A Texas-based public charter jet service is accusing American Airlines and Southwest Airlines of pressuring federal regulators in an effort to undermine its business model, and is asking the flying public to fight back. JSX, a charter carrier headquartered in Dallas, said in an email to customers that the broad review of public charter safety standards by the Federal Aviation Administration was triggered “under pressure” from American, Southwest and their labor unions in an effort to stymie competition. Its message to customers to act “right now” generated nearly 38,000 comments on the docket for the FAA review, a JSX spokesperson said. Another 100,000 clicked on a link to send a support message to members of Congress. Among those supporting the effort: Airbnb Inc. co-cofounder Joe Gebbia, who posted on X that “JSX airline is under attack.” The push for changes “is not driven by a bona fide regulatory concern,” JSX CEO Alex Wilcox said Thursday in an interview. “This is pure back room politicking done by competitors out of complete self-interest.” Transportation Department and FAA regulators have declined to meet with JSX officials, he said. Southwest pushed back against JSX’s accusation, saying the carrier “supports the position of airline industry pilots, flight attendants and air traffic controllers who believe there needs to be one level of safety for anyone flying on a scheduled air carrier.” American had no immediate comment on the JSX concerns. In its email to passengers, JSX said its business model was at risk - and provided a link with prewritten text to lawmakers. “If these airlines and labor groups succeed, JSX will be forced out of business,” the email said. “They’re using unsubstantiated allegations about aviation safety to push for our shutdown out of greed.”<br/>
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Scottish airline Loganair has said it is no longer up for sale, after it was put on the market last year. Brothers Stephen and Peter Bond, who have had sole-ownership of the business since 2012, will remain as owners. In October 2022, the Glasgow-based airline said that advisers had been appointed to find a buyer. Loganair is the largest regional airline in the UK, operating for more than 60 years, with over 900 staff flying to more than 40 destinations. When the business was put up for sale, it had been hoped that new owners would take over by mid-2023. Stephen and Peter Bond said: "There has never been a time-bound reason for the sale of Loganair, and we remain committed to the company until both the right time and custodian to acquire the company is chosen." They said the "suspension of the sale process" would allow them to complete a fleet renewal programme, which is expected by Q1 2024. A multi-million pound refurbishment programme and upgrade of systems for Loganair's 13 Embraer 145 Regional Jet aircraft is also underway. The airline said it will be completed over the next 12 months. A Loganair spokesperson said: "Loganair continues to trade profitably and free of debt - and Loganair's management team welcomes Stephen and Peter's ongoing commitment to supporting the airline, with which they have been involved for over 25 years."<br/>
The head of e-commerce at VietJetAir (VJ, Hanoi) is under house arrest after allegedly providing bribes to secure for-profit Covid-19 repatriation flights, the online daily VnExpress and other local media outlets reported. Nguyen Manh Cuong was arrested by Vietnamese officials in mid-September, along with several other individuals, pending an investigation into his alleged activities. Between the start of the pandemic and mid-2021, Vietnamese airlines including VietJetAir operated 372 repatriation flights. Prosecuting authorities allege that multiple entities and individuals gave or received bribes 515 times, with a total value of VND165b dong (US$6.8m). Aside from Nguyen, four other people were arrested on the same day, including a former deputy head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam's Aviation Transport Department. ch-aviation does not say that the allegations are true, only that they have been made. The arrests are the latest instalment in a long-running bribery investigation, which saw 54 people found guilty and sentenced in relation to the matter in the Hanoi People's Court in July. Four now-former government officials from the departments of foreign affairs, transport, public health, and immigration received life sentences, while others received prison terms of ten-plus years. Prosecutors say the investigation has moved to "phase two."<br/>