Aviation

The Association of European Airlines reacted with disappointment last month to the vote in the European Parliament on legislation affecting persons with reduced mobility traveling by air, which would have a direct impact on the services that airlines currently provide for their passengers.

The government drafted a bill last month that protects Olympic Airlines (OA) from its creditors and thus guarantees the airline’s smooth operation for at least another six months. The draft amendment bars current or future creditors from taking any action against OA until the end of February, according to reports.

Delta Air Lines last month announced that the company and its subsidiaries have voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in accordance with United States law. Delta said it has taken this action as part of its ongoing efforts to address its financial challenges and become a simpler, more efficient and cost-effective airline.

The European Union last month received permission from air safety officials to publish a blacklist of unsafe airlines. The list will include companies restricted or suspended from operating their planes to, from or over Europe.

SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, last month welcomed top tourism professionals to its annual Mexican Food Festival organized with the cooperation of the Athenaeum Intercon-tinental and the local Mexican embassy. This marks the fourth year in succession for the festival.

A Cypriot-based Helios Airways passenger jet, Helios Flight 522, crashed into a mountainside near Marathon, and about 40 kilometers north of Athens, on Sunday, August 14. All 121 people aboard, including the six crewmembers, were killed. Debris from the crash was spread at least 500 meters.

SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, recently announced the introduction of a new corporate travel program for global companies. The new program offers competitively priced, customized travel solutions across most of the alliance’s 684 destinations in 133 countries via a single contract.

Qatar Airways recently brought its award-winning Five Star service to the Indian capital New Delhi with its inaugural flight touching down at Indira Gandhi International Airport in mid July.

Royal Jordanian reached new highs in July 2005 by transporting 186,300 passengers, marking a 3.8 per cent increase over the same period of 2004.

Olympic Airlines, with a share capital of 130 million euros, has chalked up 107 million euros in losses since its setup as a new debt-free airline just a little better than a year and half ago.