AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*ALASKA AIRLINES is adding more flights linking northern California and Hawaii. The Seattle-based Airline said Friday it plans to fly from Oakland and San Jose to Kahului, Maui on a daily basis starting June 5. Alaska currently flies between Oakland and Maui 4x a week and between San Jose and Maui 3x a week. Alaska plans to use Boeing 737-800 airplanes that seat 16 in first class and 141 in economy on the routes.

*Pilots for PINNACLE AIRLIENS have ratified a collective bargaining agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA). The single contract covers Pilots at all 3 of Pinnacle's operating subsidiaries: Pinnacle Airlines, MESABA AVIATION and COLGAN AIR.

*GULF AIR, the flag carrier of Bahrain, faces a walkout by employees this Monday in direct response to the civil unrest in the country. Gulf Air flies to 45 international destinations in 28 cities around the world.

*QATAR AIRWAYS will begin 2x weekly A321 service to Shariz, Iran, beginning on June 5. The route is currently serviced by a 1x weekly service by IRAN AIR. Qater already flies to Tehran 2x day and Mashad, 5x a week.

*Pilots from AIR INDIA have written a detailed letter to India's Minister of Civil Aviation detailing abusive and dangerous practices by the carrier's management team. The Pilots charge, among other things, that the carrier is engaged in fraudulent amendments to safety regulations, discrimination in wages of Pilots and the carriers hiring of foreign Pilots at the expense of available Indian Pilots. The letter also details the alledged harrassment of Pilots if they call in sick. Air India had no comment on the letter. The Ministry has also offered no comment, although Indian media reported that an investigation is underway.   

*The 2 Pilots onboard a RUTAS AEREAS MAYAS Learjet 24 were killed yesterday when the aircraft crashed into a military facility adjoining the Airport of Pachuca, Mexico. The Learjet went out of control as it came in to land at 11:20am, crashed into a wall of the military facility, burst into flames and was left totally destroyed "alongside the runway," an emergency services spokesperson said. Both Pilots onboard the Learjet, which was on a Training Flight, were killed instantly. Mexican aviation officials said an investigation into the crash has been launched.

*MERPATI NUSANTARA Flight 6504, a Xian MA60, veered off the runway at Kupang, Indonesia, today, February 19. According to media reports, the Xian veered off the runway as the crew was performing a 180 degree turn to line up on the runway for departure. The aircraft came to rest about 50 feet off the runway. No one onboard was injured and the Xian suffered no damage. Reports said the flight crew reported that the aircraft was pulling to the left as they were on taxi. Indonesia's Ministry of Transport said the incident was related to technical problems and is investigating.

*GOJET Flight 7373, a CRJ700 on service for UNITED AIRLINES, had to make an emergency return to Chicago OHare, yesterday, February 18, after the crew could not retract the landing gear after departure. The CRJ was removed from service for inspection.

*JETBLUE Flight 446, an A320, had to make an emergency landing in Boston, Massachusetts, last evening, February 18, after being struck by lightning while on approach. The crew declared an emergency after the smell of smoke developed in the cockpit after the strike. The A320 landed without incident 6 minutes later, at 9:21pm, and was met by Emergency Services. According to media reports, a passenger said the approach was "very turbulent," due to the storms in the area. About 20 minutes later, Jetblue Flight 1328, an ERJ190, also reported being struck by lightning while on its approach. That ERJ landed safely at 9:47pm and was also met by Emergency Services. Both aircraft have been removed from service for a damage inspection.

*REPUBLIC AIRLINES Flight 3116, on ERJ175 on service for US AIRWAYS, had to make an emergency landing at Reagan National in Washington DC, yesterday, February 18. While on approach to National, a Flight Attendant reported an electrical smell in the forward galley and pulled the circuit breaker. The ERJ landed 4 minutes later and was met by Emergency Services who could find no trace of heat, smoke or fire. The aircraft was removed from service for inspection.

*FLYBE Flight 995, a Dash 8-400, had to make an emergency return to Belfast, Northern Ireland, yesterday, February 18, after the crew could not retract the landing gear after departure. The Dash was removed from service for inspection.