SkyWest

SkyWest [SKYW] recently purchased four one-year-old Bombardier [BBD] CRJ 200s from Independence Air [FLYI] for about $11 million each. The 50-seat planes will be deployed in February. Struggling Independence structured the deal so that the $44 million from the sale went into the company's dwindling cash reserves.

Embraer

With more than 40 Embraer [ERJ] 170s now in operation, Embraer has revised the plane's performance numbers. The fuel burn rate is 2 percent better than what was projected prior to the plane's launch. In addition, by adopting structural reinforcement procedures developed for the Embraer 175, future Embraer 170s will be able to carry a payload of 19,842 pounds - an increase of 750 pounds. The first adapted Embraer 170s will be delivered early next year.

Velocity Group

The Velocity Group, an aviation consulting firm based in Washington, D.C., recently acquired Stanford Transportation Group, based in San Francisco. As part of the transaction, Gerald Bernstein joins Velocity founders Doug Abbey and Michael Miller as equal shareholders. The deal gives Velocity an increased presence in the Asia-Pacific marketplace.

SITA SC

SITA SC, a not-for-profit cooperative of the airlines, has doubled the capacity of its Type B message network. With new technology, airlines have the ability to send 100 percent more message traffic over the network without any additional costs. Airlines have the option under SITA's flat rate billing system to cut their monthly bill by 50 percent if the extra capacity is not used.

Traveline Travel

Traveline Travel, a private travel management firm, will open a customer care center at Akron-Canton Airport in northeast Ohio. Billed as new concept in customer service, the center not only offers airline tickets but also cruises, car rentals and hotel reservations. The center also offers Internet access.

RLM Software

RLM Software is now shipping its latest version of FlightView dispatch software, which includes enhanced fleet management features. The improvements allow an operator to get an instant snapshot of its fleet both on the ground and in the air. The program will graphically display the locations of the aircraft.

G&T Conveyor

G&T Conveyor recently purchased Horsley Co., a manufacturer and installer of custom baggage conveyor systems. The two companies will continue to operate independently.

L-3 Communications

L-3 Communications [LLL] has unveiled its latest explosives scanning device, the eXaminer 3DX6500. The device has been certified by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration for screening luggage. L-3 Communications has increased the operating efficiency and reliability of the new machine to reduce operating costs.

GE Infrastructure

GE Infrastructure, a unit of General Electric [GE], has completed its purchase of InVision Technologies [INVN], a manufacturer of explosives detection systems. GE plans to apply the technology from healthcare unit to future explosives detection devices.

Perceptive Solutions

In a first for Perceptive Solutions, a private hand-held computer maker, the firm has sold its devices to the maintenance facility at Frontier Airlines [FRNT]. The carrier expects to save time on C-Checks.