AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

Following media reports of a potential codeshare deal between DELTA AIRLINES and WESTJET, SOUTHWEST AIRLINES has warned a potential codeshare agreement between the 2 carriers "could be inconsistent" with the agreement it has to codeshare with WestJet. Southwest and WestJet unveiled their intentions to codeshare in 2008 and were targeting an introduction of the agreement in late 2009 or early 2010. But those plans were delayed largely due to technological projects underway at Southwest to develop the ability to forge codesharing agreements. Yesterday, Southwest said: "Southwest/WestJet project was on target in accordance with a mutually agreed upon timetable. However, WestJet in recent weeks requested material and significant changes we could not accept". Southwest says it has not been notified of WestJet's intent to terminate their codeshare agreement.

*The NTSB will hold a public Board meeting on April 6 in Washington DC, on its investigation into an accident in which a chartered business jet crashed during a rejected takeoff in Columbia, South Carolina, 18 months ago. The purpose of the meeting will be to determine the probable cause of the accident and to consider proposed safety recommendations to reduce the likelihood of future such mishaps. On September 19, 2008, at 11:53pm, a Bombardier Learjet 60, operated by GLOBAL EXEC AVIATION, and destined for Van Nuys, California, overran runway 11 during a rejected takeoff at Columbia Metropolitan Airport. The Captain, the First Officer, and 2 passengers were killed. 2 other passengers, radio personality Adam Goldstein who was known as "DJ-AM" and former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker were seriously injured. Goldstein has since died of an accidental overdose. A summary of the Board's final report, which will include its findings, probable cause and safety recommendations, will appear on the NTSB website shortly after the conclusion of the meeting. The entire report will appear on the website several weeks later.

*A TAM Transporte Aereo Militar Bolivia BAe 146 was damaged upon landing, yesterday, April 1. Flight 743 was on Domestic Service from La Paz to Cochabamba, Bolivia, when a nose wheel tire burst upon landing. The aircraft veered to the left, however the crew was able to keep the BAe 146 on the runway. After the passengers and crew were deplaned, the aircraft was towed off the runway and removed from service for repairs.

*A TURKISH AIRLINES A340 had to make an emergency diversion, yesterday, April 1. Flight 61 was on International Service from Bangkok, Thailand, to Istanbul, Turkey, with 289 passengers and crew onboard. While near India, the crew reported problems with an engine that required them to shut the engine down. The A340 was diverted to Mumbai, India, where it landed without incident and was met by Emergency Services. The aircraft had to be towed to the apron and was later removed from service for inspection and repairs.