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Regional

Northwest has new subsidiary: Compass Airlines
Though Northwest Airlines won’t officially begin operating Compass Airlines until the first half of 2007, the new subsidiary is scheduled to begin daily nonstop service between Minneapolis International Airport and Washington’s Dulles International Airport sometime this month. Just one regional jet will be used to serve that city pair until Compass is fully operational, at which time four regional jets will fly for the first year of operation.

Northwest plans to allocate new 76-seat regional jets to Compass. The airline said the larger regional planes will serve to “upgrade service in markets currently served with 50-seat” planes.

Sources: Star Tribune, Memphis Commercial Appeal

Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor adds 38 shops, restaurants

After undergoing $25 million USD in renovations, the shops and restaurants at Terminal 4 in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport have grown from 60 to 98 retailers. Spread throughout the main lobby and concourses, new retailers were selected partly based on customer feedback and include Flo’s Shanghai Café, Brighton Collectibles, Cold Stone Creamery and Borders. A non-prescription drugstore selling full-size toiletries and over-the-counter medicine was also added. The terminal’s final new retailer, Einstein Bros. Bagels, is expected to open in three to four months.

The renovations at Terminal 4 – the busiest terminal at Sky Harbor – began in mid 2004 and recently concluded 10 months ahead of schedule. The main lobby also got a face lift with new tile, extended ceilings and the addition of furniture for travelers to rest between shopping and eating. Travelers are already embracing the 38 new shops and restaurants, spending an average of $2.70 in the terminal today – a significant increase from the $1.89 typically spent before the renovations – and spending is expected to continue increasing.

Sources: Arizona Republic, ATA SmartBrief

Delta and US Airways paint planes to show support
Delta Air Lines and US Airways both recently released painted planes to show support – one, for breast cancer research; the other, for a hometown football team.

Delta’s Pink Plane was introduced in time to commemorate October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The plane is painted in multiple shades of pink and white and features the pink ribbon logo of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation near the boarding door. The plane will fly to various markets throughout the U.S.

US Airways paid homage to the hometown team of its second largest hub by releasing its Philadelphia Eagles plane at a ceremony at Philadelphia International Airport on October 5. The plane, which features the logo and colors of the Eagles, will fly short routes on the East Coast.

“The new Eagles-themed plane embraces the passion of our fans and is a great opportunity to take that passion to new heights – literally,” said Eagles president Joe Banner.

US Airways also has an Arizona Cardinals plane and an Arizona Diamondbacks plane in its fleet as part of sponsorship agreements with those teams.

Sources: Delta, USA TODAY, Philadelphia Business Journal, US Airways

CWT Traveler

Regional

Northwest has new subsidiary: Compass Airlines

Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor adds 38 shops, restaurants

Delta and US Airways paint planes to show support