Tag Archives: United Airlines

A brief overview of flying taxis

Posted on May 31, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

This was written by the executive director of the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education, and it answers at least one of my questions about our flying taxi future. In the near term, once eVTOLs are certified to fly … Continue reading →

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Flying taxis coming to an airport near you

Posted on March 2, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Possibly in time for the FIFA World Cup. The Houston Airport System says they plan to bring air taxis to the area within the next two years, just in time for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. “Right now we’re … Continue reading →

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COVID madness

Posted on February 20, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

How many ways will unhinged lunatics find to kill us? A federal appeals court has reversed a ruling, effectively halting United Airlines’ COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees. The majority on the 5th U.S. Circuit panel ruled in favor of lifting … Continue reading →

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Get ready to fly to Cuba

Posted on July 9, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

You’ll be able to get there from Houston in a few months. A new weekly flight from Bush Intercontinental Airport to Havana was announced Thursday as part of the government’s historic effort to unwind more than 50 years of political … Continue reading →

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Flying to Cuba

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

You can get there from Houston, or at least you will be able to soon. United Airlines made it clear Thursday it intends to offer regular commercial flights between the U.S. and Cuba, saying it would look to offer service … Continue reading →

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There will still be international flights at IAH

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

In fact, soon there will be a new airline and a new destination at IAH. Turkish Airlines plans to start non-stop flights between Bush Intercontinental Airport and Istanbul next year, the Houston Airport System announced in a press release. The … Continue reading →

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On competition and airline prices

Posted on June 9, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I come across news stories of blog interest from a variety of sources. Here’s one that I got from my alumni association email list that has to do with airline pricing; it was of interest to Trinity University alums because … Continue reading →

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It’s just business

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The fact that Continental Airlines once had a cozy relationship with the City of Houston doesn’t mean that United Airlines should expect the same treatment. Then two years ago, Continental got married, and it took a new name. Houston renewed … Continue reading →

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Council approves Hobby expansion plan

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

In the end, it wasn’t close. City Council approved a plan Wednesday that will give Houston two international commercial airports, settling a public policy debate that raged for months over whether flights from Hobby Airport to Latin America would boost … Continue reading →

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Hobby jobs claims

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

There’s been a lot of discussion about how many jobs the proposal to expand Hobby Airport and allow Southwest Airlines to begin flying internationally from there may or may not create. This story gets to the heart of what really … Continue reading →

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The deal with Southwest

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It’s official. In a news conference at Hobby Airport, Mayor Annise Parker announced Wednesday that Southwest Airlines will pay the estimated $100 million cost for a five-gate expansion at Hobby that would provide international flights. “This is one of those … Continue reading →

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Mayor to announce Hobby expansion deal

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Here it comes. Houston Mayor Annise Parker is planning to announce Wednesday morning that the city and Southwest Airlines have come to an agreement on how to finance a $100 million expansion of Hobby Airport to accommodate international flights, according … Continue reading →

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Paying for Hobby expansion

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

At last week’s Council hearing on the proposed expansion of Hobby Airport, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly made the statement that if the proposal were to be accepted, Southwest would pay for the $100 million project. The Chron looks at … Continue reading →

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Two cities, one argument about airports

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Turns out Houston isn’t the only city squabbling with United Airlines about airport expansions. There’s a similar fight going on in Chicago. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has gotten tough with the teachers union and muscled the City Council. But will he … Continue reading →

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“Reasonable accommodation”

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

According to a legal opinion provided by the City Attorney’s office, Houston must provide “reasonable accommodation” to Southwest Airlines for its proposal to offer international flights at Hobby Airport. In a memo accompanying the legal opinion, City Attorney David Feldman … Continue reading →

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United’s study predicts doom and disaster if Hobby expands

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Well, what did you expect it to say? Expanding Hobby Airport to allow for international flights will cost the Houston area 3,700 jobs and $295 million in economic activity, according to a study released by United Airlines Thursday afternoon. United’s … Continue reading →

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Hobby expansion, for and neutral

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron had an interesting point/not-quite-counterpoint about the Hobby expansion proposal on its Sunday op-ed pages. The pro-Hobby expansion piece by Ed Wulfe was mostly rah-rah stuff and didn’t bring anything new to the debate. The other piece, by Darren … Continue reading →

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Here come the lobbyists

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It’s getting real in the United versus Southwest fight. Both sides have enlisted A-list lobbying teams. United’s includes Marty Stein, who until little more than a year ago was Mayor Annise Parker’s agenda director; former City Attorney Anthony Hall and … Continue reading →

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Council is skeptical of Hobby International

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Not so clear skies for expanding Hobby Airport into an international terminal. A consultant’s study that forecasts an economic boon for Houston if Hobby is made into an international airport came under fire from city council members Monday as “biased” … Continue reading →

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Houston Airport System sides with Southwest

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Hot out of the inbox: In a memorandum to Mayor Annise Parker, Houston Director of Aviation Mario Diaz recommends the City of Houston work with Southwest Airlines (Southwest) to expand the federal inspection services (FIS) facility at William P. Hobby … Continue reading →

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Today’s the day for the airport report

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Today’s the day when we get that report from Houston Airport System Director Mario Diaz that makes a recommendation to Mayor Parker and City Council about whether or not to expand Hobby Airport to include international flights. We will also … Continue reading →

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Catching up on United versus Southwest

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

There have been a few news stories of interest since we first heard about the Southwest Airlines plan for international flights at Hobby Airport, which is being vigorously opposed by United, who wants to keep IAH as the only international … Continue reading →

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United versus Southwest

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I feel like I’m missing something in this debate. A proposal by Southwest Airlines to offer international flights from Hobby Airport has triggered an intense lobbying duel with United Airlines, which still wields considerable local clout as the successor to … Continue reading →

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Council approves IAH/United deal

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The deal is done. The deal calls for United to put in $686 million and the Houston Airport System $288 million. Although the airport system is a city government function, it runs as a separate business and will not use … Continue reading →

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Terminal B expansion on the menu

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

In late May, the city announced that Terminal B expansion at IAH would go forward. Houston Mayor Annise Parker, the Houston Airport System (HAS), and United Continental Holdings, Inc. Airlines, reaffirm a commitment to overhaul Terminal B at George Bush … Continue reading →

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