Briefs

Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association (RACCA), the industry's newest association, is also its fastest growing one. According to President Stan Bernstein, RACCA has added four new members and five associate members over the past month, giving it a total of 33 airline members, 25 associate members and one affiliate member. Newest airline members are:
- Wiggins Airways of Manchester, N.H.
- Bemidji Aviation Services of Bemidji, Minn.
- Priority Air Charter of Kildron, Ohio
- AVX Airlines of Phoenix, Ariz.
Associate members:
- Twin Otter International, LTD of Las Vegas, Nev.
- FlightSafety International, of Queens, N.Y.
- Caleadonian Insurance, of Mercer Island, Wash.
- AeroCentury, of Burlingame, Calif.
- AirSure, of Golden, Colo.
British regional Skybus has become the only airline in modern times known to introduce a comfort stop for its passengers. The carrier flies Twin Otters between Southampton to St. Mary's, a 90-minute flight, and will land at Newquay enroute for those passengers who didn't think to visit the appropriate facilities prior to takeoff.

Delta Connection carrier SkyWest is adding a round-trip flight between Delta's Salt Lake City, Utah, hub and Rapid City, S.D., beginning April 27. The additional flight brings total daily round-trip flights between the two cities to four. A second Delta Connection carrier, Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA), will start one new round-trip flight between Delta's Atlanta hub and the Tennessee cities of Knoxville and Bristol/Kingsport/Johnson City (Tri- Cities Regional Airport) beginning May 4. The added flight will be the eighth daily round-trip between the two destinations.

Ryanair will ground Buzz for a minimum of four weeks immediately following its takeover of the regional carrier from KLM. Ryanair said it has net losses of $64.8 million and is losing money at the rate of $1.09 million per week. The takeover is expected to happen by April 1, pending government approval. Buzz will then be grounded to allow for rebranding the aircraft in Ryanair livery. Ryanair is also laying off roughly 400 of the 600 employees. Along with rebranding the airline, the grounding time will allow for the remaining employees to be retrained in Ryanair procedures and policies, the airline said. Buzz will recommence operations on May 1. When service resumes, the carrier will have dropped 12 routes, increased frequencies on 12 others and slashed fares by up to 50 percent. Buzz's fleet will be reduced from 12 to eight aircraft--six 737s and two BAe 146s. From May 1, Ryanair will increase frequencies on 12 Buzz routes and cut fares. Almost all of these flights will be served by 737s. Ryanair is also considering shutting down Buzz altogether, taking over its route structure.

British Airways has been conducting trial landings of the BAE Systems Avro RJ at London City Airport (LCY). Commercial pressure from BA customers based in the Canary Wharf complex is said to be a major contributor to the airline's re-assessment of LCY.

SWISS plans to drop routes, slash 700 jobs and cut its fleet, to include regional aircraft. The company, which was created last year from the ashes of failed Swissair, says it will reduce its fleet by 20 aircraft - 17 regional aircraft, two MD-83s and one Airbus A321. Routes and destinations will be reduced at five bases in Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern and Lugano effective March 30. The company said it is heading for a loss this year. Current plans call for the delivery of four Embraer 170s later in the year.

AirTran Airways (ATA) resumed daily nonstop service to Myrtle Beach, S.C., last week. The service is being flown by its new AirTran Jet Connect partner Air Wisconsin. The airline will fly four daily roundtrip flights between Myrtle Beach and ATA's hub in Atlanta, using Bombardier CRJs. ATA provides air service to the popular golfing Mecca from early spring to late fall. "We are delighted to return service to our business and leisure customers in Myrtle Beach," said AirTran Airways Chairman and CEO Joseph Leonard. "AirTran Airways' low fares and convenient schedule makes travel to this popular destination easier than ever."

Aviation Today