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PARIS and NEW YORK, July 25 /PRNewswire/ — British Airways today announced that it has completed the purchase of French airline L’Avion, which will be integrated with British Airways’ new subsidiary OpenSkies. This agreement was initially announced on July 2, 2008. Full integration of L’Avion with OpenSkies is slated for early 2009.
OpenSkies recently launched daily flights between Paris Orly Airport and New York John F. Kennedy Airport. L’Avion operates two Boeing 757 aircraft between Paris Orly and Newark Airport. The combined airline will operate up to three daily flights between Paris Orly and the New York area using Boeing 757 aircraft.
“We are very pleased about the completion of this deal and excited to begin the integration process,” said Dale Moss, Managing Director of OpenSkies. “This is an ideal combination of two companies that share a focus on delivering an unparalleled experience on the transatlantic journey. With L’Avion providing increased access to Paris-Orly, greater scale and a deep and talented employee base — coupled with the backing of British Airways — we will present an even stronger and more vibrant competitive choice across the Atlantic.”
“Together, our combined companies will offer a compelling premium value proposition for travelers on the New York - Paris route,” said Marc Rochet, Chief Executive Officer of L’Avion. “Our two airlines are a natural fit, with a collective commitment to providing memorable customer service on each and every flight. We look forward to working closely with our OpenSkies colleagues as we continue to build a premier transatlantic airline.”
Upon integration of the two airlines, customers can expect to experience benefits that will further improve the Paris - New York offering, including an increased schedule and BA Executive Club privileges. OpenSkies and L’Avion currently operate a codeshare with L’Avion selling seats on OpenSkies flights.
About OpenSkies
OpenSkies is a premium transatlantic airline offering guests superior service, competitive fares and exceptional value. OpenSkies will initially fly between Paris - Orly Airport and New York - JFK Airport. Other European destinations being considered for the airline include Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt and Milan. The airline will offer guests innovative features onboard, including lie-flat beds in business class, personal entertainment units with 50 hours of programming, and fresh and healthy meal service. Backed by British Airways, OpenSkies is the first airline created as a result of the Open Skies agreement, which allows airlines to fly between any U.S. and E.U. destination.
About L’Avion
L’Avion is the first French airline that offers all business class service at affordable prices to travelers. L’Avion operates two Boeing 757-200 with 90 Business Class seats only. L’Avion flies between Paris-Orly and New York- Newark twice daily, 5 times a week.
For more information: or call 1 (866)-692-6759.
OpenSkies

PITTSBURGH, May 23 /PRNewswire/ — With the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) recent announcement to remove a prescription anti-smoking pill from their approved list of safe medications for pilots, GSK Consumer Healthcare, an industry leader in smoking cessation, is offering one free 48 count of 2mg or 4mg Commit Cherry lozenges to all licensed commercial and private pilots who are interested in quitting smoking today, through June 30. It is important for pilots to understand that NRT has been the recommended aid for pilots to quit smoking since 1994, and that the FAA news in no way includes GSK’s products, which are deemed safe and effective medicines to relieve nicotine withdrawal symptoms that arise during a quit attempt.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
Recent clinical research has demonstrated that the Commit 4 mg lozenge reverses the negative impact that nicotine withdrawal has on the ability to concentrate, attention deficit, short-term memory and selective attention during a quit attempt(1) — all these issues were at the core of the FAA’s ruling.
“It’s important that pilots interested in quitting have access to safe, evidence-based treatments,” said Bill Slivka, vice president, Smoking Control, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. “Over the past ten years, our NRT products, including the Commit lozenge, have helped more than 6.5 million smokers around the world quit. This free offer to pilots and air traffic controllers further demonstrates our mission to help more smokers achieve their goal of safely becoming smoke-free.”
The Commit lozenge give-away program is open to all U.S. residents, 18 years of age or older, with a valid certification. Pilots and air traffic controllers meeting the aforementioned criteria can call 1.877.NO.ASHES, or 1.877.662.7437 to request one free 48 count of 2mg or 4mg Cherry Commit lozenges, and also gain access to smoking cessation counselors. The line is open from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday (no weekends or holidays). During Memorial Day weekend, the line will be open from 12-4 p.m. EDT, Saturday and Sunday. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare will also pay shipping and handling costs.
Smoking remains one of the leading causes of preventable death and disease and one of the most powerful and important addictions to break. That said, many smokers can’t do it alone. Evidence-based treatments such as NRT, including the Commit lozenge, in combination with counseling offer a better chance of quitting versus cold turkey(2). More than 110 studies involving approximately 40,000 smokers have demonstrated the safety of NRT even in populations with specific health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, lung disease, and existing heart disease(3).
About The Give-Away
GSK Consumer Healthcare is offering to help pilots interested in quitting get started on a path to a smoke-free life. The give-away begins on Friday, May 23rd and goes through Monday, June 30th. All U.S. residents, 18 years of age or older, with a valid pilot certification are eligible. The offer is on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last. Pilots meeting the aforementioned criteria can call 1.877.NOASHES, or 1.877.662.7437. The line is open from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday (no weekends or holidays). During Memorial Day weekend, the line will be open from 12-4 p.m. EDT, Saturday and Sunday. A 48 count of 2mg or 4mg Cherry Commit lozenges is being offered as part of this promotion (subject to change without notice). Each person will have access to smoking cessation counselors through 1.877.NO.ASHES.
About the Commit Lozenge
Commit is approved by the FDA to help control tough cravings associated with quitting smoking(4). Commit has a unique dosage selector based on how soon a smoker smokes his first cigarette in the morning, so he can choose the strength that’s right for him. The Commit lozenge helps people stop smoking by providing low, safe doses of NRT to ease withdrawal from cigarettes. Commit comes in different strengths — 2 mg or 4 mg — to be used depending on how soon a smoker has his first cigarette in the morning. The 2 mg dosage is for smokers who usually have their first cigarette more than thirty minutes after waking up. The 4 mg dosage is for smokers who usually have their first cigarette within thirty minutes of waking up.
About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
GSK Consumer Healthcare is one of the world’s largest over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. GSK offers the widest range of proven NRT products available, products which can significantly improve a smoker’s chance of quitting successfully and have helped millions of people quit smoking. In addition, GSK offers several resources and support services designed specifically to help smokers and non-smokers understand and address the two components to smoking cessation: nicotine addiction and habit change. Its more than 30 well-known brands include the leading smoking cessation products, Nicorette(R), NicoDerm(R) CQ and Commit(R) as well as many medicine cabinet staples, including Abreva(R), alli(R) Aquafresh(R), Sensodyne(R), Tums(R) and Breathe Right(R), trademarks owned and/or licensed to GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies.
About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline is one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare companies. GlaxoSmithKline is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.
1. GSK Data on file, Study S2540345 report Boyle et al 2006.
2. Fiore MC, Bailey WC, Cohen SJ, et al. Treating Tobacco Use and
Dependence. Clinical Practice Guideline. Rockville, MD:
3. Stead LF, Perera R, Bullen C,Mant D, Lancaster T. Nicotine replacement
therapy for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
2008, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD000146. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000146.pub3.
4. FDA labeling for gum/lozenge/patch. 2005. Labels on boxes of Nicorette,

Commit and NicoDerm CQ

Press Contact:

Samantha Schwarz
GolinHarris
312-622-1124

Jennifer May
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
412-200-3729

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

NEW YORK and LONDON, April 27 /PRNewswire/ — Silverjet, the award-winning British exclusively business class airline, announced today a special rate offer to EOS customers following news that EOS has filed for bankruptcy.The offer allows EOS passengers booking with Silverjet access to a limited number of seats on the airline’s New York to London route for the same price as their EOS ticket.*”Our commitment first lies with ensuring our own passengers enjoy Silverjet’s seamless stress-free experience, but we hope that this offer will provide some peace of mind to EOS passengers,” said Silverjet CEO Lawrence Hunt. “The airline industry is hugely competitive and this has been starkly illustrated by today’s announcement. With our unique proposition and very reasonable prices, passengers can look forward to continuing to fly with Silverjet and enjoying the calm and intimate experience that we offer.”Silverjet continues to increase its passenger numbers, with a 23 percent growth last month alone. The airline now operates a twice-daily service from Newark Liberty Airport to London Luton and a daily service from London to Dubai. Silverjet’s private terminals and exclusive lounge facilities that allow customers to arrive as little as 30 minutes prior to departure have proven to be extremely popular with business passengers.EOS customers wishing to take advantage of this offer are asked to call Silverjet toll-free at 877 FLY SILVERJET (877-359-7458). Electronic proof of the ticket price paid to EOS is required. This offer applies to EOS customers booking with Silverjet before 7 PM EST on May 10, 2008.* Silverjet’s seat offer to EOS passengers is subject to terms andconditions. Silverjet plc

SAO PAULO, Brazil, April 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — TAM (Bovespa: TAMM4 and NYSE: TAM) announced the unification of the management structure of the TAM Linhas Aereas and the Paraguayan company Transportes Aereos Mercosur S.A. (TAM Airlines) in order to strengthen the cohesiveness of the companies making up the TAM Group. Captain David Barioni Neto, president of TAM Linhas Aereas, will take over the executive management of TAM Airlines, adding to his responsibilities as the Board of Directors’ chairman of the Paraguayan company. All TAM Airlines operations will now fall under the direct management of the respective vice presidencies of TAM Linhas Aereas. Alberto Fajerman, formerly in charge of the Paraguayan operation, is leaving the company.(Logo: )TAM Airlines became the new name of TAM Mercosur in March, in keeping with guidelines for brand repositioning aligned with the group’s expansion in the international market.TAM Airlines offers flights from Asuncion to destinations in Argentina (Buenos Aires), Bolivia (Santa Cruz de La Sierra and Cochabamba), Brazil, Chile (Santiago), Paraguay (Ciudad del Este) and Uruguay (Montevideo and Punta del Este). It also provides connections from Cordoba (Argentina) to Brazil via Ciudad del Este. It operates direct flights to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo from Buenos Aires and Asuncion, enabling passengers to make connections to a variety of destinations in South America, Europe and the United States, taking advantage of the extensive aerial network of TAM in Brazil and overseas, as well as code-sharing (sharing of seats) with international carriers. Since September of 2003, the TAM Group has come to acquire 94.98ACIORFIPROCENTE of the shares of TAM Airlines. The remaining 5.02ACIORFIPROCENTE are held by the government of Paraguay. Investor Relations: Phone: (55) (11) 5582-9715 Fax: (55) (11) 5582-8149 Press Agency: Phone: (55) (11) 5582-8167 Fax: (55) (11) 5582-8155 MVL Comunicacao Phone. (11) 3594-0302 / 0304 / 0305 About TAM:TAM () has been the leader in the Brazilian domestic market for more than four years, and closed March 2008 with a 51.4ACIORFIPROCENTE market share. The company operates flights to 42 Brazilian destinations. It serves 79 different destinations in the Brazilian market through commercial agreements with regional companies. Among Brazilian airline companies, TAM’s international market share was 68.9ACIORFIPROCENTE in March. Its international operations include direct flights to 17 destinations: New York and Miami (USA), Paris (France), London (England), Milan (Italy), Frankfurt (Germany), Madrid (Spain), Buenos Aires and Cordoba (Argentina), Santiago (Chile), Caracas (Venezuela), Montevideo and Punta del Este (Uruguay), Asuncion and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay), and Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Cochabamba (Bolivia). Additionally, it has code share agreements with international airlines, which allow passengers to travel to another 64 destinations in the United States, South America and Europe. TAM was the first airline company to launch a loyalty program in Brazil; TAM’s program currently has 4.5 million members and has redeemed more than 5.2 million tickets in exchange for points. TAM

SAO PAULO, Brazil, April 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — TAM (BOVESPA: TAMM4, NYSE: TAM) announces operating data for March 2008, as disclosed by the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) today.(Logo: )According to ANAC, TAM registered 14.0ACIORFIPROCENTE growth in domestic RPK (demand) compared to the same period last year, and 14.6ACIORFIPROCENTE increase in domestic ASK (supply). In March, market demand increased 13.7ACIORFIPROCENTE and market supply increased 14.8ACIORFIPROCENTE. TAM registered domestic market share (RPK) of 51.4ACIORFIPROCENTE, a 0.1 p.p. increase compared to the same period in 2007. TAM’s domestic load factor was 69.3ACIORFIPROCENTE, 5.6 p.p. higher than the market average of 63.6ACIORFIPROCENTE.In the international market, TAM registered 49.5ACIORFIPROCENTE growth in RPK and 38.7ACIORFIPROCENTE in ASK, compared to March 2007. The company attained market share of 68.9ACIORFIPROCENTE, representing 4.8 p.p. growth year on year. TAM attained 76.4ACIORFIPROCENTE load factor, 8.3 p.p. higher than the market average of 68.1ACIORFIPROCENTE. Please find below our operating data for March: Operating data Mar 2008 Mar 2007 Var. ACIORFIPROCENTE Domestic Market ASK (millions) - Supply 2,859 2,494 14.6ACIORFIPROCENTE RPK (millions) - Demand 1,980 1,737 14.0ACIORFIPROCENTE Load Factor 69.3ACIORFIPROCENTE 69.6ACIORFIPROCENTE -0.4 p.p. Market share 51.4ACIORFIPROCENTE 51.3ACIORFIPROCENTE 0.1 p.p. International Market ASK (millions) - Supply 1,674 1,206 38.7ACIORFIPROCENTE RPK (millions) - Demand 1,279 856 49.5ACIORFIPROCENTE Load Factor 76.4ACIORFIPROCENTE 70.9ACIORFIPROCENTE 5.5 p.p. Market share 68.9ACIORFIPROCENTE 64.0ACIORFIPROCENTE 4.8 p.p. Operating data Jan-Mar 2008 Jan-Mar 2007 Var. ACIORFIPROCENTE Domestic Market ASK (millions) - Supply 8,480 7,454 13.8ACIORFIPROCENTE RPK (millions) - Demand 6,028 5,269 14.4ACIORFIPROCENTE Load Factor 71.1ACIORFIPROCENTE 70.7ACIORFIPROCENTE 0.4 p.p. Market share 50.6ACIORFIPROCENTE 48.4ACIORFIPROCENTE 2.2 p.p. International Market ASK (millions) - Supply 5,085 3,337 52.4ACIORFIPROCENTE RPK (millions) - Demand 3,906 2,390 63.5ACIORFIPROCENTE Load Factor 76.8ACIORFIPROCENTE 71.6ACIORFIPROCENTE 5.2 p.p. Market share 67.7ACIORFIPROCENTE 62.9ACIORFIPROCENTE 4.8 p.p. Investor Relations Contact: Phone: (55) (11) 5582-9715 Fax: (55) (11) 5582-8149 Press Agency Contact: Phone: (55) (11) 5582-8167 Fax: (55) (11) 5582-8155 About TAM:TAM () has been the leader in the Brazilian domestic market for more than three years, and held a 51.4ACIORFIPROCENTE domestic market share and 68.9ACIORFIPROCENTE international market share at the end of March 2008. TAM operates regular flights to 42 destinations throughout Brazil. It serves 79 different cities in the domestic market through regional alliances. Additionally, it maintains code-share agreements with international airline companies that allow passengers to travel to a large number of destinations throughout the world. TAM was the first Brazilian airline company to launch a loyalty program. Currently, the program has over 4.5 million subscribers and has awarded more than 5.2 million tickets.Forward-looking statements:This notice may contain forward-looking statements. These estimates merely reflect the expectations of the Company’s management, and involve risks and uncertainties. The Company is not responsible for investment operations or decisions taken based on information contained in this release. These estimates are subject to changes without prior notice. TAM

LONDON, April 9 /PRNewswire/ — Unite Thomas Cook photocall cancelled The photo opportunity planned by Unite for the Thomas Cook AGM tomorrow(Thursday 11th April) has been cancelled.Unite the Union

MILWAUKEE, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Midwest Air Group, Inc. today reported March performance data for Midwest Airlines and Midwest Connect. Midwest Air Group, Inc. — Performance Report Three Months Ended March March 31, 2008 2007 ACIORFIPROCENTE Change 2008 2007ACIORFIPROCENTE Change Midwest Air Group Scheduled Service Revenue Passenger Miles (000s) 435,695 403,768 7.9 1,096,083 1,033,906 6.0 Scheduled Service Available Seat Miles (000s) 552,266 494,135 11.8 1,564,478 1,403,545 11.5 Total Available Seat Miles (000s) 558,118 500,038 11.6 1,578,434 1,416,220 11.5 Load Factor (ACIORFIPROCENTE) 78.9ACIORFIPROCENTE 81.7ACIORFIPROCENTE (2.8)pts. 70.1ACIORFIPROCENTE 73.7ACIORFIPROCENTE (3.6)pts. Number of Flights 9,998 9,283 7.7 29,544 27,056 9.2 Midwest Airlines Operations Origin & Destination Passengers 330,127 351,854 (6.2) 829,283 895,225 (7.4) Scheduled Service Revenue Passenger Miles (000s) 373,515 382,108 (2.2) 941,885 976,305 (3.5) Scheduled Service Available Seat Miles (000s) 462,391 463,271 (0.2) 1,303,686 1,313,498 (0.7) Total Available Seat Miles (000s) 468,243 469,174 (0.2) 1,317,642 1,326,173 (0.6) Load Factor (ACIORFIPROCENTE) 80.8ACIORFIPROCENTE 82.5ACIORFIPROCENTE (1.7)pts. 72.2ACIORFIPROCENTE 74.3ACIORFIPROCENTE (2.1)pts. Average Passenger Trip Length (miles) 1,131 1,086 4.2 1,136 1,091 4.1 Number of Flights 4,429 4,917 (9.9) 12,729 14,104 (9.7) Midwest Connect Operations Origin & Destination Passengers 141,220 69,871 102.1 359,479 190,074 89.1 Scheduled Service Revenue Passenger Miles (000s) 62,179 21,659 187.1 154,198 57,601 167.7 Scheduled Service Available Seat Miles (000s) 89,875 30,864 191.2 260,792 90,047 189.6 Total Available Seat Miles (000s) 89,875 30,864 191.2 260,792 90,047 189.6 Load Factor (ACIORFIPROCENTE) 69.2ACIORFIPROCENTE 70.2ACIORFIPROCENTE (1.0)pts. 59.1ACIORFIPROCENTE 64.0ACIORFIPROCENTE (4.9)pts. Average Passenger Trip Length (miles) 440 310 42.0 429 303 41.5 Number of Flights 5,569 4,366 27.6 16,815 12,952 29.8Note: All statistics exclude charter operations except total available seat miles. Numbers may not recalculate due to rounding.Midwest Airlines features jet service throughout the United States, including Milwaukee’s most daily nonstop flights and best schedule to major destinations. Catering to business travelers and discerning leisure travelers, the airline earned its reputation as “The best care in the air” by providing passengers with impeccable service and onboard amenities at competitive fares. More information is available at . Midwest Air Group, Inc.

HONOLULU, March 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Hawaiian Airlines is moving rapidly to help ensure the continuation of interisland air transportation between Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii’s Big Island at service levels equal to what currently exists.(Logo: )In response to Aloha ceasing flight operations, Hawaiian has taken immediate steps to add more than 6,000 seats to its daily interisland schedule; substantially increase its customer service staffing at airports statewide; and establish a dedicated website page and toll-free phone number providing updated information for displaced Aloha ticket holders.Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president and CEO, reassured travelers the airline would work around-the-clock to accommodate ticket holders displaced by Aloha’s closure. “We are maximizing our aircraft and resources to keep interisland travel and cargo moving. Hawaiian can accommodate all of Aloha’s traffic. As Hawaii’s flagship carrier, we recognize our special responsibility to serve the people of these islands.”Dunkerley noted that Hawaiian is filling any empty seats on its regularly scheduled service with Aloha ticket holders, while adding emergency flights that will run earlier in the morning and later in the evening until the backlog of stranded travelers is resolved.”We will provide more than enough daily seat capacity to fill the void left by Aloha’s departure and satisfy the demands of interisland travel,” Dunkerley said.Exclusively for Aloha ticket holders, Hawaiian has created a special link on its website, HawaiianAirlines.com, providing information about travel aboard Hawaiian. Aloha ticket holders can also call 1-877-892-8896 to hear recorded information.For Aloha ticket holders needing to stay on schedule with their travel itinerary, especially during the first few days, Hawaiian advises them to purchase a reserved booking.Aloha customers can purchase a reserved booking with Hawaiian online at HawaiianAirlines.com, or by calling the reservations department at 1-800-367-5320.Hawaiian is accepting Aloha tickets free of charge for Coach Class seating on a first-come, first-served stand-by basis. On Monday, March 31, Aloha ticket holders for only Hawaii to U.S. Mainland travel can standby for flights on Hawaiian.From Tuesday, April 1 through Thursday, April 3, Aloha ticket holders for all interisland and transpacific travel can standby for flights on Hawaiian for the ticketed day of departure only. Due to the expected high demand for seats, stand-by travelers are not assured of receiving a confirmed boarding that meets their desired travel schedule.To qualify for standby travel, Aloha ticket holders must provide paper or electronic ticket confirmation, provide a credit card receipt or proof of transaction and be present at the airport ticket counter on the date of travel shown on their ticket.Hawaiian is also approaching the State’s Airports Division to use Aloha’s ticket counters and boarding gates at Honolulu International Airport, as well as selected boarding gates at airports in Kahului, Maui; Lihue, Kauai; and Hilo and Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island.Dunkerley encouraged travelers to utilize Hawaiian’s website at HawaiianAirlines.com for the latest updates in travel information and flight details.Interisland travelers are also encouraged to take advantage of Hawaiian’s Web Check-In, airport kiosks, remote hotel check-in kiosks at the Ohana East, Outrigger Main, Outrigger Reef on the Beach and Ala Moana Hotel, and drive-thru check-in at Honolulu International Airport.”As always, our goal is to get customers to their destinations on time, at the best value, and accompanied by our industry-leading brand of service,” said Dunkerley.About Hawaiian AirlinesThe nation’s top-ranked airline for service in the 2007 Airline Quality Ratings, Hawaiian has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past four straight years (2004-2007) and in fewest misplaced bags for the past three years (2005-2007) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Conde Nast Traveler, Travel Leisure and Zagat have all ranked Hawaiian as the top domestic airline serving Hawaii.Now in its 79th year of continuous service in Hawaii, Hawaiian is the state’s biggest and longest-serving airline, as well as the second largest provider of passenger air service between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii. Hawaiian offers nonstop service to Hawaii from more U.S. gateway cities than any other airline (nine), as well as service to Australia, American Samoa and Tahiti. Hawaiian also provides approximately 100 daily jet flights among the Hawaiian Islands.Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. . Additional information is available at . Hawaiian Airlines

WASHINGTON, April 3, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on Thursday thanked Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar for investigating the Federal Aviation Administration’s cozy relationship with airline management.Oberstar, D-Minn., chaired the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on critical lapses in the FAA’s oversight of airlines.”We’ve been trying for years to get the FAA to pay attention to how dangerous it is to outsource maintenance overseas,” Hoffa said. “Our mechanics keep telling us how they often have to re-do work that was done wrong by airlines’ outside vendors.”"Airline mechanics have to meet much higher standards in American than they do overseas,” Hoffa said. “Mechanics in foreign shops don’t even have to be FAA-certificated.”"The problem has been getting worse. Between 1997 and 2006, U.S. airlines increased their outsourced maintenance expenses from 37 percent to 64 percent,” Hoffa said.On Tuesday, United Airlines mechanics became members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. That brings the Teamsters membership of aviation mechanics to 18,000.”The root of the problem is at the FAA — it has lost its regulatory and oversight bearings,” said Kevin Mitchell, chairman of the Business Travel Coalition (BTC). “This is a well-documented problem with aircraft maintenance practices. Woefully inadequate FAA oversight has become a corporate duty-of-care issue for those accountable for business travelers’ welfare.”The Teamsters and the BTC are working together for one standard governing the operations of airline-owned maintenance facilities and domestic U.S. and foreign repair facilities.Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. There are 18,000 Teamsters aviation mechanics and related staff at 12 airlines. International Brotherhood of Teamsters

LONDON, March 27 /PRNewswire/ — - A US$1 Million Collection of Five Luxury Spirits BottlesBombay Sapphire, the world’s leading premium gin, has inspired three prominent names in luxury and design - Baccarat, Garrard and Karim Rashid - to create Revelation, five handmade crystal bottles individually decorated with sapphires and diamonds, priced at US$200,000 each. (Logo: ) (Logo: )Recognised around the world for its striking translucent blue bottle, Bombay Sapphire has showcased the world’s finest glass creations for the last 20 years. The Bombay Sapphire Prize is the world’s biggest annual glass award and the Bombay Sapphire Designer Glass Competition is one of the top design contests for emerging designers.Created by one of the hottest designers in the world today, Karim Rashid, each of the five Revelation bottles has been handcrafted in France by Baccarat, the pre-eminent creator of the world’s finest luxury crystal. The bottle has been cut into the shape of a giant gemstone with 10 principal facets, representing the 10 botanical ingredients used to create the complex and refined taste of Bombay Sapphire. Each Revelation bottle is truly unique with its own individually designed stopper decorated with sapphires and diamonds set by the oldest jewellery house in the world, Garrard.Reflecting the global popularity of Bombay Sapphire, the limited edition Revelation bottles will be launched at five major international airport locations - starting with London Heathrow airport on March 27th, to coincide with the opening of the new terminal five, and subsequently New York, Dubai, Singapore and Sydney. One Revelation bottle will be exhibited at each of the five international airports for two to three months before being securely transported to its new owner anywhere in the world.Profits from Revelation will benefit the travel retail industry’s chosen charity, The Smile Train, which provides life-enhancing cleft surgery to children in poor countries.To find out more about Bombay Sapphire(R) go to Bombay Sapphire