Horizon Air

Mammoth plans in flight If you are still making the five-hour or more drive to Mammoth during ski season, you might consider a 70-minute flight this winter from LAX. Horizon Air, which had one flight a day from Los Angeles-Mammoth Lakes Yosemite airport last year, has added a second daily nonstop for the coming winter season. Rates start at $69 each way, pretax, out of Los Angeles. This year's Mammoth schedule begins Dec. 17 and runs through April 11. Departing flights will now leave LAX at 8:40 a.m. and 2:40 p.m., arriving in Mammoth 70 minutes later.

The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a $45,125 fine against Horizon Air, accusing it of operating a small, twin-engine plane without inspecting it for cracks or corrosion around the engines. Horizon, the regional airline owned by Seattle-based Alaska Airlines, has 30 days to respond to the fine. Horizon operates nearly 50 Bombardier Dash 8-400 planes. The federal agency charges that Horizon failed to comply with an order to inspect a section of the aircraft the near the engine for cracks or corrosion every 300 hours, and make repairs as needed.

The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a $45,125 fine against Horizon Air, accusing it of operating a small, twin-engine plane without inspecting it for cracks or corrosion around the engines. Horizon, the regional airline owned by Seattle-based Alaska Airlines, has 30 days to respond to the fine. Horizon operates nearly 50 Bombardier Dash 8-400 planes. The federal agency charges that Horizon failed to comply with an order to inspect a section of the aircraft the near the engine for cracks or corrosion every 300 hours, and make repairs as needed.

What if they gave a discounted airfare party and everybody came? That’s pretty much what’s been going on Wednesday as many carriers announced sales with just a few days in which to book. Check airline websites for their current specials and remember to read the fine print for minimum stays, days of the week to travel and blackout dates while planning your autumn or winter getaway. Here are some fares I liked. All of them are quoted excluding taxes and fees: Southwest Airlines [(800)

* Bombardier Inc. of Canada said it won a $580-million order to make 25 of its 70-seat CRJ regional jets for Alaska Air Group Inc.'s Horizon Air unit. Horizon will use the jets to replace older Fokker aircraft in its fleet once they're delivered starting in 2002.

Horizon Air, the Northwest's largest regional airline, suspended a top pilot after he refused to fly a jet, saying it was potentially unsafe. Instead of grounding the 69-seat, Fokker F-28 airplane after Capt. Richard Stewart raised safety concerns Feb. 11, the company assigned another pilot to fly it, saying the plane was airworthy, the Oregonian reported. Four days later, another pilot grounded the same aircraft in Billings, Mont., because of vibrations.

Many of the nation's largest airlines are giving military personnel on official travel a pass on expensive baggage fees. The fees can be as high as $300 for a heavy duffel stuffed with body armor. Faced with criticism from veterans groups and others that the fees are a financial burden, several airlines have announced exceptions for active service members. They include AirTran Airways, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air.

Horizon Air ticket agents were interviewed by the FBI Saturday, following a report that one agent sold a ticket to a man wanted in connection with an alleged plot to smuggle explosives into Washington state from Canada. Cheryl Temple, a spokeswoman for the Seattle-based commuter airline, said she did not know the substance of the interviews and could not provide any further details.

Three more airlines reported losses, bringing fourth-quarter red ink for the top nine U.S. carriers to $4 billion. Alaska Air Group Inc., operator of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, said it swung to a loss of $75.2 million, or $2.08 a share, compared with a profit of $7.4 million, or 19 cents, a year earlier. Excluding special items, it posted a profit of $16.4 million, or 45 cents. Continental Airlines Inc. said it lost $266 million in the quarter, or $2.33 a share, compared with a loss of $32 million, or 33 cents, a year earlier.

What if they gave a discounted airfare party and everybody came? That’s pretty much what’s been going on Wednesday as many carriers announced sales with just a few days in which to book. Check airline websites for their current specials and remember to read the fine print for minimum stays, days of the week to travel and blackout dates while planning your autumn or winter getaway. Here are some fares I liked. All of them are quoted excluding taxes and fees: Southwest Airlines [(800)

Mammoth plans in flight If you are still making the five-hour or more drive to Mammoth during ski season, you might consider a 70-minute flight this winter from LAX. Horizon Air, which had one flight a day from Los Angeles-Mammoth Lakes Yosemite airport last year, has added a second daily nonstop for the coming winter season. Rates start at $69 each way, pretax, out of Los Angeles. This year's Mammoth schedule begins Dec. 17 and runs through April 11. Departing flights will now leave LAX at 8:40 a.m. and 2:40 p.m., arriving in Mammoth 70 minutes later.

Three more airlines reported losses, bringing fourth-quarter red ink for the top nine U.S. carriers to $4 billion. Alaska Air Group Inc., operator of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, said it swung to a loss of $75.2 million, or $2.08 a share, compared with a profit of $7.4 million, or 19 cents, a year earlier. Excluding special items, it posted a profit of $16.4 million, or 45 cents. Continental Airlines Inc. said it lost $266 million in the quarter, or $2.33 a share, compared with a loss of $32 million, or 33 cents, a year earlier.

Many of the nation's largest airlines are giving military personnel on official travel a pass on expensive baggage fees. The fees can be as high as $300 for a heavy duffel stuffed with body armor. Faced with criticism from veterans groups and others that the fees are a financial burden, several airlines have announced exceptions for active service members. They include AirTran Airways, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air.

Horizon Air, the Northwest's largest regional airline, suspended a top pilot after he refused to fly a jet, saying it was potentially unsafe. Instead of grounding the 69-seat, Fokker F-28 airplane after Capt. Richard Stewart raised safety concerns Feb. 11, the company assigned another pilot to fly it, saying the plane was airworthy, the Oregonian reported. Four days later, another pilot grounded the same aircraft in Billings, Mont., because of vibrations.

Horizon Air ticket agents were interviewed by the FBI Saturday, following a report that one agent sold a ticket to a man wanted in connection with an alleged plot to smuggle explosives into Washington state from Canada. Cheryl Temple, a spokeswoman for the Seattle-based commuter airline, said she did not know the substance of the interviews and could not provide any further details.

* Bombardier Inc. of Canada said it won a $580-million order to make 25 of its 70-seat CRJ regional jets for Alaska Air Group Inc.'s Horizon Air unit. Horizon will use the jets to replace older Fokker aircraft in its fleet once they're delivered starting in 2002.