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Tuesday, Nov 10, 2009
Why did Tom Ridge ask Qantas to stop letting passengers gather in the aisles? And what airline shone above all the rest in 2003?
Jan 16, 2004 | The Year in Air Travel, 2003. So many stories, scandals and disasters.
Actually, very few. 2003 happened to be the safest 12 months in commercial aviation history. Out of approximately 19 million worldwide departures, there were 25 fatal accidents. Ironic, if nothing else, considering all the squeamishness out there.
Stateside, the only blemish was last January's crash of a US Airways Express commuter plane in Charlotte, N.C., in which 21 people were killed. Improperly repaired elevator controls, allegedly the work of a subcontracted maintenance company, are believed to be the culprit, though -- and I need to make this clear -- an investigation is ongoing. Initial reports that the plane was overloaded and out of balance have been discounted. The Beechcraft 1900D was operated by Air Midwest, itself owned by the Mesa Air Group, on behalf of US Airways.
If you're wondering which is the second-safest year on record, it's 2002. According to the Air Safety Network, we're now averaging about 30 wrecks per year, down from about 50 through the 1980s and 1990s. This trend bucks the predictions of many experts, who warn of hull losses approaching one per day as the volume of flights increases around the globe.
Anyway, to celebrate the best and worst, highest and lowest, of 2003, it's time now for Ask the Pilot's first annual Year in Air Travel Awards ceremony. My webcam isn't working, so you'll have to imagine the scene here as it unfolds: the mahogany podium, the glimmer of the gold statuettes, the shrieks and exaltations as I announce the winners....
2003 Airline of the Year:
Emirates
The expansion and enthusiasm of this pride-and-joy airline of Dubai is among the most impressive I've ever seen. Anything's possible, maybe, when a wealthy Arab state is writing your checks, but it's hard not to be impressed by Emirates' moxie. The company is expanding, buying huge new airplanes, and reaping profits. In 2002 Emirates was the fourth-most-profitable carrier in the world, and a similar ranking for '03 is expected once the numbers are in. In July Emirates placed the largest-ever aircraft order in history -- $19 billion for a slew of widebody Boeings and Airbuses -- and is awaiting delivery of 40-plus Airbus A380s. In December Emirates became the launch customer of the super long-range A340-500.
This June, Emirates commences nonstop flights between Dubai and New York. With geopolitical maelstrom in mind, unveiling a new service between the Middle East and the United States is about the gutsiest move I can think of.
2003 Raspberry Award:
Emirates
For not relaxing its flight-time qualifications so I can better qualify for a job. Does anyone have a thousand hours in a 777 I can borrow? Runner-up in this category is JetBlue, another progressive go-getter whose uniform I wouldn't mind wearing. JetBlue's new in-house referral policy assures that my application will remain secure in its round file. My Rolodex is void of any employees who might pen a recommendation. Anybody out there?
2003 Outstanding Airmanship Award:
Unnamed crew, European Air Transport
When a cargo jet was struck by a shoulder-fired missile over Baghdad last November, it suffered a loss of all three hydraulic systems and most of its flying controls. For all practical purposes the plane, an older model Airbus A300, was uncontrollable. Astonishingly, using engine thrust to maintain altitude and direction, the three-person crew was able to land safely after 16 minutes. (The rocket had not caused an engine failure as originally reported by this same columnist.) The jet was flying on behalf of DHL Worldwide Express by its Belgium-based subsidiary EAT (European Air Transport), who have not yet released the crewmembers' names.
The event mirrored the famous 1989 mishap at Sioux City, Iowa, when an uncontained engine disintegration aboard a United Airlines DC-10 resulted in total hydraulic loss and control failure. Using only differential thrust, captain Al Haynes and his crew guided the DC-10 to a semi-successful crash landing that 184 of the 296 passengers and crew survived. (The DC-10's hydraulics were later redesigned.) Coincidentally, Haynes had spoken at a seminar attended by the EAT captain shortly before the Baghdad missile strike.
2003 Hindsight as Foresight Award:
JetBlue
For having the good taste and vision to help save and remodel Eero Saarinen's landmark TWA terminal at Kennedy Airport. For years decrepit, the modernist icon was on the road to demolition before preservationists and JetBlue stepped up.
2003 "Take That, JetBlue!" Award:
Song
Lime green with envy, Delta's funky stepchild was dispatched to the Eastern Seaboard to stave off those uppity blue New Yorkers. Is it winning? I don't know, but frankly Song's verve is a cooler one, Saarinen or no Saarinen, with 48-channel entertainment and organic food to boot.
