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ValuJet: up in the air?
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August 19, 1996: 12:33 p.m. ET
Airline returns La Guardia slots, but makes progress with FAA, DOT
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ATLANTA (CNNfn) - ValuJet Airlines has returned its landing slots at La Guardia Airport to Continental Airlines, just months after obtaining the coveted slots as part of its well-publicized expansion efforts, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
Because of its limited size, La Guardia is one of the only airports whose access is restricted by the Federal Aviation Administration. Valujet started leasing 10 slots from Continental last spring.
But following the crash of a Valujet plane into the Everglades in May, the carrier has been grounded by the FAA. So the slots were returned to Continental Airlines.
Despite the setback, ValuJet President Lewis Jordan told the Journal the company continues to make progress towards FAA re-certification.
The airline was officially grounded June 17 after an extensive FAA inspection found several maintenance problems and discrepancies. The carrier has been working on updating its practices and procedures since that time in an effort to gain approval from the FAA and the Transportation Department.
Jordan said the airline's training materials and manuals covering general maintenance, flight and station operations have already been approved. One of Valujet's seven planes has also received approval, while the remaining six are on schedule for their final endorsement.
Additionally, the carrier has scheduled a "proving run" with FAA inspectors on Tuesday and Wednesday. During these flights, ValuJet personnel will be evaluated on their performance under various flight conditions, including crisis situations.
These are positive signs that the carrier is closer to final approval, Jordan said, although he doesn't know when regulators will give their official go-ahead.
Once ValuJet does re-establish service, it intends to offer "introductory" low-priced fares - for flights originating from Atlanta only - designed to generate traffic to five destination cities, which have not yet been specified.
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