Airline Industry Information articles from February 2003

Airline Industry Information archives from February 2003

Two men arrested at Danish airport with firearms.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Two Norwegian men were arrested at Denmark's Copenhagen airport on Friday (31 January) after officials discovered firearms in their possession. The two men - aged 24 and...

Swiss cancels flights due to missing mouse.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Switzerland's national airline Swiss was reportedly forced to cancel two flights last week due to a missing mouse. A mouse destined for use in laboratory experiments...

EU airlines seek government help with extra security and insurance costs.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Airlines in the European Union are reportedly seeking government help with extra security and insurance costs in the event of a US-led war against Iraq. In a joint...

Varig attempts to negotiate release of aircraft.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Brazilian carrier Varig was attempting to negotiate the release of a Boeing 777 aircraft on Friday (31 January). International Leasing Finance Corporation seized the...

Flights delayed/cancelled at Berlin airports due to strike action.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Berlin's three airports were forced to delay and cancel flights on Friday (31 January) due to a strike by members of services union Verdi. About 400 airport workers,...

Ryanair places order for up to 100 Boeing aircraft.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair has reportedly placed an order for 22 new Boeing aircraft and options for a further 78. The airline - which has recently announced the...

Finnair sells and leases back MD-11 aircraft.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Finnish airline Finnair Oyj said today (3 February) that it had sold its oldest MD-11 aircraft to US-based Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management and leased it back for just over...

KLM to reduce capacity during summer schedule.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is planning to reduce the capacity of its summer 2003 schedule. The reduction - due to tough market conditions and a drop in demand - will see the...

Air France pilots hold strike action over pay.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Air France pilots launched a four-day strike yesterday (2 February) to protest against poor pay conditions. The largest Air France pilots' union, SNPL, joined two smaller...

Demonstrators attack passengers at Ivory Coast airport.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Thousands of rock-throwing demonstrators attacked passengers at Ivory Coast's international airport on Friday (31 January). The demonstrators reportedly invaded the...

Hacan ClearSkies claims there is no evidence for expanding Heathrow airport.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A report by anti-noise group, Hacan ClearSkies, claims that there is little evidence in favour of expanding London's Heathrow Airport. In the report, the organisation...

Man attempts to hijack Air China flight.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD On Sunday (2 February) a man reportedly attempted to hijack an Air China aircraft during a flight from Beijing to southeastern China. The unemployed 39-year-old from the...

Bali's first commercial carrier to be launched.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Bali's first commercial airline, Air Paradise International, is scheduled to be launched in February 2003. The carrier - created by an entrepreneur on the Indonesian resort...

NEW SERVICES.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Delta Air Lines has launched a new daily nonstop service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport. The new daily round trip...

Creditors release Varig's Boeing 777 aircraft.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD International Leasing Finance Corporation has reportedly released a Boeing 777 aircraft seized from Brazilian carrier, Varig. The company seized the aircraft at Paris'...

INDUSTRY BRIEFS.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Relatives of 88 people killed on 31 January 2000 when an Alaska Airlines flight crashed near the Channel Islands northwest of Los Angeles dedicated a memorial on Friday (31...

American Airlines pilot found with firearm in carry-on luggage.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD An American Airlines pilot was detained at Reno-Tahoe International Airport after screeners discovered a firearm in his carry-on luggage. The pilot - who was off-duty at...

KLM pays EUR171.5m to Alitalia.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has reportedly paid EUR171.5m to Italian carrier, Alitalia. KLM was ordered to pay the sum by a Dutch arbitration court last month following the...

US airlines to form plan in the event of war.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD US airlines are reportedly forming a plan to ease cost pressures caused by taxes and fuel costs in the event of a war. The airlines' chief lobbying organisation, the Air...

US Airways restructures aircraft order with Airbus.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD US Airways has formed an agreement with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus to restructure orders for 38 aircraft. The carrier - which filed for bankruptcy protection in...

Man charged with interfering with LOT Polish Airways flight crew.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A 24-year-old man has been charged with interfering with a flight crew during a LOT Polish Airways flight. The man allegedly became drunk and unruly during the Thursday (30...

Weather causes delays at Swedish airport.
February 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD There were delays in the air traffic from Stockholm's Arlanda airport, Sweden this morning (3 February) due to the weather conditions. The strong wind and snow caused...

Two women detained in Barbados for drug smuggling.
February 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Two women from the UK were detained at Barbados' Grantley Adams International Airport after allegedly attempting to smuggle cocaine. The two women - aged 40 and 19 - were...

CAE receives orders for two Airbus A320 flight simulators.
February 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD CAE Inc has reportedly sold two Airbus A320 full flight simulators (FFS) to two airlines. Air France has purchased one of the simulators, which is expected to be...

Thai Airways extends service suspension on Cambodia route.
February 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Thai Airways has extended its suspension of all flights to Cambodia for another four days. The airline suspended the service on Thursday (30 January) after anti-Thai...

Delta Air Lines launches test on the sale of food.
February 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Delta Air Lines has reportedly partnered with Gate Gourmet to begin testing the sale of food on selected flights. The week-long test will cover breakfast, lunch, dinner and...

Ryanair flight makes emergency landing after smoke smelt on board.
February 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A Ryanair flight was forced to make an emergency landing yesterday (3 February) after the smell of smoke was reported on board. The Boeing 737-200 aircraft was carrying 120...

Flight Explorer and CTA integrate software products.
February 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Internet-based real-time flight tracking information provider Flight Explorer and CTA, a developer of flight operations software, have fully integrated two of their software...

Taxi drivers withdraw services from Dublin Airport.
February 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Dublin taxi drivers withdrew their services from Ireland's Dublin Airport yesterday (3 February) to protest against the deregulation of the taxi industry. For four hours,...

Air France cancels 15% of flights due to pilot strike.
February 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Air France was forced to cancel 15% of its flights yesterday (3 February) due to a four-day strike by its pilots. The largest Air France pilots' union, SNPL, joined two...

Golden Aviation cancels bid for Olympic Airways.
February 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Golden Aviation group has reportedly pulled out of sale talks with Greece's ailing carrier, Olympic Airways. In December 2002, Greece selected Golden Aviation as the...

US carriers reduce flight delays.
February 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD US government figures have reportedly revealed a dramatic drop in flight delays in 2002. The Transportation Department's annual assessment shows that 81% of flights...

Former NFL lineman jailed for threatening a flight crew.
February 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A former NFL lineman has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for threatening a pilot and flight attendant and harassing passengers. Alonzo Spellman, aged 31, was...

United Airlines remains committed to low-cost unit despite opposition from pilots.
February 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD United Airlines reportedly remains committed to creating a low-cost unit, to be called Song, despite opposition from its pilots. The pilots have said that they recognise...

INDUSTRY BRIEFS.
February 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Southwest Airlines has launched its Adopt-A-Pilot programme. Under the initiative, more than 450 of the carrier's pilots will mentor more than 15,000 fifth grade students for a...

Air New Zealand flight delayed due to robbery.
February 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Air New Zealand was forced to delay a flight to Auckland on Monday (3 February) after its flight crew were robbed. Six crew members scheduled to operate the flight were...

Caviar smuggler gets 30-month prison sentence.
February 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A Russian man has been sentenced to 30 months imprisonment for smuggling 44 kilograms of caviar into the US. The 59-year-old was arrested at Miami airport in August 2001...

Courtney Love arrested at Heathrow airport for disrupting a Virgin Atlantic flight.
February 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Rock star Courtney Love was reportedly arrested at London's Heathrow airport today (4 February) for disturbing a Virgin Atlantic Airways flight. Love - the widow of...

Southwest Airlines seeks return of penguins on flights.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Southwest Airlines is reportedly seeking government approval to bring back penguins on its flights. Before the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, the airline offered...

Delta forms maintenance agreement with Royal Air Maroc.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Delta Air Lines' Technical Operations division has signed an agreement with Royal Air Maroc for maintenance support services. Under the seven-year agreement, Delta will...

Ryanair to cut 20% of staff at newly acquired buzz.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has announced plans to cut about 20% of the staff at its newly acquired carrier, buzz. Ryanair recently agreed to purchase buzz from KLM...

Icelandair adds more flights to Milan.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Icelandic airline Icelandair will offer additional flights to Milan, Italy in its summer schedule this year. The service will start on 31 May and will initially operate...

American Airlines seeks USD1.8bn in labour cost cuts.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD American Airlines has reportedly asked its unions and other workers for USD1.8bn in annual cost cuts. The annual saving - which the carrier called a "last resort" to turn...

Courtney Love released from custody following arrest on Virgin Atlantic flight.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Rock star Courtney Love was released without charge yesterday (4 February) after being arrested for disturbing a Virgin Atlantic Airways flight. Love - the widow of...

Box cutter found on United Airlines flight was left by mechanic.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD United Airlines has stated that a box cutter discovered on board an aircraft on 29 January was mistakenly left by a mechanic in Denver. The flight was evacuated after a...

Finnair orders new IT system from Amadeus.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Finnish airline Finnair Oyj said today (5 February) that it had ordered a new IT system for its departure control and load control from the Spanish IT company Amadeus. ...

European Commission concerned over Danish government's veto powers in Copenhagen Airports.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The European Commission said today (5 February) that it had decided to pursue an infringement case against the Danish airport operator Copenhagen Airports, in which the Danish...

Cyprus signs air traffic agreement with neighbouring countries.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Cyprus has signed an air traffic control accord with four of its Middle Eastern neighbours. The agreement - which is designed to promote safety in the region's skies - was...

Customs seize 90,000 cigarettes at Exeter Airport.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Customs officers at Exeter Airport have seized 90,000 cigarettes from a group of golfers. Twelve men, part of a group from a golf club in Weymouth, Dorset, arrived at the...

Indonesian Airlines yet to receive punishment for leaving pilgrims stranded.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Indonesian government has yet to punish Indonesian Airlines for leaving 1,200 Muslims stranded last month. The carrier reportedly left the pilgrims stranded after Saudi...

INDUSTRY BRIEFS.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Thai Airways is to begin operating international flights via the northern city of Chiang Mai in October 2003. The carrier's direct flights between Bangkok and destinations in...

NEW SERVICES.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD On 8 June 2003, US Airways will introduce a new daily nonstop service between its Philadelphia hub and Orange County's John Wayne International Airport. The new service will be...

GAO claims identification items sold over the Internet pose security threats.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD In 2000, undercover agents working for the US General Accounting Office (GAO) reportedly used counterfeit law enforcement identification to breach security at two airports. ...

SAS prepares for possible war.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD SAS, the Scandinavian airline, is reportedly preparing for a possible war with Iraq. A war could affect ticket prices as other costs would increase, according to the...

Taiwan fighter jet nearly collides with Mandarin Airlines flight.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD According to a Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) official, a Taiwanese fighter jet nearly collided with a passenger aircraft in Taiwan in January. On 19 January 2003,...

Coventry man to stand trial for bombing of Air India flight in 1985.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A UK man is set to stand trial in Canada charged with making the explosive device planted on an Air India flight in 1985. The 50-year-old Sikh, originally from Coventry,...

KLM to ground aircraft and implement hiring freeze.
February 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is planning to ground a number of its aircraft and introduce a hiring freeze due to a low demand for air travel. The carrier - which previously...

Megabeam installs WLAN at London City Airport.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Wireless Internet access provider Megabeam Networks Ltd has installed a wireless high-speed Internet service at London City Airport in the UK. The network will enable...

Air Lib grounds operations indefinitely.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD French carrier Air Lib has grounded its aircraft indefinitely after negotiations between the government, the airline's shareholders and Dutch financial group IMAC failed. ...

Indian Airlines to purchase 43 Airbus aircraft.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Indian Airlines has reportedly formed an agreement with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus for 43 aircraft. Under the agreement the carrier will purchase a mix of Airbus...

Vietnam Airlines passengers take life vests as souvenirs.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Vietnam Airlines passengers have reportedly been stealing the carrier's aircraft life vests. According to the head of Vietnam Airlines' security department, between 16 and...

Swedish government opens Bromma airport for international flights.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Swedish government decided today (6 December) to allow flights to European Union destinations from Stockholm's previously domestic-only airport Bromma. The decision...

Bush budget does not including funding for airport renovations.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD An airport official has claimed that the Bush budget proposal does not contain any money for renovations needed to meet the government's new security requirements for...

FAA orders inspection of Boeing 747 fuselages in connection with China Airlines crash.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD US federal safety regulators have ordered new inspections of all Boeing 747 fuselages in connection with the China Airlines crash in May 2002. On 25 May 2002, a China...

Judge dismisses drug charges against disruptive airline passenger.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A US judge has dismissed drug charges against an Italian man who caused an Air Europe flight from Cancun, Mexico to Rome, Italy to make an unscheduled landing in Boston. ...

Australian and Argentine police arrest drug smuggling syndicate.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Australian and Argentine police have reportedly arrested an international drug smuggling syndicate. The joint police operation seized an estimated 18 kilograms of cocaine:...

United Airlines seeks extension on lease agreements.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD United Airlines has reportedly asked its aircraft lessors for an extension in order to negotiate better deals. The carrier - which is struggling to win financial...

INDUSTRY BRIEFS.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Virgin Atlantic Airways has launched a promotion offering Dell gift certificates. Under the promotion, Upper Class passengers travelling from any of the carrier's US gateways...

Delta Air Lines executives to take wage cuts.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Delta Air Lines has reportedly secured labour concessions from its executives. The carrier's chief executive and president will take 10% pay cuts, while other executives...

Man accused of interfering with a flight crew following LOT Polish Airlines flight.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A Wisconsin man has pleaded not guilty to a charge of interfering with an airline crew after accusations that he assaulted a pilot and a passenger. The 24-year-old was...

Police arrest man with 15,000 tablets at Bayan Lepas airport.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Police have detained a Singaporean man at Malaysia's Bayan Lepas International Airport after he was found in possession of 15,000 tablets. The 41-year-old was arrested in...

KLIA delays six flights due to breakdown of baggage handling system.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) was forced to delay six flights yesterday (5 February) due to a breakdown in its luggage handling system. The incident...

Maersk Air to sell UK subsidiary - report.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Danish airline Maersk Air has reportedly decided to divest its United Kingdom subsidiary, the regional airline Maersk Air Ltd. According to the Danish daily newspaper...

Agency completes investigation into crash at Milan's Pirelli tower.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD An investigation into the crash of an aircraft into Milan's Pirelli tower has concluded that the pilot did not try to kill himself. Italy's National Agency of Air Security...

Telephone threat made against Finnair flight.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Police reportedly interviewed crew members and passengers from a Finnair aircraft yesterday (6 February) after the flight received a threat. The MD-80 aircraft was...

Computer expert cleared of smuggling indecent pictures.
February 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A computer expert has reportedly been cleared of smuggling indecent pictures of children into the UK. The 40-year-old was detained at Glasgow Airport in April 2001 with a...

Swiss to reduce fleet and cut workforce.
February 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Switzerland's national carrier Swiss International Air Lines is planning to reduce its fleet and workforce in the next few weeks. Swiss announced the cuts in order to...

Delta Air Lines forms SkyMiles partnership with Accor.
February 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Delta Air Lines has formed an agreement with travel, tourism and corporate services group, Accor. Under the agreement, Delta SkyMiles members will be able to earn miles...

Brazilian carriers Varig and TAM announce partnership.
February 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Brazilian airlines Varig and TAM have announced a partnership and will reportedly study a possible merger. The two carriers have signed a protocol of intentions to create a...

Air Canada to cut labour costs following Q4 loss.
February 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD After making a deep loss in its fourth quarter, Air Canada has announced plans to sells assets and reduce labour costs. The carrier has reportedly begun talks with its...

Love apologises to Virgin Atlantic for disruptive behaviour.
February 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Rock singer Courtney Love has reportedly apologised to Virgin Atlantic Airways after being arrested following a flight on 4 February. Love - the widow of Nirvana singer...

Icelandair implements KANA Response e-mail management application.
February 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Icelandic airline Icelandair has implemented the KANA Response e-mail management software from KANA, a provider of eCRM applications. KANA Response is expected to improve...

Avis/bmi rental car advertisement ruled acceptable.
February 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD An advertisement for "preferential rates" offered to bmi british midland customers booking a rental car was recently challenged by a member of the public. In a complaint...

Thai Airways further extends service suspension on Cambodia route.
February 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Thai Airways has extended its suspension of all flights to Cambodia for another week. The airline first suspended the service on Thursday 30 January after anti-Thai...