Manufacturing Industry

Industry Briefs

Airline Industry Information, Nov 17, 2000

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has donated a Boeing 747 given to him by a member of Qatar's ruling family to Iraqi Airways, the national carrier. State television has reported that the aircraft was a gift from Hamad bin Ali bin Jabr al-Thani as a show of solidarity with Iraq.

VARIG, a Brazilian carrier, has received first prize in the category of 'Best Audio Program' for its in-flight production of 'Pride of Brazil' by the World Airline Entertainment Association. The competition included about 50 international carriers and VARIG's submission featured a selection of Brazilian music available on its own flights as well as integrated into audio programs offered by other Star Alliance partners.

A drug trafficker and his accomplice were arrested at Islamabad International Airport, Pakistan on 16 November for attempting to smuggle over 5kg of heroin out of the country. The pair were about to board a flight to Britain when they were intercepted by the Anti-Narcotics Force. They have now been arrested and are undergoing interrogation according to Xinhua News Agency.

Colombian carrier Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia SA (Avianca) has signed a six-year contract extension with Pratt & Whitney Aftermarket Services for the provision of engine maintenance for all of the carrier's PW4056 and PW4060 engines, which are used to power Boeing 767-200 and -300 aircraft. The extension is valued at about USD30m.

Flight attendants at United Airlines represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFL-CIO) will conduct a picket and distribute informational leaflets at more than 20 airports on 20 November. The union claims that some new flight attendants are on poverty-level wages (USD16,000-USD17,500 pa) and also alleges that the carrier repeatedly violated its contract with flight attendants during the summer.

Delta Air Lines' Environmental, Health and Safety report for 2000 has been issued and is now available through the carrier's web site at http://www.delta.com/pdfs/EHS_Text.pdf.> American Airlines Vacations has launched a Colorado ski package that will allow AADVANTAGE frequent flyer members to earn 10,000 miles. The packages require a minimum of five nights stay at the Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge or Keystone ski resorts between 15 November 2000 and 28 February 2001. Tickets must be purchased by 30 November and other conditions apply.

The Air Canada Pilots Association has indicated that it expects to have a date for a representation vote for Air Canada and Canadian Airlines pilots by the end of this week. The union has asked the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to declare Air Canada the common employer of both groups of pilots, to merge them, to oversee a representation vote and to arbitrate issues to do with seniority. The representation vote will be determined by a 50% plus one majority.

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