REGIONAL AVIATION NEWS :: MAY 12, 2008

RAA Blasts Feds on FAA Bill, Congestion Pricing
Indianapolis, IN – Regional Airline Association members had choice words for Congressional failure to pass the long-overdue Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization legislation, effectively killing changes for a bill this year, despite continuing efforts to bring it to a Senate vote again. Most...

Saab, Mitsubishi Set to Sign Support Agreement
Indianapolis, IN – Mitsubishi Aircraft Company and Saab Aerotech are close enough in signing an agreement calling for Saab to at least cover component support for Mitsubishi’s MRJ aircraft that they announced it at the Regional Airline Association meeting in Indianapolis. While the two would not...

ATR Looking at 90-seat Tprop
Indianapolis – ATR is also contemplating a 90-seat turboprop but whether it will be a stretch or a new family of aircraft depends on market research, according to North American Head of Sales John Moore. “We will probably develop and new generation aircraft rather than a stretch,” said...

Embraer Continues to Study Future Requirements
Indianapolis, IN – Embraer continues to make no commitments on its next aircraft program, preferring to wait out the chaos in the airline market before making a decision, according to Executive Vice President – Commercial Mauro Kern, who briefed reporters at this week’s Regional Airline...

Pinnacle Income Drops
Pinnacle Airlines Corp reported first quarter 2008 net income and fully diluted earnings per share of $2.7 million, down dramatically from the year-ago period when it posted $9.4 million in first quarter net income. In addition, its earnings per share dropped from 38 cents in the year-ago period to 15 cents...

Analysis: RAA Seemingly Late on NTSB Concerns
The Regional Airline Association and FAA seemed blissfully unaware of the year-long drumbeat by National Transportation Safety Board Vice Chair Robert Sumwalt about regional aviation safety. When asked to respond to Sumwalt’s concerns, RAA Chair Bryan Bedford, who is also CEO of Republic Holdings...

Jazz Net Down 14.2 Percent
Jazz reported net income down 14.3 percent to $30.3 million on operating revenue of $396.4 million, which was up 8.8 percent. It received $3.9 million in performance incentives which was up 25.8 percent. Controllable cost per available seat mile dropped 2.6 percent, despite rising fuel and maintenance costs...

Large Aircraft Demand up in BBD’s Latest Forecast
Indianapolis, IN – Demand for 20- to 149-seat commercial aircraft is expected to reach approximately 12,900 new aircraft in the next decade and 17,500 in the 20-year period from 2008 to 2027, according to Bombardier's Commercial Aircraft Market Forecast released at the Regional Airline Association...

SkyWest Operating Revs Up, Net Down 16 Percent in Q1
Although the company could not comment on its recent offer to acquire ExpressJet, SkyWest Inc Vice President and Treasurer Brad Rich did outline for analysts the philosophy in SkyWest’s acquisition strategy. “We aren’t interested in acquiring non-competitive operations and eating the costs...

Embraer Post $85M Profit
Embraer posted first quarter 2008 (1Q08) net sales of $1,335.9 million and net income of $85.0 million, equivalent to diluted earnings per ADS of $ 0.4633. Income from operations reached $48.7 million in 1Q08, a 214.2 percent increase over the same period last year. The increase results from the higher gross...

Hawaii Wants Re-Regulation in Inter-Island Market
While the Hawaiian legislature would like to re-regulate the inter-island market in the wake of Aloha’s failure, it is unlikely to pass the federal pre-emption test in Washington regardless of whether the governor signs the bill into law. It is now on his desk. The principle that the federal government...

RAA Personnel Chances, New Web Site
Indianapolis -- Regional Airline Association President Roger Cohen announced Scott Gordon, who has taken his “dream job” with BankAmerica, will be replaced by Stacey Morgan. He also unveiled the association’s new web site which he called cleaner and easier...

Quick Takes -- AE, Lynx, Flyaboo/Embraer, PT Riau/BAe
AE Adds to Grand Junction, Replaces Mainline to Other Routes As American announced its planned cuts, it said it was downsizing its equipment in favor of American Eagle/American Connection service between St. Louis and San Antonio and Raleigh/Durham (RDU) and RDU to LaGuardia. American Eagle Airlines adds a...