|
ValuJet expansion halted
|
 |
December 19, 1996: 8:39 a.m. ET
FAA denies discount carrier's request to expand operating fleet
|
WASHINGTON (CNNfn) - The Federal Aviation Administration has denied ValuJet Airlines permission to resume service between Atlanta and Dallas/Forth Worth, West Palm Beach or Fort Myers.
ValuJet was allowed to resume a limited schedule in late September after being grounded in the wake of a May 11 crash in the Florida Everglades that killed all 110 people on board.
Under a consent agreement between ValuJet and the FAA, the low-cost carrier is required to obtain authority from the agency to expand beyond its current fleet of 15 aircraft.
"ValuJet has recently sought permission ... to expand its operating fleet to West Palm Beach and Fort Myers in Florida, and Dallas/Forth Worth in Texas, but the agency has not at this time permitted the expansion," the FAA said in a written statement on Wednesday.
The FAA gave no reason for denying the request, but noted that its decision meant ValuJet would be unable to serve customers who had already purchased tickets for these routes. The carrier sold 15,000 tickets for flights between Dec. 19 and Jan. 6.
Because ValuJet Airlines will be unable to serve those customers, the airline is seeking authority from the FAA and the Department of Transportation to arrange charter services with other airlines, beginning Thursday and ending Jan. 6.
Currently, the DOT is reviewing ValuJet's charter arrangements to ensure full compliance with FAA safety standards. Approval of any charter arrangements will be completed only when the FAA is satisfied that the arrangements meet the agency's safety standards.
Additionally, the DOT will only approve charter service conditioned on consumer notification of the substitute charter service, and refunds being provided to passengers who request them.
ValuJet has also been advised to cease selling tickets for any new service after Jan. 6 until the matter is resolved.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
