According to the Geneva-based Aircraft Crashes Records Office, fewer people died in aircraft crashes last year than at any time since 1947, according to figures released this week. The records are based on most aircraft with the capacity to carry six passengers in its calculations and include commercial and private flights, rescue aircraft, cargo planes and military transporters.
The death toll was 1,379 worldwide and the total number of accidents, 154, was the lowest for 37 years.
Most of the serious incidents took place in the first half of the year, with three major crashes in May. That month saw the year's worst accident in Taiwan, involving a China Airlines Boeing 747-200, which killed 225 people.
Although around 45 percent of accidents were in North and South America that was a 14 percent reduction on the previous year. Crash figures in Asia, however, rose by 15 percent. Europe saw a 4 percent drop in accident numbers, but in Africa the figure rose by 5 percent.
The 46 crashes in the United States mostly involved small planes. There were no deaths on commercial or cargo aircraft in the US according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
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Australian aviation authorities have warned that the country's air links with Papua New Guinea could be severed at the end of January 2003 because of concerns over safety standards. The well used daily service between the capital Port Moresby and Cairns, flown by Air Niugini, is under threat unless PNG's civil aviation authority matches up to international air safety requirements.
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A passenger travelling club class on a British Airways flight from London to Los Angeles was found dead in a bathroom. A newspaper report said the middle-aged man, who is believed to be a Swiss national, was found hanged.
Members of the cabin crew broke into the bathroom after it had been closed for 30 minutes and concerns were raised about the person inside. A doctor who was on the flight tried to save the man, but he was already dead.
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In 2003 British Airways is going to withdraw services from Leeds-Bradford and Cardiff. In April 2003 it will begin flying from London City Airport for the first time, launching three new routes to Frankfurt, Paris and Glasgow. BA also plans a major boost to its Manchester flights, adding more capacity and three new routes. The bad news is that BA plans to cut 21 routes to be announced.
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Scandinavian airline SAS have just announced a low fare private travellers program from March 30, 2003, serving European destinations where SAS does not normally operate.
Although the new service will have its own identity, it will not be a separate airline. The as-yet unnamed operation will be a business unit of SAS.
Travellers will be able to fly from Copenhagen to Alicante, Athens, Bologna, Lisbon, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Pristina and Sarajevo. Flights are also planned from Stockholm Arlanda to Alicante, Athens, Barcelona, Bologna, Budapest, Dublin, Istanbul, Malaga, Nice, Prague and Rome.
“It should be inexpensive and easy to travel. Travellers will experience a totally new concept. We offer only one-way trips, one class, no advanced booking rules and tickets must be booked and paid at the same time,” said Eva-Karin Dahl, who is responsible for the new concept. Passengers will also pay for on-board food and drink.
A unique Internet site is being developed for ticket sales but, initially, tickets will be available via SAS's ordinary sales channels as well as through agents.
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Middle East carrier Gulf Air, owned by Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Oman, is to launch the region's first all-economy class, full service airline later this year aimed largely at the leisure market and the large number of overseas workers in the area.
The airline, which will operate under its own name and have its own livery, will make its first flight from Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, in June.