Airline News - Europe.

For more airline news, data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/order_formsubs.htm Aug 21, 2006

The Assn. of European Airlines called upon EU ministers for transportation and interior affairs to coordinate their actions throughout the EU. According to AEA, in higher risk situations such as those in the UK, all operators including airports should be able to adapt their measures without causing extreme disruption to their customers. "The US government has increased airport screening staff by 50% since Aug. 10," Schulte-Strathaus said. "Being able to call on extra staff to assist passengers should be part of any airport contingency plan." Aug 17, 2006

European air traffic returns to 'business as usual'. Air traffic at UK airports recovered from last Thursday's security alert, with the number of cancellations already easing drastically by Friday.British Airways operated a "near normal" schedule, with 70% of its scheduled short-haul and domestic services to and from London Heathrow departing as well as all long-haul flights with the exception of six services to the US. Most of its London Gatwick services and nearly all of its regional flights under the BA Connect banner were completed, albeit with some delays. Aug 14, 2006

Aeroflot

Aeroflot will launch thrice-weekly Moscow Sheremetyevo-Hannover service on Sept. 5 aboard a 131-seat Tu-154M. Flight will become daily in summer 2007. The airline said the route "confirms the Aeroflot strategy on increasing the number of regular flights on European routes and winning the leading position in the market of transit transportations between Europe and Asia." Aug 15, 2006

AirBaltic

AirBaltic will launch four-times-weekly Kaliningrad-Copenhagen service Aug. 16 aboard F50s. It is the first time the Latvian carrier will operate flights from Russia to a third country. Aug 15, 2006

Bmi

Bmi reported Friday it was "business as usual across all bmi group operations" and said it experienced a "minimum of delays" to its 170 daily flights to the UK, Europe, India and Saudi Arabia. Aug 14, 2006

British Airways

British Airways operated about 90% of its full schedule, dropping three long-haul and 32 short-haul departures. It operated a full long-haul and European schedule from Gatwick with just 11 domestic flights scratched. Today BA plans to operate a full long-haul schedule at LHR and cancel 19 short-haul departures. It will operate a full schedule at LGW today and a full schedule from both airports on Friday. Aug 17, 2006

British Airways said it expected to reduce schedules by 20% today, relief may be on the way following the government's decision Monday to lower the terrorism threat level from "critical" to "severe." Consequently, the Dept. for Transport eased security restrictions "at all UK airports with immediate effect," allowing passengers to carry one item of hand baggage on flights, although it halved the dimensions of the bag to 45x35x16 cm. (17.7x13.7x6.2 in.). Laptops and electrical goods may be included within the bag, but liquids of any type still are prohibited save medicines sufficient and essential for the flight and baby food. While allowing one item of cabin baggage, DFT noted that passengers boarding flights to the US are subject to search at the gate. Aug 15, 2006

British Airways May Seek Flight Disruption Compensation. British Airways, forced to cancel about 1,100 flights when security checks were stepped up in response to a foiled bomb plot, said on Tuesday it might seek compensation from airport operator BAA. Aug 14, 2006

Icelandair

Icelandair announced a winter reduction of some of its US services. Flights from Baltimore/Washington International will be suspended Jan. 9, 2007 and resume March 8 with four-times-weekly service. Minneapolis-St. Paul service will shut down Jan. 10 and resume March 15 with four-times-weekly flights. Five-times-weekly service from New York JFK will run through Jan. 4, at which time it will become a four-times-weekly operation. Boston will remain a daily service. Aug 16, 2006

Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airways

Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways launched interline e-ticketing last week. The airlines already codeshare and have linked loyalty programs and a joint lounge arrangement. Aug 14, 2006

Virgin Atlantic Airways

Virgin Atlantic Airways launched a route-specific inflight magazine called DXB available to passengers on flights between London Heathrow and Dubai. Aug 14, 2006