Loose Threads - 22 June 2009

View From The Wing has a good evaluation and commentary about the proposed new carry-on-baggage-standardization bill that’s been introduced in Congress. The bill, HR 2870, is delightfully being called the “Securing Cabin Baggage Act.”

No airline has yet to make it work – the all-business model (Silverjet, EOS, Maxjet) – and it looks like the last holdout may not survive either. Speculation is rampant that British Airways will soon shut down their OpenSkies subsidiary. We’ve wondered about it from the beginning. Weirdly, BA is inaugurating a new all-business service from London City to New York.

Finally, another mention of how provincial we can be in viewing the airline industry. Today’s headlines from Alternative Airlines News:

• Vietnam Airlines signs for 18 new Airbus aircraft
• Daallo Airlines launch services from Hargeisa
• airBaltic launch flights Riga to Warsaw and Pskov
• Iranian Airline Mahan Air launches UK to India service
• BH airlines (Air Bosna) and Montenegro Airlines announce new routes
• Australia loses third airline [Oz Jet] this year
• Avianova - New Russian Low cost airline to be launched
• Chile gets new domestic airline - PAL
• Moscow to Irkutsk, New Route From Transaero Airlines
• Mexican airline, Aviacsa grounded
• SBA Airlines launch Panama to Caracas