Archive for November, 2007
November 7th, 2007
More bad news for United Airlines - a top exec said the airline might ground up to 100 of its planes and raise fares if fuel prices continue to climb. CFO Jake Brace said:
“Either the industry passes on the higher fuel prices or we’re going to have to lower capacity, but you have to make the equation work.”
On its face, a cut in capacity wouldn’t directly affect Rockford. Brace was talking about the 100 or so jets it owns without any debt. The Rockford-Denver flights are operated for United by SkyWest Airlines and don’t use United-owned planes. But it’s not a good sign for the industry in general that one of its big dogs is contemplating such actions. And no one likes paying more for airline tickets.
November 6th, 2007
Still no update on Kenny Tours’ efforts to start charter service from Rockford to Shannon, Ireland. Rockford airport Executive Director Bob O’Brien said Kenny continues to work on securing a deal with an airline to fly the route, and O’Brien will try to check in with the tour company Wednesday.
Meanwhile, we’re talking to customers of Rockford-based charter company Ryan International Airlines about how they’re monitoring contract talks between the airline and its pilots. Specifically, we’re asking how they’ll prepare for the possibility for a pilots strike.
So far, we’ve heard back from Funjet Vacations, which charters Ryan planes for some of its trips. President Ray Snisky said:
“Funjet Vacations is continually communicating with executives from Ryan International and is hopeful that this dispute will be resolved amicably. As we have for more than 30 years, Funjet Vacations will work to ensure that no customer’s vacation experience is interrupted and their vacations are delivered as expected.”
We also have calls in to the U.S. Department of Defense and Bolivian airline AeroSur.
November 5th, 2007
Got my first international e-mail today at work (well, first that wasn’t asking for my social security and bank account numbers). A gentleman from Paraguay was concerned because his family is booking a trip on Bolivian airline AeroSur, which contracts with Rockford-based Ryan International Airlines for many of its flights. He was worried that a possible strike by Ryan pilots could affect his trip.
Well, I admit I have no clue what’s going to happen next, having never covered a transportation mediation before, but federal labor officials say strikes are very rare. That said, I’m checking with both sides this week and will see what I’ve found. The pilots have yet to walk away from the table, and it would take a month “cooling-off period” before a work stoppage could be called.
Ryan also flies for the U.S. Department of Defense and several vacation groups. I’ll be checking with them on the effect of a Ryan strike, should it happen.
If you are connected to Ryan in some way, please feel free to contact me with information at tbona@rrstar.com.
November 2nd, 2007
It’s been a busy first week atBusinessRockford.com. But amid all the news, here is an update on some items we haven’t gotten to in a few days:
1. No word yet on Kenny Tours’ efforts to start Rockford-Ireland flights. I hope to have an update for you early next week. An official from Kenny Tours said he should know around know whether the company has an airline lined up to fly the route for them.
2. No word on how the weeklong negotiating session went between Ryan International Airlines and its pilots. I’ll be checking in next week as well. The earliest a strike could be is 30 days from whenever negotiations officially end. Ryan is a big operator out of Rockford, and it’ll be interesting to see if this gets to a work stoppage.
3. Gas prices are still high, and it’s pretty unusual for them to go up like this in November. I’ll talk to some industry experts next week and find out what the forecast for the winter is going to be.
Have any story ideas or questions about the transportation beat? Post them here or email me at tbona@rrstar.com.
November 1st, 2007
Lost in the talk of high gasoline prices is a corresponding hike of diesel prices. I’ve seenreports of record diesel prices recently. We’ve heard of companies, schools and organizations that use diesel vehicles trying to cut down on consumption, but what are truckers doing? You more than almost anybody are dependent on fuel for your livelihood, and BusinessRockford.com would like to tell your stories. What are you doing to cope with the fuel prices, and how is it affecting you? Let me know here or by dropping me a line at tbona@rrstar.com.
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