Airline Industry Information articles from January 2003

Airline Industry Information archives from January 2003

Iran warns of additional air disasters due to US sanctions.
January 2, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Iran has warned of additional air disasters if US sanctions on the purchase of US-made aircraft are not lifted. Iran's Minister of Transportation has stated that if the...

French police detain witness after arms discovery at Paris airport.
January 2, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD French police have reportedly arrested a witness who alerted them to a suspect vehicle at Paris's Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport. On 28 December, police were alerted to a...

British man sentenced to jail for hijack threat.
January 2, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A British man has been sentenced to three months imprisonment after allegedly threatening to hijack an aircraft in Australia. The 21-year-old was detained at Cairns airport...

Woman discovered with heroin at Australian airport.
January 2, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A South African woman was detained at Australia's Melbourne International Airport after officials allegedly discovered 2.5 kilograms of heroin in her possession. The...

Commercial airlines required to submit detailed passenger manifests under new US rules.
January 2, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The US Immigration and Naturalization Service has introduced new passenger rules which require all commercial airlines to submit detailed passenger manifests before arriving...

Comair pilot found with knife.
January 2, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A Comair pilot has been charged with disorderly conduct after a knife was discovered in his carry-on luggage. The 46-year-old was preparing to board a flight to Atlanta...

American Airlines to lay off 415 employees.
January 2, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD American Airlines is reportedly planning to lay off 415 employees in mid-January 2003. According to a notice given to the Texas Workforce Commission in early December, the...

Imaging Automation hopes ID scanners will be used by TSA.
January 2, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Bedford, New Hampshire-based Imaging Automation has introduced special ID scanners and software designed to check identification documents. The toaster-sized scanners -...

INDUSTRY BRIEFS.
January 2, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD UK budget airline easyJet has formed an agreement with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus SAS to purchase 120 aircraft. Under the agreement, the carrier is expected to take...

China Airlines to purchase engines for new aircraft.
January 2, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Taiwanese carrier China Airlines is planning to complete a deal by May 2003 to purchase engines for 22 new jet aircraft. According to an airline official, within one to two...

Shoe bomber's request for radio denied.
January 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A US federal judge has ruled against a request by Richard Reid, otherwise known as the "shoe bomber", to have a radio in his prison cell. Reid - who previously asked to...

French police discover suspicious substance in baggage handler's locker.
January 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD French police have reportedly discovered traces of a possible explosive substance in the locker of a baggage handler arrested at Paris' Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport...

America West to sell meals on its flights.
January 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD America West Airlines is expected to launch its "Buy on Board" programme on Monday (6 January). Under the programme, passengers will be able to purchase meals priced from...

Qantas aircraft delayed due to bomb threat.
January 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Officials were forced to evacuate a Qantas Airways aircraft at Sydney International Airport yesterday (2 January) due to a security scare. According to Australia's Channel...

Frontier Airlines mechanic charged with sabotaging aircraft.
January 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A Frontier Airlines mechanic was charged with sabotaging an aircraft in a US federal court yesterday (2 January). The 44-year-old allegedly threw a rubber wheel chock into...

No deaths on US commercial aircraft during 2002.
January 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has revealed that no one died aboard a passenger or cargo aircraft in the US during 2002. Figures show that more than 13m...

United Airlines creditors seek court-ordered payments.
January 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A group of United Airlines creditors is seeking court-ordered payments for the leased aircraft that the carrier is operating during bankruptcy. The newly established group...

World Airways to operate two new weekly services to Nigeria.
January 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Under a new agreement with Ritetime Aviation and Travel Services Inc, World Airways will begin operating new weekly nonstop services between Atlanta and JFK Airport to Lagos,...

INDUSTRY BRIEFS.
January 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD America West Airlines is offering special low fares for travel between 16 January and 5 June 2003. The special fares must be purchased by 20 January 2003, and require a 14-day...

US Airways forms agreement with GE Capital.
January 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD US Airways has formed an agreement with its largest creditor, General Electric Capital Corp, on financing required when the carrier emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy...

Detained baggage handler may have been used by militants - report.
January 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A baggage handler at Paris' Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport currently being investigated by anti-terrorist police may have been used by militants to transport explosives and...

Technical team to examine luggage handling system at KLIA.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Malaysian Government has created a technical team to examine the luggage handling system at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The team's main task will be to...

Lufthansa to reduce first class services.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD German carrier Lufthansa is planning to eliminate its first class seats on two routes to the United States. The airline will carry only business and economy class...

Lufthansa pilots test positive for alcohol.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Two Lufthansa pilots reportedly tested positive for alcohol consumption in December 2002. The men, who are both German, were removed from a flight scheduled to depart from...

Taiwanese carriers seek charter flights to China.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Six Taiwanese carriers have reportedly applied to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to operate charter flights. The six carriers - China Airlines and its...

British Airways passenger hangs himself during flight.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A passenger travelling aboard a British Airways flight reportedly hanged himself in the aircraft's club class toilets. The middle-aged man - who is believed to have been...

Security screener found sleeping at Seattle airport.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Officials were forced to evacuate Seattle-Tacoma International Airport yesterday (5 January) after a security screener fell asleep at his post. The screener, stationed at...

Malaysia Airlines aircraft hits two vehicles at Zurich airport.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A Malaysia Airlines aircraft rammed two airport vehicles at Switzerland's Zurich airport yesterday (5 January). The Boeing 777 aircraft was reportedly being de-iced when...

Lufthansa flight receives bomb threat.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD An aircraft operated by German carrier Lufthansa was forced to make an emergency landing on Saturday (4 January) after receiving a bomb threat. The aircraft - carrying 392...

Man lands stolen aircraft at Frankfurt airport.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Flights were halted at Frankfurt's international airport yesterday (5 January), due to a man threatening to crash a stolen aircraft into the European Central Bank (ECB). ...

Lawsuits filed against Los Angeles following 4 July shooting at the city's airport.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The family of a man killed by a gunman at Los Angeles International Airport has reportedly filed a claim seeking USD30m from the city. On 4 July 2002, an Egyptian immigrant...

China Airlines aircraft flew dangerously close to building - claim.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD High-rise residents in Honolulu, Hawaii claim that a China Airlines aircraft flew dangerously close to their building. According to residents of a 41-storey building near...

INDUSTRY BRIEFS.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Flights were disrupted in Paris, France on Saturday (4 January) due to unusually heavy snow which blanketed the capital. The four-hour snowfall, which produced about three...

United Airlines plans to cut workforce by 2%.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD United Airlines is planning to lay off a further 2% of its workforce, as part of its efforts to reduce costs in bankruptcy. The airline has announced plans to lay off...

Two Celtic football fans arrested following 'riot' on Astraeus flight.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Two teenage football fans have been arrested in connection with an alleged mid-air riot during a flight operated by Spanish airline Astraeus. On 13 December 2002, a Boeing...

US Airways cancels fuel surcharge.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD US Airways has cancelled its recently introduced fuel charge. The USD15 charge on the carrier's airfares was introduced on 27 December 2002. However, according to an...

BAA workers approve wage offer.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Employees at British airport operator BAA Plc have reportedly approved a wage offer. The 4,000 firefighters, security staff and ground crew hired by the company voted 88%...

Frankfurt incident causes air traffic delays.
January 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD There were delays on the route between Helsinki, Finland and Frankfurt, Germany due to a hijacking incident in Frankfurt yesterday (5 January). The SAS/Lufthansa flight...

Ural Airlines flight aborted after engine failure.
January 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A Russian aircraft with 350 passengers on board turned back today (7 January) after one of its four engines failed. The Ural Airlines Il-86 was flying from the Ural...

Boeing workers in Spokane accept new contract with Triumph.
January 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Employees at a Boeing Co plant in Spokane, Washington, have ratified a contract agreement that includes a pay cut. Under the new contract from Triumph Group Inc about 270...

Yak-40 aircraft makes emergency landing in Kazakhstan.
January 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A Yak-40 aircraft operated by Tajikistan's state airline made an emergency landing on Monday (6 January) due to a hydraulic problem. The twin-engine jet was carrying 24...

Boeing delivers 381 commercial jets in 2002.
January 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD US aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co delivered 381 new commercial aircraft in 2002. The total was the lowest since 1997 but was in line with the company's most recent...

United Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Los Angeles.
January 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A United Airlines aircraft made an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday (6 January). The Boeing 767-200, carrying 75 passengers and 11 crew...

MAS to buy up to six A380 aircraft - report.
January 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Malaysian government is reportedly negotiating with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus SAS for the purchase of up to six A380 superjumbo jets. The order for the...

Record passenger numbers pass through Geneva airport.
January 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Cointrin International Airport in Geneva, Switzerland had a record number of travellers over the weekend (4-5 January). The weekend total of 82,171 passengers was more than...

United Airlines cuts business fares and food service.
January 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD United Airlines has cut the price of business fares on flights to and from Chicago and Denver. Fares will be cut by as much as 40% and the discounts will also apply to...

INDUSTRY BRIEFS.
January 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Two airports in southern France were forced to close on Monday (6 January) due to snowfall. All flights to and from Nimes and Montpellier were cancelled and there were also...

America West Airlines to introduce new services.
January 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD America West Airlines has announced plans to launch several new services in March and April 2003. On 1 March America West will inaugurate a new service between its Las...

Airline industry body claims 2002 losses totalled USD13bn.
January 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The worldwide airline industry lost USD13bn in 2002, following an estimated USD18bn loss in 2001, according to the International Air Transport Association. The two years...

Schiphol Airport expects more flights in 2003.
January 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD There was a 3.5% reduction in the number of flights using Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, the Netherlands in 2002. The number of takeoffs and landings declined in the wake...

Ariana flights diverted after false hijack alert.
January 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Reports of a hijack attempt on an Ariana Afghan Airlines flight have been denied by officials. Earlier today (7 January) a military jet from the US-led coalition in...

Hilton Group joins Finnair's frequent flyer programme.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Finnish airline Finnair Oyj has reportedly signed an agreement with the international hotel chain Hilton Group Plc regarding its frequent flyer programme. According to...

Bad weather affects air travel across Europe.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Bad weather and heavy snowfall affected a number of flights across Europe yesterday (7 January). Gale force winds caused problems at Croatia's Zagreb airport, with some...

SAS aircraft loses cabin pressure, lands safely at Stavanger airport.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A Dash 8-400 aircraft operated by Scandinavian airline SAS was reportedly forced to make a controlled safety landing at Stavanger airport in Norway at 0820 local time today (8...

Officials divert Ariana flights for additional security checks following threat.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Three Ariana Afghan Airlines aircraft were diverted to the United Arab Emirates yesterday (7 January) after a report of a possible terrorist attack. The three aircraft...

United Airlines forms temporary wage cut agreements with three unions.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD United Airlines has reportedly ratified temporary wage cuts with three of its five union groups. The bankrupt carrier - which is attempting to meet the terms of its...

SAS cancels 59 flights from Copenhagen due to bad weather.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Scandinavian airline SAS cancelled 59 departures from Denmark's Copenhagen Airport today (8 January) due to bad weather conditions. SAS has suffered from delays and...

FAA forms contract extension with air traffic controllers.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The union representing air traffic controllers in the US has formed an agreement with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on a two-year contract extension. Under...

British man appeals against jail sentence for threatening to hijack aircraft.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A British man jailed in Australia for threatening to hijack an aircraft has appealed against his three-month jail sentence. The 21-year-old was sentenced to three months...

American Eagle pilot found with gun in carry-on luggage.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD An American Eagle pilot was arrested at the weekend for allegedly attempting to take a loaded handgun on board an aircraft. On Sunday (5 January), the 29-year-old was...

Northwest Airlines retires Boeing 727 fleet.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Northwest Airlines has retired the last of its Boeing 727 aircraft fleet. The carrier began operating the three-engine 727 aircraft in 1964, and eventually had a fleet of...

TSA sacks security screener found sleeping at Seattle airport.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A security screener found sleeping at his post at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has been dismissed. On 5 January, officials were forced to evacuate four of the five...

Lufthansa and South African Airways upgrade to Sabre Qik Developer Tool.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD German carrier Lufthansa and South African Airways have selected Sabre Holdings' new Java-based Sabre Qik Developer Tool. According to Sabre, the Java-based Qik Developer...

Finnair introduces new services to Asia.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Finnish airline Finnair Oyj said today (8 January) that it would start operating a sixth weekly flight between Helsinki and Beijing, China and would introduce a service between...

INDUSTRY BRIEFS.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Chinese Civil Aviation Department has stated that a record 732 aircraft are scheduled to arrive and depart at Hong Kong's international airport on Chinese New Year's Eve on...

WestJet to introduce temporary fuel surcharge.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD WestJet Airlines has announced a temporary fuel surcharge, due to rising fuel costs. From 10 January 2003, the Canadian discount carrier will impose a CAD5 surcharge for...

Man bypasses security and accesses aircraft at St. Petersburg-Clearwater airport.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A 40-year-old man allegedly bypassed security at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and gained access to a Boeing 737 aircraft. The man reportedly sneaked...

US Airways Express jet crashes at North Carolina airport, all on board feared dead.
January 8, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A US Airways Express jet has crashed at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, North Carolina, shortly after takeoff. According to witness reports, the Air Midwest...

Copenhagen Airports A/S sees GBP95m in return on its investment in Newcastle International Airport.
January 9, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Danish airport operator Copenhagen Airports A/S is reportedly expecting a GBP95m return on its investment in the UK airport operator Newcastle International Airport, or 5-8...

Turkish Airlines aircraft crashes in thick fog.
January 9, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A Turkish Airlines aircraft reportedly crash landed yesterday (8 January) in thick fog near the southeastern city of Diyarbakir, Turkey. The four-engine RJ-100 aircraft,...

US Airways Express jet crashes at North Carolina airport, killing all on board.
January 9, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A US Airways Express jet crashed at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, North Carolina, shortly after takeoff yesterday (8 January). According to witness reports, the...

Delta Air Lines forms agreement with SmartSignal.
January 9, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Delta Air Lines has formed a multi-year, fleet-wide agreement with SmartSignal Corp for an engine monitoring programme. Under the agreement, the predictive technology...

Carmen Systems AB to provide planning solutions to Philippine Airlines.
January 9, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Swedish airline and railway planning and decision-support solutions developer Carmen Systems AB said today (9 January) that it signed a five-year software agreement with...

UK introduces visas for Jamaican travellers.
January 9, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The UK Government has introduced visa requirements for Jamaican visitors to the UK. The new requirement - which became effective at midnight GMT yesterday (8 January) - is...

Passenger aircraft makes emergency landing at Stansted Airport.
January 9, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A passenger aircraft made an emergency landing at Stansted Airport, UK yesterday (8 January) due to a hydraulic problem. The Boeing 737 aircraft - operated by Channel...

Cathay Pacific flight returns following security breach.
January 9, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A Cathay Pacific Airways aircraft was forced to abort its flight on Tuesday (7 January) due to a security breach. The flight - carrying 309 passengers from London to Hong...

Drug smuggler seeks leniency from Vietnamese president.
January 9, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD An Australian woman has appealed to Vietnam's president for leniency after receiving the death sentence for drug smuggling. The 43-year-old Australian citizen of Vietnamese...

China Southern Airlines creates online ticket booking firm.
January 9, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD China Southern Airlines has created a new online ticket booking company. The joint venture, China Southern Et-China.com E-Business Co Ltd, is expected to account for 10%...

INDUSTRY BRIEFS.
January 9, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Officials at London's Heathrow Airport were forced to cancel 86 flights yesterday (8 January) due to snowfall. As much as 5cm of snow fell on the UK capital, and snow sweepers...

United Airlines' flight attendants approve wage cuts.
January 9, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD United Airlines' flight attendants have reportedly overwhelmingly approved a 9% interim pay cut. According to the flight attendants' union, 94% of the flight attendants...

Continental forms air/rail codeshare agreement with SNCF.
January 9, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Continental Airlines has launched an air/rail codeshare agreement with French rail operator SNCF. The agreement - effective 1 February 2003 - will enable travellers to...

Thai government's airport development plan receives criticism.
January 9, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A plan by the Thailand government to permit Singapore Airlines to develop Chiang Mai International Airport has reportedly received disapproval from private airline operators....

South African Airways forms partnership with Air Senegal.
January 9, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD South African Airways (SAA) has formed an agreement with Air Senegal International. According to Reuters, the agreement between the two carriers will see Air Senegal...

Iceland Express tickets go on sale.
January 9, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD New Icelandic airline Iceland Express has started selling tickets for its first flights. Iceland Express will operate daily scheduled flights to London, UK and Copenhagen,...