Industry Briefs

Airline Industry Information, Feb 9, 2001

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2001 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Qantas, an Australian carrier, has launched a new florist service that will allow its frequent flyer members to earn points when they buy bouquets and floral arrangements through FreshToday. The service has been launched in time for St Valentine's Day on 14 February and can be accessed at http://www.qantasfrequentflyer.com.au.

A spokesperson for the US Consulate has confirmed that aviation officials from the USA and Hong Kong have held a series of informal talks about a stalled air services agreement. The meetings took place in Washington, USA on 6 and 7 February but no further details have been given.

The Oneworld global airline alliance has celebrated its second anniversary and appointed its first vice president-sales, Maunu von Lueders. The position will be responsible for driving the development of the alliance's sales initiatives and systems. Oneworld members generate about USD50bn per year in passenger sales.

Mesaba Airlines, a Northwest Airlink affiliate, has upgraded service between Louisville and Memphis, with the airline operating an all jet aircraft service on its four daily flights commencing 1 May. The carrier will replace its Saab 340 turboprop with an Avro RJ85 aircraft on the service not already operated with DC-10 or Canadair Regional Jet aircraft.

Some 175 flights at Toronto's Pearson International Airport in Canada were cancelled on 7 February due to a surprise blizzard that blanketed the lower half of Ontario. Air Canada has issued a severe weather travel advisory for the Toronto airport and warned about delays and cancellations over the next couple of days.

The Scottish Prison Service has denied reports that Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi, the Libyan man recently convicted of the 1988 bombing Pan Am flight 103, is on a hunger strike as claimed by Al Megrahi's former lawyer, Stephen Mitchell, according to Xinhua News Agency.

American Airlines is expanding its electronic ticketing offerings and is giving travel agents the ability to electronically ticket itineraries with between five and 16 segments. Previously, tickets with more than four segments required a paper ticket.

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