Airline Industry Information articles from March 2003

Airline Industry Information archives from March 2003

Northwest Airlines proposes reduction in pilots' pay.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Northwest Airlines has reportedly proposed a 37% annual pay cut for its pilots. The carrier - which has also proposed 343 job reductions - is seeking total cuts of more...

Delta Air Lines to test new government air security system.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Delta Air Lines is scheduled to launch testing on a new government plan for air security this month. The US government is to introduce a new system - ordered by Congress...

British Airways reschedules its services to the Gulf.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD British Airways has rearranged its flight schedules to ensure that cabin crews will no longer stop-over in the Gulf. The carrier decided to reduce some services to the Gulf...

Lufthansa forms tentative agreement with ground and cabin employees.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD German carrier Lufthansa has reportedly formed a tentative agreement with its 52,000 ground and cabin personnel. The agreement - formed by a negotiating commission -...

European Commission dismisses report on Skyteam alliance.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The European Commission has reportedly dismissed a press report which claimed that the Competition Commissioner would seek to break up the Skyteam alliance if additional...

Airlines criticise move by UK aviation regulator to increase fees.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The UK's aviation regulator is to increase charges at key London airports, a move which has received criticism from cash-strapped airlines. The Civil Aviation Authority...

Unruly passenger causes US Airways flight to make unscheduled landing.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A US Airways aircraft was diverted on Saturday (1 March) after a passenger became unruly during the flight. The 30-year-old man allegedly began shouting "Majority Rules!...

Computer malfunction delays departing flights across Japan.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Domestic and international flights across Japan were prevented from departing on Saturday (1 March) due to a computer malfunction. The temporary delays were caused by the...

Birmingham International Airport bans 'The Dandy' comic.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Birmingham International Airport in the UK has banned the sale of a children's comic which comes with a plastic toy gun attached. Shops at the airport have reportedly been...

Federal judge approves US Airways' proposal to terminate pilots' pension plan.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A federal judge has ruled that US Airways can terminate its pilots' pension plan in an attempt to save the carrier. Judge Stephen Mitchell of the US Bankruptcy Court for...

In-flight security guard given police warning for removing aircraft security objects.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD An in-flight security guard for a Chinese airline has been issued with a warning from police after attempting to board a flight with handcuffs and a knife. The 27-year-old...

United Airlines employees file lawsuit against UAL ESOP.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A group of employees at United Airlines have sued the carrier's employee stock ownership plan. The federal lawsuit seeks to recover losses for thousands of employees who...

United Airlines seeks tax overpayments and refunds for net operating losses from US government.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD United Airlines has reportedly asked the bankruptcy court to order the US government to return USD388m in tax overpayments and refunds for net operating losses which it claims...

California sells items seized at airports on eBay.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD California is selling items seized by airport security employees in order to raise funds for a recently launched state programme. The California Department of General...

INDUSTRY BRIEFS.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Royal Jordanian Airlines is reportedly considering sending the majority of its fleet to Greece if the US launches war in neighbouring Iraq. Under the airline's emergency plan,...

NEW SERVICES.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Virgin Atlantic Airways has launched a new nonstop service between London's Gatwick Airport and Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The new twice-weekly direct service, to be served by an...

Air Lib's runway slots may be redistributed from 5 March.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Cohor agency, which manages runway slots in France, is to begin redistributing runway slots held by Air Lib on 5 March 2003. It is expected to take one month to...

Empty air traffic control tower causes flight delay.
March 3, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A recent scheduled flight from Karlstad, Sweden to Copenhagen, Denmark was left waiting for departure as there was no air traffic controller in the tower to approve the...

US federal screeners join national government employees' union.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A total of 13 federal airport security screeners in the US have joined a national chapter of the American Federation of Government Employees. The organisation can lobby...

Honda considers introduction of piston aviation engine.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Japan's Honda Motor Co Ltd is to evaluate the possibility of selling a next-generation piston aviation engine. Honda and Teledyne Continental Motors Inc will conduct a...

Delta, Northwest and Continental form new alliance proposal.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines and Continental Airlines have formed a revised proposal for a marketing alliance. The US government previously imposed conditions on the...

United Airlines sees more passengers after cut in business fares.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD United Airlines has claimed that its cut in business fares eight weeks ago has led to an increase in business passenger numbers. The revised pricing structure was...

American Airlines presents labour cost reduction proposals to TWU.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD American Airlines has submitted proposals on labour cost reductions to the Transport Workers Union (TWU), one of its three main unions. The airline hopes to make USD620m in...

US Airways fails to make USD44.5m of Airbus aircraft payments.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Bankrupt carrier US Airways has defaulted on certain payments due on trust certificates related to 23 Airbus aircraft. The airline said that it is in discussions with...

Legislation proposed to help US airlines during war with Iraq.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD New legislation is being prepared in the United States to help airlines in the event of war with Iraq. The bill being drafted by Democrat Rep. James Oberstar of Minnesota...

US airlines improve on-time performance.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Performance by the 10 biggest airlines in the US continued to improve in January, according to figures from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Compared to December,...

FAA allows Chicago to use passenger fees for airport expansion study.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The US Federal Aviation Administration has granted permission for Chicago to use USD110m of airport passenger fees for finalising its plans for an expansion of O'Hare...

EU privacy watchdogs concerned about EU-US accord on passenger data.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD National data protection controllers in the European Union have expressed concern about the recent agreement on passenger data between the EU and the United States. The...

Bahrain reviews air safety contingency plans.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Bahrain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has reviewed its contingency plans to prepare for a US-led war on Iraq. The CAA has also tightened security and baggage clearance...

Iceland to run air traffic control at Kosovo's international airport.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Iceland is leading a 14-member multinational force that has taken over the running of air traffic control at Kosovo's international airport. NATO has been administrating...

Bomb explodes at Philippine airport.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A bomb exploded at Davao airport on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao earlier today (4 March). The blast is reported to have killed at least 18 people and injured...

Shenzhen Airlines to acquire ten Boeing 737-900s.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD China-based Shenzhen Airlines has announced its intention to acquire ten Boeing 737-900 aircraft over the next three years. A spokesperson for Shenzhen Airlines has said...

American Airlines and SN Brussels Airlines form code sharing agreement.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A code sharing agreement has been entered into by Belgian airline SN Brussels Airlines and US-based American Airlines. The deal will make it easier for both airlines to...

JAT transfers control of two airports to Montenegro.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Two airports in Montenegro have been handed over to the Montenegrin government authority by the Serbia-based national carrier Yugoslav Airlines (JAT). The airport in...

INDUSTRY BRIEFS.
March 4, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has awarded Japan's Shimizu Corp a SGD1bn contract to build Changi Airport's third passenger terminal. The new terminal is...

Alitalia cancels flights due to planned air traffic controller strike.
March 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Italian carrier Alitalia has cancelled 168 flights and rescheduled a further 126 due to an upcoming strike by air traffic controllers. The air traffic controllers are...

Ethiopian Airlines to resume flights to Israel.
March 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD From 14 March 2003, Ethiopian Airlines will resume its flights from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Tel Aviv, Israel. The airline suspended the route in December 2002 after a...

Officials question suspected Muslim rebels following Philippine airport bombing.
March 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Authorities are reportedly questioning suspected Muslim rebels in connection with the bombing of an airport in the Philippines. On 4 March 2003, a bomb exploded at Davao...

New Delhi airport receives INR20bn for construction of new terminal.
March 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD India's New Delhi airport is expected to receive INR20bn for construction of a new international terminal. The new terminal is expected to be three times as large as the...

America West pilots prepare to vote on proposed labour contract.
March 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Pilots at America West Airlines are scheduled to begin voting on a new labour contract on Saturday (8 March). In December 2002, a federal mediator required union leaders to...

Norwegian man given jail sentence for carrying loaded guns at Copenhagen airport.
March 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A 24-year-old Norwegian man has been sentenced to 40 days imprisonment for being in possession of two loaded guns. The man was detained on 30 January 2003 while passing...

American Airlines fined USD1.2m for mistreating disabled passengers.
March 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD American Airlines has been fined USD1.2m by the US Transportation Department for allegedly mistreating disabled passengers. The agency's Aviation Enforcement Office claims...

Delta Air Lines and US Airways introduce new ticket policies.
March 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Due to the threat of war in Iraq, Delta Air Lines and US Airways have introduced a new short-term policy to enable alterations in travel plans without having to pay a penalty....

FAA launches programme to collect data on worker safety.
March 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a programme to collect data on worker safety at US airlines. The FAA is expected to form a committee to develop...

INDUSTRY BRIEFS.
March 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Cathay Pacific Airways is enabling its passengers travelling from Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to check in at the Kuala Lumpur City Air Terminal at KL...

EU airlines begin providing US Customs with passenger information.
March 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD European airlines operating services to the US have started providing US Customs with personal data about their passengers. Under an agreement formed between US Customs and...

United Airlines holds further negotiations with labour unions.
March 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD United Airlines is again holding negotiations with its labour unions this week in an attempt to secure long-term contracts. The carrier, which filed for Chapter 11...

Metro Airport Police accuse Metropolitan Airport Authority of jeopardising safety.
March 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Metro Airport Police Union Local 502 has accused the Metropolitan Airport Authority and the Airport Police Department of jeopardising public safety. Local 502, which...

Former Air Lib employees hold protest at Orly airport.
March 5, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Former employees of Air Lib blocked access to Paris' Orly Airport yesterday (4 March). The employees - who lost their jobs following the airline's liquidation - blocked a...

American Airlines' ground workers reject proposed concessions.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD American Airlines' baggage handlers, mechanics and other ground workers have rejected a proposal for USD620m in concessions. The Transport Workers Union, representing the...

Continental Airlines offers online check-in to e-ticketed passengers.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Continental Airlines is now enabling its e-ticketed customers to check-in via its web site at http://www.continental.com. The new service - which applies to customers...

American Airlines expands reward-redemption options.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD American Airlines is offering its AAdvantage members increased online award destination options. The new enhancements include expanded award-redemption booking online at...

French appeals court upholds liquidation of Air Lib.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A French appeals court has reportedly upheld a ruling to liquidate French carrier Air Lib. In February 2003 a commercial court ordered the liquidation of the airline,...

US authorities conduct vulnerability check of large airports.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD US authorities are allegedly checking large airports for vulnerability against shoulder-launched missile attacks on aircraft. According to the Wall Street Journal, Federal...

Malmo Aviation announces new routes, signs code-sharing agreement with Virgin Express.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Swedish airline Malmo Aviation announced today (6 March) that it would commence flights from Bromma in Sweden to Brussels in Belgium, becoming the first airline to operate...

Luxair to purchase two Boeing 737-700 aircraft.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Luxembourg's national carrier, Luxair, has signed an agreement with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co. Under the agreement, the carrier will purchase two Boeing 737-700...

AirTran Airways to order up to 100 new aircraft.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD AirTran Airways has revealed that its temporary use of Airbus SAS aircraft does not signal a switch from its current all-Boeing fleet. The discount carrier previously...

Continental Airlines introduces new ticket polices.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Continental Airlines has introduced a new policy which provides customers with more flexibility when purchasing transatlantic fares. Due to the threat of war in Iraq,...

Finnair cancels route from Turku to Stockholm.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Finnish airline Finnair Oyj has reportedly said that it would cancel its route from Turku in Finland to Stockholm in Sweden due to the shortage of passengers. The last...

Air Canada urges unions to cancel contracts.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Air Canada is urging its six unions to cancel outdated contract agreements. The six unions - which represent about 85% of the airline's work force of about 40,000 - have...

American Airlines pilot accused of threatening security agent.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD An American Airlines pilot was arrested at Omaha Airport, Neb., yesterday (5 March) for threatening a federal security agent. The pilot and agent had allegedly had an...

British Airways to move Russian operations to second airport.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD British Airways has announced plans to move its Russian operations. From 1 July 2003, the carrier will move its operations from Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport...

AeroMexico to lease 15 Boeing aircraft.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD AeroMexico is to add 15 Boeing 737-700 aircraft to its fleet under lease agreements. The Mexico City-based carrier has formed an agreement with Lombard Aviation Capital...

Federal prosecutors reopen criminal investigation into 2000 Alaska Airlines crash.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD US federal prosecutors have reopened a criminal investigation into the crash of an Alaska Airlines aircraft in 2000. According to the Seattle Times, the US Attorney in San...

Mexicana Airlines expands route network.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Mexicana Airlines has announced a number of additional services as part of its network expansion. The airline plans to add services from Austin's Bergstrom International...

NEW SERVICES.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has announced plans to add seven new routes from London's Stansted Airport. The new routes, which are expected to be introduced on 1 May 2003,...

INDUSTRY BRIEFS.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Southwest Airlines has formed partnerships with the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Under the agreements, the...

Air Algerie aircraft crashes, all aboard are believed to have died.
March 6, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD An Algerian aircraft has crashed in southern Algeria, during a scheduled flight from Tamanrasset to Algiers. The aircraft, a Boeing 737 operated by Air Algerie, was...

More than half of illegal workers at Denver airport were never arrested.
March 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Data from the US attorney's office has revealed that more than half of those employees who illegally obtained employment at Denver International Airport were never arrested....

MedAire and AirCell release airborne telecommunication system.
March 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD MedAire and AirCell have jointly introduced an airborne telecommunication system to provide air-to-ground communications. The AirCell air-to-ground system - approved by the...

South African Airways raises USD260m to fund aircraft acquisition.
March 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD South African Airways (SAA) has raised USD260m to fund the acquisition of three of the 41 new Airbus aircraft ordered in 2002. According to the airline's chief financial...

Air Algerie crash reportedly kills 102 people.
March 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD An Algerian aircraft crashed in southern Algeria yesterday (6 March) during a scheduled flight from Tamanrasset to Algiers. The aircraft, a Boeing 737 operated by Air...

United Airlines aircraft veers off tarmac at Melbourne Airport.
March 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A United Airlines aircraft landing at Australia's Melbourne Airport has reportedly veered off the tarmac. The Boeing 747 aircraft was carrying 150 passengers and 12 crew...

Leasing company seizes aircraft operated by Varig.
March 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD An aircraft operated by Brazilian carrier Varig has been seized at Miami International Airport by the leasing company which owns it. The Boeing 767 aircraft, which is among...

United Airlines alters travel policies.
March 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD United Airlines will change its travel policies to encourage customers to book flights despite the possibility of war in Iraq. The airline has revealed that customers who...

United Airlines to lay off 900 flight attendants.
March 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD United Airlines has announced plans to lay off 900 flight attendants in April 2003. The latest cuts - which raise the total number of flight attendants laid off to more...

Swedish airport officials breached security to help artist - claim.
March 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A Swedish artist has put together an exhibition based on X-ray photos taken by airport security equipment. However, the collection has reportedly annoyed Swedish aviation...

Saudi Arabia closes Arar airport to commercial flights.
March 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Saudi Arabia has reportedly closed its airport in the northern town of Arar, near the Iraqi border. According to London-based group, the Movement for Islamic Reform in...

Mineta San Jose airport launches new web site.
March 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Mineta San Jose International Airport has launched its new and improved web site, http://www.sjc.org. The new web site - developed entirely by airport staff - is designed...

TAP-Air Portugal to sell off ground services.
March 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Portugal's cabinet has approved the sale of TAP-Air Portugal's ground services. The sell-off - which is the first step in the partial privatisation of the loss-making...

IATA speaks out against proposed charges at Heathrow airport.
March 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has spoken out against the increased charges at London's Heathrow Airport. The head of the global airline body claims...

NEW SERVICES.
March 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD On 6 June 2003, Northwest Airlines will introduce a new service between its WorldGateway at Detroit and Oklahoma City. The new daily service will be operated by Northwest...

INDUSTRY BRIEFS.
March 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Hooters Air operated its inaugural flight at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport on Thursday (6 March). The airline's Boeing 737 operated a 45-minute flight between...

Lufthansa purchase 31% stake in Air Dolomiti.
March 7, 2003... AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD German carrier Lufthansa has reportedly purchased a controlling stake of Italian airline Air Dolomiti. Lufthansa has purchased a 31% stake in the airline for EUR40m,...