FAA Investigating Southwest Airlines Navigation System Failure as Landed at Los Angeles International Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating what caused a Southwest Airlines jetliner to lose its navigation system as it landed at Los Angeles International Airport last week, officials said Wednesday.

The pilot of Southwest Flight 1445, carrying 92 passengers from San Jose to LAX, found that some of his instruments had failed while on approach to LAX around noon on Oct. 20, said Brad Hawkins, a spokesman for Southwest Airlines.

The plane’s first officer took control of the Boeing 737 as the pilot radioed for assistance to the air traffic control tower, Hawkins said.

The cause of the navigation system’s failure remained under investigation, said FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford.

Hawkins said mechanics found that a tripped circuit breaker was the cause of the problem. The plane’s instruments were operational after the breaker was restored to its position, he said.

Incoming flights were ordered to circle around as the plane was guided in with help from two veteran air traffic controllers, said Ron Geyer, head of the controller’s union that oversees Southern California’s air space.

Southwest Airlines Cheap Flight Service to Mexico Connecting With Mexican Carrier Volaris

Travelers looking for cheap trips to Mexico will be able to book their flights through Southwest Airlines beginning Nov. 12, connecting with low-cost Mexican carrier Volaris through Los Angeles, Oakland and San Jose, officials announced Thursday.

The code-share agreement will allow airline passengers in 20 cities currently served by Southwest to directly book Volaris flights to Cancun, Guadalajara, Morelia, Zacatecas and Toluca for travel beginning Dec. 1.

“The objective of this partnership is to provide a convenient and affordable itinerary for our customers, while offering a higher level of service to both sides of the border,” said Enrique Beltranena, CEO of Volaris, which began offering flights out of Los Angeles International Airport in May 2009.

The move will create about 85 new flight itineraries for the carriers and is expected to help boost passenger traffic at LAX, one of the three California airports where travelers will catch connecting flights to Mexico.

“Volaris is one of the fastest-growing airlines at LAX, and today’s announcement of a partnership with one of our most popular carriers only means added benefits for LAX passengers,” said Michael Molina, deputy executive director of external affairs at LAX.

Southwest Airlines initially announced its intent to link up with Volaris two years ago, said Bob Jordan, the carrier’s executive vice president of strategy and planning.

Jordan said he hopes Southwest will eventually provide additional international destinations as Volaris, Mexico’s second-busiest carrier, continues to grow. The move also comes as Southwest is paying $1.41 billion to acquire Air Tran, which already offers flights to Mexico.

“We have worked diligently to create a unique product that will uphold our high levels of customer service, stimulate additional revenue for both carriers and offer great new destinations for both airlines’ customers,” Jordan said.

Expanding Daily Flights : Jetblue Airways Increases Flights Nonstop, New York to Los Angeles

JetBlue Airways today announces an increase from two to four daily nonstop flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) beginning July 1, 2010, providing more options and more value to coast-to-coast travelers. In addition to its LAX service, JetBlue offers the only nonstop service from the East Coast to two other L.A. Basin airports : Burbank and Long Beach.

JetBlue launched twice daily service from both JFK and Boston’s Logan International Airport to LAX on June 17, 2009, and based on the successful launch of service and strong customer demand for JetBlue’s premium low-fare product, is pleased to double service from New York (expanding to four daily flights) while maintaining its popular Boston route with convenient twice-daily service.
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