Just Plane News.Com

Passenger and cargo traffic increased at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport in July and for the year.

Passenger enplanements totaled 1.73 million in July, up 9 percent from a year earlier. Cargo loaded rose 19 percent to 5,652 tons, according to the city’s aviation authority.

On a year-to-date basis, passenger enplanements are up 6 percent to 10.82 million, while cargo enplanements have risen 19 percent to 37,024 tons.

The number of daily flights in July rose to 680 from 655 a year earlier. US Airways Group Inc. (NYSE:LCC) and its affiliates accounted for 600 of the July flights. The Tempe, Ariz.-based airline operates its largest hub at Charlotte/Douglas.

Delta Air Lines has seen very strong traffic on its flights in August, helped in part by a stronger yen that spurred more Japanese to take overseas trips, its company president said on Thursday.

“It has been an important contributor to our recovery from the economic recession we have seen this past year,” Delta President Edward Bastian told reporters in Tokyo.

“Certainly, 84 yen to the dollar has helped us improve financial results.”

The airline industry contracted in 2008 and 2009 amid volatile fuel prices and a global economic slowdown that sapped travel demand.

In July, Delta’s air traffic rose 0.5 percent from a year ago while its capacity fell 0.3 percent.

Bastian also said Delta is still interested in swapping slots with US Airways at two US airports. Read More

At least five big U.S airlines have waived change fees for customers flying into the path of Hurricane Earl, which threatens to disrupt flight schedules just as the Labor Day holiday weekend begins.

Continental, Delta, US Airways, AirTran and Frontier are among the carriers that have instituted special policies to allow customers to make hurricane-related changes to their itineraries.

Continental warns in a press release that “storm conditions are expected to make air travel difficult on the United States East Coast, forcing some delays and cancellations of flights at airports in the region, including at its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport.”

Continental adds that “to avoid inconvenience, travelers may wish to delay commencement of their trip.”

The airline says it will waive change fees for most travelers booked on flights to, from or through affected areas. The waiver allows customers to rebook travel through Sept. 19 or to receive a credit toward future travel (see the fine print). Travelers scheduled to fly Continental through this-coming Sunday are eligible. Read More

US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE:LCC) today announced that holders of US Airways Group’s 7% Senior Convertible Notes due 2020 (the “Securities”) have the right to surrender their Securities for purchase by US Airways pursuant to the terms of the indenture for the Securities (the “Put Option”). The Put Option expires on September 29, 2010.

The Put Option entitles each holder of the Securities to require US Airways Group to purchase all or any part of such holder’s Securities at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any).

Under the terms of the Securities, US Airways has the right to pay the purchase price in cash, common stock or a combination thereof. US Airways intends to pay the purchase price solely with cash. If all outstanding Securities are surrendered for purchase pursuant to the Put Option, the aggregate purchase price will be approximately $73.6 million. Holders that do not surrender their Securities for purchase pursuant to the Put Option will maintain the right to convert their Securities, subject to the terms, conditions and adjustments applicable to the Securities.
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Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation’s oldest children’s literacy organization, and US Airways (NYSE: LCC) announced they have teamed up to kick off the third year of “Fly with US. Read with Kids.(R),” a program designed to demonstrate the importance of reading with young children. A key component of the program will include the Read with Kids Challenge, where participants can log the amount of minutes they spend reading to children. The nationwide goal is to achieve 10 million minutes between September 1 and October 31. Readers can register to participate and log the number of minutes they read to children on an ongoing basis at www.rif.org/readwithkids.

“Reading, much like flying, takes you on journeys to new places and helps you discover new worlds. By partnering with RIF, US Airways is honored to help children in the communities where our employees live and work discover the joy of reading and provide them with a better foundation for academic and economic success. Because of our past successful Read with Kids Challenges, we’ve increased our goal, but I know we can reach it by working together,” said Doug Parker, chairman and CEO of US Airways.

Since the partnership first launched in 2008, US Airways and RIF have helped log a combined total of 14 million minutes read with children as part of the Read with Kids Challenge.
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SACRAMENTO, CA – Waiting underneath a cloud of anxiety, more than a dozen family members and friends gathered at the bottom of the escalator in Sacramento International Airport’s Terminal A Tuesday. SLIDESHOW: Troops return

All were waiting for two U.S. Airways flights, both bringing home a total of 25 United States Air Force airmen and airwomen.

“I think all these people are waiting around, waiting for someone to come home,” said Jake VanNieueberg of Vacaville. VanNieueberg was waiting for his best friends since 5th grade to return.

“There will be some hugs,” he said. “Maybe even kisses and tears,” pointing to the wives waiting in small groups.

The group, based at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, spent six months in Afghanistan. Individual missions depended on rank and training.   Read More