SEMINAR ON CLAIMS
Travel industry solicitors Mason Bond is hosting a seminar for operators on April 16 to explain the implications of new rules affecting claims against firms. The event is at the Law Society on Chancery Lane, City of London. The reforms come in on April 29 and cut the amount of time tour operators are given to settle cases.
BRITISH MIDLAND TIE
South African Airways has become British Midland’s 20th codeshare partner.
The airline will share flights from British Midland’s Heathrow hub to Belfast International, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester and Teesside International. SAA passengers will have access to the UK airline’s lounges and frequent flyer programme. British Midland can offer connections to Johannesburg. SAA is tipped to become a member of Star Alliance along with British Midland, which already codeshares with the group’s members Lufthansa, SAS, UnitedAirlines, Air Canada and Air New Zealand.
ATOL RENEWALS
The Civil Aviation Authority has revealed that 117 firms out of 750 due to renew their Air Travel Organisers’ Licences last month failed to do so. The CAA said the figure was lower than normal.
SIA POISED FOR STAKE
Singapore Airlines is poised to invest ú200m in Ansett Australia parent company Ansett Holdings to secure a 50% stake in the carrier. Current stakeholder News Limited, a subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch-owned News Corp, has signed an agreement with SIA to sell the holding in the summer if legal hurdles are cleared.