Industry - Airline latest news

Lufthansa is in "constructive negotiations" with SN Airholding, parent of Brussels Airlines, about an equity investment worth 45% of the Belgian company with an option to take it over fully later.

Rising revenue and demand were little match for soaring fuel prices and the reduced value of the Malaysian ringgit as AirAsia posted a second-quarter profit of MYR9.4 million ($2.8 million) that represented a 95% plunge from the MYR185.1 million earned in the year-ago period.

Citing unprecedented fuel costs, slowing economic growth in its main markets and weakness in the US dollar and UK pound, Aer Lingus reported a net loss of €20.6 million ($30.3 million) for the first half of 2008, reversed from a €6.8 million profit in the year-ago semester.

Air Berlin's second-quarter net profit rose 38.3% to €8.3 million ($12.2 million) compared to €6 million in the year-ago period if the 2007 results of LTU, AB's acquisition of which was approved in last year's third quarter, are included.

Air China's first-half net income fell 20.7% to CNY1.24 billion ($180.8 million) on surging oil prices and softening traffic resulting from May's Sichuan earthquake and heightened security surrounding the recently completed Olympics.

Spanish authorities have recovered the engines of the Spanair MD-82 that crashed on takeoff last week and will disassemble them "screw by screw" to try to determine whether a thrust problem contributed to the accident, the head of the crash investigation said yesterday.

Qantas is understood to be moving toward an order for the 365-seat 777-300ER as Boeing pulls out all stops to thwart a commitment to the rival A350-1000.

The Allied Pilots Association, a union representing commercial airline pilots, released a statement Friday saying the APA is partnering with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants and the Transport Workers Union, which represents ground workers, to negotiate with american airlines over new employment contracts. (AMR)

TORONTO, ONTARIO (MARKET WIRE) Attention: Travel and Transportation Editors.

People catching flights from Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport were treated to an unusual sight today when the facility hosted an impromptu basketball match.The game involved members of the British women's Paralympic basketball team, who were waiting to catch their British Airways flight to the Paralympic Games in Beijing.One of the players, Clare Strange, said: "We've played in courts all around the world, but this is the first time we've played at an airport terminal!"We're thrilled to be representing Great Britain and looking forward to doing our country proud."British Airways transported more than 300 athletes and management team members to Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games and will serve as the official airline partner of the 2012 Games in London.The airline offered a number of special services for competitors and their teams, including increased luggage allowance and tailored inflight menus to fit in with athletes' eating plans.Cheap Flights and Travel News - © 2008 - Just The