August car sales in the U.S. rises 7.5 percent
Vittorio Hernandez – AHN News Detroit, MI, United States (AHN) – The auto industry in the U.S. is on the road to recovery. In August, car sales grew 7.5 percent, according to Autodata Corporation. The healthy vehicle sales were reported by most of the major car manufacturers such as Chrysler which registered a 31 percent increase in sales and BMW which logged 6.5 percent higher sales for the same month. However, sales of Japanese carmakers Toyota and Honda suffered two-digit dips, while Mercedes sales slumped 1.9 percent. New models led to an 18 percent hike for General Motors sales as well as an 11 percent jump in Ford Motor sales. Toyota sales dipped almost 13 percent, while Honda sales declined 24 percent. Nissan also suffered a 4.3 percent sales decline. Besides the availability of new models such as GM’s Chevrolet Cruze, Equinox and GMC Terrain and Ford’s Explorer SUV and Fiesta subcompact, what boosted sales for August were cheaper financing and the need to replace aging vehicles. Loan rates are less than 4 percent for consumers with good credit rating and there are high trade-in values for second-hand vehicles. In 2009, car loans had over 6 percent interest rates. However, Americans are taking longer to retire their old models at an average of 11 years lifespan for a vehicle. The August results surprised analysts who thought the volatile stock market and Hurricane Irene would slow down sales. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
Boeing Co. to deliver upgraded 737 carriers in 2017
Jupiter Kalambakal – AHN News Reporter Chicago, United States (AHN) – It’s all systems go for Boeing Co. as its board of directors has approved the launch of its new-engine 737 family of commercial jets by 2017. The Chicago-based airline manufacturer issued the announcement after receiving 496 purchase commitments from American Airlines and four other air carriers. CFM International LEAP-1B engines will power the modern 737 family. Boeing said the upgraded 737 will save airlines 16 percent in fuel costs compared to Airbus’ original A320 jet and 4 percent compared to Airbus’s A320 new engine option jet, or A320neo. Airbus launched its A320neo late last year. More than 1,000 commitments were made for that aircraft. Initial deliveries are expected in late 2015. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
Jetway collapse injures two people at Los Angeles International Airport
Vittorio Hernandez – AHN News Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – A jetway collapsed at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Wednesday, hurting two people. The injuries were to an American Airlines pilot and a passenger who were deplaning from AA Flight 557, which had arrived from Chicago. The two were thrown to the ground from about 12 feet in the air to two feet above the tarmac when a part of the jetway next to the aircraft door collapsed. The accident happened at about 6:50 p.m. of Wednesday after the AA plane taxied to Gate 48A. The victims were rushed to the hospital and are in stable condition since their injuries are not life threatening. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
AAA says fewer Americans plan Labor Day weekend travel
Linda Young – AHN News Writer Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – Many Americans will spend the upcoming Labor Day holiday at home with economic factors decreasing the amount of money available for discretionary spending on travel, according to AAA predictions. This year around 31.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during Labor Day weekend, defined as Thursday Sept. 1 to Monday Sept 5. That number represents a 2.4 percent drop from last year when 32.3 million people traveled over the holiday. “AAA is projecting a decrease in the number of Labor Day travelers as some Americans react to recent economic uncertainty and increasing air fares,” said Glen MacDonell, director, AAA Travel Services. “While automobile travel is expected to increase slightly, if recent declines in gasoline prices continue through Labor Day, we could see an increase in last-minute holiday weekend travel.” As AAA pointed out, a slight increase in real disposable income of 1.3 percent is offset by an increase of 6.7 percent in the travel price index caused mainly by increasing transportation costs, which affects the travel and tourism industry. Holiday travelers will rely more on automobiles than on airplanes, AAA says. About 87 percent of holiday travelers, 27.3 million people, plan to drive this Labor Day weekend, which is a 0.5 percent more from the 27.2 million who hit the road last year. Only 8 percent of holiday travelers, 2.5 million people, plan to fly this Labor Day holiday, which is a decrease of 1.9 percent from last year. The reason for the drop in air travel is an increase in airfares caused by rising fuel costs and demand, AAA says. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
New U.S. airline rules offer more passenger-friendly skies
Jupiter Kalambakal – AHN News Reporter Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – The U.S. Department of Transportation issued Tuesday new rules improving the rights and protections of airline passengers, especially those who get involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight, experience long delays in the tarmac and whose luggage has been lost. The new regulations require airlines to refund baggage fees if a passenger’s luggage is lost, and increases cash compensation of up to $1,800 depending on the length of flight for a passenger involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight. The new rules expand the prevailing ban on long tarmac delays in domestic flights to include international flights at all U.S. airports, including smaller airports. The current ban allows domestic airlines to be delayed for only three hours or face penalties. The new rules cover foreign airlines, allowing only a four-hour tarmac delay before facing fines. A second tranche of new regulations will be implemented in January. Airlines will be required to publish all taxes and fees in advertised fares and allow passengers to hold a reservation without payment, or cancel it without fines, for 24 hours after the reservation is made, if the reservation is made at least seven days before departure. Other rules will require informing passengers of baggage fees during booking and on e-ticket confirmation and the immediate notification of delays of over 30 minutes, cancelations and diversions. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
Philippine Tourism Secretary resigns
Vittorio Hernandez – AHN News Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines (AHN) – Philippine Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim announced his resignation on Friday at Malacanang. He cited personal reasons for his quitting his post, just after a year in office. Lim said he wants to have more time to spend with his family and his job required him to travel a lot, which took him away most of the time from them. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that President Benigno Aquino III accepted on Monday Lim’s resignation, which takes effect on Aug. 31. Aquino is looking for a replacement for Lim. It was under Lim’s term that international tourist arrivals in the Philippines hit 3.7 million from July 2010 to June 2011. For the same period domestic tourism grew to 28 million from 25 million. Both increases led to the creation of 400,000 jobs. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
U.S. auto industry reports weak July sales
Vittorio Hernandez – AHN News Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – Sales of automobiles in the U.S. slowed in July as consumers became uncertain about the economy, price tags went up and shortages were reported of Japanese brands and small vehicles. The industry’s overall gain was just a modest 0.9 percent. July sales of General Motors increased only 7.6 percent to 214,915 vehicles compared to the same month in 2010. The sales gains were led by GM’s Chevrolet Cruze sedan, Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain. The Cruze sold 24,648 units, while the Terrain and Equinox crossovers registered a combined retail sales hike of 73 percent. However, GM’s Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups logged only a 2 percent increase in sales to 45,717 units. American Honda sales for the same month dipped 28.4 percent to 80,052 units, primarily caused by manufacturing disruption and parts shortages due to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. American Honda Executive Vice President of Sales John Mendel said the firm expects to improve its inventory level in the next few months as Honda’s North American facilities return to full production this month. For July, Toyota reported a 22.7 percent decline in its auto sales to 130,802 units, while Nissan North America enjoyed a slight 2.7 percent increase of vehicle sales to 80,601 units. Chrysler logged a 20 percent hike to 112,026 vehicles and Ford registered an 8.9 percent hike with sales of 180,765 vehicles. Ford registered a 12.7 percent hike in its July sales with 173,051 units sold. Best selling models of Ford were the Fiesta, which enjoyed a 58.1 percent hike and the Escape SUV, which sold 24,411 units. This year saw a strong start for the U.S. auto industry, which may result in total sales peaking to 13 million units, but sales declined because of the Japanese tremor. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
Crash splits plane in Guyana, all passengers survive
Windsor Genova – AHN News News Writer Georgetown, Guyana (AHN) – A Caribbean Airlines plane overshot the runway upon landing at Guyana’s international airport on Saturday and split into two but all 163 passengers and crew survived the crash. Some passengers of the Boeing 737-800 flight BW-523 coming from New York suffered bruises and a broken leg when it crashed around 1:30 a.m. into a grassy patch near a 200-foot ravine at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Georgetown, the capital. Shaken passengers escaped through the plane’s backdoor after the crash before rescuers arrived and brought them to the hospital. Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo and some cabinet officials went to the crash site and talked to some passengers. The airport stopped its operations and cancelled one flight after the mishap. Caribbean Airlines, which is owned by Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, has no history of crashes until Saturday’s incident. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
American Airlines orders 460 new planes
Vittorio Hernandez – AHN News Fort Worth, TX, United States (AHN) – American Airlines made aviation history by placing orders for 460 planes, the largest aircraft order in history. The air carrier ordered 200 Boeing 737 jets and 260 Airbus A430 planes. The parent company, AMR Corporation, said the purchase of new commercial jets would transform the company’s fleet within five years by making them the youngest and most fuel-efficient among U.S aviation companies. The new planes are expected to be delivered from 2013 to 2022. The Airbus orders are for its A319, A320 and A321 models. The A320, like Boeing’s 737s are considered medium-range aircraft which could carry about 200 passengers. Boeing said aside from the 200 jets ordered by American Airlines, the air carrier has the option to buy 100 more planes. The air carrier is on an overall fleet renewal program since it started to receive delivery of the new Boeing 737-800 jet in 2009. The model replaces American Airlines’ MD-80 fleet. The 737-800 uses 35 percent less fuel than the MD-80. Its other features include enhanced lighting, more luggage space and roomier cabins with 16 first class seats and 144 economy class seats. American Airlines is the world’s fourth largest air carrier in terms of passengers ferried. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
In Historic Flooding On Mississippi River, A Missed Opportunity To Rebuild Louisiana
PLAQUEMINES PARISH, La. — For decades, a mixture of industrial development and erosion has carved away at southern Louisiana, eliminating nearly 2,000 square miles of land and making the area increasingly vulnerable to storms that sweep in from the Gulf of Mexico. Every day the Mississippi River delivers the raw materials required to replenish this lost territory: mud and sand that drop at the mouth of the waterway and would amass there, were nature allowed to run its course. But nature has proven no match for the century-long federal governance of the Mississippi as a vital marine highway: Five enormous ships operated by the federal government dredge the sediment collecting at the mouth of the river daily, then carry much of it into open waters offshore and dump it there, sending it into oblivion. This year’s historic flooding along the Mississippi River resonated as a threat to low-lying communities, sending families scrambling to preserve homes and property. But it was also a missed opportunity on an epic scale, say conservationists: The heavy rains that swelled the Mississippi loaded it with a massive supply of natural building materials that could have buttressed the Gulf Coast land. Instead, levees built to tame the river directed this sediment down to the mouth, where the federal ships are hauling it away. Mouse over to see before and after photos of the disappearance of Louisiana’s coast Photos courtesy of USGS National Wetlands Research Center “It’s basically crazy to let that sediment flow out into the open Gulf of Mexico, when you could be using it to build more Louisiana,” says Chris Paola, a geology professor at the University of Minnesota who is part of a team of researchers studying the Mississippi River and the collapse of its delta. “Why would you throw away real estate? If that real estate were under a shopping mall in New Jersey, nobody would tolerate just seeing it wasted. But that’s what we’re doing here.” These clashing notions about the appropriate response to the flood rest on the surface of a long-entrenched battle over the core identity of the Mississippi, as communities and industries with divergent interests make competing claims on the river’s natural bounty. Since the late 1800s, the government has managed the Mississippi as a superhighway for marine commerce, building levees that have maintained the channel to transport goods worldwide while providing flood protection for those living along its…