Mesaba Aviation has received notification from the National Mediation Board indicating the start of a 30-day cooling-off period in the airline's contract negotiations with ALPA. If the two sides fail to reach an agreement, ALPA could call a strike beginning at 12:01 a.m. EST on Jan. 10, 2004. "We will continue to negotiate with ALPA during the cooling-off period and we remain optimistic that we can reach an agreement that avoids a work stoppage," said John Spanjers, president and chief operating officer of Mesaba Aviation. "Our goal has remained the same since the beginning of the negotiation process: a market-based contract that positions the airline for growth and long-term viability. Our operation will continue as scheduled through early January, and we will make every eff

Tenzing Communications and ARINC Incorporated have announced an agreement making it even easier for airlines to equip their fleets with inflight email connectivity and give passengers immediate access to their email, both during flight and on the ground. Alan McGinnis, CEO of Seattle-based Tenzing said, "Passengers asked for email connectivity and we listened. Through this collaborative partnership with ARINC, we are making it even quicker and easier to stay connected with wireless in the sky and on the ground."