Industry Briefs

World Airline News, Oct 16, 1998

* Latin America tops Delta's list. The airline announced the addition of a fourth daily nonstop flight between Atlanta and Mexico City, via Delta's code-share with Aeromexico. The airlines' existing code-share service, connecting Atlanta and Cancun, also will increase from four flights a week to daily, nonstop flights, effective Oct. 25.

* Air France pilots are closer to a deal. Willing to accept salary cuts in exchange for shareholding in the company, the management board announced that it will discuss the issue this week. Both sides say that they have "never been closer to an agreement than now."

* The Star Alliance has asked Hong Kong to lift regulatory restrictions, including a prohibition on code-sharing agreements. Alliance officials claim that restrictions prevent air carriers from providing the full benefits of aviation alliances to customers, and do not enable the new Chek Lap Kok International Airport to reach its full potential as an international hub airport.

Officials also pointed out that Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific has joined the oneworld global alliance, making it even more imperative for Hong Kong to join other countries that offer open, unrestricted markets. If Hong Kong lifts the restrictions, Star Alliance could launch several new services including Sao Paulo-Hong Kong via Los Angeles with Varig and United; Vancouver-Singapore via Hong Kong with Air Canada and United; and Montreal-Hong Kong via Chicago with Air Canada and United.

* Let's make a deal. Continental Airlines and the Teamsters have reached an agreement that will improve wages and work rules for all the airline's 2,900 employees in the technical operations area. Specifics will be communicated to employees through the ratification process, which will take place over the next several weeks.

* "We aim higher" is the new advertising slogan recently launched by Dragonair. Television commercials and print ads appearing in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and selected Dragonair destinations in Asia Pacific showcase each of the carrier's perceived strengths - service, a modern fleet, and internationally-trained pilots.

* Sorry, no sale. "We don't have a gun to our heads to buy either of these planes," said John Plueger, chief operating officer of The International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) in a statement this week about how the company might forego buying 100-seat jets from either Boeing Co. or Airbus Industrie. The Los Angeles-based lessor isn't convinced that it can make a big enough return on the small jets to justify a purchase . ILFC officials believe that Boeing would have to cut the price of its 100-seater - the 717 - by at least a third, to make the purchase attractive.

* It's a bird, it's a plane, no, it's "Super Hub." Cathay Pacific launched a fall advertising campaign entitled "Super Hub" to highlight the benefits of Hong Kong's new international airport. The campaign is targeted at both Hong Kong residents and international passengers.

* China Southern Airlines are unveiling a new Child Adoption Program. In order to assist families looking to adopt in China, the carrier has put together a package that includes round-trip, non-stop Boeing 777 air transportation service from Los Angeles to Guangzhou, as well as three nights at the White Swan Hotel, located adjacent to the U.S. Consulate office.

* It's electric. United Airlines will offer around the world travel with electronic ticketing, beginning Dec. 15. The service will be available on United One and United Two, the airline's globe- spanning flights connecting New York, London, Delhi, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and terminating at New York.