n singapore’s bid for Ansett falls through
Singapore Airlines’ bid to buy 50% of Ansett Australia has fallen through.Potential seller News Corp is understood to have become frustrated that SIA could not agree a deal with other 50% owner Air New Zealand. ANZ has refused to budge on its right to be the first airline to buy the outstanding share.
n ryanair set for new italian promotions
Ryanair is offering £19.99 one-way fares to its Italian destinations from Stansted. The deal is to promote new routes to Genoa, Turin and Ancona and year-old destinations Rimini, Venice and Pisa.
n JeA to start daily cork operations
Jersey European Airways is to launch twice-dailyweekday flights between Birmingham and Cork. onSeptember 10. Fares lead in at £79 return. JEA hasdeveloped Birmingham as its hub for regional UK and Ireland flights.
n Continental hosts
Thomas Cook break
Continental Airlines took 12 Thomas Cook agents on a three-day break to New York. The retailers made the most bookings on thecarrier last year in Scotlandfollowing the launch ofGlasgow-New York Newark flights last July.
n Birmingham reports record passenger rise
Birmingham International Airport reported recordpassenger numbers of 665,378 for last month. The 3.6% rise on May 1998 was partly due to Italian and Spanish fans attending the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Final at Villa Park.