Lost bags? The good news 

It’s a staggering statistic, and an indication of the mechanics of the aviation industry, but US airlines collected in excess of US$900m in baggage fees during the first quarter of 2016. This is according to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Of the carriers listed, American Airlines came out on top, having collected the most baggage fees, with some US$262.5m accrued during the quarter.

That profitability is soon to be eroded, though, as newly-introduced measures will oblige carriers to refund passengers in full for any baggage fees charged in the event of mislaid luggage. Specifically, this payment will be triggered automatically where a domestic bag is delayed 12 hours or more; on international flights, that delay period rises to 15 hours. All the passenger has to do is notify the airline in question.

Death of driver sparks fleet changes

Following an incident at Lester Pearson International airport last April, when a baggage tractor driver was killed after his vehicle tipped over, Air Canada has been ordered to attach seatbelts to several hundred vehicles at airports across the country.

However, investigators have not actually revealed what they believe to have caused the accident. The reaction has also involved Air Canada checking its fleet of GSE for any faults or defects: the carrier has until November to comply with the order, which will involve upwards of 950 vehicles in all.

The fitting of seatbelts to GSE remains something of a controversial topic, however, with parties both for and against the procedure. Certainly, their fitting will prevent the ejection of an operator in the event of an overturn but by the same token, seatbelts also inhibit egress in the case of an emergency.

 

United comes out on top

United has been named as one of the “Best Places to Work” for 2016 by the American Association of People with Disabilities and the US Business Leadership Network.

United Airlines achieved the top score of 100% on the 2016 Disability Equality Index, a prominent benchmarking metric that rates US companies on their disability inclusion policies and practices. This designation also earns United a place on DEI’s 2016 “Best Places to Work” list.

The DEI, a joint initiative by the American Association of People with Disabilities and the US Business Leadership Network, evaluates companies based on four categories: culture and leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices and community engagement and support services.

“This recognition is the result of the dedication from our employees all around the world that help ease travel for our customers, and build a culture that embraces our employees with disabilities,” commented Mike Bonds, United’s Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Labour Relations. “We continue to invest in technology and training programmes that improve accessibility, and remain committed to promoting an inclusive work environment.”

Wichita Eisenhower gains cargo service

Southwest Airlines is to commence its Southwest Cargo service at Wichita Eisenhower National airport.

The service, which begins on Thursday July 14, will be launched in partnership with Leadfoot Express, an indirect air cargo carrier: this latter will collect and drop off shipments for customers. Southwest Cargo, though, isn’t the first at the station for FedEx, DHL, UPS and UPS Supply Chain Solutions are already established there.

Southwest has said that it will make use of its fleet of Next Generation Boeing 737 passenger jets for the service. In Wichita, the cargo will be shipped on one of Southwest’s four daily flights to St Louis, Phoenix and Las Vegas. An international option is not on the cards at present, however.