Industry Briefs

Airline Industry Information, Nov 19, 2003

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

America West Airlines has extended its first-class fare sale until 21 November 2003. The sale fares - priced from USD149 each way - are valid for travel before 31 March 2004, and apply to all America West destinations served by an aircraft with first-class cabins. The carrier's 50% FlightFund mileage bonus for first-class tickets also applies, while customers who purchase tickets online at http://www.americawest.com can also receive an additional 500 bonus miles.

United Airlines has reportedly begun selling tickets for its low-fare carrier, called Ted. The carrier will be based at Denver International Airport with an initial fleet of four Airbus A320 aircraft, and is scheduled to begin operations in February 2004.

American Airlines has launched a "Real AAccess" Sweepstakes for residents of California. The sweepstakes offers two grand-prize winners "Twelve-Month Real AAccess Passes", which provide two round trip flights per month for one year and a year's supply of Coca-Cola products. Ten first-prize winners will each receive two round trip travel vouchers. Entry to the sweepstakes must be made online at http://www.aa.com by 5 December 2003.

Air France has revealed that it would have to cut costs by EUR60m in the second half of the year to post a slight operating profit for the full year. The cuts are expected to be followed by a separate three-year cost-cutting plan starting in April, which aims to trim unit costs by 6%.

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