Over a barrel?

Delta Air Lines made the headlines when it bought the former ConocoPhillips refinery in Trainer a while back, with the aim of securing an alternative source of jet fuel. The move was criticized by some at the time as a drastic measure with no short-term benefit. That point of view was underlined this month when the refinery posted losses of US$41m in the first quarter or 2014. However, it is expected to be profitable by the end of the second quarter. The refinery is operated by Delta’s subsidiary, Monroe Energy, in agreement with BP and Phillips 66.

In its defense, Delta said that one major unit at the refinery had been shut down for scheduled modifications, and that this had led to a decrease in production. Another fly in the ointment has been the impact of the rising cost of Renewable Identification Numbers credits: these are credits that refiners purchase to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard and they have created pressure on fuel prices.

Delta is now making infrastructural changes to the plant in order to increase refined production and boost jet and diesel production to around 50% of the refinery’s total output.

Five out of five for Southwest Cargo

Southwest Airlines Cargo was recently named the Airforwarders Association’s “Domestic Carrier of the Year” for the fifth year in a row. It also earned the Express Delivery & Logistics Association’s “Domestic Airline of the Year” accolade. This represents the fourteenth year in a row that Southwest has won the award.

The Airforwarders Association awarded Southwest the designation as the carrier of the year based on its on-time performance, customer service, problem resolution, claims handling, technology support, service options and its overall value.

Queues and views

A recent survey of passengers at US airports has come up with little conclusive evidence to suggest that travelers are unhappy with the laborious process that typifies check-in at today’s airports in a post 9/11 world.

In fact, Americans appear to be less than concerned about the level of security provided by Transportation Security Administration screenings at US airports, although most are in favor of the agency’s more fluid Pre-check program.

In the Harris Poll, only half of those surveyed said that they thought security screening performed by TSA agents was making air travel any safer. This figure compares with 43% who believed that the screenings made flying neither more nor less safe.

Overall, some 48% say that they believe the screenings are an effective deterrent to hi-jacking. This compares with 36% who reckoned that it made little difference one way or the other. Interestingly, some 15% felt that such security measures represented an ineffective deterrent overall.

In brief

Landmark Aviation has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ross Aviation, a US-based FBO network, from investment funds affiliated with Centre Partners Management LLC and management. The acquisition will be subject to satisfying customary closing conditions.

JBT has said that its JBT AeroTech business has been awarded services contracts totaling more than US$7m by the United States Air Force to support its fleet of Halvorsen 25K cargo loaders. The services contracts continue through March 2015.