US Magistrate Karla Spaulding sided with prosecutors and let stand the charge against Brown of attempting to put an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft. Brown was returned to the Seminole County Jail where he is being held without bond because Counts, without explanation, waived the scheduled bond hearing. Afterward, Counts would only say he would reschedule a bond hearing for Brown "if circumstances change." Brown was stopped at the airport by officers who said he acted suspiciously while preparing to check his bag. He variously told Boaz that he planned to explode a tree stump on his cousin's land in Jamaica, and that he wanted to show his friends the kind of improvised explosive device he had seen while serving in Iraq. Newspaper reports said Brown was a US Army veteran who had worked for a military contractor in Iraq last year and who had struggled with depression since the murder of his mother in 2005. His lawyer declined to comment on that. Apr 4, 2008

States receive extension for complying with Real ID. DHS has granted all states extensions to meet requirements for producing new drivers licenses. The extension will allow residents to continue using their current licenses to board commercial airplanes. Apr 3, 2008

DHS gives Maine ultimatum on complying with Real ID. The Department of Homeland Security said Maine has until today to agree to comply with the government's Real ID program. Otherwise, the state's driver's licenses may be rejected as invalid at U.S. airports next month. Maine is the only state that has not received an extension on the regulations. US Dept. of Homeland Security gave Maine until 5 p.m. today to agree to requirements of a federal law or face the prospect of the state's residents being unable to use their driver's licenses as valid identification at airports from May 11. A US law enacted in 2005 compels states to issue licenses with multiple federally approved security features. Apr 2, 2008

Outdated air traffic control system creates risks. The nation's aging air traffic control system experiences constant failures, consultant Michael Boyd writes. He also notes air traffic control "wastes fuel massively" and the FAA's NextGen program will not address the problem. Apr 2, 2008

The nation's aging air traffic control system experiences constant failures, consultant Michael Boyd writes. He also notes air traffic control "wastes fuel massively" and the FAA's NextGen program will not address the problem. Apr 2, 2008

Stars still get perks, special treatment when they fly. Airlines still provide celebrities, politicians, sports heroes and dignitaries with private lounges and special entryways in terminals, the Wall Street Journal's Scott McCartney writes. For example, American Airlines quickly escorts famous individuals through the airport with its "Five Star" service. Observers also note that airlines benefit from celebrity customers. "Airlines definitely want celebrities on planes," said Nancy Suey Castles, director of public relations at Los Angles International Airport. Apr 1, 2008

States should not micromanage airlines. A federal court's decision to strike down New York's passenger rights law was the right decision, the Washington Post editorial board writes. The board notes that states should not be allowed to micromanage airline operations. "Ideally, rules on how many hours one could be trapped on an airplane and what kind of amenities must be on hand when delays become excessive should come from the airlines themselves," the board writes. Apr 1, 2008

The TSA is providing airlines with specific rules for cargo screening. The TSA said it will regulate cargo shipments under a new voluntary program funded by the industry. TSA officials noted that companies that decide not to participate in the voluntary program may face delays at the airport. Apr 1, 2008

Increase in carry-on bags frustrates some travelers. Some travelers say they often are forced to check their carry-on luggage because there is no available space in the overhead bin. Many travelers who stopped taking carry-on bags with them after the TSA banned liquids and gels are now traveling with carry-on bags again. In addition, strong demand for travel has led to packed planes and more carry-on bags. Mar 31, 2008

The TSA is making the first significant changes to airport checkpoint screening since the 1970s as part of an effort to make screening calmer and more relaxed for travelers. It is testing the changes at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where mauve lights, soothing music and smiling employees will greet passengers. "A chaotic, noisy, congested checkpoint is a security nightmare. Chaos gives camouflage," TSA Administrator Kip Hawley said. "A chaotic environment puts subtle pressure on (screeners) to rush the job. Mar 31, 2008

TSA launches test program aimed at calming security checkpoints. The TSA is making the first significant changes to airport checkpoint screening since the 1970s as part of an effort to make screening calmer and more relaxed for travelers. It is testing the changes at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where mauve lights, soothing music and smiling employees will greet passengers. "A chaotic, noisy, congested checkpoint is a security nightmare. Chaos gives camouflage," TSA Administrator Kip Hawley said. "A chaotic environment puts subtle pressure on (screeners) to rush the job." Mar 31, 2008

American Airlines, Southwest Airlines

American Airlines' cancellations may have helped Southwest Airlines a little." We had more room to fly around the storms and no air traffic control issues," Mike Tyson, one of Southwest's chief dispatchers, said Wednesday. Tuesday's storms prompted Southwest to cancel about 80 flights and to delay others for several hours. But because the Dallas-based carrier flies point-to-point, the interruptions were mostly limited to its Dallas Love Field headquarters and a few nearby airports. Even so, there were frustrations for passengers. A more than five-hour halt for take-offs and landings by federal air traffic controllers created a snowballing backlog of flights.The baggage system at Love Field was unable to keep up; some passengers reported waiting longer for their luggage than they had spent in the air. The operational glitches continued Wednesday morning, but officials said things were back to normal by lunchtime. Looking back, Mr. Tyson said, the carrier should have spread the backlogged flights over a longer period to avoid overwhelming airport crews and systems." We were prepared that it was going to be a lot of rain, but we were a little bit surprised at the intensity," he said. Mar 31, 2008

Los Angeles International

Travelers with visions of Waikiki, sandy beaches and island cruises were stranded Thursday at Los Angeles International Airport and across the nation as low-fare carrier ATA Airlines Inc. abruptly grounded all flights and ceased operations. A single sheet of paper posted at an empty ticket counter at LAX delivered the bad news for travelers on the carrier's three scheduled daily flights from Los Angeles to Hawaii. Passengers scrambled -- with limited success -- to make alternative arrangements. The Indianapolis-based airline became the second U.S. carrier this week to end passenger service. On Monday, Aloha Airlines ended flights, grounding the only carrier offering nonstop flights from Orange County to Hawaii. Flying to Hawaii is likely to be harder to book and more expensive as the peak summer season approaches. With less competition, airlines will have an easier time passing along fare increases to travelers on what is one of the more popular routes for Southern California travelers, experts said. Apr 4, 2008

Orlando Airport, Air Jamaica

The liquid packed in an Air Jamaica passenger's suitcase could have caused a disastrous explosion if it had ignited in mid-air, an FBI agent said on Thursday at a hearing for a man charged with trying to take bomb parts on a plane. The 32-year-old Jamaican man was arrested at Orlando Airport on Tuesday as he prepared to check his luggage for a flight to Montego Bay, Jamaica. The FBI said the suitcase contained two galvanized pipes, end caps with holes drilled in them, two prescription bottles containing air gun pellets, a model rocket igniter, batteries, lighters, lighter fluid and two plastic vodka bottles of nitromethane, a liquid used as an industrial solvent and race car fuel. Assistant US Public Defender Clarence Counts argued that the liquid and other bomb components, which Boaz acknowledged were unassembled and packaged separately, did not endanger the flight. Apr 4, 2008

Orlando Airport, Air Jamaica

Brown, the arrested a Jamaican man, is scheduled to make a first appearance on Wednesday in US District Court in Orlando on charges of carrying a weapon or explosive on an aircraft. The Transportation Security Administration said a "behavior detection officer" keeping watch for suspicious activity singled out Brown for closer inspection. Airport spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell said Brown was detained while preparing to check his luggage for his flight. His luggage was searched, he was taken into custody by Orlando Police and then turned over to the FBI, which announced the charges late on Tuesday. Passengers were evacuated from a section of the airport terminal around the Air Jamaica, Air Canada and Air Frontier ticket counters and 11 flights were delayed, Fennell said. Apr 2, 2008

Orlando Airport, Air Jamaica

The FBI arrested a Jamaican man on Tuesday Apr. 1 on charges he tried to board a plane at Orlando Airport with pipe bomb components and instructions in his checked luggage. The agency identified the man as Kevin Brown, 32, who was ticketed for Air Jamaica flight 80 from Orlando to Montego Bay, Jamaica. In a search of Brown's luggage, agents found two galvanized pipes, end caps, two small containers of air gun pellets, batteries, two containers of an unknown liquid, a laptop computer and bomb-making literature, according to a statement from Steven Ibison, special agent in charge of the FBI's Tampa division. Initial record checks indicated Brown was in the United States legally, the FBI said. Apr 2, 2008

Radisson Hotels

Radisson Hotels & Resorts has opened the 204-room Radisson Suites Hotel Tucson Airport, in Arizona. It was converted as part of a plan to bring it under the Radisson brand, and includes a renovation to all guestrooms &endash; which all feature a bedroom and separate living room with well-lit work tables - and public areas which began in October 2007. Situated at the entrance to Tucson International Airport, it has numerous amenities for business travellers. It features nearly 12,000 sq ft (1,115 m) of function space and can accommodate meetings or parties from ten up to 300. The 4,788 sq ft ballroom provides seating for up to 250 guests and can be divided into the three equal sections. In addition, it features five smaller conference suites which are designed for smaller meetings, and complimentary high-speed wireless internet is available throughout the building. Apr 2, 2008

San Francisco

San Francisco International Airport has installed a new layer of defense against bioterrorism. The Biowatch Indoor Reachback Center is designed to expedite the first response in the event of a bioterror event at the airport. Apr 3, 2008

Bioterror response plan set up at San Francisco International Airport. San Francisco International Airport has installed a new layer of defense against bioterrorism. The Biowatch Indoor Reachback Center is designed to expedite the first response in the event of a bioterror event at the airport. Apr 3, 2008

Tampa airport

Tampa officials discuss new airport security measures. Tampa, Fla., airport officials and TSA officials are discussing a program to improve security that includes adding new scanning technology, reconfiguring the security area and changing some checkpoint procedures. The discussion arrives as the TSA tests a program aimed at reducing passenger stress in Washington-area airports. Apr 4, 2008

Apr 7, 2008

Editorial eMail: edit@AirGuideOnline.com

For Air Transport & Travel Business Experts contact our Director of Content Aram Gesar eMail: bizintel@AirGuideOnline.com

To Advertise: advert@AirGuideOnline.com