Industry Briefs

Airline Industry Information, April 27, 2000

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2000 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Singapore Airlines (SIA) wants to increase its share in Air New Zealand by paying Briereley Investments NZD285m for a 16.7% stake of B class shares according to the New Zealand Press Association. SIA wants to increase its share in Air New Zealand from 25% to 40%, reported Xinhua.

The latest figures from the Department of Transport show that airline passenger numbers from Fiji to Australia grew the fastest in one year increasing from around 246,000 in September 1998 to more than 295,000 in September 1999.

Japan Airlines are to reduce fares by an average 10-20% for groups of two to nine passengers who fly on domestic routes if the tickets are purchased 35 days before travel. The fares will apply from July to September except in the period between 14 July and 31 August.

Air Canada and Canadian Airlines have formed a partnership with The Loyalty Group who operate the Air Miles Reward Programme and is one of Canadian Airlines creditors. This will allow passengers who collect air miles under The Loyalty Group to redeem their rewards with the two airlines.

Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Coast Jet, which is soon to begin operations, has 'officially' received its first Fairchild 328JET aircraft at a ceremony at the Fairchild Aerospace facility in Germany. The airline's new fleet will apparently consist of 45 aircraft, 25 of which are to be 328JETs.

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