 million flights, up 1.0% from the 10.9 million flights operated in 2004.

In other total system comparisons from 2004 to 2005:

• RPMs (revenue passenger miles), a measure of the number of passengers and the distance flown, were up 5.7%.

• ASMS (available seat-miles), a measure of airline capacity using the number of seats and the distance flown, were up 2.9%.

• Passenger load factor, passengers carried as a proportion of available seats, was up 2.1 load factor points.

• Flight stage length, the average non-stop distance flown per departure, was up 2.1%.

• Passenger trip length, the average distance flown per passenger, was up 1.0%.

American Airlines carried 98.1 million passengers on its system during 2005, the most of any U.S. airline.  American Eagle Airlines was the fastest growing of the top 10 U.S. airlines, carrying 17.9% more passengers in 2005 than 2004, while United Airlines carried 5.7% fewer passengers, the biggest decline of any of the top 10 U.S. airlines.

Atlanta was the busiest U.S. airport during 2005, with 41.6 million domestic and international passenger boardings.  Houston's Bush Intercontinental was the fastest growing of the top 10 U.S. airports, with 9.9% more passenger boardings in 2005 than 2004, while Dallas-Fort Worth's boardings were down 0.1%.  DFW was the only one of the top 10 U.S. airports with fewer boarded passengers in 2005 than 2004.

Additional airline traffic data can be found at http://transtats.bts.gov.  Click on "Aviation," then on "Air Carrier Statistics (Form 41 Traffic)," then click on "T-100 Domestic Market." 05-02-2006.

Raytheon Aircraft delivered 44 business jets and turboprops in the first quarter of 2006 compared with 27 in the same period a year ago, and took orders for 45 turbine airplanes versus 34 last year.  05-02-2006.

Boeing reported a 29% increase in first-quarter net income to $692 million compared to a $535 million profit in the first quarter of 2005.  The company’s overall first-quarter revenues rose 12% to $14.26 billion.  Boeing Commercial Airplanes had a 48% increase in revenues to $7.1 billion, with the company’s year-over-year deliveries growing by 40% to 98.  Boeing's order backlog is up 107% from the end of the year-ago quarter, after a record 1,002 aircraft orders in 2005 and continued strong orders in the first quarter.  Boeing had 54 firm orders for the B-787 during the first quarter of 2006, delivered 72 737NGs, seventeen 777s, four 747s, three 767s and two 717s during that period.  05-02-2006.

The Association of European Airlines reported the Europe-Far East market maintained double-digit traffic growth at +10.5% in March, while North Atlantic traffic volume was 2.3% lower than a year ago.  Traffic within Europe increased 2.9%.  05-02-2006.

The Wall Street Journal's Avery Johnson reported ("Low-Cost Airlines Raise Fares," April 25, 2006) that low-cost airlines are raising their prices, and in some cases, making their fares higher than those offered by traditional carriers.  Low-cost carriers are facing the same rising fuel costs as legacy carriers, and have been introducing more high-end perks, while the old, establishment airlines have been increasingly copying the low-cost carriers' practices, including their simplified fare structures.  As a result, on some routes, traditional carriers are under pricing low-cost airlines, and low-cost carriers are experiencing some economic troubles at the same time that many traditional carriers are finally expected to return to profitability.  05-02-2006.  (Top)

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