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December 31,2004 Things going more smoothly for US Airways today December 29,2004 US Airways enters critical period Sick-out may haunt US Airways Hamilton man leads N.J. Civil Air Patrol December 27,2004 US Airways blames workers for delays December 26,2004 US Airways passengers, baggage stranded for fourth day December 25,2004 Thousands Of U.S. Airways Passengers Lose Bags Peace on earth, but not in air, for weary Sixers December 22,2004 For package deliverers, mountains to move December 17,2004 PHL Flight to Fla. delayed when praying man refuses to sit Another US Airways union to vote on cuts December 15,2004 FAA: Airport plan public comment period has ended December 13,2004 Delays at PHL Airport December 12,2004 Rich in history, Civil Air Patrol seeks more funding December 10,2004 US Airways asks to outsource maintenance Hard landing for plane at Mercer airport December 09,2004 Rendell vetoes bill on drunken flying FAA Tests Solar-Powered Lighting Systems December 08,2004 Investigation continues into airline worker's death Willow Grove air show to return December 02,2004 Andrews decries runway expansion Air-traffic controller grounded after accident December 01,2004 County gets two-week extension for airport talks AirTran Airways to Assist Passengers Affected by Cessation of Southeast Airlines Service November 30,2004 Small plane brushes tractor towing empty passenger jet at airport Delco Asks FAA For More Time To Study Airport Runway Expansion Plan Intoxicated pilot sentenced to six to 23 months in jail November 29,2004 Airport price war benefits travelers Runway extension could hurt property values, residents say November 27,2004 The continuing story of turbulence at the airport November 23,2004 Holiday travel may exceed record County seeks delay on airport runway expansion deadline Intoxicated-piloting bill wins approval November 22,2004 Baggage Handlers May Stage Holiday Sickout Holiday travel expected to be highest since 2000 Upper Darby joins chorus against runway plan November 21,2004 A holiday recipe for havoc at airport Officials chime in on runway plan November 19,2004 New Safety Steps Planned For Range Near F-16 Incident Frontier Airlines to Reduce Service from Los Angeles Codey clears air on runway Aviation school may buy vo-tech program November 18,2004 Does runway expansion mean planes over Lower Merion? Residents skeptical of airport plan November 17,2004 US Airways to offer nonstop service to Barcelona and Venice Residents Ask for More Time for Public Input 60 Tell FAA to Scrap Runway November 15,2004 W. Deptford to hear Philly runway plan FAA Runway Expansion Hearings This Week November 14,2004 Troubled airline wants more cuts November 12,2004 Tinicum residents lend ear to sound plan November 10,2004 PHL Receives Federal Grants to Fund Airfield Projects November 09,2004 Airport to offer Tinicum homes noise insulation November 08,2004 US Airways Express and Akron-Canton Airport Celebrate New Service to Philadelphia and Charlotte Baggage Crisis at PHL Airport Flying Blind: Troubling times for US Airways workers November 05,2004 PHL Leads Nation In Air Fare Decrease Over 1-Year Period S. Jersey is on airline's radar as a hot spot US Airways Watch: 11/5/04 Senator Wants Guard Out of N.J. Skies November 04,2004 National Guard jet strafes South Jersey School November 03,2004 British Airways Flight Makes an Unexpected Stop October 31,2004 PHL Terminal Evacuated Southwest has profit to expand its reach October 29,2004 Losses back for bankrupt airline Helicopter assembly plant opens in Philadelphia October 28,2004 Competition benefits Philly air travelers US EXpress jet Hits Airport Vehicle October 27,2004 File Not Found - Do you know what's in your luggage? KiXX Partner with USA 3000 Airlines October 26,2004 Security Breach At PHL Hazleton man sentenced for bomb threats October 24,2004 Airport plan meeting set for residents October 22,2004 Cell-phone lot gets soft sell at airport October 19,2004 US Airways revamps Phila. operations October 18,2004 US Airways adding flights in and out of Phila. Philly Airport Travelers Surveyed Haverford Joins Chorus Against Runway Project October 15,2004 Concerns over airport plan heard by U.D. school board Regional Authority for Airport Opposed by City, Delaware County Officials Report: Airport does not impact nearby communities October 13,2004 US Airways Bankruptcy deal extended Lengthening airport runway wouldn’t be harmful, FAA study says October 12,2004 W. Dept. to review runway extension plan Southwest takes Phila. airport by storm October 11,2004 Airport flies high in survey US Airways Supports Literacy in Philadelphia October 06,2004 Struggling airline reaches tentative deal with pilots Area residents voice noise, safety concerns at meeting October 01,2004 Woman accused of trying to bring fireworks onto plane Pilots’ union council to vote on concessions today September 30,2004 US Airways, pilots are close on cost-cutting deal FAA, airport officials answer questions at Upper Darby High Southwest says it may add flights Passengers Claim Inappropriate Screenings September 29,2004 US Air employees are just plane nervous One dead in small plane crash in Chester County US Airways loses 2 gates in Phila. FAA meets Paulsboro residents LVIA officials look for ways to boost business September 28,2004 Tornado touches down at New Castle County Airport September 27,2004 US Airways says it could be out of business by February if it can’t make wage cuts FAA considers runway plan September 25,2004 Phila. airport cuts landing fees by 6 percent September 24,2004 Meeting will cover airport runway extension plan Commission weighs future of airports, SEPTA US Airways, pilots resume talks Passenger: Airport Search Was Inappropriate September 21,2004 Airport finds spot for cell-phone lot September 17,2004 Pilots Avert a Crash After Engine Explodes US Airways' parts may hold most value September 15,2004 Swarthmore urges residents to join airport expansion talks Drunken pilot found guilty of risking a catastrophe Pilot could face nine years US Airways delisted from Nasdaq September 14,2004 Drunken Flying Case To Begin Plane Down on N.J. Golf Course September 12,2004 US Airways Files for Bankruptcy Protection Airplanes over Brandywine Hundred create an unlikely activist September 10,2004 US Airways gives pilots another pact proposal FAA: Air noise not serious September 09,2004 Man Gets Probation For Trying To Sneak BB Gun On Plane September 07,2004 US Airways Express to Begin Service to Philadelphia and Charlotte From Akron-Canton Airport Feds Remain In Charge Of Airport Security September 05,2004 Frances Cancels Flights At Philly International Southeast to End Las vegas Service from ABE September 03,2004 Parachutist dies in jump August 31,2004 Shutdown remote, not unthinkable August 30,2004 Philadelphia International Airport Sets All-Time Passenger Traffic Mark in Fiscal Year 2004 August 27,2004 Emergency Plane Landing August 26,2004 TSA Names Robert Ellis as Federal Security Director at Philadelphia International Airport Woman claims she was victimized in Philly pay-to-play scandal August 25,2004 PHL Airport Seeks New Security Chief Small airfields fall under the radar August 24,2004 Southwest will redeploy planes to increase Philadelphia service Airline and pilots halt talks on cuts Trial set in drunken-flying case US Airways to add flights at airport August 19,2004 Tinicum a Step Closer to Soundproofing Homes Suspicious Truck Gives Antiterror team a Test August 18,2004 Bush thanks workers at Boeing plant Airport Knife Incident Investigated August 17,2004 Rizzo calls for pickup parking lot at airport Sources: Airline Employees Violated Security August 13,2004 Short-term airport parking promoted US Airway's outlook is bleak Noise from Expanding Airport Causes Worry August 12,2004 Last of Airport Scammers Will be Landing in Jail Record number of passengers August 11,2004 Security Breach Forces Airport Evacuation US Airways lowers more fares August 10,2004 NTSB: Crash caused by weather August 06,2004 Airport jam sends Rizzo into action August 05,2004 US Airways says it must cut costs For many, ramps to airport still the place to park July 28,2004 Training Exercise Causes Airport Delays July 27,2004 US Airways provides pessimistic outlook Pilot, Passenger Killed When Small Plane Hits Chester Home July 26,2004 4 died in plane crash at Chester County airport In Depth: Tinicum has Airport Blues US Airways' hubs 'vulnerable' July 25,2004 Planes Crashes into New Garden AP Hangar July 25,2004 Planes Crashes into New Garden AP Hangar July 22, 2004 Low-flying plane rattles Darby Township residents US Airways adds more cheap fares, flights from Philly Grand Jury Grills PHL Airport Director July 16,2004 Southwest adds flights from Phila. July 15,2004 Platt Bridge getting new lights for Christmas Southeast brings passengers to LVIA July 12,2004 Discount airlines boost air travel at Philadelphia airport July 09,2004 Former IRA man arrested at US airport

Posted on July 24, 2004 Southwest ramps up Philadelphia service July 4 --- Southwest Airlines doubled its service today from Philadelphia International Airport, adding nonstop flights to seven cities. Officials of Southwest, which now has 28 daily flights to 14 cities from Philadelphia, said the flights were about 80 percent full throughout the first day. The additional flights meant that from about 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., passengers waited as long as 20 minutes to clear security, a longer time than normal for Terminal E, station manager John Minor said. The new service was one daily flight to Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; one to Houston Hobby Airport; one to Los Angeles; four to Manchester, N.H.; one to New Orleans; four to Raleigh/Durham, N.C.; and one to West Palm Beach, Fla. A second daily flight also was added to Tampa, Fla., which was one of the first six cities the airline served from here when first started May 9.

Posted on July 24, 2004 Philly air wars take off PHILADELPHIA -- With two new airlines at Philadelphia International Airport this summer, competition has become fast and furious at the US Airways hub. The result is a pricing war the likes of which Philadelphia has not seen in some time. Southwest and Frontier Airlines both entered the Philadelphia market in May. Southwest, a Dallas-based airline, has 14 flights a day to six U.S. cities out of Philadelphia. Fares start at $29 for a one-way, 14-day advance purchase. Prices are capped at a $299 "walk-up," or unreserved booking. "We are very pleased with the response that Philadelphia is giving (Southwest)," said Christine Turneabe-Connelly, the airline’s eastern regional manager. "Philadelphia was a market that had been overpriced for far too long." Airport spokesman Mark Pesce said he had seen a lot more passengers coming through terminal E, where Southwest is located. "It’s the most successful market opening we’ve ever had," Jim Parker, Southwest’s vice chairman and chief executive officer, said last month. And they’re not done yet. Another 14 flights a day to seven more cities are planned to begin in July, and in September the airline will add San Diego to its destination roster. Amy Kudwa, a spokeswoman for US Airways, said that while it’s a little early to talk numbers, the "Gofares" campaign that was assembled as a response to Southwest seems to be having a positive response. "We have been holding our own in the marketplace," she said. Gofares range between $29 to $499 one way, reaching 24 markets out of Philadelphia. Gofares are also set to be implemented at Washington National and Dulles Airports. Officials at US Airways said they need to cut operating costs by about 1.5 billion to stay afloat. They are looking to mechanics and associated workers to provide $174 million of those cuts. "We have been very clear and have said we are willing to speak with the company on ways to improve their operation without these cuts," International Association of Mechanics spokesman Joseph Tiberi said. Kudwa said negotiations with pilots, on the other hand, "are very positive." They are willing to provide concessions with a 12.5 percent cut in salary, while working 10 percent more a month. US Airways’ pilots’ union rep, Jack Stephan, said the accord was reached because of a trust between the pilots and Bruce Lakefield, who replaced David Siegel as US Airways’ CEO in April. "What we didn’t see was anything happening with (Siegel)," he said. "We didn’t think he was the man to lead this airline. We made tremendous contributions to turn this airline around," said Stephan. Philadelphia isn’t the only place US Airways is looking to restructure in Pennsylvania. In Pittsburgh, the airline has recently reduced itself from a "hub" to a "focus city." "We’re in the midst of a transformation," said Kudwa. Though they haven’t yet gained the notoriety or presence of Southwest in Philadelphia, the Denver-based Frontier Airlines’ prices are comparable. Fares can cost as little as $85one-way, with a cap on all domestic one-way fares at $309. The airline offers two flights daily to its Denver hub, and one to Los Angeles. Joe Hodas, a spokesman for Frontier, said the decision to enter the Philadelphia market had very little to do with Southwest. He said the two do not often compete. "We make our decisions to enter a market based on whether it’s going to be good for the company," he said. "We see an opportunity in Philadelphia." While official figures are not yet available, Hodas said the airline is doing well in its newest East Coast location. "It’s performing at or above company expectations across the board," he said.

Posted on July 24, 2004 Crisis In The Air Jul 2, 2004 10:41 pm US/Eastern PHILADELPHIA (KYW) Union members say there are too many planes and not enough air traffic controllers at Philadelphia International Airport. According to tower workers who guide nearly 700,000 flights each year there is a hidden problem at the airport. As airport operations expand, the tower staff is shrinking. There are only 89 controllers - 20 below the authorized staff level. So far, controllers say, the safety of your flight is not affected but there are warning signs. Philadelphia's airport led the nation in controller errors last year and three are currently recovering from traumatic stress problems because they have reportedly been stretched too thin. For now, the major impact of the controller shortage will be increasing delays on flights because controllers simply can’t handle them all. Investigative Reporter Walt Hunter has been told the new $10 million runway guidance system often sits unused because there are not enough controllers to safely run it. Don Chapman of the Controllers' Union says the problem will only get worse as time goes on: “The problem grows exponentially.” The FAA says staffing at the airport is fine adding that additional controllers will be assigned in August and more in the two years following.

Posted on July 24, 2004 PHL ATC Discuss Shortgaes On Friday, July 2, air traffic controllers from the Philadelphia International Airport control tower and radar approach control room (TRACON) will discuss the serious controller shortages facing their facilities and the potential travel and safety concerns associated with having too few eyes handling planes. The Federal Aviation Administration itself anticipates a controller shortage nationwide of up to 50 percent in the next 10 years. An upcoming vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee will authorize funding for the Federal Aviation Administration and other transportation-related agencies. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., a member of the Committee, has asked his colleagues to give $14 million to FAA to begin the critical controller hiring process. The FAA-authorized staffing total for the Philadelphia tower and TRACON is 109 controllers, yet there are only 89 controllers stationed at the facility, and only 69 of those are fully certified controllers. It's a situation that is only going to get worse. The facility will lose several more controllers to retirements over the next five years, perhaps as many as three dozen.

Posted on July 24, 2004 Surviving Southwest's invasion US Airways is determined to slash expenses June 23 --- With no fanfare, Southwest Airlines has slipped another nonstop route into its Philadelphia schedule. Like the rest of Southwest's service here, it is a direct attack on a US Airways route: a Saturday-only flight to San Diego starting in September. The additional flight will bring Southwest's service from Philadelphia to as many as 29 daily nonstop flights, still only a fraction of the almost 400 a day operated by US Airways. But with every move Southwest makes, it forces US Airways to lower its fares for last-minute travel, nibbling away at the airline's revenue as it struggles to stay in business. US Airways says it is determined to survive the Southwest invasion by slashing its costs by 40 percent beyond cuts already made, and operating more like the low-cost airlines that are giving it fits. "We're doing something that's never been done before," US Airways senior vice president Chris Chiames said. "It's the Extreme Makeover of the airline industry," he said, alluding to a reality TV show. US Airways realized last fall that higher-than-expected fuel prices and relentless discounting by low-cost airlines were undermining revenue projections it made when it emerged from bankruptcy six months earlier. The situation got worse when Southwest announced plans to start operating in Philadelphia. Southwest's entry prompted US Airways' chief executive officer, David N. Siegel, to call for more labor concessions. But Siegel's inability to work with the airline's union leaders forced his resignation in April, and he was replaced by board member Bruce R. Lakefield, who is particularly popular with pilots. US Airways began negotiations with its pilots' union this month, and plans to start talking to groups representing other employees later this summer, with a goal of having new money-saving agreements in place by early fall, company spokesman David Castelveter said. Union spokesman Jack Stephan said yesterday that the pilots would give the company a detailed proposal this week on changes it would accept in pay, benefits and work rules. Last week, the Association of Flight Attendants said it was prepared to start negotiations to revise its contract if it could get some additional financial information from the company. Beyond that, neither the company nor the pilots' union would discuss the progress of negotiations or specific aspects of the talks. The challenge facing US Airways from Southwest in Philadelphia is not unique. Other older, major airlines - American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and United - are confronting similar problems. Yesterday, United submitted a revised application to the Air Transportation Stabilization Board for a federal loan guarantee to help it come out of bankruptcy after the board turned down two previous tries. And Delta Air Lines Inc. chairman Gerald Grinstein said last week that his airline was fighting for its survival, unable to raise fares and desperate for wage concessions from its pilots. While most airlines are carrying full loads of leisure passengers this summer, low fares and fuel costs are keeping the carriers from recovering financially as the economy gets better, industry analysts say. "The driving force behind this situation... is the rapid spread of low-cost competition and the effect that has had on pricing of tickets used by business passengers in the domestic market," Philip Baggaley, an airline analyst with Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, testified this month at a hearing of the U.S. House aviation subcommittee. In nine years, from January 1995 to January 2004, low-cost carriers have gone from flying 336 domestic U.S. routes to serving 1,375 routes. They now account for about one-quarter of domestic U.S. airline traffic. With higher fuel costs in the revenue equation, analyst Samuel Buttrick of UBS Securities estimates, the older major carriers will lose $2 billion to $2.5 billion this year, on top of the $23 billion they have lost since 2001. Early this year, he and other analysts were expecting the industry to lose $500 million or less. US Airways paid almost $1 a gallon for fuel in the first quarter, one-fifth more than it expected to when it came out of bankruptcy last spring. But that is not as big a problem as all the other expenses - from labor to leasing airport gates - to keep an old hub-and-spoke airline running. "The problem stems from core and personnel costs that... along with fuel costs produce a total operating cost that is higher than passengers are willing to pay," according to the June issue of Unisys R2A Scorecard, an industry newsletter. The negotiations with US Airways' 28,000 employees have a goal of reducing the airline's labor costs by $800 million a year. In two previous rounds of concessions in 2002 and 2003, the airline trimmed annual labor costs by $1.9 billion. US Airways is trying to trim an additional $800 million from its annual costs by changing the way it sells tickets, serves passengers in airports, flies its planes, and operates its Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C., hubs. The airline already has reduced service at Pittsburgh, once its major hub, and is offering more nonstop flights from Boston, New York and Washington, three cities with large populations where it has a major presence. The airline is increasing the amount of flying done in 50- and 70-seat regional jets by US Airways Express commuter carriers, where pilots make less money. Baggage handling, particularly at Philadelphia International Airport, is another area in which US Airways has said it must improve. If it doesn't, it could face another disaster like last summer's, when thousands of customers' bags missed flights after repeated breakdowns of an aging conveyor belt. US Airways expects to have a $2.7 million overhaul of the Philadelphia baggage system completed in August, three months behind schedule. The next phase of cutting costs is expected to start this fall, after the airline has new labor agreements in place to give it more flexibility in scheduling aircraft crews and airport workers. The airline wants to increase the time between connecting flights at Philadelphia and Charlotte. Traditionally, the airlines have operated about eight, 90-minute banks of arriving and departing flights a day at a hub, creating a frenzy of activity and intense use of the facilities. US Airways hires scores of part-time workers at its hubs to help handle peak demand. At the hubs, its airplanes usually spend an hour or so on the ground between flights, compared with 25 or 30 minutes for Southwest. By spreading out flights more throughout the day, the airline can reduce the number of airplanes, gates and employees it needs. The airline will save money on fuel if these methods mean less taxiing for aircraft between gates and runways. US Airways also says it intends to save money by making its Web site more attractive and easier to use. The airline has a goal of increasing the number of tickets sold on its Web site from 10 percent to 20 percent by the end of the year. Finally, US Airways has set as a goal simplifying its fare structure. Customers have complained for years that major carriers such as US Airways have too many fares, the rules for using them are complicated, and they are unreasonably high for last-minute trips. But the airline still is a long way from applying its lower simplified "GoFares" to its whole system. Last week, US Airways extended the lower prices to airports in the Washington area. But on many routes where there are no discounters - such as Philadelphia to Detroit - a last-minute round-trip can still cost more than $1,000. "In one market, you have GoFares," said Kevin P. Mitchell, chairman of the Business Travel Coalition, of Radnor. "But in another market it's still 'gotcha' fares."

Posted on July 24, 2004 AmericanConnection adds flights from St. Louis to 3 cities AmericanConnection is increasing its flights from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport to Denver, Philadelphia and Milwaukee in August and September, American Airlines said Tuesday. The regional carrier is adding one flight between St. Louis and Denver starting Aug. 1, bringing the total number to six, and one flight between St. Louis and Philadelphia starting Aug. 1, bringing the total number to seven. The new Denver flight flies daily except Sundays, and the new Philadelphia flight flies weekdays only. The airline will add a fourth non-stop daily flight between St. Louis and Milwaukee starting Sept. 8. Chautauqua Airlines, AmericanConnection carrier, will use 44-seat Embraer 140 jets on the new flights. "These new flights will augment our existing service to these key business markets and are designed to meet the demands of the local St. Louis travel market," said Loretta Kuss, regional manager-passenger sales for St. Louis, in a statement. Fort Worth, Texas-based American Airlines, the operating arm of AMR Corp. (NYSE: AMR), operates a hub out of St. Louis.

Posted on July 24, 2004 Reservist charged with having handgun at airport An Air Force reservist on his way to active duty in Spain was arrested at Philadelphia International Airport after attempting to take a loaded .25-caliber handgun through security. A screener saw the gun as the bag belonging to Franklin D. Dudley, 39, of the 6300 block of Tulip Street in the city's Tacony section, passed through an X-ray machine Thursday. The weapon was confiscated, and Dudley was charged with carrying an unlicensed weapon and carrying a firearm in public. He was released on his own recognizance.

Posted on July 24, 2004 Airport Pickets by Delta Employees PHILADELPHIA INT'L AIRPORT-June 17, 2004 — Some Delta baggage handlers are picketing at Philadelphia International Airport today over a union dispute. About 15 union members from local 1906 are protesting in front of Terminal E because Delta has hired an out of state company to replace baggage handlers temporarily. The picketers make union rates averaging $30/hour. The temporary workers are said to make $8/hour.

Posted on July 24, 2004 Confused Teens Force Evacuation At Philly International Airport Tear-Gas Pistol Found In Bathroom POSTED: 11:36 am EDT June 16, 2004 UPDATED: 11:46 am EDT June 16, 2004 A tear-gas pistol and three lost teenagers triggered delays of about 90 minutes and the rescreening of 2,500 passengers at Philadelphia International Airport Tuesday. After the Cancun-bound teenagers lost their bearings and were escorted by a worker through an off-limits area, authorities evacuated the terminal Tuesday. Soon after, a passenger spotted what turned out to be a tear-gas pistol on the floor of a women's restroom. Three aircraft on the tarmac were off-loaded after the incidents. No charges were lodged against the teens, who missed their charter. "They were kind of confused. They didn't mean any harm," said Capt. Domenic Mingacci, airport police commander. Broomall residents Lauren Altieri, 18; Jessica Tulli, 17, and Courtney Thomas, 18, got lost as they headed through Terminal A after going through security screening sometime before 5:45 a.m. Tuesday, police said. Around 6:15 a.m. a teenager reported a gun on the floor of a women's restroom. Police retrieved the tear-gas pistol but didn't know how it got there.

Posted on June 18, 2004 Southwest thrilled at success in Phila. NEW YORK - Southwest Airlines expected to do well when it started serving Philadelphia last month, but officers of the discount carrier said yesterday that the response from the region's travelers - apparently starving for low airfares - had amazed them. "It's the most successful market opening we've ever had," Jim Parker, Southwest's vice chairman and chief executive officer, said during a flight aboard the airline's newest jet. "Bookings have been excellent... and load factors [percentage of available seats sold] have been outstanding. I think it's a reflection of how high fares have been artificially depressing demand for a long time." Neither Parker nor a gaggle of other Southwest officials, who spoke during a flying news conference over New York City and Long Island, would say exactly how many passengers it has carried or how many advance reservations it has taken since the airline started service May 9 to six cities from Philadelphia International Airport. But, said chief financial officer Gary C. Kelly, "I know on some days, all the seats on all the flights were full... . It's been even better and happened even faster than we expected." Philadelphia is the 59th city to get the airline's service since it went into business 33 years ago today as a two-airplane carrier with service to three Texas cities. The company showed off the new 737-700-model jet to a group of reporters and financial analysts on the flight to nowhere, which took off and landed at LaGuardia Airport, a place the airline says it has no plans to serve regularly. Southwest, known for starting small and growing slowly when it has launched service elsewhere, started in Philadelphia with 14 flights a day to the six cities. It plans to add another 14 a day to seven more cities in July, and in September, it will begin a Saturday-only nonstop flight to a 14th city, San Diego. That is the most new service the airline has ever started from one city in the first two months, Kelly said. "It has every sign that it will continue to grow." The Southwest officials said Philadelphia could have about 40 flights a day within a few months. The airline has only four gates, in Terminal E, at Philadelphia airport, which will limit its growth unless it can find more. Southwest's assault on the Philadelphia market forced US Airways, the airport's dominant carrier with 57 percent of the traffic, to cut its fares sharply on the routes where the carriers compete. Southwest also used its airborne news conference to announce that on Sept. 15, it will add 18 daily flights between other cities. Southwest flies nothing but 737 jets, and the newest one is No. 400 in its fleet.

Posted on June 18, 2004 Airport Pickets PHILADELPHIA INT'L AIRPORT-June 17, 2004 — Some Delta baggage handlers are picketing at Philadelphia International Airport today over a union dispute. About 15 union members from local 1906 are protesting in front of Terminal E because Delta has hired an out of state company to replace baggage handlers temporarily. The picketers make union rates averaging $30/hour. The temporary workers are said to make $8/hour.

Posted on June 18, 2004 Confused Teens Force Evacuation At Philly International Airport Tear-Gas Pistol Found In Bathroom A tear-gas pistol and three lost teenagers triggered delays of about 90 minutes and the rescreening of 2,500 passengers at Philadelphia International Airport Tuesday. After the Cancun-bound teenagers lost their bearings and were escorted by a worker through an off-limits area, authorities evacuated the terminal Tuesday. Soon after, a passenger spotted what turned out to be a tear-gas pistol on the floor of a women's restroom. Three aircraft on the tarmac were off-loaded after the incidents. No charges were lodged against the teens, who missed their charter. "They were kind of confused. They didn't mean any harm," said Capt. Domenic Mingacci, airport police commander. Broomall residents Lauren Altieri, 18; Jessica Tulli, 17, and Courtney Thomas, 18, got lost as they headed through Terminal A after going through security screening sometime before 5:45 a.m. Tuesday, police said. Around 6:15 a.m. a teenager reported a gun on the floor of a women's restroom. Police retrieved the tear-gas pistol but didn't know how it got there.

Posted on June 15, 2004 Security Scares At Philly International PHILADELPHIA (KYW) Activity at Philadelphia International Airport is back to normal following security scares that prompted the re-screening of nearly 3,000 passengers. CBS 3's Karen Scullin has been told three teen girls enroute to Cancun for senior week approached a DAL Global Services employee because they thought they were lost. The individual reportedly escorted them through a restricted area prompting police there to question the girls and rescreen all passengers in that area. During the process officials reportedly found that a toy gun had made it through security. An investigation is underway to find out how that happened and who owns it. The girls were detained for four hours and had to take another flight. When Scullin attempted to speak to a representative from DAL Global Services, she was referred to Delta which did not comment. So far, no charges have been filed in either incident.

Posted on June 15, 2004 Ford Airport begins nonstop flights to Philly on Aug. 8 A real Philly cheesesteak will be only one flight away from Grand Rapids beginning Aug. 8. But it won't be a cheap lunch. US Airways Express on Friday announced plans for daily, nonstop flights to Philadelphia International Airport. A round-trip ticket available from the airline's Web site starts at $245.70 with a Saturday night stay over -- cheesesteak not included. Without a Saturday stay, a ticket costs $382.70. Flights aboard the new regional jet service operated for US Airways by Mesa Airlines are scheduled to leave the Gerald R. Ford International Airport at 7 a.m., arriving in Philadelphia at 8:41 a.m. Return flights are scheduled to depart Philly at 8:05 p.m., arriving in Grand Rapids at 10:16 p.m. "This new flight will not only bring our customers in Grand Rapids nonstop service to one of the largest business and tourism destinations on the East Coast, but also provide convenient connections to many of our Caribbean destinations," said Andrew Nocella, US Airways vice president of network and revenue management. The new service brings to 16 the number of nonstop destinations offered out of the Grand Rapids airport, including the two Chicago-area airports. Philadelphia already is a top 20 destination for travelers from Grand Rapids. "If you can gain an additional nonstop destination to one of your top markets, that's a significant advantage for both business and leisure travel," airport spokesman Bruce Schedlbauer said. Ford Airport has been offering incentives to airlines that offer new nonstop destinations from Grand Rapids. The Philadelphia flights will be among the first to qualify under the program.

Posted on June 15, 2004 Shuttle America scuttles service Shuttle America terminated its passenger service from Trenton-Mercer Airport June 10th after four years of service. Company officials decided to close the route three months after announcing it was leaving the area in January. The Fort Wayne, Ind.-based airline offered flights to Pittsburgh, Pa. and Bedford, Mass., flying under the US Airways Express banner. Shuttle America’s departure closes another chapter of Trenton-Mercer Airport offering competitive airline service to the capital region. "Our employees are disappointed," said Scott Durgin, president of Shuttle America. "They worked very hard to maintain and enhance the market. They have done a great job." Durgin explained that higher fuel costs and a general decline in passengers on the route pushed company officials to shut down the route. "From our perspective, its business as usual," said John Nadolny, senior vice president and general counsel for Boston-Maine Airways. BMA is currently offering passengers seven flights a day to Bedford, Mass., landing at Hanscom Field. BMA officials have proposed future routes to Martha Vineyard and Nantucket, but for now officials are focusing on the Bedford route. "We are pleased with the way we have been received in the market," Nadolny said. He noted that the higher gas prices affect everyone in the business. "We all have to buy fuel and it’s the one thing that is the great equalizer among all airlines," Nadolny said. In a prepared statement, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes stated that information he had received indicated that the fare wars among three major airlines at Philadelphia International Airport played a role in the severed relationship between Shuttle America and US Airways. Hughes believes there is still a role for niche airlines offering point-to-point service from Trenton-Mercer Airport. In early February, Shuttle America announced it would leave the airport. Another airline, Boston-Maine Airways quickly made plans to serve the route between Trenton and Bedford, Mass. Shuttle America in turn delayed its decision to withdraw from the market and then said it would stay indefinitely. However, the end of its lease agreement with US Airways forced a change of strategy, noted Hughes in a prepared statement. Prior to ending its lease with US Airways, Durgin had said his company was working with the ailing airline to shore up its service in Pittsburgh. On Thursday, US Airways announced it was moving 130 jobs from Pittsburgh to Charlotte, N.C., possibly this summer. US Airways is losing its hub status in Pittsburgh as it scales back its service at the Pittsburgh International Airport. The airline leased 10 gates from the airport and had a month-to-month agreement for another 40 gates. Because US Airways is facing stiff competition within the Philadelphia market from Southwest Airlines, the airline is finding ways to shore up its balance sheet while it slashes prices to compete with the low-cost carrier. "In my discussions today with Shuttle America, company officials said the airline is leaving because it is ending its relationship with US Airways and forming a new agreement with United Airlines," said Hughes. "Shuttle America proposed flying from Trenton to a destination other than Bedford, but United wants the planes based elsewhere." In April, Shuttle America signed a lease with United Airlines to fly 10 airplanes under the United Express flag at Washington Dulles Airport starting this month. Stating that the airline industry is taking longer to stabilize than many had hoped, Durgin believes everything will improve in time. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the public has remained skittish about flying, but as time passes more and more people are rediscovering the convenience of the airline industry. For now airline executives are looking for ways to cut costs, maintain service while focusing on the routes that are profitable. "Gas prices have risen incredibly high, we need to cut unprofitable flying. We have a choice to either dispose of the airplane or put it into a profitable route," Durgin explained.

Posted on June 15, 2004 Liberian Arrested With Gun, $20,000 Cash At Philadelphia's Philly Airport A man stopped over the weekend at the Philadelphia International Airport after security check led to the discovery of what happened to be a gun, but it further turned out that he was carrying much more than first thought. Authorities said that nothing seemed right about the man trying to board a Northwest Airlines flight to Houston Saturday morning. First, inspectors spotted an object resembling a gun at the X-ray checkpoint. "A Philadelphia police officer pulled a silver pistol out of the man's bag, which turned out to be a cigarette lighter. The officer asked the man for identification and he gives the officer a boarding pass," said Lt. Mike Chitwood of the Philadelphia Police Department. The boarding pass stated he was James Wood from New York city. But the Texas ID card he produced said he was Yahkya Diarra from Houston. But s New York driver's license he had also showed again identified him as James Wood. At this point, police said, the man admitted that Wood was not his real name. He identified himself as Yahkya Diarra. He was arrested for giving false ID and then officers were stunned when a search of his bag turned up $15,000 in $100 bills and Diarra also had another $4,700 on him in cash. "The bells and whistles have to go off. How many travelers do you know that travel with different identifications, different names, different states- everything- and all that kind of cash, unless there is something there?" Chitwood asked. The FBI and Homeland security were contacted after Diarra told detectives that he is from Liberia and had lost his passport. With concerns over terrorism and money laundering, the Feds had a list of questions. "They wanted to know, "Who he is, really? Find out what he is associated with? Why is he traveling with $19,000 in cash? What is his background? Is he really from Liberia?" Chitwood asked. Diarra originally said that the money wasn't his, and then claimed to be an art dealer and said the money was fro the sale of art. Officials kept the money and released Diarra from custody. Anyone with information about Diarra as asked to southeast Det4ectives at (215) 686-3183.

Posted on June 15, 2004 Ford Airport begins nonstop flights to Philly on Aug. 8 Saturday, June 12, 2004 A real Philly cheesesteak will be only one flight away from Grand Rapids beginning Aug. 8. But it won't be a cheap lunch. US Airways Express on Friday announced plans for daily, nonstop flights to Philadelphia International Airport. A round-trip ticket available from the airline's Web site starts at $245.70 with a Saturday night stay over -- cheesesteak not included. Without a Saturday stay, a ticket costs $382.70. Flights aboard the new regional jet service operated for US Airways by Mesa Airlines are scheduled to leave the Gerald R. Ford International Airport at 7 a.m., arriving in Philadelphia at 8:41 a.m. Return flights are scheduled to depart Philly at 8:05 p.m., arriving in Grand Rapids at 10:16 p.m. "This new flight will not only bring our customers in Grand Rapids nonstop service to one of the largest business and tourism destinations on the East Coast, but also provide convenient connections to many of our Caribbean destinations," said Andrew Nocella, US Airways vice president of network and revenue management. The new service brings to 16 the number of nonstop destinations offered out of the Grand Rapids airport, including the two Chicago-area airports. Philadelphia already is a top 20 destination for travelers from Grand Rapids. "If you can gain an additional nonstop destination to one of your top markets, that's a significant advantage for both business and leisure travel," airport spokesman Bruce Schedlbauer said. Ford Airport has been offering incentives to airlines that offer new nonstop destinations from Grand Rapids. The Philadelphia flights will be among the first to qualify under the program.

Posted on June 15, 2004 Shuttle America scuttles service Shuttle America terminated its passenger service from Trenton-Mercer Airport June 10th after four years of service. Company officials decided to close the route three months after announcing it was leaving the area in January. The Fort Wayne, Ind.-based airline offered flights to Pittsburgh, Pa. and Bedford, Mass., flying under the US Airways Express banner. Shuttle America’s departure closes another chapter of Trenton-Mercer Airport offering competitive airline service to the capital region. "Our employees are disappointed," said Scott Durgin, president of Shuttle America. "They worked very hard to maintain and enhance the market. They have done a great job." Durgin explained that higher fuel costs and a general decline in passengers on the route pushed company officials to shut down the route. "From our perspective, its business as usual," said John Nadolny, senior vice president and general counsel for Boston-Maine Airways. BMA is currently offering passengers seven flights a day to Bedford, Mass., landing at Hanscom Field. BMA officials have proposed future routes to Martha Vineyard and Nantucket, but for now officials are focusing on the Bedford route. "We are pleased with the way we have been received in the market," Nadolny said. He noted that the higher gas prices affect everyone in the business. "We all have to buy fuel and it’s the one thing that is the great equalizer among all airlines," Nadolny said. In a prepared statement, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes stated that information he had received indicated that the fare wars among three major airlines at Philadelphia International Airport played a role in the severed relationship between Shuttle America and US Airways. Hughes believes there is still a role for niche airlines offering point-to-point service from Trenton-Mercer Airport. In early February, Shuttle America announced it would leave the airport. Another airline, Boston-Maine Airways quickly made plans to serve the route between Trenton and Bedford, Mass. Shuttle America in turn delayed its decision to withdraw from the market and then said it would stay indefinitely. However, the end of its lease agreement with US Airways forced a change of strategy, noted Hughes in a prepared statement. Prior to ending its lease with US Airways, Durgin had said his company was working with the ailing airline to shore up its service in Pittsburgh. On Thursday, US Airways announced it was moving 130 jobs from Pittsburgh to Charlotte, N.C., possibly this summer. US Airways is losing its hub status in Pittsburgh as it scales back its service at the Pittsburgh International Airport. The airline leased 10 gates from the airport and had a month-to-month agreement for another 40 gates. Because US Airways is facing stiff competition within the Philadelphia market from Southwest Airlines, the airline is finding ways to shore up its balance sheet while it slashes prices to compete with the low-cost carrier. "In my discussions today with Shuttle America, company officials said the airline is leaving because it is ending its relationship with US Airways and forming a new agreement with United Airlines," said Hughes. "Shuttle America proposed flying from Trenton to a destination other than Bedford, but United wants the planes based elsewhere." In April, Shuttle America signed a lease with United Airlines to fly 10 airplanes under the United Express flag at Washington Dulles Airport starting this month. Stating that the airline industry is taking longer to stabilize than many had hoped, Durgin believes everything will improve in time. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the public has remained skittish about flying, but as time passes more and more people are rediscovering the convenience of the airline industry. For now airline executives are looking for ways to cut costs, maintain service while focusing on the routes that are profitable. "Gas prices have risen incredibly high, we need to cut unprofitable flying. We have a choice to either dispose of the airplane or put it into a profitable route," Durgin explained.

Posted on June 15, 2004 Liberian Arrested With Gun, $20,000 Cash At Philadelphia's Philly Airport June 11, 2004 A man stopped over the weekend at the Philadelphia International Airport after security check led to the discovery of what happened to be a gun, but it further turned out that he was carrying much more than first thought. Authorities said that nothing seemed right about the man trying to board a Northwest Airlines flight to Houston Saturday morning. First, inspectors spotted an object resembling a gun at the X-ray checkpoint. "A Philadelphia police officer pulled a silver pistol out of the man's bag, which turned out to be a cigarette lighter. The officer asked the man for identification and he gives the officer a boarding pass," said Lt. Mike Chitwood of the Philadelphia Police Department. The boarding pass stated he was James Wood from New York city. But the Texas ID card he produced said he was Yahkya Diarra from Houston. But s New York driver's license he had also showed again identified him as James Wood. At this point, police said, the man admitted that Wood was not his real name. He identified himself as Yahkya Diarra. He was arrested for giving false ID and then officers were stunned when a search of his bag turned up $15,000 in $100 bills and Diarra also had another $4,700 on him in cash. "The bells and whistles have to go off. How many travelers do you know that travel with different identifications, different names, different states- everything- and all that kind of cash, unless there is something there?" Chitwood asked. The FBI and Homeland security were contacted after Diarra told detectives that he is from Liberia and had lost his passport. With concerns over terrorism and money laundering, the Feds had a list of questions. "They wanted to know, "Who he is, really? Find out what he is associated with? Why is he traveling with $19,000 in cash? What is his background? Is he really from Liberia?" Chitwood asked. Diarra originally said that the money wasn't his, and then claimed to be an art dealer and said the money was fro the sale of art. Officials kept the money and released Diarra from custody. Anyone with information about Diarra as asked to southeast Det4ectives at (215) 686-3183.

Posted on June 11, 2004 FAA Data Shows Drunk Pilot Just Missed Midair Crash PHILADELPHIA (KYW 1060) Newly revealed FAA radar tracks paint a graphically shocking image of just how close a drunken pilot from Pottstown came to causing an aerial disaster last January over Philadelphia International Airport. The radar tracking sheets, which have recently been turned over to Montgomery County prosecutors, show that disaster was seconds away when John Salamone flew his Piper Cherokee on a drunken odyssey over the Delaware Valley. DA Bruce Castor details what the latest radar tracks reveal: "We have new information from the FAA that this plane was at the same altitude with two-tenths of a mile separating it from a commuter plane with 40 people on board." The commuter plane, on landing approach, was forced to take evasive action. Salamone has lost his pilot's certification and is awaiting trial on charges of reckless endangerment and risking a catastrophe. Ironically, Pennsylvania has no law against drunk flying. A bill that would make "flying impaired" a crime has just cleared a Pennsylvania House committee.

Posted on June 11, 2004 Lower fares on the way from US Airways US Airways is cutting its fares on flights between Philadelphia International Airport and San Diego as part of its new low-cost GoFares program. As a way of competing at Philadelphia International with low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines, US Airways has also cut fares from Philadelphia to Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando, Fla., Las Vegas; Phoenix, and Providence, R.I. In July, US Airways is also cutting fares from Philadelphia to Houston; Los Angeles; Manchester, N.H.; New Orleans; Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and West Palm Beach, Fla. The cheapest prices are comparable with those offered by Southwest. US Airways, which is the dominant airline at Philadelphia International, created GoFares as a way of trying to maintain its No. 1 position at the airport despite the low fares at Southwest, which began flights out of Philadelphia in May. The cheapest one-way tickets from Philadelphia to San Diego will now be $94, and the most expensive ticket is $499. Previously, walkup fares to San Diego from Philadelphia were $1,286.

Posted on June 11, 2004 Two Ordered Held In Airplane Bomb Threats PHILADELPHIA -- A London man and a New Jersey teenager who tried to fly from Philadelphia to England to meet him were ordered held without bail on charges that they made false bomb threats to delay the flights while she tried to find her passport. The threats prompted the search of two flights and evacuation of passengers from one of them on June 2. Hatice Ceylan, 18, of Edgewater Park, N.J., and Ilyas Savas, 33, of London, England, who had met on the Internet, were arrested after Savas flew from London to Philadelphia after June 2, allegedly to help her. U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol Sandra Moore Wells ordered them held Tuesday on charges of calling in a false bomb threat to an airline. Both Ceylan and Savas gave statements after their arrest, U.S. Air Marshal Alexandre Bailey testified. Ceylan said she had bought tickets for a flight from Philadelphia to Boston and a connecting flight from Boston to London on June 2, according to Bailey. When Ceylan couldn't find her passport, she and Savas decided to delay the flights by calling in a false bomb threat, Bailey testified. She said Savas made the threat in a call from London to an Embassy Suites hotel near Philadelphia International Airport. Nineteen passengers were evacuated from a Philadelphia-to-Boston flight and rescreened while the plane was searched. A Boston-to-London flight was also searched before it took off with 159 passengers. Wells scheduled Ceylan to appear back before her on Thursday, to allow her attorney, Sara Webster, to look for alternatives to federal detention center custody that would allow her to complete final exams and her high school graduation. "I really don't want her to have to get" a graduate equivalency diploma, Wells said. David M. Kozlow, an attorney for Savas, asked that his client, who is married, with children ages 6 and 3, be allowed to return to England if he waives extradition and agrees to return for trial. He cited U.S. ties with Britain, Savas' need to talk with his family, and his job as a London parking-meter officer. Wells rejected the request. (AP)

Posted on June 11, 2004 Airport screener charged with stealing money from passenger PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A screener at Philadelphia International Airport was charged by federal authorities Tuesday with stealing $335 from a passenger who was passing through a security checkpoint. Nathan Cox, 34, of Philadelphia, was screening passengers and their bags at the airport's Terminal E on Feb. 16 when he allegedly stole the money from the belongings of a person who passed through his checkpoint, according to court documents filed in U.S. District Court. Airport spokesman Mark Pesce referred questions to the federal Transportation Security Administration, Cox's employer. Ann Davis, the agency's Northeast regional spokeswoman, declined to disclose whether Cox, an airport screener since October 2002, had been suspended or fired. If convicted, he faces up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine, authorities said. A telephone message left at Cox's home Tuesday afternoon was not immediately returned. It was unclear whether he had a lawyer.

Posted on June 11, 2004 Editorial: Delco should have say on airport authority The controversy started last summer. That was when the FAA announced proposed changes at Philadelphia International Airport because of flight delays projected to increase in time. The problem with the Philadelphia International Airport Enhancement Program, which includes three separate plans that could impact the layout and design of the airport and the surrounding businesses and residences, was the FAA’'s selection of meeting sites. Hearings on the project were held in Philadelphia, southern New Jersey and the state of Delaware. No such consideration was given to Delaware County, where about two-thirds of the misnamed Philadelphia International Airport lies. Finally, this spring, after some pressure was exerted by U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon, R-7, of Thornbury, the FAA deigned to hold an "information hearing" in Ridley Township. Less than a month later, the U.S. Department of Transportation responded to decades of complaints and granted $2.5 million to the Lester and Essington sections of Tinicum Township to soundproof windows and doors for some 265 homes. That is why it is amusing to listen to Philadelphia officials responding to a proposal by two Delaware County state legislators. State Rep. Thomas H. Killion, R-168, of Middletown, and Rep. Mario Civera, R-164, of Upper Darby, authored a resolution that would appoint a nine-member state authority to oversee the airport. The authority would have the power to hold hearings, take testimony and issue subpoenas, and someone was listening. State House Speaker John Perzel, a Philadelphia Republican, heard our local reps discuss the impact the airport has on Delaware County. He heard them point to the airport as a regional asset, not a Philadelphia-only property. Perzel spoke to Philadelphia Mayor John Street and Gov. Edward G. Rendell, both Democrats, about the possibility of a regional authority. Street, who put the airport up for sale, questioned Perzel’s political motives. The mayor is annoyed that the state Legislature wants to put its hands into something that has always been handled by the city. A spokesman for Street said, "It just never ends with what folks want to do to try and run the city from Harrisburg." It would be easy to respond that, with the amount of money the state Legislature pours into Philadelphia, it deserves some input into city affairs. But it is even more outrageous to consider the city of Philadelphia’s ownership of a parcel of land that predominately lies in Delaware County. While it is usually a good idea to limit government power rather than expand it, this case is different for Delaware County residents. The prospect of a nine-member state authority promises at least some input from representatives from the county that provides a home to the runways and buildings of the airport which Philadelphia wants to control completely.

Posted on June 11, 2004 FAA Data Shows Drunk Pilot Just Missed Midair Crash Jun 10, 2004 12:46 pm US/Eastern PHILADELPHIA (KYW 1060) Newly revealed FAA radar tracks paint a graphically shocking image of just how close a drunken pilot from Pottstown came to causing an aerial disaster last January over Philadelphia International Airport. The radar tracking sheets, which have recently been turned over to Montgomery County prosecutors, show that disaster was seconds away when John Salamone flew his Piper Cherokee on a drunken odyssey over the Delaware Valley. DA Bruce Castor details what the latest radar tracks reveal: "We have new information from the FAA that this plane was at the same altitude with two-tenths of a mile separating it from a commuter plane with 40 people on board." The commuter plane, on landing approach, was forced to take evasive action. Salamone has lost his pilot's certification and is awaiting trial on charges of reckless endangerment and risking a catastrophe. Ironically, Pennsylvania has no law against drunk flying. A bill that would make "flying impaired" a crime has just cleared a Pennsylvania House committee.

Posted on June 11, 2004 Lower fares on the way from US Airways US Airways is cutting its fares on flights between Philadelphia International Airport and San Diego as part of its new low-cost GoFares program. As a way of competing at Philadelphia International with low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines, US Airways has also cut fares from Philadelphia to Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando, Fla., Las Vegas; Phoenix, and Providence, R.I. In July, US Airways is also cutting fares from Philadelphia to Houston; Los Angeles; Manchester, N.H.; New Orleans; Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and West Palm Beach, Fla. The cheapest prices are comparable with those offered by Southwest. US Airways, which is the dominant airline at Philadelphia International, created GoFares as a way of trying to maintain its No. 1 position at the airport despite the low fares at Southwest, which began flights out of Philadelphia in May. The cheapest one-way tickets from Philadelphia to San Diego will now be $94, and the most expensive ticket is $499. Previously, walkup fares to San Diego from Philadelphia were $1,286.

Posted on June 11, 2004 Two Ordered Held In Airplane Bomb Threats June 9 PHILADELPHIA -- A London man and a New Jersey teenager who tried to fly from Philadelphia to England to meet him were ordered held without bail on charges that they made false bomb threats to delay the flights while she tried to find her passport. The threats prompted the search of two flights and evacuation of passengers from one of them on June 2. Hatice Ceylan, 18, of Edgewater Park, N.J., and Ilyas Savas, 33, of London, England, who had met on the Internet, were arrested after Savas flew from London to Philadelphia after June 2, allegedly to help her. U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol Sandra Moore Wells ordered them held Tuesday on charges of calling in a false bomb threat to an airline. Both Ceylan and Savas gave statements after their arrest, U.S. Air Marshal Alexandre Bailey testified. Ceylan said she had bought tickets for a flight from Philadelphia to Boston and a connecting flight from Boston to London on June 2, according to Bailey. When Ceylan couldn't find her passport, she and Savas decided to delay the flights by calling in a false bomb threat, Bailey testified. She said Savas made the threat in a call from London to an Embassy Suites hotel near Philadelphia International Airport. Nineteen passengers were evacuated from a Philadelphia-to-Boston flight and rescreened while the plane was searched. A Boston-to-London flight was also searched before it took off with 159 passengers. Wells scheduled Ceylan to appear back before her on Thursday, to allow her attorney, Sara Webster, to look for alternatives to federal detention center custody that would allow her to complete final exams and her high school graduation. "I really don't want her to have to get" a graduate equivalency diploma, Wells said. David M. Kozlow, an attorney for Savas, asked that his client, who is married, with children ages 6 and 3, be allowed to return to England if he waives extradition and agrees to return for trial. He cited U.S. ties with Britain, Savas' need to talk with his family, and his job as a London parking-meter officer. Wells rejected the request. (AP)

Posted on June 11, 2004 Airport screener charged with stealing money from passenger 6/8/2004, 5:18 p.m. ET PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A screener at Philadelphia International Airport was charged by federal authorities Tuesday with stealing $335 from a passenger who was passing through a security checkpoint. Nathan Cox, 34, of Philadelphia, was screening passengers and their bags at the airport's Terminal E on Feb. 16 when he allegedly stole the money from the belongings of a person who passed through his checkpoint, according to court documents filed in U.S. District Court. Airport spokesman Mark Pesce referred questions to the federal Transportation Security Administration, Cox's employer. Ann Davis, the agency's Northeast regional spokeswoman, declined to disclose whether Cox, an airport screener since October 2002, had been suspended or fired. If convicted, he faces up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine, authorities said. A telephone message left at Cox's home Tuesday afternoon was not immediately returned. It was unclear whether he had a lawyer.

Posted on June 11, 2004 Editorial: Delco should have say on airport authority 06/08/2004 The controversy started last summer. That was when the FAA announced proposed changes at Philadelphia International Airport because of flight delays projected to increase in time. The problem with the Philadelphia International Airport Enhancement Program, which includes three separate plans that could impact the layout and design of the airport and the surrounding businesses and residences, was the FAA’'s selection of meeting sites. Hearings on the project were held in Philadelphia, southern New Jersey and the state of Delaware. No such consideration was given to Delaware County, where about two-thirds of the misnamed Philadelphia International Airport lies. Finally, this spring, after some pressure was exerted by U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon, R-7, of Thornbury, the FAA deigned to hold an "information hearing" in Ridley Township. Less than a month later, the U.S. Department of Transportation responded to decades of complaints and granted $2.5 million to the Lester and Essington sections of Tinicum Township to soundproof windows and doors for some 265 homes. That is why it is amusing to listen to Philadelphia officials responding to a proposal by two Delaware County state legislators. State Rep. Thomas H. Killion, R-168, of Middletown, and Rep. Mario Civera, R-164, of Upper Darby, authored a resolution that would appoint a nine-member state authority to oversee the airport. The authority would have the power to hold hearings, take testimony and issue subpoenas, and someone was listening. State House Speaker John Perzel, a Philadelphia Republican, heard our local reps discuss the impact the airport has on Delaware County. He heard them point to the airport as a regional asset, not a Philadelphia-only property. Perzel spoke to Philadelphia Mayor John Street and Gov. Edward G. Rendell, both Democrats, about the possibility of a regional authority. Street, who put the airport up for sale, questioned Perzel’s political motives. The mayor is annoyed that the state Legislature wants to put its hands into something that has always been handled by the city. A spokesman for Street said, "It just never ends with what folks want to do to try and run the city from Harrisburg." It would be easy to respond that, with the amount of money the state Legislature pours into Philadelphia, it deserves some input into city affairs. But it is even more outrageous to consider the city of Philadelphia’s ownership of a parcel of land that predominately lies in Delaware County. While it is usually a good idea to limit government power rather than expand it, this case is different for Delaware County residents. The prospect of a nine-member state authority promises at least some input from representatives from the county that provides a home to the runways and buildings of the airport which Philadelphia wants to control completely.

Posted on June 07, 2004 Plane makes emergency landing in Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA – A USA 3000 Airbus A320 made an emergency landing at Philadelphia International Airport on Saturday after an onboard instrument indicated there was smoke on the plane. The jet landed safely just before 7 a.m. June 5th. Fire and rescue crews scrambled to the tarmac, but no sign of fire was detected and no one was injured, authorities said. Airport spokesman Mark Pesce said investigators are trying to determine what triggered the smoke warning. Officials would not immediately say where the plane was coming from or going to, or how long passengers would be delayed.

Posted on June 07, 2004 Two planes in Phila., Boston searched after bomb threat Two planes, one here and the other in Boston, were searched June 02 after an anonymous caller telephoned the Embassy Suites hotel near Philadelphia International Airport reporting bombs aboard the flights, police said. The call, around 5:40 a.m. by a man with what sounded like a Middle Eastern accent, was specific, authorities said. It named an American Airlines flight due to depart at 6:30 a.m. for Boston and said there was a bomb on the plane, in a woman's handbag, police said. Nineteen passengers aboard were evacuated, and the jet was towed to a remote site at the airport, where it was searched. No bomb was found. The caller also mentioned that a bomb was aboard an American Airlines jet due to depart Boston's Logan International Airport for London. That plane also was searched with negative results.

Posted on June 07, 2004 Airports use cell-phone lots for waiting drivers Bob Boague had time to kill before his daughter's flight arrived, so he eased his pickup onto the shoulder of Route 291 on the outskirts of the Philadelphia airport and waited there, despite the "No Stopping Anytime" sign. Five cars lined up behind him. Boague figured waiting by the side of the road was better than paying to put his car in a garage at the airport. "Golly, with the tolls on the drive in, they've taken enough out of my pocket already," he said. Tight post-Sept. 11 security and cellular phones have changed the way Americans pick people up at the airport, and some terminals around the country are having trouble adapting. With curbside parking off-limits at the Philadelphia International Airport since the Sept. 11 attacks, drivers trying to avoid the hassle and cost of pulling into a garage prowl the access roads looking for a place to wait. Often, they stay there until they get a cell-phone call from the arriving friend or relative. One of the most popular spots is the wide shoulder of Route 291, but police posted "no stopping" signs there when too many people started pulling over. Some motorists shifted to the breakdown lanes on the ramps from Interstate 95, but police, worried about a rising number of accidents, are cracking down there, too. Capt. Dominic Mingacci, commander of the Philadelphia police department's airport unit, announced a new get-tough policy last week that will include aggressive patrols and a $25 ticket for anyone who stops in a no-stopping zone. "No more just chasing people away," Mingacci said. "We've been enforcing this thing, but it's getting to the point now where it's a safety hazard. Pulling in and out of high-speed traffic isn't safe, especially when half of them are on a cell phone." Other airports have tired of playing a similar cat-and-mouse game with motorists and given them an official place to wait. On April 20, the Baltimore-Washington International Airport opened a 55-space "cell- phone lot" where drivers can idle while they wait to be called to the terminal, a few minutes away by car. BWI spokeswoman Holly Ellison said the lot has already helped reduce congestion and illegal parking on the roads that loop through the terminals. The San Diego airport opened a similar cell-phone waiting lot last week. Motorists must turn off their engines and remain in their vehicles after entering the 50-space lot, but can stay for up to an hour for free. The airport in Birmingham, Ala., opened its first free lot for cell-phone-equipped drivers on May 10. Palm Beach International in Florida added a 40-space cell-phone lot in December. Philadelphia International is willing to consider something similar, said airport spokesman Mark Pesce. For now, he encouraged people picking up passengers to spring for a spot in the garage, where a spot costs $3 for the first 30 minutes, $5 for the first hour, $7 for 90 minutes and $9 for two hours. Those rates were too steep for Boague, who made a 70-mile drive from Lancaster County to pick up his daughter last Friday. "I'm not paying anybody to wait with my car for 20 minutes," Boague said. Boague said he tried waiting in his car at the terminal first, then looping around when he was chased off by police. But he tired of the game. "I understand the security situation, but I think they could do more to make it easier for us," he said.

Posted on June 01, 2004 Airports Try to Adjust to New Security PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Bob Boague had time to kill before his daughter's flight arrived, so he eased his pickup onto the shoulder of Route 291 on the outskirts of the Philadelphia airport and waited there, despite the ``No Stopping Anytime'' sign. Five cars lined up behind him. Boague figured waiting by the side of the road was better than paying to put his car in a garage at the airport. ``Golly, with the tolls on the drive in, they've taken enough out of my pocket already,'' he said. Tight post-Sept. 11 security and cellular phones have changed the way Americans pick people up at the airport, and some terminals around the country are having trouble adapting. With curbside parking off-limits at the Philadelphia International Airport since the Sept. 11 attacks, drivers trying to avoid the hassle and cost of pulling into a garage prowl the access roads looking for a place to wait. Often, they stay there until they get a cell-phone call from the arriving friend or relative. One of the most popular spots is the wide shoulder of Route 291, but police posted ``no stopping'' signs there when too many people started pulling over. Some motorists shifted to the breakdown lanes on the ramps from Interstate 95, but police worried about a rising number of accidents are cracking down there, too. Capt. Dominic Mingacci, commander of the Philadelphia police department's airport unit, announced a new get-tough policy last week that will include aggressive patrols and a $25 ticket for anyone who stops in a no-stopping zone. ``No more just chasing people away,'' Mingacci said. ``We've been enforcing this thing, but it's getting to the point now where it's a safety hazard. Pulling in and out of high-speed traffic isn't safe, especially when half of them are on a cell phone.'' Other airports have tired of playing a similar cat-and-mouse game with motorists and given them an official place to wait. On April 20, the Baltimore-Washington International Airport opened a 55-space ``cell phone lot'' where drivers can idle while they wait to be called to the terminal, a few minutes away by car. BWI spokeswoman Holly Ellison said the lot has already helped reduce congestion and illegal parking on the roads that loop through the terminals. The San Diego airport opened a similar cell phone waiting lot Thursday. Motorists must turn off their engines and remain in their vehicles after entering the 50-space lot, but can stay for up to an hour for free. The airport in Birmingham, Ala., opened its first free lot for cell-phone equipped drivers on May 10. Palm Beach International in Florida added a 40-space cell-phone lot in December. Philadelphia International is willing to consider something similar, said airport spokesman Mark Pesce. For now, he encouraged people picking up passengers to spring for a spot in the garage, where a spot costs $3 for the first 30 minutes, $5 for the first hour, $7 for 90 minutes and $9 for two hours. Those rates were too steep for Boague, who made a 70-mile drive from Lancaster County to pick up his daughter last Friday. ``I'm not paying anybody to wait with my car for 20 minutes,'' Boague said. Boague said he tried waiting in his car at the terminal first, then looping around when he was chased off by police. But he tired of the game. ``I understand the security situation, but I think they could do more to make it easier for us,'' he said.

Posted on June 01, 2004 Philadelphia gives its airports a new logo to avoid confusion For the last few years, Philadelphia International Airport has used a logo that included an ascending airplane inside a big stylized "P" next to the airport's name. The problem: The logo looked classy enough, but it could confuse travelers from abroad. The letter "P" is an international symbol for a parking garage or lot. That was one of the reasons the city's Division of Aviation decided its facilities needed a new logo, one that also recognizes that there are actually two airports in Philadelphia. The new logo stacks a PHL for the big international airport atop a PNE for Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The words "Philadelphia airport system" in all caps stretch out to the right of the three-letter codes. Airport chief of staff Jeff Shull says that Northeast, which is used exclusively by corporate and other private planes, serves an important role in keeping that air traffic away from the airliners that dominate Philadelphia International. Northeast Airport is far busier than many people realize, with more than 171,000 takeoffs and landings last year, compared to 447,000 at International. Shull added that another key reason for emphasizing the PHL code was the burgeoning use of the Internet to get travel information and make reservations. It's faster when searching airline or car-rental Web sites to simply type in "PHL" than it is to spell out Philadelphia. Shull cited one other good reason to make sure PHL means Philadelphia International to travelers: "Sometimes the media abbreviates the airport as PIA," he said. "That's the code for Greater Peoria [Ill.] Regional Airport."

Posted on June 01, 2004 Proposal Introduced to Create Commission Over PHL PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Two Delaware County Republicans have introduced a proposal to create a state commission on the future of Philadelphia International Airport. The resolution calls for a nine-member state panel with the power to hold hearings, take testimony and issue subpoenas. "It's time for us to take a hard look at this asset in the region," said Rep. Tom H. Killion Killion, one of the authors of the legislation, noting a study that forecast additional delays of at least 20 minutes a flight by 2010. Three months ago, House Speaker John Perzel, R-Philadelphia, floated the idea of initiating state action to remove Philadelphia International Airport from the city's control. Perzel has already launched state takeovers of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the Philadelphia Parking Authority. "It just never ends with what folks want to do to try to run the city from Harrisburg," said Shawn Fordham, an aide to Mayor John Street.

Posted on May 26, 2004 Police Crack Down On Airport Waiting PHILADELPHIA (KYW 1060) Picking up somebody at Philadelphia International Airport? Don't even think of parking along the ramp leading into the place or along any access road. If you do, it'll cost you. At any given moment, up to two dozen cars can be found parked on the access ramps, drivers waiting for cell phone calls to pick up their arriving passengers. Capt. Dominic Mingacci with the Philadelphia Police Department says it's a safety and security hazard, and it's always been illegal to do it: "We are aggressively going to start patrolling these areas and issuing traffic tickets." Violators will be fined $25. At that rate, Capt. Mingacci figures, it's cheaper to park in the garage: "I believe it's $5 for an hour to park at the airport garages. Of course, that means you're gonna have to get out of your vehicle and walk over to the terminal to pick up your passenger. But I think it's worth the five dollars, rather than get the 25-dollar ticket." Mingacci says posted signs and past warnings have done little to stop the practice. He believes tickets will do it. When will the aggressive patrols begin? So consider this your last warning.

Posted on June 01, 2004 US Airways Details Network Plans MAY 27, 2004 -- In a special employee update issued this week, struggling US Airways laid out a strategy for its network that aims "to recapture the number-one marketshare position" on the East Coast. Diffusing speculation of a possible sale of the US Airways Shuttle, the carrier said its hourly operation between Boston, New York LaGuardia and Washington National will be "the centerpiece" of increased point-to-point flying. As for its primary hubs, Philadelphia will remain at the "core of the network" while Pittsburgh, as previously announced, will be downsized from a hub operation to a focus city. "Smaller markets that have little demand to and from Pittsburgh likely will lose service," US Airways said. Charlotte, which will remain a traditional hub operation, will see increased domestic and international service. The carrier also set a goal to increase by year-end the percentage of bookings channeled through its Web site, from 10 percent of the total to 20 percent. Other initiatives include increased automation through greater reliance on airport kiosks, improved aircraft utilization and a simplified fare structure (BTN, May 10). US Airways described as "radical" many of the changes to its business model, adding that productivity improvements will result in employee furloughs. Of course, a primary element of the carrier's restructuring is lower labor costs to be negotiated with employee union leadership. There is mounting speculation that US Airways' newest efforts to transform into a more competitive, lower-cost airline and regain financial footing won't progress quickly enough to prevent a fresh bankruptcy filing. The company emerged from Chapter 11 protection nearly 14 months ago.

Posted on May 26, 2004 Cargo Plane Makes Emergency Landing At Port Columbus COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A cargo plane that was traveling from Philadelphia to Dayton was forced to make an emergency landing early Tuesday at Port Columbus International Airport. The pilot of an Express Net cargo plane landed the aircraft safely around midnight, NewsChannel 4 reported. A light in the cockpit reportedly showed that there was a fire in the cargo area but no fire was detected after the plane landed in Columbus. The airplane was taken to a remote area at the airport and was examined, NewsChannel 4 reported. No injuries were reported.

Posted on May 26, 2004 Frontier Begins Discount Air Service PHILADELPHIA (KYW 1060) Add Frontier Airlines to the list of those competing for your business at Philadelphia International Airport. A festive Philadelphia welcome marked the start of service Monday by the discount airline. The carrier describes itself as a different animal. Spokesman Joe Hodas say it means "bringing the citizens of Philadelphia an airline experience like they've never seen in the past." He says, "That means standing out in a crowded field of competitors - with employees and a product that are unparalleled." Frontier will be offering discounted flights to Denver and Los Angeles. It's the third such airline recently to promise roundtrip flights from Philly to Los Angeles for less than $200.

Posted on May 22, 2004 Frontier to Fly Airline's First Transcontinental Flight Between Los Angeles and Philadelphia DENVER, May 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Frontier Airlines (Nasdaq: FRNT) will begin new service between its Denver International Airport (DEN) hub and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) and Spokane International Airport (GEG) this Sunday, May 23, 2004. In addition, Frontier will also fly its first-ever transcontinental f