Aviation

New rules on an airline’s obligations to passengers came into effect last month. The rules change the amounts given in compensation, and redefine the circumstances where compensation must be provided.

The world last month took its first official look at the biggest airliner yet built during a spectacular ceremony attended by the leaders of four countries, the heads of 14 airlines and operators – Airbus A380 customers – shareholders and thousands of invited onlookers.

The municipal authorities of the Saronic Gulf tourist islands of Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses last month made a joint appeal for a reduction in usage charges at Athens international airport, Eleftherios Venizelos, which they said would encourage more charter flights to the Athens airport and thus give a boost their tourism industry.

Helios Airways announced recently that it would add two new flights from Heathrow to Larnaca this summer, taking direct service to Cyprus from 5 to 7 times a week.

British Airways last month delivered a two-punch strike to the British travel agent community. Not only does the airline plan to cease paying agent commissions, it also will block IATA agents doing less than £50,000 of business over a 12-month period, a move that will affect an estimated 377 agents by the end of January.

British Airways, in an ongoing attempt to cut costs, will move its bookings department from its Athens office to a call center on Cyprus.

The European Regions Airline Association voted Aegean Airlines the Airline of the Year for 2004-2005. The 230-member association represents 70 European airline companies active in 250 European airports.

Alitalia last month launched a new direct daily flight from Thessaloniki to Rome. With the addition of the new Thessaloniki-Rome flight, the Italian national carrier now offers daily direct and fast access from Thessaloniki to Rome and Milan.

Airline alliance SkyTeam solidified its position last month as one of the world’s fastest growing airline alliances with the acceptance of Continental Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Northwest Airlines as full members. The alliance’s governing board also announced that effective Sept. 15 passengers would be able to accrue and redeem frequent flyer miles interchangeably on any of the nine member airlines.

After Alitalia managed to reach an agreement late last month with its nine unions, its existence is no longer in question. The unions approved layoffs of one-sixth of the airline’s workforce and the breakup of the carrier into two units: a separate company for ground handling and one for flights.