TRIP Takes ERJ 175
TRIP Linhas Aereas ordered five Embraer 175 jets in a $167.5 million deal that includes options for 10 more and purchase rights for another 15. Should the Brazilian carrier exercise all options and purchase rights, the order would be worth over $1 billion. TRIP's ERJ 175 jets will be configured in a single class, offering exceptional comfort to 86 passengers. The delivery of the first airplane is expected for 2009.
"We are proud to have TRIP Linhas Aereas as the newest operator of our E-Jets family in Brazil," said Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer president and CEO. "TRIP is one of the largest regional airlines in South America, and we are certain that the ERJ 175 will contribute to both enhance its growth process and consolidate Brazil's regional air transportation network."
Jose Mario Caprioli, founder and president of TRIP said the airline’s technical evaluation revealed that the ERJ 175 offered “the best relationship between operating cost and passenger comfort, performance on short runways, and seating capacity.”
On March 31, 2008, the ERJ 170/190 E-Jets had logged 835 firm orders and 840 options from more than 45 customers in 28 countries, and had surpassed 1.4 million flight hours.

Great Lakes Seeks More Subsidies
Citing the run up in fuel prices, Great Lakes, which was awarded Visalia and Merced last October, is seeking a higher rate to cover the rising costs not covered by the $1.8 million subsidy. The airline was the only one to bid on the routes, which lost service in May when Air Midwest pulled out. Great Lakes is seeking $3 million in subsidy to connect the two points to either Las Vegas or Ontario.

Skyway Picks Up NW Handling at OMH
Midwest Airlines subsidiary Skyway was awarded a contract to provide ground handling for Northwest Airlines in Omaha, Neb. The contract, effective August 19, includes both above- and below-wing services for Northwest's Airbus A319/A320, DC-9 and regional aircraft.
"This business is a major milestone in our efforts to develop Skyway into a service provider of choice in the industry," said Leo Malloy, Skyway president. Skyway currently provides station handling in 13 Midwest Connect field stations and below-wing handling in Milwaukee, and will take on additional ground handling duties in Kansas City July 1 and in Omaha August 1. It also provides catering services in both Milwaukee and Kansas City.
The new contract coincides with the appointment of John D. (Jack) Renshaw to the new position of regional director of contracts for Skyway. Renshaw will be responsible for developing ground handling contracts with companies nationwide. Renshaw originally joined Midwest Airlines in 1984, the year it took to the skies, and has served in various positions of increasing responsibility in his 24 years with the airline. He currently serves as city manager of Midwest's Omaha station.
"Jack is uniquely qualified for this new position," said Malloy. "We look forward to putting his many talents to work as we bring our renowned customer service commitment to Northwest customers in Omaha."

Russo Named VP Marketing at Horizon
Horizon Air announced the election of Dan Russo as vice president of marketing and communications. In his new role, Russo will have responsibility for the airline’s marketing, planning, sales and advertising functions, along with all aspects of internal and external communications. He also will be the primary interface with the Alaska Air Group Shared Services teams responsible for the market and schedule planning and revenue management activities for both Horizon and Alaska Airlines.
“For over 22 years, Dan has combined his keen understanding of customers and markets with his skills as a communicator to help Horizon grow and succeed as ‘Wings of the Great Northwest,’ ” said Jeff Pinneo, Horizon Air’s president and CEO. “From the Clark and Lewis radio ads to our featured Northwest wine and microbrew program, Dan’s touch on the ‘Horizon experience’ is evident and
valued by all. In this past year, Dan has played a key role in the strategic market and fleet transition decisions that will enable Horizon to remain competitive and profitable in the radically changed environment we’re currently operating in. I couldn’t be happier over this well-deserved recognition for his longtime, outstanding efforts.”
Before joining Horizon Air in February 1986 as sales manager, Russo held management and executive positions at AirCal, Wien Airlines and American Discovery Tours in Mercer Island, Wash. At Horizon, Russo most recently served as director of marketing and communications and was project lead for the carrier’s 25th anniversary celebration in 2006.
A graduate of San Jose (Calif.) State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, Russo volunteers for Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity. He and his wife, Linda, live in Tacoma and have three daughters: Margaret, Anne Louise and Christina.

LuxairGroup, Bombardier Component Agreement
Luxair Group and Bombardier Aerospace signed a five-year agreement for the Component Repair & Exchange program of Smart Services for Luxair Luxembourg Airlines' fleet of Bombardier Q400 aircraft. Luxair is a new Smart Services customer. The component pool covers nearly 250 component part numbers and will be located at Bombardier's parts distribution center located in Frankfurt, Germany. This will allow Luxair to intervene quickly at any time, enhancing the operations of its Q400 aircraft fleet.
"With the conclusion of this agreement, we will be able to further improve the performance of the Luxair Q400 fleet. The effort Bombardier made to help us introduce this aircraft type, and their experience as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), made them our first choice", said Martin Isler, Luxair executive vice-president airline.
"With four daily flights to Luxembourg, locating the pool in Frankfurt is very convenient as it will provide us rapid access to parts in case of an Aircraft-On-Ground (AOG). This is very reassuring as it allows us to optimize the Q400 aircraft operations. As Frankfurt offers similar connections all over Europe, other Bombardier customers will be able to take advantage of this pool in the future," adds Horst Lenhard, Luxair vice-president technical services.