DL CRJ Order Confirmed
Delta's (DALRQ) bankruptcy court confirmed its order 30 76-seat Bombardier (BBD) CRJ900s today and options on an additional 30 aircraft, with the planes destined for use in the as-yet-unassigned RFP it announced last fall. The value of the firm order, based on list price, is $1.1 billion and $2.3 billion should it take all the options. Delta said it plans putting the two-class-cabin aircraft into service this year and next at its hubs at Atlanta, Kennedy, Salt Lake and Cincinnati. It would not go into further detail as to specific plans for the aircraft which is scheduled for delivery beginning in September and following through until February 2010. The order increases CRJ Series total firm orders to 1,515 aircraft. As of October 31, 2006, Bombardier had delivered 1,395 CRJ Series aircraft to customers around the world. Related Article

Pilots Barred from Striking Comair
A federal bankruptcy judge enjoined Comair pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, from taking any work actions against the carrier. Earlier the judge ordered Comair and its pilots union to continue negotiating at least through the end of last week. Should they fail to reach an agreement, Comair will proceed with plans to impose wages and work rules on the pilots, a plan which received court approval last December. Comair has already reached agreement with its other labor groups. “This ruling is the latest evidence of just how deeply flawed the country's bankruptcy system has become,” said ALPA in protest, vowing to appeal. “It is shameful that airlines such as Delta can exploit the bankruptcy process to strip workers of their wages, working conditions, and dignity -- not because they need to, but simply because they can.”

Baggage Compensation Increases
On February 28, airlines will have to pay passengers a maximum of $3000 versus the current rate of $2000 for missing or damaged luggage from domestic flights. The minimum compensation has remained at $1,250 for 22 years, but the increasing anger of passengers, especially over baggage, and moves to develop a congressionally mandated passenger bill of rights, prompted DOT to increase the minimum liability to $2,500. International flights are covered under international rules from the Warsaw or Montreal conventions. Montreal calls for a $1,400 minimum while Warsaw provides for $9.07 per pound. U.S.-based airlines, who are members of ATA, last year voluntarily decided to follow Montreal.

Mesa Aircraft Parts Found in Colorado
Investigators have found significant pieces of an America West Express airline engine that disintegrated west of Colorado Springs last month. The National Transportation Safety Board sought public help earlier this week. The Mesa (MESA) Bombardier (BBD) CRJ-200 was headed from Denver International Airport to Phoenix with 50 passengers and a crew of four when the engine failure occurred just south of Woodland Park at 4:50 p.m. Jan. 25. Related Article 

Air Deccan ATR Training Center Open
ATR and the Indian carrier Air Deccan opened their new joint training center in Bangalore. The center includes a Full Flight Trainer (FFT), the latest generation of flight simulators, developed jointly by ATR and Canada-based Mechtronix. Training is also open to other carriers.

American Eagle Connects AR to Miami
Beginning April 10, American Eagle will fly one roundtrip daily between Northwest Arkansas Reginal Airport (XNA) and Miami using a 44-seat Embraer ERJ-140. The Northwest area of Arkansas is the sixth fastest growing region in the country and American was the first to commit to the new airport when it opened.