Statement: IATA Comment on New US Security Procedures

Geneva - IATA understands the need for government-mandated emergency security measures as a result of the attempted downing of Northwest Flight 253 on 25 December 2009. Security is a government responsibility. Emergency measures should be revised as information is gathered in the investigation.

Click on IATA under Airline Industry News to read more.

U.S. FAA Calls for Inspections of Older Boeing 737s-WSJ

Jan 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has called for enhanced inspections of more than 130 older Boeing (BA.N) 737 planes, the Wall Street Journal said, citing a safety directive that is likely to be issued on Tuesday.

The FAA has asked for enhanced structural inspections to find possible cracks in the fuselage skin of the planes, according to the paper.

Undetected cracks "could result in sudden fracture and failure of the fuselage skin panels, and consequent rapid decompression," the paper cited the FAA's safety directive as saying.

Boeing and the FAA could not be immediately reached for comment outside regular U.S. business hours. In July 2009, a 737 operated by Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) developed a foot-wide hole and lost cabin pressure about 30 minutes after takeoff. Inspections in July revealed no problems with 737-300 jetliners flown by Southwest. [ID:nN14286676] (Reporting by Ajay Kamalakaran in Bangalore; Editing by Lincoln Feast)

American Airlines, oneworld partners boost JAL offer

Its a new bidding war for an alliance partner.

Click on Airline Industry News to read the story.

Tokyo Favors Delta Alliance for JAL

TOKYO—Government officials are pushing Japan Airlines Corp. to choose Delta Air Lines Inc. as its new alliance partner over American Airlines parent AMR Corp., according to people familiar with the matter, even as the embattled carrier moves closer to a likely bankruptcy-protection filing.

Click on Airline Industry News to read more.

JOBS Now!

Over 31 million Americans need our help! Idled by this Grave Recession, the unemployed, involuntary part-time workers and discouraged job hunters have run out of options. They need JOBS Now!

Click on IAM website under IAM Links to read more.

Machinists Union Leaders Vote to Oppose Health Benefits Tax

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The IAM Executive Council voted unanimously to oppose any health care reform legislation that is funded by taxing the value of workers’ existing health care benefits.

Click on the sbuject line above to read more.

Tell Congress: Don't Tax Working Families' Health Care Benefits

Today, union leaders are meeting with President Obama to discuss the next step in health care reform legislation, especially the tax on workers’ health care benefits in the Senate bill. On Wednesday, you can join the fight to pass health care reform that works for working families as part of the AFL-CIO’s National Call-In Blitz to the U.S. House.

Both the House and Senate have passed health care reform bills that will be merged into final legislation over the next few weeks. The House version is far better for working families.