Private Jet Charter News Digest - Updated Daily

Four die as Navy jet crashes in Georgia (CNN.com)
Authorities found the wreckage of a missing U.S. Navy jet in a mountainous area of northwestern Georgia Wednesday night, a Navy spokesman said. All four people on board died.
Sahara, Jet in talks for `strategic alliance’ (The Hindu)
AIR Sahara and Jet Airways are in talks to form a "strategic alliance" although no formal decision has yet been taken on moving the process forward, according to the Executive Vice-President of Air Sahara, Mr Alok Sharma.
India’s Air Sahara says no sale to Jet (Reuters via Yahoo! Asia News)
MUMBAI, Jan 11 (Reuters) - India’s second-biggest private airline, Air Sahara, on Wednesday denied reports that it was selling out to leader Jet Airways Ltd. and said it was only in talks with Jet on strategic alliances.
Jet, Sahara deny buyout agreement (Business Standard India)
Two airlines are discussing only a strategic alliance. Jet Airways has not signed any deal to acquire Air Sahara, the two airlines clarified today. However, the two carriers are discussing a strategic alliance.
No Jet deal: Sahara (rediff.com)
No deal has been signed between Air Sahara and Jet Airways, but discussions are on for a strategic alliance between the two private carriers.
No deal with Jet Airways: Air Sahara (Hindustan Times)
No deal has been signed between Air Sahara and Jet Airways, but discussions are on for a strategic alliance between the two private carriers. "No deal has been signed with Jet Airways," Vice Prersident of Air Sahara Alok Sharma said.
No deal with Jet Airways: Air Sahara (India Daily)
No deal has been signed between Air Sahara and Jet Airways, but discussions are on for a strategic alliance between the two private carriers. "No deal has been signed with Jet Airways," Vice-Prersident of Air Sahara Alok Sharma, told reporters here.
Jet, Sahara fail to sign deal, but looking at alliance (Outlook India)
Two major Indian private carriers, Air Sahara and Jet Airways, today failed to ink a speculated deal for a strategic tie-up, but said they would continue to hold parleys aiming at forging a long-term alliance.
No deal with Jet: Air Sahara (Business Standard India)
No deal has been signed between Air Sahara and Jet Airways, but discussions are on for a strategic alliance between the two private carriers. "No deal has been signed with Jet Airways," Alok Sharma, vice president of Air Sahara, said today.
Ink jet developer sets up European office in Cambridge (EE Times UK)
LONDON — Imaging Technology International (iTi), a designer and manufacturer of industrial ink jet systems headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, is opening of an office at the St John’s Innovation Centre in Cambridge and appointed Debbie Thorp as Vice-President of EMEA Operations.

ATW Daily News (Air Transport World)
Connexion by Boeing will add four channels of live television to its high-speed inflight Internet service beginning Jan. 23. The channels are CNBC/MSNBC, BBC World, EuroNews and EuroSportnews.
Rival tenant challenged airport leases (Cape Cod Times)
By ERIC GERSHON STAFF WRITER Months before county planners and police began investigating two Barnstable airport leases awarded to a pair of well-connected businessmen, a rival airport tenant questioned the deal in a federal complaint.
China seeks expansion of military ties with U.S. (World Peace Herald)
BEIJING – China’s defense minister said his country is ready to expand military ties with the United States during a meeting with a Congressional delegation Tuesday.
Estonian minister: higher education will remain gratis (Baltic Times)
TALLINN – Education Minister Mailis Reps said that tuition in Estonia’s upper education institutions would continue to be free.
Ministry official attacked on Russian train (Baltic Times)
VILNIUS – The Lietuvos Rytas reported on Wednesday that a Foreign Ministry official was attacked on a Russian train headed to Kaliningrad.
Cabinet opts not to privatize Riga Heat (Baltic Times)
RIGA – The Cabinet of Minister decided on Tuesday not to sell its stake in Rigas Siltums (Riga Heat), reversing an earlier decision to go ahead with the privatization in September.
Estonia not to illegalize purchase of sex services (Baltic Times)
TALLINN – The Justice Ministry announced on Tuesday that it does not plan to submit draft amendments on making the purchase of sex services and prostitution illegal.
Prosecutors close Crowne Plaza case (Baltic Times)
VILNIUS - Vilnius prosecutors announced that the have closed their investigation into the privatization of Crowne Plaza Hotel, which has been at the center of a controversial storm.
Riga fire kills four family members (Baltic Times)
RIGA – A fire on the eighth floor of a residential building led to the death of four family members, with the fifth, a 10-year-old boy, in a hospital in critical condition.

Midwest Air Group Reports December Performance (RedNova)
MILWAUKEE, Jan. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – Midwest Air Group, Inc. today reported December performance data for Midwest Airlines and Midwest Connect. Midwest Air Group, Inc.
UK air passenger numbers grow (BBC News)
UK airports operator BAA says passenger numbers at its seven UK sites grew by 2% in 2005.
Midwest Air Group Reports December Performance (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Midwest Air Group, Inc. today reported December performance data for Midwest Airlines and Midwest Connect.
ATA Holdings Corp. and ATA Airlines Announce Realignment of Senior Leadership Team Responsibilities (PrimeZone via Yahoo! Finance)
ATA Holdings Corp. and ATA Airlines announced today the following promotions and realignment of responsibilities at the senior leadership level, effective immediately. The new structure reflects ATA’s intention to drive accountability down to each of its two lines of business – Military/Charter and Scheduled Service.
Taking stock of Ashford situation (Clinton Herald)
Now that a district court judge has dismissed legal action brought against the city as it relates to the proposed tax rebate for Ashford University, perhaps it is time to clear the air on the issue.
Continental’s jumbo jets cease Guam-Saipan flights? (Saipan Tribune)
Continental Micronesia’s jumbo aircraft reportedly stopped its daily flights between Guam and Saipan beginning yesterday. However, Continental partner Cape Air continues to service Saipan, Rota and Guam.
Airport authority OKs increased budge (Pittsburgh Live)
Westmoreland County Airport Authority on Tuesday adopted a budget of about $1.9 million for 2006.
ATW Daily News (Air Transport World)
FL Group of Iceland purchased 6% of Finnair, adding to airline holdings consisting of Sterling and 16% of EasyJet, which has been the subject of recent takeover speculation.
Full text of Vilsack’s Condition of the State Address (Press-Citizen)
The following is the prepared text of Gov. Tom Vilsack’s Condition of the State Address. Vilsack delivered the speech this morning to the Second Session of the 81st General Assembly of the Iowa Legislature. This is not an official transcript of the address.
Sea Shepherd skipper attacks NZ Govt (Stuff)
The captain of a conservation ship clashing with Japanese whalers in the Southern Ocean has slammed the New Zealand Government as irresponsible for allowing the ongoing harvesting of whales.

DEATH JET ‘WAS FAULTY’ (Daily Record)
FAULTY navigation equipment has been blamed for the air crash that killed a Scottish oil executive in December. Ian Hardy, 57, was killed when the plane in which he was a passenger ditched in the Caspian Sea shortly after taking off from Baku, Azerbaijan.
Adenuga’s Jet for Eto’o, Others (AllAfrica.com)
Easy ride to Abuja! That is what the African soccer super stars billed for the African Footballer of the Year awards would enjoy courtesy of Dr. Mike Adenuga, the executive chairman of event sponsors, Globacom.
Investor a jet pilot, patriot, philanthropist (Pittsburgh Live)
When Dick George helped fund an elementary school in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, he was doing what he did best – reaching out to others.
Business will worsen in 2006, Qantas says (International Herald Tribune)
Qantas Airways, Australia’s biggest carrier, said Tuesday that business conditions would worsen this year because the cost of jet fuel is higher than a year ago.
Qantas Says Business Conditions Will Worsen This Year (Update1) (Bloomberg.com)
Jan. 10 (Bloomberg) – Qantas Airways Ltd., Australia’s biggest carrier, said business conditions will worsen this year because the cost of jet fuel is higher than a year ago.
Alaska Faces FAA Safety Fine (RedNova)
By David Bowermaster, The Seattle Times Jan. 10–Federal regulators have proposed a $500,000 fine against Alaska Airlines for flying a jet without required emergency lighting for two months, and then flying it for two more weeks with the wrong replacement part.
Construction on new airport control tower to begin soon (Conroe Courier)
With the last financial piece of the puzzle now in place, the Lone Star Executive Airport director believes construction of the $2.3 million air traffic control tower will begin this summer.
Eos Airlines Launches Extensive Marketing Campaign Featuring an Innovative Rewards Program (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
In response to strong customer feedback and outstanding media reviews since its inaugural flight in October, Eos Airlines today launches an extensive marketing campaign introducing The Commercial Corporate Jet as a brand theme, and an innovative rewards program unlike any in the industry, Eos Club 48.
Puzzling over airline stocks (Dallas Morning News)
Want proof that Wall Street loves potential over persistence?
Post Magazine | News | BIG MACHINE DESIGNS ‘STUNT JUNKIES’ OPEN & GRAPHICS (Post Magazine)
HOLLYWOOD – Creative services studio Big Machine Design recently completed work on the main title sequence and graphics package for Discovery Channel’s Stunt Junkies, which debuts January 11th at 10pm.

Celebrity island turns away the conservationists (Telegraph.co.uk)
A sleepy island off Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast, popular with European royalty and celebrity tourists, has snubbed an invitation from the UN’s culture committee to extend its World Heritage Site boundaries.
Midwest Air Group Reports December Performance (RedNova)
MILWAUKEE, Jan. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – Midwest Air Group, Inc. today reported December performance data for Midwest Airlines and Midwest Connect. Midwest Air Group, Inc.
Continental’s jumbo jets cease Guam-Saipan flights? (Saipan Tribune)
Continental Micronesia’s jumbo aircraft reportedly stopped its daily flights between Guam and Saipan beginning yesterday. However, Continental partner Cape Air continues to service Saipan, Rota and Guam.
Israel not to blame for Iraq mess (Asia Times)
the US government, with broad bipartisan support, made such a fateful decision. There are a number of plausible explanations, ranging from control of the country’s oil resources to strategic interests to ideological motivations.
Midwest Air Group Reports December Performance (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Midwest Air Group, Inc. today reported December performance data for Midwest Airlines and Midwest Connect.

AIR SCOTLAND: TOP LATE FLIGHTS SURVEY (Daily Record)
TROUBLED Air Scotland have the worst delay record of any scheduled airline. The budget firm were singled out by consumer magazine Which? for consistently letting down customers.
The frequent traveler: It may be getting easier to charter your own business jet (International Herald Tribune)
‘We think our Jet Membership Light Card will open the door to a new generation of business jet users - not so much the super-rich but senior executives who have experienced the benefits of corporate jet travel for business, the flexibility and privacy, and can now start to use them for personal travel with their families."
Air Canada to introduce Toronto-Shanghai non-stop flights; continues expansion of service to China (CNW Group via Yahoo! Finance)
Air Canada today announced that effective June 16, 2006 it will introduce non-stop service between Toronto and Shanghai. Air Canada will operate three non-stop flights per week between Toronto and China’s largest city, complementing its Toronto-Beijing non-stop service launched in June 2005, and its daily non-stop flights to both Shanghai and Beijing from Vancouver.
Breaking News from The Globe and Mail (The Globe and Mail)
Jazz Air Income Fund has set a yield of between 9.5 and 10.5 per cent to attract investors as it kicks off a road show today to promote the regional airline.
Jenkins’ 31 leads Louisville (Duluth News Tribune)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Brandon Jenkins ran to the right corner, took the pass from a Louisville teammate and let it fly. Behind him, Louisville guard Taquan Dean stood up from his spot at the end of the bench with both arms in the air, ready to celebrate Jenkins’ eighth 3-pointer of the night.
$2000 hospital dash (The Mercury)
A QUEENSTOWN man suffering chest pain and nausea paid $2000 to charter a helicopter to rush him to the Royal Hobart Hospital. Michael Purtell has been hooked up in an RHH cardiology ward since Saturday after chartering a helicopter from the West Coast.
Recipe for revolt (The Daily Tribune)
Gloria Arroyo hasn’t given up on Charter change (Cha-cha) that will ensure her stay in Malacañang to 2010 and beyond, and she certainly hasn’t given up either in ensuring continued support from her local government officials by getting the no-elections (No-El) proposal pushed, this time through the so-called “people’s initiative.�
Top 10 Stories of 2005 (The White Lake Beacon)
An explosion of cheering erupted on Dec. 10 from hundreds of excited family members and friends as five charter buses pulled into the parking lot at Montague High School, bringing members of the Michigan National Guard 1436th Engineering Company home from Iraq.
Global Aircraft Solutions Inc. Announces Change of Independent Auditors, the Addition of a New Independent Board (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
TUCSON, Ariz.—-Jan. 9, 2006–Global Aircraft Solutions Inc. , an aircraft and aircraft parts trading company and a leading provider of scheduled maintenance, repair and overhaul services for commercial airlines, charter airlines and aviation leasing companies, today announced it has engaged Phoenix-based Epstein Weber & Conover, PLC as the company’s new independent auditors, effective eyefortransport - homepage (eyefortransport.com)
Emirates SkyCargo will launch a weekly freighter service from Dubai to Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, on January 13. The service will be operated jointly with Air Cargo Ltd, a subsidiary of Air Malawi – the country’s national airline.

These time shares have wings — Fractional jet ownership takes off (Tennessean)
Fractional jet ownership grows as business travelers want the convenience but not the expense of owning an airplane.
Ex-Jet Edwards lands in Kansas City as coach (Sun-Sentinel)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. · Herman Edwards was hired as coach of the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, replacing the retired Dick Vermeil and inheriting a team that barely missed the playoffs.
Head of Iranian Revolutionary Guards ground forces Ahmad Kazemi and 12 deputies killed in plane crash in NW Iran. Iran (DEBKAfile)
The small Falcon executive jet came down near Oroumieh, 900 km north of Tehran, according to an announcement from Iran’s state news agency. DEBKA file ’s Tehran sources note the high importance of the dead commander who was appointed only three months ago.
Alaska faces FAA safety fine (Seattle Times)
Federal regulators have proposed a $500,000 fine against Alaska Airlines for flying a jet without required emergency lighting for two months…
Airbus to use composites (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
Airbus says it will follow Boeing’s lead and develop an airplane with a composite, rather than aluminum, fuselage. The new jet would replace the Airbus A320 family.
FAA proposes penalty against Alaska Airlines for lighting problem (Seattle Times)
Federal regulators have proposed a $500,000 fine against Alaska Airlines for flying a jet without required emergency lighting for two months, and then flying it for two more weeks with the wrong replacement part.
Daredevil CEO (Casper Star-Tribune)
Troy Maben, AP Steve Appleton, CEO and chairman of Micron Technology Inc., stands in the cockpit of his stunt jet airplane in Boise, Idaho.
13 killed as military jet crashes in Iran (Kaumundi Online)
TEHRAN : Commander of Iran’s elite ground forces Revolutionary Guards was among 13 people killed when a small military aircraft carrying them crashed in the country’s north today.
China plans to clip wings of air giants (The Age)
China is launching a challenge to Boeing and Airbus for dominance of the global aircraft industry and plans to build its first mid-size passenger jet within a decade. -
Independence Air Ends: No Bang, Some Whimpers (New York Times)
The finale of Independence Air ended not with a celebratory spray from fire hoses but with tears and a sense of loss.

The frequent traveler: It may be getting easier to charter your own business jet (International Herald Tribune)
‘We think our Jet Membership Light Card will open the door to a new generation of business jet users - not so much the super-rich but senior executives who have experienced the benefits of corporate jet travel for business, the flexibility and privacy, and can now start to use them for personal travel with their families."
These time shares have wings — Fractional jet ownership takes off (Tennessean)
Fractional jet ownership grows as business travelers want the convenience but not the expense of owning an airplane.
Global Aircraft Solutions Inc. Announces Change of Independent Auditors, the Addition of a New Independent Board (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
TUCSON, Ariz.—-Jan. 9, 2006–Global Aircraft Solutions Inc. , an aircraft and aircraft parts trading company and a leading provider of scheduled maintenance, repair and overhaul services for commercial airlines, charter airlines and aviation leasing companies, today announced it has engaged Phoenix-based Epstein Weber & Conover, PLC as the company’s new independent auditors, effective ‘The Great Howldini’ Prepares for his Audience of Millions (La Cañada Valley Sun)
Work is underway on the La Cañada Flintridge entry in Monday’s Rose Parade, thanks to the help of countless volunteers and a year-long effort of the all-volunteer LCF Tournament of Roses Association. Want to help?

Air Saipan to land on Saipan tarmac in February (Saipan Tribune)
Air Saipan, Ltd. reiterated its full commitment to enhance passenger traffic to Saipan, as it disclosed over the weekend that the aircraft it is leasing from a U.S. airline company would arrive the Francisco Ada International Airport on Feb. 15.
‘Golden carrots’ and own goal leave council chiefs blushing (Yorkshire Post)
From "golden carrots" to illegal parking schemes, from contract scandals to the strange story of the Bulgarian national football team, Scarborough Council is no stranger to controversy. Mark Branagan reports.
Mayor continues to focus on Bossier City’s growth (The Times)
In his role as Bossier City’s chief administrative officer from 1989 to 2005, Lorenz "Lo" Walker had been able to execute someone else’s strategy for addressing the dramatic transformations in one of the state’s fastest growing communities.
Saratoga Springs eyes future (Saratogian)
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Government may seem a little bigger in the Spa City this year because of committees appointed by members of the new City Council, but Mayor Valerie Keehn aims to bring government closer to the people.
A look back at Lifestyles features from 2005 (The News-Courier)
While 2005 has certainly been a year of hard-breaking news in Limestone County, there have also been many stories of good news about people doing good things covered in the Lifestyle pages of The News-Courier throughout the year.
Nitish for open trial of criminals (The Tribune)
The latest round in Nitish Kumar’s bid to set things right in law and order front is the revival of the almost forgotten “bad livelihood project� under Section 110 of the CrPc which empowers the SDM in respective areas to convene Jan Adalat (public courts) for open trial of criminals.
Zora’s storytelling included her birth (Orlando Sentinel)
Well, another birthday has come and gone, thank goodness.

Head of Iranian Revolutionary Guards ground forces Ahmad Kazemi and 12 deputies killed in plane crash in NW Iran. Iran (DEBKAfile)
The small Falcon executive jet came down near Oroumieh, 900 km north of Tehran, according to an announcement from Iran’s state news agency. DEBKA file ’s Tehran sources note the high importance of the dead commander who was appointed only three months ago.
THREE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE (Tyler Morning Telegraph)
Three Democratic candidates for state office will hold a press conference at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the executive conference room of Jet Center of Texas at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport.
‘Jet who’ has city blues (Chicago Tribune)
With multiple destinations on the East and West Coasts but little in between, fast-growing discount carrier JetBlue wants to land in Chicago very soon. But negotiations with the city to find suitable But negotiations with the city to find suitable space at O’Hare have so far failed.
`Jet who’ has city blues (Chicago Tribune)
NEW YORK – Up and down the East Coast, JetBlue has become a low-cost airline darling.
Daredevil CEO (Casper Star-Tribune)
Troy Maben, AP Steve Appleton, CEO and chairman of Micron Technology Inc., stands in the cockpit of his stunt jet airplane in Boise, Idaho.
Toyota, Nissan, Honda Set Record With 2006 U.S. Debut (Update4) (Bloomberg.com)
Jan. 9 (Bloomberg) – Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co., after winning their biggest-ever share of the U.S. market, may introduce a record 19 new or redesigned models in the country in 2006, analysts including Koji Endo said.
Amp’d: Cells for the Maxim Set (BusinessWeek)
Henry Ford said you could have a Model T "in any color, so long as it’s black," and the same is true of mobile phones today: You can have any phone you want, so long as it’s a silver flip.
It’s a Buick for Delta plant (Lansing State Journal)
DETROIT - After years of speculation, a General Motors Corp. official confirmed Sunday that the Buick Enclave will be one of the vehicles to roll off the line at the new Lansing Delta Township assembly plant.
Toyota, Nissan, Honda Release of U.S. Autos Hits Peak (Update1) (Bloomberg.com)
Jan. 9 (Bloomberg) – Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co., in their biggest wave of U.S. product introductions, are poised to sell at least 19 new and redesigned vehicle models this year, according to industry analysts.
Toyota, Nissan, Honda to Release Record Number of U.S. Models (Bloomberg.com)
Jan. 9 (Bloomberg) – Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. are poised to sell at least 19 new and redesigned vehicle models in the U.S. this year, their biggest- ever roll-out, according to estimates by industry analysts.