"Airline Industry News Roundup"

Tuesday, January 16, 2001

Airline Industry News Roundup


The Palestinian-operated airport in Gaza has been closed by Israeli soldiers
following the murder of a Jewish settler whose body was found on 15 January.

A Boeing 747-400 aircraft operated by Cathay Pacific Airways, a Hong
Kong-based airline, was forced to land in Hong Kong with one engine shut
down on Sunday evening (14 January) after the affected engine overheated.
The flight, carrying 245 passengers, was en route from Taipei and landed
safely, Reuters reported.

Birmingham International Airport in the UK has reported its ninth
consecutive record year for the number of passengers using the airport. Some
7,604,502 passengers were handled at the airport during 2000, which
represents an increase of 8.2% compared to 1999. Furthermore, the airport
saw an 11.2% increase in passenger numbers in December 2000 compared to the
same month in 1999.

JetBlue Airways, a New York-based carrier, has launched a fare sale and is
offering USD5 off all one-way bookings made through the airline's web site,
http://www.jetblue.com. Customers will receive USD10 off all round-trip
tickets booked at the web site. The offer is valid between now and 21
January. Restrictions may apply.

Qantas, an Australian airline, has extended its AUD1.50 per share takeover
offer for Hazelton Airlines Ltd from 24 January to 30 January. Rival carrier
Ansett has an offer of AUD1.60 on the table and both are subject to approval
from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which is expected
to make a decision this week according to FWN Financial.

The new Kurtkoy Airport in Istanbul, Turkey opened recently. The airport
will operate alongside Ataturk International Airport, can accommodate 45
aircraft and is expected to handle 3m travellers in 2001. Passenger capacity
should reach 10m in the future according to Air & Business Travel News.

Iran Air has taken delivery of the first of eight used Airbus aircraft that
it has purchased through the United Arab Emirates. The remaining aircraft
will be delivered over the next six months, AsiaPulse reported. All the
aircraft are 13 years old and cost about USD25m.

An aircraft operated by Tyrolian Air had to return to Malmo's Sturup airport
on Sunday (14 January) after suspicion arose that a cargo door was not shut
properly. The problem turned out to be an instrument error and the door had
in fact been shut correctly. The aircraft was on its way to Austria carrying
only the two pilots as a technical error had been discovered the night
before.

American Airlines has launched an Internet-based winter fare sale for travel
to and from Hawaii. Sale airfares booked via http://www.aa.com are available
for travel on Mondays through Thursdays between 18 January and 1 March.
Fares range from USD325 to USD675 round-trip and must be purchased by 18
January. Conditions and other charges may apply.

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http://www.californiaaviation.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?conf=DCConfID8

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