Jet Crash in Congo Kills Dozens
Passengers Sue Southwest Over Missed Inspections
Many Parties Need Convincing Before Delta-Northwest Merger Succeeds
Baggage Insurance Cuts at Heathrow’s Terminal 5
Jackie Chan Ready to Kung-Fu Fight Olympic Protesters
JET CRASH IN CONGO KILLS DOZENS – Agence France-Presse
Dozens of people were killed yesterday when a passenger plane crashed in Goma’s Birere market, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The United Nations, as well as local airport and hospitals, stated that only seven survived the crash and 70 others were injured. The DC-9 jet, chartered by the private Hewa Bora Airline, was en route to Kinshasa. There were two ground casualties, and three charred bodies and nearly 60 injured residents were rushed to Goma’s general hospital. “The casualty toll is difficult to establish,” said Thomas Okelo of the national air traffic authority RVA in Goma because some passengers disembarked. It is estimated that around 85 people were aboard the plane.
Link: Agence France-Presse
PASSENGERS SUE SOUTHWEST OVER MISSED INSPECTIONS – USA Today
Four passengers filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines, claiming the carrier severed its contract with travelers when it carried them on planes that skipped safety inspections for nearly six years. The lawsuit seeks class-action status on the basis of claims, such as breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and negligent and reckless operation of an aircraft. Lew Garrison, a Birmingham lawyer who represents the passengers, said the suit primarily seeks reimbursement for tickets passengers purchased. The suit also seeks punitive damages, claiming Southwest was negligent in not grounding aircraft that had not been deemed airworthy.
Link: USA Today
MANY PARTIES NEED CONVINCING BEFORE THE DELTA-NORTHWEST MERGER SUCCEEDS – Associated Press
For Delta and Northwest to finalize their deal and create the world’s largest airline, they will have to lull politicians, satisfy unions, and sway antitrust regulators. Two of Northwest’s largest unions already have hit the merger deal with opposition. The biggest players the airlines will have to gain approval from are federal regulators. Back in 2001, United Airlines and US Airways attempted to merge, but it failed due to antitrust disquietude. “We are confident the transaction will go forward and be approved,” Northwest CEO Doug Steenland said. Northwest pilots have opposed the combination “as it stands,” but they may consider a later deal. For years, Wall Street and some airline executives have wanted consolidation, saying that there is an abundance of seats for too few passengers.
Link: Associated Press
INSURANCE CUT AT HEATHROW’S TERMINAL 5 - BBC
The chaos riddling Terminal 5 at Heathrow may have encouraged travelers to purchase baggage insurance, especially since thousands of bags were delayed during the terminal’s opening. However, insurance travelers purchased after the glitches occurred may not cover delayed or canceled flights, or lost or delayed luggage. “We cannot insure for events that have already happened,” explained a spokeswoman for Direct Line, one of the insurance firms that have assumed this viewpoint. The Royal Bank of Scotland and Churchill, among others, also are restricting their insurance. Even if passengers cannot procure the insurance they desire, they won’t necessarily be left with the burden of completely covering the cost of lost luggage or canceled flights. The Association of British Insurers noted that an international agreement makes airlines the “first point of contact for compensation.”
Link: BBC
JACKIE CHAN READY TO KUNG-FU FIGHT OLYMPIC PROTESTERS – Metro (UK)
If any protester attempts to snatch the Olympic Torch when Jackie Chan carries it, he will bust some kung-fu moves and make sure no one ruins the relay. Chan warns, “Demonstrators better not get anywhere near me.” He will carry the torch when it approaches Beijing, and he claims many protesters are stirring up chaos simply because they seek their own publicity. “They just want to show off on the TV,” Chan said. He believes that the Olympics being held in China will provide another way for the world to learn about Chinese culture, and he insists that the games will quicken China’s development.
Link: Metro (UK)
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