Random Airport News

United has joined the dog pile to nix American Airlines' amended bid for China service.  In my Dec. 13 post on this issue, I noted that American's pilots forced the airline to amend its DOT application from direct service from DFW to Beijing via Chicago O'Hare on the outbound leg.  Northwest, one of the competitors for the route, put out a release saying American should be tossed from consideration because of its amended.  And the Dec. 14 issue (subscribers only) of Aviation Daily features a small item with United also asking DOT to kick American's application to the curb.

Foes of the O'Hare Modernization Program lost their latest court battle to halt construction of the $6.6 billion project.  My story in the Dec. 20 issue (subscribers only) of Aviation Daily said that the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the request filed by the Village of Bensenville, Elk Grove Village, St. John's United Church of Christ and others to rehear the case under the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The court also rejected a separate appeal by St. Johannes Cemetery.

The New York Times had an interesting article (free, but registration required) on how TSA is punishing people that point out flaws in airport security.

It looks like Tempelhof Airport has a lost a last-minute campaign to keep the iconic facility open.  Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit told parliament that the airport will  be closed to air traffic next year, according to an article in DW-world.de.  The owners of Tempelhof -- the government and the states of Berlin and Brandenberg -- feel that competition would threaten the viability of Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport.  Doesn't this sound vaguely familiar?  The airport is scheduled to shut down Oct. 1, 2007.

IATA is asking Airports of Thailand to talk with its airline partners before moving ahead with a planned 15% boost in landing fees at the new Suvarnabhumi Airport scheduled in April 2007, according to a story I wrote in the Dec. 20 issue in the issue (subscribers only) of Aviation Daily.  In a letter to Thai Transport Minister Thira Haocharoen, IATA Director-General Giovanni Bisignani noted that airlines have already spent $111 million to relocate from Don Muang Airport to Suvarnabhumi.  The objective, said Bisignani, is to reach an agreement on long-term charges that will make Suvarnabhumi cost-efficient and provide financial stability for airlines and the airport.

The crowds are getting ugly at Australia's Brisbane Airport. According to an article in news.com.au, passengers are physically and verbally attacking security staff as the airport struggles to cope with its busiest Christmas on record.  One worker was hit on the head by an apple throw by an irritated passenger, wile others have been cursed and had bags thrown at them.  A Qantas check-in assistant told The Sunday Mail : "I know it's frustrating for customers when it's busy, but us copping it from them now seems to be the norm."

Italy's antitrust authority is launching two separate investigations into Aeroporti di Roma SpA and its Milan counterpart SEA over abuse of their dominant positions in their markets, says an article at Forbes.com.  The investigation stemmed from a complaint by Ibar, which represents 80 domestic and foreign airlines operating in Italy.  it accused the airport managers of setting fees 5-10 times higher than other European countries for services including use of space and infrastructure.