Air Pacific Media Monitoring, Take Five (February 3rd-7th, 2014)

Time for more media monitoring! (Don't you just love the news...?)

"Batteries on planes pose 'increased fire risk'"
By Richard Westcott
BBC News, Business
February 3rd, 2014
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25733346

In a nutshell: Stemming from an incident at San Diego International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration has determined that lithium-ion batteries could cause potential fire hazards on planes.

Why it matters: This could be a great inspiration for Air Pacific to outline a formal flight safety plan, and get customer feedback on what could and can't work in it.

"Southwest Airlines to Add New Routes From San Diego"
KPBS-San Diego
February 4th, 2014
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/feb/04/southwest-airlines-add-new-routes-san-diego/

In a nutshell: Southwest Airlines announced it will add new flight routes from San Diego once federal limits on the airline's home airport are lifted, putting it head-to-head with American and Delta.

Why it matters: It gives a good indicator of how big a competition we'll be up against once we ourselves enter the race for airport space.

"San Diego County Considers Tighter Flight School Rules"
By Greg Bledsoe, Elena Gomez, and R. Stickney
NBC-7 San Diego
February 5th, 2014
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/San-Diego-County-Considers-Tighter-Flight-School-Rules-243697601.html#ixzz2sfqpZx49
In a nutshell: New regulations are being considered by San Diego County that would require flight schools to do background checks on foreign-born students.

Why it matters: This could either prove beneficial or limiting to the 'talent pool' we would have to choose from when hiring our airline's pilots.

"Foreign travel soars at Lindbergh Field"
By Chris Nichols
U-T San Diego
February 5th, 2014
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/feb/05/san-diego-international-airport-lindbergh-field/

In a nutshell: "Last year was a record breaker for international travel at Lindbergh Field, driven by the San Diego aviation hub’s first-ever nonstop route to Japan and greater demand for service to Mexico, officials said this week."

Why it matters: Once we launch and become established and successful enough in our initial year in operation, we're going to have to consider our international travel options at some point.

"Southwest Airlines just got even friendlier with craft brew service"
By John Verive
The L.A. Times
February 6th, 2014
http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-southwest-airlines-just-got-even-friendlier-with-craft-brews-20140206,0,3215683.story#ixzz2sfsOuglH
In a nutshell: Southwest has partnered with New Belgium Brewing to bring craft beer to their flights.

Why it matters: Since we live in an area of the U.S. where craft and micro brewing is popular with people, it might be good to consider partnering with some local breweries to help us plan out our in-flight menu....