Quoting TACAA320 (Reply 98): No. TA is getting great loads [practically fully packed flights] between SAL/BZE and vice versa.

There has been a huge increase in business traffic....I know my wife's company buys 10 seats every week....

Quoting MD90fan (Reply 99): *drumroll*

Woooooooohooooooooo!

Quoting MD90fan (Reply 99): Copa Airlines Announces New Service to Port-of-Spain,

Does CM utilize their ERJ-190 strating PTY-POS?

Quoting Yellowtail (Reply 95): we have had lots of people bumped off of SAL-BZE...and unavailable fights BZE-SAL for the last 2 months or so........after having abysmal loads (not yields) for years.....has this route picked up? and is it time for TA to either upguage to a 320 or put a dedicated BZE flight instead of making a stop on the SAL-IAH route?.

BZE also should be attended either by Guatemala TACA Regional or Honduras Isleña. They could improve the operations in BZE due they are involved into the network on TA. I guess both are heading at local destinations exclusively and these operations to BZE might never come true.
Maya Island Air (MW. Operates: BZE-FRS) and Tropic Air (PM. Operates: BZE-FRS) rarely could be trading partners for either CM or TA considering NW and PM do in small propeller airplanes. I don´t believe it.

Quoting TACAA320 (Reply 98): TA is getting great loads [practically fully packed flights] between SAL/BZE and vice versa

Yes: the Airbus aircraft must be keep it covering SAL-BZE-IAH. BZE has been operated long ago by the former TACA on the way to the U.S.A. (MIA, MSY, IAH. Equipment: BAC One Eleven, B737-200 ). I am slightly unsure about written in parenthesis.
Sahsa --Honduran airline not long in service -- also did: SJO - Honduras- BZE- MSY.
I don´t know about load capacity on aircrafts and profitable indicators, but it could be explored a GUA-BZE starting in ATR-42, overnight in BZE then returning the next day early in the morning. Consider TA does a daily GUA-FRS-CUN in ATR-42 .
I hopefully expect some Central American cities can upgrade their jet scheduled operations in a near future: BZE, RTB and maybe FRS.

Quoting Aer (Reply 97): if you fly BZE-FRS and then book a FRS-GUA, is it to expensive?

It´s not a good deal.
Round trip: BZE-FRS US$207 on MW.
Round trip: FRS-GUA US$217 on TA.
The best choice seems to be: BZE-SAL-GUA and viceversa on TA: US$ 281.

Have a good day everyone !!

CM keeps 2 planes overnight in GUA, one in SAP and one in SJO.
Any BZE tag-on from those airports may be quite attractive, specially if CM can take off from BZE at 0500h. But is there an airport hotel in BZE? I could see some flight crew rest-time problems @ BZE if CM tries to keep its plane overthere.
I'm afraid CM won't try BZE unless BZE does some heavy duty lobbying at CM headquarters.
Would BZE grant CM 5th rights for Centralameican or CGM flights?

Quoting 2travel2know (Reply 102): Would BZE grant CM 5th rights for Centralameican or CGM flights?

I don't see why not....should not be a big issue...

Quoting 2travel2know (Reply 102): specially if CM can take off from BZE at 0500h.

Unlikely...CM would have to pay the entire airport to open early for them....DL does this now on Sun mornings

Quoting 2travel2know (Reply 102): CM keeps 2 planes overnight in GUA, one in SAP and one in SJO.

While the GUA option is better...SAP does see quite a bit of traffic.. as does SJO....as long as it continues on to PTY....which is where most of the traffic is going now.....

Quoting MD90fan (Reply 99): http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070801/m....v=74

From the link above: "AeroRepublica, the second-largest domestic carrier in Colombia, provides service to 12 cities in Colombia as well as international connectivity with Copa Airlines' Hub of the Americas through daily flights from Bogota, Cali, Cartagena and Medellin."

There must be something wrong. I count 13 destinations for P5 not 12. Am I correct?

Quoting SJOtoLIR (Reply 101): Does CM utilize their ERJ-190 strating PTY-POS?

Yes, daily E90.

Quoting SJOtoLIR (Reply 91): AA is applying FLL-SDQ because the Dominican Republic is a potential hub for NK. This is not the situation for SJO, so I still cannot understand why FLL instead MIA on AA for SJO.

AA applied for FLL-SDQ (they flew it Nov '03-Jan '05; launched same time as FLL-PAP and CCS) in response to NK adding service to some of AA's traditionally more profitable Caribbean/Latin American routes, also FLL-SDQ is one of NK's more profitable routes (sometimes 4x daily). Also included in the expansion is a new FLL-SJO service, A300 service on FLL-PAP and FLL-SJU and applied for several new red-eyes from Miami to Central America.

Quoting TACAA320 (Reply 104): There must be something wrong. I count 13 destinations for P5 not 12. Am I correct?

No, they were right, they serve 12 cities in Colombia (which it says); the 13th destination is their sole international destination, Panama City.

Regards,
Devan   

[Edited 2007-08-03 06:08:11]

Quoting 2travel2know (Reply 70): Is GUA open 24/7?

Quoting MD90fan (Reply 105): AA applied for FLL-SDQ in response to NK adding service to some of AA's traditionally more profitable Caribbean/Latin American routes, also FLL-SDQ is one of NK's more profitable routes (sometimes 4x daily). Also included in the expansion is a resumed FLL-SJO

Reserve there. FLL-SDQ is the resumed route, FLL-SJO is new, but AA has broad Costa Rica authority, so did not need to apply for it.

Quoting MD90fan (Reply 105): several new red-eyes from Miami to Central America.

That has not been approved yet.

Quoting SJOtoLIR (Reply 101): Round trip: FRS-GUA US$217 on TA.

As always amazing that an internal flight is Q1630, I mean seriously it is ridiculous.

Quoting SJOtoLIR (Reply 101): I hopefully expect some Central American cities can upgrade their jet scheduled operations in a near future: BZE, RTB and maybe FRS.

Well, maybe now that Guatemala - Honduras flights are supposed to be considered local, this might change.

Quoting 2travel2know (Reply 70): Is GUA open 24/7?

So I did a little research and found nothing. But if GUA wants to become a hub it will have to be 24/7

Quoting MD90fan (Reply 105): Quoting SJOtoLIR (Reply 101): Does CM utilize their ERJ-190 strating PTY-POS? Yes, daily E90.

Daily? Apparently no.
""This new flight makes Copa Airlines the best connection for travel between Port-of-Spain and our region. Our passengers will be able to connect with flights at our Hub of the Americas in Panama to numerous destinations in Latin America," said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines.

Flight schedules for the new route are:

Destination Weekly Departure Arrival Type of
Frequencies Aircraft
Panama - Port-of-Spain 4 12:10 PM 4:02 PM EMBRAER-190
Port-of-Spain - Panama 4 5:15 PM 7:10 PM EMBRAER-190
For more information, visit http://www.copaair.com

"
Four times a weeks. Source: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070801/m....v=74

Quoting MD90fan (Reply 105): Quoting TACAA320 (Reply 104): There must be something wrong. I count 13 destinations for P5 not 12. Am I correct? No, they were right, they serve 12 cities in Colombia (which it says); the 13th destination is their sole international destination, Panama City.

Right. Thanks !

Other particular situation in Yucatán Peninsula: long ago the former Lacsa (LR) and Aviateca (GU) served CUN as scheduled jet operations. They merged in TA but this service still works in a daily ATR-42 as GUA-FRS-CUN. Some seasonal SJO-CUN has been operated with airbus aircrafts anyhow.
As discussed before, TA has upgraded their SJO-HAV and SJO-SDQ transferring passengers from Central and South America to the Caribbean through SJO. As a personal believe, TA may try to explore a possible daily SJO-CUN on Airbus aircraft.
On the other hand, CM operates two daily PTY-CUN. Equipment: Embraer 190.

Quoting MD90fan (Reply 105): Also included in the expansion is a new FLL-SJO service

SJO-FLL has been already scheduled by AA. Starts: December 2007.
AA 2113……….FLL 14:30……………..SJO 16:20………..B737-800
AA 2112……….SJO 17:25……………..FLL 21:15………..B737-800
AA will not operate this new route as “red-eyes”...

Just a heads up on Spirit.
Today would have been the second FLL - MGA - FLL. Earlier today someone from Spirit approached us (AA) to see how many spaces we had available for tomorrow, because most likely the flight would be cancelled due to a crew strike of some sort. Checking on their website now it shows FLL - MGA - FLL cancelled. They had about 60 pax on the MGA - FLL leg, we could only get them 10 spaces or so, but since no agreement between them and AA they (NK) were going to purchase the tickets right at our counter!
Not a good show they are pulling right here specially on their second flight.
Anyone care to confirm if they are indeed crew issues with Spirit?

Quoting MGASJO (Reply 111): Today would have been the second FLL - MGA - FLL

Maybe it was an extra flight on that day.
Regarding NK´s itinerary in MGA, it still operates as scheduled below:

NK439 ... FLL 23:00 ..... MGA 23:35
NK434 ... MGA 00:50 .....FLL 05:20

Operates three days a week.
Shown as a flight at night.
Or maybe I misunderstood meaning its second time making FLL-MGA....

.

Quoting MGASJO (Reply 111): Anyone care to confirm if they are indeed crew issues with Spirit?

 

Saludos y buena suerte !!

Quoting SJOtoLIR (Reply 112): Or maybe I misunderstood meaning its second time making FLL-MGA....

Exactly. The second time doing the flight.
Flight indeed was cancelled. Some pax arrived and purchased tickets with us. NK bought some also to avoid peopling putting up a show on the news!

Nothing official yet, but it will be great...


https://airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/3545599/

Quoting TACAA320 (Reply 114): Nothing official yet, but it will be great...

Possible LIM-MVD on TA.
From "El Pais" Montevideo, Uruguay. August 06, 2007:
http://www.elpais.com.uy/Registro/Lo...o%5F288423%2Easp&erracc=99&url_qs=

Quoting SJOtoLIR (Reply 115): Possible LIM-MVD on TA.

Sounds like TA have finally realized that they better start pushing faster into deep SA before CM has the routes locked up....

Quoting Yellowtail (Reply 116): Sounds like TA have finally realized that they better start pushing faster into deep SA before CM has the routes locked up....

Lets see how long does it take TA to open COR and GIG now.
Anyhow, what TA offers via LIM can't always compare with what CM offers from PTY. For passengers connecting @ LIM w/TA, for a large number of destinations, another connection or stop is still required in SJO or SAL.
Destinationwise, I agree TA has more destinations than CM, but one must bear in mind that TA runs a 3-hub operation and those hubs have sizable O/D traffic, while CM is a one-hub operation from a rather medium O/D market.

Quoting 2travel2know (Reply 117): Anyhow, what TA offers via LIM can't always compare with what CM offers from PTY. For passengers connecting @ LIM w/TA, for a large number of destinations

Depends.
LIM is a better connecting hub:
From (GRU, EZE, SCL) to (UIO, BOG, CCS, GYE) and vice versa.
Geographically LIM is placed between these groups meaning flying time decreased .
.
PTY is a better connecting hub:
From (GRU, SCL, EZE) to (HAV, SDQ, CUN, LAX, MIA, SJO, GUA, SAP) and vice versa.
Only one stop.
.
Same results:
From (GRU, EZE, SCL) to (SAL, SJO) and vice versa. One stop.
From (BOG, CCS, GYE) to (SAL, GUA, MEX, HAV, SDQ, MIA) and vice versa. One stop.
And many others...

.

Quoting 2travel2know (Reply 117): one must bear in mind that TA runs a 3-hub operation and those hubs have sizable O/D traffic, while CM is a one-hub operation from a rather medium O/D market

CM is doing excellent in PTY as its sole and biggest transferring center in Central America.
On the other hand, the use of different hubs is being used properly for many recognizable airlines worldwide: AA, CO...
I wonder how LA is doing in Latin America through their connecting centers even serving to Europe and Oceania.
Furthermore, it was posted before the use of GUA as a possible future CM´s hub...
Regards.   

Quoting SJOtoLIR (Reply 118): Furthermore, it was posted before the use of GUA as a possible future CM´s hub.

Although the new GUA would certainly be fit for a hub i would think that a new 100% Guatemalan airline has a better chance in using it as a hub. Thats how i would feel if i was Guatemalan anyways  

Quoting SJOtoLIR (Reply 118): PTY is a better connecting hub: From (GRU, SCL, EZE) to (HAV, SDQ, CUN, LAX, MIA, SJO, GUA, SAP) and vice versa. Only one stop.

Where do you leave CLO, MDE, CTG, BAQ, MAR, MGA, STI, KIN, PAP, SJU, MCO, JFK, IAD , MAO ?

Quoting Mt99 (Reply 119): Thats how i would feel if i was Guatemalan anyways

Bullseye, althoguh if they opened a Guatemalan branch I wouldn't mind; as long as the flag is back in the sky again, I'm good.

Quoting 2travel2know (Reply 120): Where do you leave CLO, MDE, CTG, BAQ, MAR, MGA, STI, KIN, PAP, SJU, MCO, JFK, IAD , MAO ?

Yes, sir.
In my last quoting just compared some destinations linked by both CM and TA.
These destinations are operated exclusively by CM except MGA, IAD and JFK.
Regards.

Time for a new thread companeros....BTW...where has the original thread starter (pt.1,2,3) ..RootsAir..gotten to?

KLM Announces The Return Of AMS-PTY Non-Stop (by Tomascubero Aug 9 2007 in Civil Aviation)

KLM to fly AMS-PTY nonstop

Quoting Luisca (Reply 124): KLM to fly AMS-PTY nonstop

But they already did it  

Quoting Luisca (Reply 124): KLM to fly AMS-PTY

That means KL may resume AMS-PTY.

Trying to remember back in 20th century, KL operated SJO-CUR-AMS, two days a week with DC-10 or MD11  
I am unsure if GUA was a destination served by KL.
How was KL in PTY? PTY-CUR-AMS?

Flight between most of Central America: El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua will now be considered "local" in hopes of stimulating tourism and commerce between the countries.

http://www.elsalvador.com/mwedh/nota...pleta.asp?idCat=6374&idArt=1616607

Costa Rica of course will not be part of the program.

Quoting Mt99 (Reply 127): Costa Rica of course will not be part of the program

Or Panama. 

Quoting SJOtoLIR (Reply 126): I am unsure if GUA was a destination served by KL.

KL served GUA-MEX-AMS, but MEX took away 5th rights so the flight was cancelled.

Quoting Mt99 (Reply 127): Flight between most of Central America: El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua will now be considered "local" in hopes of stimulating tourism and commerce between the countries.

Guatemala - Honduras flights are considered now local. The agreement was signed about 2 months ago in Copan, Honduras. The president of Panama was invited to the event as a guest of honor (maybe to convince him to join the agreement?).

Quoting Aer (Reply 129): Guatemala - Honduras flights are considered now local. The agreement was signed about 2 months ago in Copan, Honduras.

I think the news is that it got expanded to include the 2 other countries mentioned.

Quoting Aer (Reply 129): The president of Panama was invited to the event as a guest of honor (maybe to convince him to join the agreement?).

Maybe he just wanted a free trip to see the ruins...

Quoting Mt99 (Reply 130): Maybe he just wanted a free trip to see the ruins...

The president of Panama has been AWOL for the last two months while his govermnet falls apart due to curroption scandals, he is the biggest coward we ever had, even the last (female) president had more balls than him.

Panama and to a lesser extent Costa Rica are wary of full integration with Central America because their economies are far more developed and Costa Rica has a huge illegal immigration problem with Nicaraguans while panama has the same problem with Colombians. I think that El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama should try to integrate first, and then as economic conditions improve in Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua they should be included, but this wont happen as long as their are pussies running Costa Rica and Panama.

rant over; BACK TO AVIATION

Quoting Aer (Reply 121): Quoting Mt99 (Reply 119): Thats how i would feel if i was Guatemalan anyways Bullseye, althoguh if they opened a Guatemalan branch I wouldn't mind; as long as the flag is back in the sky again, I'm good.

IF Copa were to start a hub in GUA it would be with Panamanian Flagged aircraft, it would not be a la AeroRepublica; CM does not need 3 airlines under its group, P5 has stopped using its own code for flights, they are now all coded as CM flights and more integration will come. Central America has room for 3 REGIONAL airlines, we have TA and CM and I think a Central American LCC could work in the future, but it was proven in the 70s and 80s that Each country having their own airline does not work, Let CM and TA fight to death and in the end the customers will win with lower fares.

Quoting Luisca (Reply 131): Central American LCC could work in the future

You know, i think that Central American "mentality" is the biggest hurdle (apart from political issues) to allow a LCC to work.

We, as a society are light years away from the rest of the "western world" in many many things and air travel is one of them.

Look at some of the world greatest LCC successes and what they offer. I would be interested in a survey ranking the factors that are important for Southwest costumers. As my Business School professor used to say: "Seldom Price is the #1 issue."

Think about it. It has big implications for this discussion. Starbucks costumers rank "Price" as a 4th of 5th factor when they choose where to get coffee from. I would be willing to bet that "Service" ranks way high among successful LCC's -close - if not above "price."

How does this tie in with "mentality" you ask?

In general we Central Americans cannot yet appreciate good costumer service as we seem to begin each trip (or event) with the preconceived notion that some we are getting ripped off. We are also quick to make a scandal when something goes wrong, which in turn makes the situation worse. So, until we begin to appreciate the efforts of individuals trying to make our day better LCCs will not prosper.

What about a Central American LCC with low prices and great service?

Maybe. Big Maybe. It also ends up being part of education. Local Flight Attendants that look down on travelers with a chicken under each arm would have to provide the same level of service to them as they do to American tourists - but our society has not been brought up that way and will take many moons to change.

Quoting Mt99 (Reply 132):

Reminds me, I was in line at MCO checking in for my first (and hopefully only) NK flight, I was travelling MCO-ATL, at about the same time as me NK MCO-SJU (not central america but still latino) is checking in, there are 10 check in kiosk and 1 person in the counter, and every single passenger travelling to SJU wanted to have the "real person" check them in, even thought the Kiosk was in spanish and you only had to press 3 buttons to get your boarding pass. Also every two or three passenger their would be shouting becouse they had to pay to check in their bags, even thought on the website it says it in BIG RED LETTERS (i saw it when I purchased my ticket) 10$ to check a bag at the airport, 5 if you reserve it.

I think that an LCC like FL or B6 can work in Central America, I mean even a full service airline can come in an charge 1/2 of what CM or TA charge on some routes and probably still make a profit. But as long as protectionist barriers exist between the Central American Countries a truly Central American airline will not exist, TA is there solely because they integrated 5 airlines, and LR is always trying to stay a bit separate, CM is purely Panamanian, and they are victims of constant protectionism from other countries. Central America needs to wake up and realize blind nationalism does not work, but it took Europe almost 2000 years, how long will it take Central America?

Are you planning to travel to Honduras ?

Get ready for the Yellow Fever vaccine! Ten days prior to departure and if you are coming from an endemic country.

Quoting Luisca (Reply 133): Europe almost 2000 years, how long will it take Central America?

5000 more probably, but I 100% agree.

Quoting Mt99 (Reply 127): Costa Rica of course will not be part of the program.

Nor will Belize......we live in our own little world.

Quoting Mt99 (Reply 130): trip to see the ruins...

let the maya people hear you...you will be scolded thoroughly for the word 'ruin'. You must call it Maya Site/city/temple etc.....a Maya leader told me here that you cannot have a ruin of people that are still very much alive.
   ..they are very touchy that way....

Quoting Juanchito (Reply 89): Guys I finally took some pictures of La Aurora on my way to Panama.

Just had the chance to gaze at these great pics.

Kindly allow me to say, Guatemalan friends, that you now have a beautiful and amazing new La Aurora !!!

The new GUA is now looking much better than most facilities out there in the region, including those you could find up here in Mexico. Congratulations, again, to you all !!!

Best regards

Quoting Yellowtail (Reply 136): let the maya people hear you...you will be scolded thoroughly for the word 'ruin'. You must call it Maya Site/city/temple etc.....a Maya leader told me here that you cannot have a ruin of people that are still very much alive. bigthumbsup ..they are very touchy that way....

They have all the right to be. I apologize for my poor choice of words  

CM took delivery of a new 738 today, also they took delivery of an E190 a few weeks ago, fleet now at 33 aircraft, 25 737s and 8 E90s

Quoting Luisca (Reply 133): TA is there solely because they integrated 5 airlines, and LR is always trying to stay a bit separate

While LR does try to stay a bit separate and a tad more independent, LR is gone and only exists as a shadow if its former self with Costa Rican flagged aircraft and the LR callsign and code, but that's it.

TA, from my point of view, by acquiring GU, LR, and NICA, has basically established a de facto monopoly for themselves. Sure, there's still CM, but that doesn't change the fact that TA has basically been allowed to establish this de facto monopoly. Just remember the incident from last year, when CM was denied the authority to operate a second daily flight into SAL by the Salvadoran Supreme Court (though I believe this was later overturned), even though both Panama and El Salvador signed a new bilateral allowing CM and TA a second daily frequency to SAL and PTY respectively. There's just too much that may hint towards TA having been involved in this, or having even forced this decision. The current situation however is taking a toll on TA. They're suffering from a high pilot turnover and are forced to even go public by putting adverts in the classifieds.

Example (though specifically from LR): http://www.elempleo.co.cr/clientes/detalle_oportunidad.asp?ofe=19196

And specifically here in Costa Rica, we had two startups, both having completed certification for their AOC, who have not started at all. Did they run out of money: maybe. Did they get difficulties starting up because of excessive formalites: probably (Costa Rica is a highly bureaucratic and centralised country, I can only shudder at how extense this bureaucracy can be). Could they have gotten interference from TA, CTAC, DGAC and the Ministry of Transportation, which may have forced them to not start up after all, despite fulfilling requirements: given the mentioned protectionism, it's likely, but who knows. Here in Costa Rica, aviation related issues are only a footnote in the media. All we know is the current crisis between the government and Alterra regarding the mess that SJO currently is, but not even La República has, to my knowledge at least, reported about anything regarding Aeropostal Alas de Centroamérica and Costa Rica Skies (the two startups I mentioned, both having a DC-9 and an MD-80 stored at SJO respectively). We don't know how things are, and the reputation of the government and of TA in the community does not help at all with the rumours about protectionism for TA (the same for the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua).

Check out this thread as well: http://costaricaaviation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=837

In it, there's talk about pilots having to work at least 90 hours a month, tie new hire pilots with only few flight hours experience for 15 years to TA and for low pay, hiring pilots who have flown only 300 flight hours, and some of them without having flown jets at all, and TA putting two captains into the flightdeck (with the leftseat being the unexperienced captain and the rightseat being the captain with more flight hours than the leftseat). Like I said in that thread in CRAV, TA seems to have become complacient, and they may be paying the price for it with this very high turnover and the possible bad work conditions.

Quoting Luisca (Reply 139): CM took delivery of a new 738 today, also they took delivery of an E190 a few weeks ago

The E190 is HP-1562CMP which has been coming to SJO for over two weeks now but until tomorrow morning I can get a photo of her, operated tonight CM795 PTY-SJO-SAP and will operate tomorrow CM796 SAP-SJO-PTY.

The 737-800 I am very sure is HP-1532CMP since I got a message for this reg on ACARS last night, so I am very sure that's her.

Saludos,
Tomas.

Quoting LTU932 (Reply 140): In it, there's talk about pilots having to work at least 90 hours a month, tie new hire pilots with only few flight hours experience for 15 years to TA and for low pay, hiring pilots who have flown only 300 flight hours, and some of them without having flown jets at all, and TA putting two captains into the flightdeck (with the leftseat being the unexperienced captain and the rightseat being the captain with more flight hours than the leftseat). Like I said in that thread in CRAV, TA seems to have become complacient, and they may be paying the price for it with this very high turnover and the possible bad work conditions.

Copa is not that much better with regards to employee relations, pilots fly to the max, last week 5 flights were cancelled because they had no pilots to fly them, they put 250 hour pilots on the left seat and pay is "crappy" to put it nicely. The same happens with the regionals in the US; the pilot shortage is widespread.

TACA has a problem because they are very disorganized IMO, I know of 6 people including myself that responded to their add looking for pilots and we haven't even received an email saying they received our resume 2 weeks later; very un professional.

The problem that TA has on the customer side and I believe is the reason that CM has overtaken them as the regional leader is that for too long they abandoned the bossiness market and focused on O&D while CM quietly built a 1 stop service to anywhere in the Latin America, now with TA you have to connect 2 or even 3 times to get to some places and they dont have the variety of destinations CM has. CM had initiative and TA was stagnant, they were like the rabbit that fell asleep and let the turtle beat them. Who would have pictured a Central American airline in COR or MAO or POS or MVD a few years ago?

AND ABOUT bureaucracy in Costa Rica all I can say (as a 1/4 tico) is that you get the government you deserve, why do people still elect the same idiots over and over and reject any movement towards modern government, look at the protest over CAFTA, and I bet if the government tried to privatize ICE all hell would break loose. We tried government monopolies in Panama in the 80s and 90s and all they did was make a bunch of bureaucrats rich, private industry is the way to go, but that message is useless in CR.

Quoting Luisca (Reply 142): AND ABOUT bureaucracy in Costa Rica all I can say (as a 1/4 tico) is that you get the government you deserve, why do people still elect the same idiots over and over and reject any movement towards modern government, look at the protest over CAFTA, and I bet if the government tried to privatize ICE all hell would break loose.

Yeah. Not to make this too political, but you definitely missed the incident of the "Combo del ICE" in 2000. All hell broke lose, and the MPs who proposed the privatisation plan known as "Combo del ICE" backed off. Most of these problems not only come from politicians, but mostly from the Unions, who have far too much power in this country and are known to be ultranationalists. Just remember what the Unions are doing to AZ as we speak. As a German who also has the Costa Rican citizenship through my mother, and having lived in Germany, I have been exposed to decentralisation and progressive privatisation of certain state assets under our federalistic system, and I've seen enough to realise that there are some things that need to be more private and liberalised. As another example, when LH was on the brink of filing insolvency in 1992, and had the government not had the will to cut costs and progressively go for full privatisation, which occured in 1997, LH may not have survived to become one of the most profitable airlines in the world.

Quoting Luisca (Reply 142): We tried government monopolies in Panama in the 80s and 90s and all they did was make a bunch of bureaucrats rich, private industry is the way to go, but that message is useless in CR.

Not unless politicians have more determination to push agendas through. This lack of determination is what is making the crisis with Alterra and their mismanagement of construction at SJO worse.

That being said, what is keeping Costa Rica from becoming an important player in transatlantic flights is politics, mostly on the part of the MoT, CTAC and DGAC. MP has already expressed that they're disatisfied with SJO and its current layout, which was probably one of the reasons why they pulled their direct service and went for ACMIs with Miami Air and later with LR. This may also be the reason, along with CM becoming an asociate member in SkyTeam, why AF-KL is leaning more towards starting up KL service to PTY. Even if AF opts for starting their long speculated CDG-SJO flight along with KL's AMS-PTY, there's still the problem of SJO not being able to handle what could be three A340s at the same time (counting also A7 and IB). It's sad really. I'd like to see SJO become more of a player in international flights, but the way it's going, GUA and PTY are lightyears ahead of them, even the more "underdeveloped" LIR is getting more flights to Europe courtesy of DP (there's the possibility of them starting GLA-LIR once the 787 arrives), plus with SS a possible new entrant into the highly lucrative LIR leisure market.

Quoting LTU932 (Reply 143): SJO not being able to handle what could be three A340s at the same time (counting also A7 and IB).

By now, A7 SJO-MAD with A332: Mondays and Saturdays.
A7 SJO-MAD with A343: Wednesdays till August 29 when the aircraft shifts to A332.
http://www.airpluscomet.com/A7eAracs...dules2.do?opciones=3_3&referer=3_1

Speaking of LIR, yesterday we got a very rare VIP visitor. HZ-WBT7, the private 747 of Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal arrived at LIR from PTY at around 21:30 LT. He's staying at the Four Seasons Hotel, of which he ownes some 22% stock and may have a meeting with President Arias tommorow. Due to the 747's size and the small ramp, no other aircraft can stay overnight at LIR because of the danger of a ramp collision.

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Photo © M Radzi Desa

Hey, friends of Guatemala:
The newspaper report states Prince Al-Waleed bid Talal will be visiting Guatemala next Tuesday.

Quoting LTU932 (Reply 145): Due to the 747's size and the small ramp, no other aircraft can stay overnight at LIR because of the danger of a ramp collision.

I ask to myself what is happening with a couple of B737 scheduled as:
CO 846 LIR-IAH. Departing time: 07:20. B733.
DL 302 LIR-ATL. Departing time: 08:00. B738.

They are usually grounded at LIR tarmac overnight.  

Quoting SJOtoLIR (Reply 146): I ask to myself what is happening with a couple of B737 scheduled as: CO 846 LIR-IAH. Departing time: 07:20. B733. DL 302 LIR-ATL. Departing time: 08:00. B738. They are usually grounded at LIR tarmac overnight.

Good question. The only alternative I can think of is that they're ferried to SJO to overnight there and then ferried back. Maybe the Saudi prince should have had his 747 ferried to SJO.

Quoting SJOtoLIR (Reply 146): Hey, friends of Guatemala: The newspaper report states Prince Al-Waleed bid Talal will be visiting Guatemala next Tuesday.

Thanks for the info, maybe I could go and take some pictures.

Juanchito

Quoting LTU932 (Reply 145): Due to the 747's size and the small ramp, no other aircraft can stay overnight at LIR because of the danger of a ramp collision.

Well media has it completely wrong again. Effective 01AUG2007 0000LT to 14AUG2007 2359LT, no aircraft are allowed to overnight at the GENERAL AVIATION ramp, which would be occupied by this 747-400. The strange thing is why since the 1st, I have already seen around 4 planes ferried from LIR to SJO just to overnight here while most just leave back to their origin.

Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal will be travelling tomorrow afternoon from LIR to SJO in the backup Hawker 800 jet, registered HZ-WBT5:


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Photo © Marco Toso - SpotIT


It will be headed to GUA on Tuesday, no idea at what time though.

BTW a C-5B Galaxy landed this afternoon at SJO registered 85-0003 as RCH5003 to take the NASA ER-2S and DC-8-72 equipment, results, computers, etc, will post some photos later. Also this morning a NASA C-9B Skytrain left with the WB-57F equipment back to Houston, registered N932NA.

Cheers!
Tomas.

[Edited 2007-08-13 06:47:25]