Airline Affairs

Pilot Hirings Continue To Grow

The hiring rate of Us airline pilots continues to grow, with 653 pilot jobs alone being filled in June this year. If growth continues at the current rate, total pilot hiring in the Us could exceed 8000 in 1994. Most of the new jobs are being offered by regional airlines with new operators responsible for most of them. Of the 653 pilots placed in June, no fewer than 440 were for startup operators. The major and national airlines employed just 146 new pilots. The June figures brought the total number of new pilots to 4103 for the year to August.

Games To Boost Tourism

Following the awarding of the 2000 Olympics to Sydney, the Australian Tourist Commission (Atc) has issued increased estimates as to how many overseas visitors will come to Australia over the next decade. The new figures predict the Olympics will attract an extra 2.1 million visitors to Australia between now and 2004, with 450,000 of them in 2000 and the peak of 482,000 being reached during the following year. Overall, 6.8 million visitors are expected in 2000, increasing to 8.4 million in 2004. This compares with just under 3 million in 1993 and a predicted 4 million this year. The Atc’s estimates put annual growth at an average 9.4% over the next ten years, peaking at 15.2% in 1998 and then tapering off to just 4.1% in 2004.

Qantas Axes First Class On Classics

Qantas has taken an innovative step towards increasing its capacity by axing First Class on its 747 Classics. This will leave only the 18 747-400s configured in a traditional three class arrangement. It is these ultra long haul aircraft that serve the airline’s primary business routes such as the London, Tokyo and La services. The remaining 747-200s and -300s primarily serve the leisure based routes with sector times rarely beyond eight or nine hours. The two Sps used by Australia Asia will also be in a two class configuration. Replacing First though is Qantas’ vastly improved 50in (127cm) pitch Business Class (same as Ansett’s 747 configuration) which is not that dissimilar to Continental’s successful Business First which was introduced back in 1992. This will also bring the Business cabins on the long haul 767-300s into line with the entire 747 fleet whilst the 767-200s are nowadays primarily used for domestic duties and are configured in three classes (as are Qf’s domestic A300s and 737s) though naturally the domestic First is little different physically to Business. The move should increase capacity in all of Qantas’ 747 Classics whilst offering a more sensible arrangement via an improved Business cabin.

Qantas Float Leads Announced

Broking houses Potter Warburg Asset Management and McIntosh Securities Ltd have been named as lead managers of the Qantas share float by Minister for Finance, Kim Beazley. In making the announcement, Mr Beazley said the performance put in by the firms in the Csl float had clinched the Qantas leadership for them. The float will not be underwritten and according to Mr Beazley will proceed in April or May next year regardless of the state of the sharemarket in the meantime. Reach for the stars. Ansett’s first long haul 747 international service (after having flown to Bali for a year now) departs Sydney bound for Osaka’s brand new Kansai international airport on September 4. This historic first service was operated by Vh-inj, and 160 passengers were on board.

Air New Zealand Profits Rise

Air New Zealand’s audited consolidated net profits after tax for the year to June 30 1994 rose by 36.6% to $Nz190.7m ($A156m) compared with the previous year’s result of $Nz139.5m ($A109m). Consolidated operating profit for the period was $Nz199m ($A163m) an improvement of 42% compared with $Nz140.3m ($A109m) for previous year. Group revenue too experienced a significant increase, the turnover of $Nz2598m ($A2129m) was an 11.1% improvement. Some 55.6%, or $Nz1.4bn ($A1.15bn), of revenue was from foreign exchange earnings. The overall operating margin was 7.7% of total sales, against 6.0% in the year to June 30 1993. This excellent result was achieved at a time when the world aviation industry continues to struggle from the ongoing effects of the worst recession in recent history, despite clear signs of a recovery in tourism and business travel in most regions. Important factors in the improved results include a year on year increase in passenger numbers into New Zealand of 11.8%, with Anz’s total share of inbound and outbound passenger traffic being close to 50%; new services to Korea and increased capacity to Europe, North America and Australia; an increase in overall load factors to 70.8% (up from 68.2%); less competition on Pacific routes due to the withdrawal of Us carriers; an increase in earnings from freight; and favourable fuel prices and Us interest rates. Yields softened slightly, attributable to a strengthening Nz dollar. Domestic traffic grew steadily on the strength of increasing overseas tourist traffic and the improving local economy.

Peanuts For Continental

Continental Airlines’ so called ‘peanuts fare’ low cost domestic operation is causing the operator some problems. Introduced last year, the ‘Calite’ services (now renamed as Continental Lite) have been fashioned after Southwest Airlines’ successful low cost point to point (rather than hub and spoke) operations and were designed to help stimulate a return to profitability. But problems have developed, mainly a large number of delayed and late arriving services plus many complaints from customers. Calite has apparently not helped Continental’s profitability so far with projections for a June quarter loss of $Us1.50 per share now being described by the airline as overly optimistic.

Air France Subsidy Anger

The European Commission’s recent decision to allow the French government to give its ailing flag carrier Air France $Us3.6bn in financial support has angered many, especially the privatised airlines of Europe. British Airways and British Midland have already stated they are considering taking the matter to the European Court of Justice, along with other operators which have to stand on their own financial feet such as Klm, Sas and independent French operator Euralair. British Midland chief Sir Michael Bishop said the decision allows a “grotesque” distortion of the free market which the Ec is supposed to promote. Sir Michael says “I find it extraordinary that the Commission can allow Air France to receive a sum almost equal to the total losses made by the world’s airlines in 1993″. The grant comes with some conditions imposed by the Ec, including setting up a new holding company to ensure the money goes entirely to Air France and is not shared with subsidiary Air Inter, restricting Air France’s fleet to 146 aircraft, limiting its number of European routes to the 1993 level and selling its interest in the Meridien hotel chain. The French government must also avoid giving Air France preferential treatment on traffic rights, although the use of the word “avoid” rather than “forbid” is interesting. However, Air France is not the only airline to win Ec approval for an infusion of funds this year. Olympic will receive a $Us2.3bn rescue package while Tap Air Portugal and Aer Lingus have had smaller amounts approved.

India Freezes Airliner Imports

The Indian government has placed a ban on the importation of new airliners by the country’s privately owned operators, allegedly to prevent overcrowding of domestic air corridors. The freeze is for an indefinite period and has been imposed officially because of an increase in the number of private airliner which have been causing operational problems at airports, such as making air traffic controllers incapable of handling the traffic volume during peak times at Bombay and Delhi. The reality is rather different, and this move is the latest in a series of actions designed to inhibit the expansion of the private operators and to protect state owned Indian Airlines. The six largest private airlines had plans to purchase or lease 20 new aircraft between them over the next few months. There is no mention of a ban on Indian Airlines importing new aircraft.

Ansett And Swissair Asian Link

Ansett Australia and Swissair have formalised an agreement designed to link their Australian and European networks via Hong Kong and Osaka. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed and it mainly focusses on developing traffic from Europe to Australia but Ansett would gain access to Swissair services in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Swissair in turn will have the benefit of Ansett’s vast Australian domestic network becoming available to it. Ansett will also link with Virgin at Hong Kong from next April when the airline increases its Hk 747 frequency from three to five per week. It is not coincidental that Ansett’s Spaceship class structure closely resembles that of successful Virgin, something that will make it much easier for Virgin to presell Ansett connections out of Hong Kong for the southbound run to Australia. In a roundabout way Ansett gets its London link via Virgin’s nonstop A340s whilst Virgin feeds Australia via Ansett’s 747-300s.

More Qantas Capacity To Indonesia

The International Air Services Commission (Iasc) has given Qantas approval to operate additional capacity between Australia and Indonesia from November this year. The new allocation will allow Qantas to operate an additional 767-300 service each week between Sydney and Jakarta. Sufficient shelf capacity remains to permit a further three flights per week by other Australian carriers. Qantas currently flies 12 services per week to Indonesia and Ansett six, a total of 4840 seats. Indonesia’s Garuda and Sempati Air offer 5950 seats per week.

Money For Nothing

A would-be domestic airline called City Express has been asking job seekers to include a cheque for $500 with their applications to help establish the business. Several hundred people who answered a newspaper advertisement received a letter from Mr Len Wood’s Brisbane based City Express, which contained details of the $500 payment (which would be refunded if the applicant was unsuccessful) plus information on how each successful applicant would have the chance to purchase up to 10 shares in the airline at a cost of $1000 each. City Express intends to operate one class hushkitted Boeing 727s with the first aircraft planned for delivery late this year. According to the Caa, City Express has yet to apply for an Air Operators Certificate.

Better Deal For Westies

Western Australian air travellers will get some good fare deals when Qantas subsidiary Airlink begins operations in the state next November. Discounts of up to 50% on the normal economy fare will be offered, some examples of return fares being Perth/Kalgoorlie $209, Perth/Broome $469, Perth/ Darwin $609, Perth/Alice Springs $429, Perth/Karratha $379, Perth/Port Hedland $379 and Broome/Darwin $349. These fares will be available between November 14 and February 19, but the catch is they must have been booked by September 20 this year.

Qantas Airbus Maintenance Furore

Qantas has created something of a storm by announcing that British Aerospace will perform heavy maintenance on the airline’s four Airbus A300 widebodies at its Filton, Uk, facility rather than giving the work to local firm Asta Aircraft Services (Astaas). Asta released a statement which did little to hide its disappointment, saying it was “confident that given the opportunity to negotiate the contents of the work package, it would meet and satisfy Qantas’ requirements for the maintenance programme”. Qantas also released a statement defending the decision, pointing out that Astaas was “uncompetitive on costs and almost every other aspect including experience and capability…. their turnaround time on the four aircraft exceeded British Aerospace by about three months”, and “our engineering staff was advised by Astaas earlier this year of a minor improvement in turnaround for their bid. Unfortunately they were unable to improve the terms sufficiently to be considered for the contract on the A300s”. The situation stems from Qantas’ recent cancellation of its inherited and oftdelayed order for nine Airbus A320s, which was placed in 1985 when Trans Australia Airlines was still in existence (refer p5 Aug 94 Aa). A $Us10m deposit was paid which Airbus will refund, but in the form of credits on parts and heavy maintenance on the A300s.

Baa-Baas Banned By Ba

British Airways has abruptly stopped carrying live sheep for slaughter between Perth and Singapore following campaigns by a British Tory Mp and a tabloid newspaper. Ba often carried 50 or so live sheep in the holds of aircraft on regular passenger runs but the scheme came unstuck in August when a flight out of Perth was delayed due to the consignment of sheep for that flight being late. The passengers were told of the reason for the delay, and according to a House of Commons Researcher who happened to be on board, this caused anger and distress among the passengers. The researcher referred the matter to his boss, Tory Mp Sir Teddy Taylor, who took up the sheeps’ cause in concert with the fishwrappers’ tabloid, The Daily Star. The rest you know! The newspaper took the credit for Ba’s decision, running headlines like “Thank Ewe My Daily Star” and changing its masthead from “The No 1 Paper For News” to “The No 1 Paper For Ewes”. Somehow we don’t think they took this all that seriously!

America West Emerges From Chapter 11

In one of the strongest corporate turnarounds in Us aviation history, Phoenix based America West Airlines announced its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy on August 23. The announcement culminates over three years of trading under the protection of Chapter 11, and a massive turnaround in performance has since seen the carrier achieve enviable figures in quarterly revenue and loads. 1993’s results have proved to be the airline’s best in its history, with a nett income of $Us37m on an operating revenue of $Us1.32bn. For the same period in 1992, America West had posted a $Us131m loss on an operating revenue of $Us1.29bn. Strict cost controls and sensible fare structuring, route restructuring and the addition of subsidiary regional operations have together created a stronger financial basis to take the airline out of bankruptcy. Continued staff support throughout the crisis, according to chairman Wa Franke, has contributed greatly to the turnaround. America West currently operates 56 737s (including series -200 aircraft previously operated by Ansett which has a minority shareholding in the airline), 18 A320s and 17 757s. Regional feeder operations are provided by America West Express, using predominantly Beech 1900s of Mesa Airlines and Superior Airlines. Prior to declaring bankruptcy, employees has purchased substantial shares in the airline. America West’s request to the courts for the approval of bonuses totalling some $Us9.2m for the airline’s non officer employees is likely to be met, compensating approximately 80% of staff.

Hazelton Profits Above Expectation

Hazelton Airlines has announced an audited after tax profit of $3.54m profit for the nine months ending June 30, its first three quarters operating as a publicly listed company. The profit result was substantially higher than the $1.85m forecast in the airline’s Prospectus prepared for its float last year and came on revenue of $36.1m. Predicted revenue was $34.2m, but increased revenue resulted from greater passenger demand from October last when the airline experienced a notable pick up in growth, combined with lower costs. During the nine month period the airline carried 245,000 passengers, 7.45% higher than forecast, while load factor was 64%, up on the forecast 59%. Yield however fell, reflecting greater competition on some routes. Growth out of Dubbo, Lismore, Casino, Albury/Wodonga, Griffith, Narrandera, Orange and Parkes was particularly strong, while all ports were profitable with the exception of Armidale, which has become profitable since year end. Company aircraft flew 14,300 hours during the nine month period. Hazelton became a publicly listed company last October when it was successfully floated on the stock exchange.

Ana’S Village Vision

Since our article “Home Sweet Home” regarding Malaysia Airlines’ plans to establish a housing estate for its employees near the forthcoming new Kuala Lumpur airport (refer p6 Sept ’94 Aa), reader Geoff Collis has brought to our attention that Australian National Airways had similar plans for its workers during the latter stages of Ww2. An Ana booklet on its plans for its postwar operations describes in some detail a fully self sufficient neighbourhood for airline staff within walking distance of the airport at some of Australia’s major cities. The book mentions that sites at Perth and Adelaide had already been selected, while its surveyors where investigating other sights at cities around Australia. It says the company’s housing plan is “one of the most ambitious put forward by an industrial enterprise in Australia, and expected to cost ultimately — so far as it is possible to estimate costs at present — round about $1,000,000 ($2,000,000 in 1944/45 dollars). The company wants its employees to enjoy both the security and satisfaction of home ownership. It wants them to be happy and their children to be healthy”. Most of the streets in the estate were to be short cul de sacs for privacy, “opening out onto playgrounds for children”, while all housing would be stand alone houses and not flats “fronting on cool tree lined streets”. Each estate would also have had a community centre featuring retail shops, a picture theatre, medical and dental centres, a child and infant welfare centre and a library and meeting rooms. There would also be a hostel for flying staff transiting the city. The book features a detailed drawing of how the selected 37 acre sight at Perth would look, being just ten minutes walk away from the then new Perth airport, and backing onto the Swan River. To our knowledge nothing ever became of these ambitious plans. Ana, which was founded in 1936, collapsed in 1957 and was of course merged into Reginald Ansett’s rapidly expanding airline to become Ansett-Ana.

Go North Young Man/Woman

Job prospects for pilots appear to be improving. Mike Watson at Skygold Aviation, based in Townsville, operates a busy single engine charter business, but is finding himself desperately short of pilots. His policy has always been to recruit and train pilots in house, but his pilots keep being snapped up by airline companies flying larger aircraft. Now it looks as though he might have to recruit from outside. However, he doesn’t want itinerant pilots turning up on the doorstep, but indicates that he might be receptive to anyone who can demonstrate that as well as being able to drive an aircraft, they know something about customer service, personal presentation and the other skills that go towards making a well rounded company employee. Mike can be contacted on (077) 75 7400 or fax (077) 79 6899.

Asia-Pacific Traffic Growth

Passenger traffic carried by members of the Orient Airlines Association (which represents 16 major operators in the Asia-Pacific region) grew by 11.6% in the first six months of 1994 compared to the same period of last year. Capacity grew by only 8.3%, resulting in a two points improvement in load factors to 68.6%, while the actual number of passengers increased by 10%. The fact that they were carried on a longer average journey length resulted in the 11.6% growth in revenue passenger kilometres (Rpks). Even more impressive was the growth in freight carried, with freight tonne kilometres (Ftks) increasing by a substantial 16.8%. This is tipped to be a major growth area in the region in the years ahead. The Oaa notes that average load factors are still under 70%, despite the modest increase in capacity. It says, therefore, that airlines are going to improve profitability in the short term mainly by controlling costs and raising yields. The Oaa’s member airlines are Air New Zealand, Air Niugini, All Nippon, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Eva Air (Taiwan), Garuda, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Royal Brunei, Singapore Airlines and Thai International.

Polynesian Out Of Usa

Polynesian Airlines has suspended services between Samoa and Los Angeles due to ongoing operational problems with its Boeing 767-200 aircraft (refer p20, Sept 94 Aa). The problems began when the 767 arrived on lease from Kuwaiti Airways in June this year and it was discovered not to be fitted with a terminal collision avoidance system (Tcas) as demanded by the Us authorities. Qantas was given the job of installing the equipment but while that was going on Polynesian realised it would have to reapply to Us and Australian authorities to use the aircraft, resulting in further delays. Options were considered and it was decided to stop the Tcas installation work and suspend Us services. Passengers booked on Polynesian flights to the Usa have been transferred to Qantas or United. The airline says it will not permanently terminate services there because that would mean a loss of landing rights.

Pilots May Be Charged

The Canadian captain and South Korean copilot of a Korean Air A300-600R which crashed at Cheju Island, South Korea in August may be facing criminal charges. Miraculously, all 160 people on board escaped but the aircraft was destroyed by fire when it crashed while attempting to land in heavy rain and gusting wind. The cockpit voice recorder reveals an argument taking place between the two pilots just before it crashed, with the captain calling for a go around and the copilot apparently trying to override his control inputs. The aircraft touched down too far down the runway and had to be swung off it to avoid overrunning. This is the latest in a series of recent accidents and incidents in which Asian pilots have resisted attempts to perform a missed approach, reportedly because that would involve a ‘loss of face’. Both pilots have been suspended from duty and had their passports confiscated pending further action.

Proper Name For Badgery’S Creek?

This is something we’ve been advocating for some time, but the Federal Government is at last considering finding a proper name for Sydney’s forthcoming new airport at Badgery’s Creek. Earlier this year, the Minister responsible, Laurie Brereton, announced the airport would be called Sydney West, a name which “sounds like a suburban railway station”, according to Opposition tourism and transport spokesman Senator Warwick Parer. We are inclined to agree, and like Senator Parer are suggesting the airport should be named after an Australian aviation pioneer or legend. Aa has put Charles Ulm’s name forward on more than one occasion, while Senator Parer has added Lawrence Hargrave, Bert Hinkler and Lores Bonney to the list of possibilities. Others which spring to mind include Harry Hawker, Edgar Percival, P G Taylor, Lawrence Wackett, Donald Bennett, Ross and Keith Smith, or to completely confuse everyone, how about Andrew Badgery, an Australian Flying Corps pilot of Ww1?

Continental And America West Codeshare

Continental Airlines and America West Airlines (which is now out of Chapter 11, refer separate Newsdesk item) are entering into a codesharing agreement which will allow customers to easily transfer between the carriers on key routes. When fully implemented, the agreement will be the largest domestic codeshare agreement between two Us airlines. The major benefit to Continental will be access to eight destinations in the western Us market which it does not currently serve, while America West gains from access to seven Florida ports.

Caa Training Centre For Melbourne

The Civil Aviation Authority is looking for a site in Keilor, just south of Melbourne Airport, at which to establish a central national base for the training of air traffic controllers. Plans are underway to lease a site just 3km from the airport and if all goes as intended, training of the required 50 controllers per annum could start early next year. Air traffic controllers are currently trained at the University of Tasmania in Launceston and at operational centres around the country.

Qantas-American Pacific Codeshare

Qantas and American Airlines have entered into a codesharing agreement covering the Sydney/Los Angeles route. American’s ‘Aa’ designator code will be listed on booking systems for Qantas’ 12 weekly services, while Qantas is introducing services between Sydney, Auckland and Los Angeles. The Auckland/La sector will also be codeshared with British Airways. Qantas has for a long time operated a codesharing agreement with American on some Us internal services, linking Los Angeles with Chicago, Boston, Washington Dc and New York. The new Sydney/Los Angeles agreement replaces a previous similar arrangement between Qantas and Air New Zealand and should help fill additional Qantas capacity via operator sales through American’s vast Us sales and marketing organisation.

Airlines Attack Taxes

The Board of Airline Representatives of Australia (Bara) — which represents 32 international operators which fly to Australia – has attacked Australia’s taxation policies, stating that an “undue and almost obsessive” focus on business travel is damaging the tourism and hospitality industries. The fringe benefits tax is Bara’s main target with its impact on frequent flyer programmes, business travel and accommodation and associated activities such as staff travel, airport car parking for employees, seminars and incentive travel. According to Bara: “Current taxation policy in Australia has had a damaging impact in all these areas… the commercial potential for imaginative industry products which make use of recreational and entertainment facilities has been overshadowed by the excessive legislative focus”. The contentious issue of the governments plan to have the airlines collect the departure tax (which increases to $27 from January 1) has resulted in three alternatives being put forward by the airlines: have Customs collect it; abolish the existing airport booths and install vending machines which sell departure tax stamps; or put the collection contract out to private tender. The latter appears to be the option most favoured by the airlines and it has been reported that a private consortium has approached the Board of Airline Representatives of Australia to present its case. The airlines are concerned that other methods of collection will result in extra costs for them.

Sydney Noise Levels “Understated”

A submission from the Civil Aviation Authority has claimed that noise exposure forecasts at Sydney Airport made by the Federal Aviation Corporation were understated and based on peak annual flight movement calculations which were too low. Part of Qantas’ comprehensive product revamp is the introduction of new uniforms for all 10,000 customer contact staff. Flight Attendants have been wearing the new uniform since August and it is being introduced progressively to all other frontline customer contact staff, both in Australia and overseas. The uniforms were designed by Adelaide designers George Gross and Howard Watt (who markets under Harry Who), who were selected from a list of 20 Australian designers invited to compete for the massive project. The new equipment sets the scene for the opening of Sydney’s third runway during the course of this issue. The project has been a very successful one and will be opened ahead of schedule and under budget thanks to the high standards displayed by the contractor’s management and workforce. The Fac’s figures were based on the assumption that the peak annual traffic figure in 2010 will be 303,560 movements, but the Caa claims the figure should be 353,560. The higher number would extend the area of noise affected suburbs and therefore increase the amount of compensation airlines would have to pay to noise affected residents. Whether airlines should have to pay any compensation at all is, of course, a moot point! The Fac responded to the claim by acknowledging that the final noise level forecasts for Sydney had yet to be developed and that the draft plan being prepared was being constantly revised.

Lost Luggage

The opening of Denver’s spectacular new $Us3.7bn airport has been delayed for several months due to problems with its automatic, computer operated baggage handling system. Designed by Bae Automated Systems of Dallas, the system has been plagued with problems and has prevented the airport from opening. In desperation, it has been decided to install an old style manual baggage handling system so the airport can at least be opened while the automatic system is being sorted out. Even with the manual system installed it will be several months before operations begin, possibly early in the new year. Of interest to Australia is the fact that the Federal Airports Corporation has awarded a $12m contract to Bae Automated Systems to supply and install a similar (albeit much smaller) automatic baggage handling system at Melbourne Airport’s revamped international terminal. It is scheduled to be operational by the end of next year.

Car Versus 747

An incident at Sydney Airport last year in which a Federal Airports Corporation vehicle nearly strayed into the path of a landing Klm Boeing 747 has raised concerns about the Fac’s safety procedures. The safety officer driver of the vehicle was investigating a report of debris on the taxiway north of runway 07 and as the 747 approached, started to enter the runway itself. The driver spotted the aircraft and reversed out of the way, while the 747 captain saw the car approaching the runway and performed a go around from a height of only four feet (1.2m). The Bureau of Air Safety Investigation report into the incident found that training of safety officers was poorly documented and that the Fac had not formally assessed the proficiency of its safety officers. Basi also found this was the fourth such incursion by a vehicle onto a runway at Sydney and that the airport’s overall rate of incursion by aircraft, vehicles and pedestrians was twice that of Melbourne and higher than many major North American airports. On a happier note, Sydney Airport’s air traffic control system entered the age of high technology in August when its new colour radar displays came into operation. The new displays give controllers a rectangular 73.6cm colour ‘picture’ of aircraft positions. Each aircraft has its radar track automatically labelled with callsign, flight level and ground speed.

In The Bag… Please!

Those who have travelled by air in recent times will have noticed that advertisements for discount film processing now adorn the airsickness bags which inhabit the seat pocket in front of you. These advertisements caused some confusion for a Japanese tourist on a recent domestic flight when he thought the prices splashed all over the bags were the cost of them if they had to be used for their intended purpose. Unfortunately, this poor gentleman did have to use one of the bags for its intended purpose, but being an honest soul, didn’t wish to do so until he’d paid the ‘price’ as displayed on it! He was last seen frantically waving a $10 note at the flight attendant!