MADRID, Oct 6, 2008 (AFP) - The tie-up between British Airways and Spanish national carrier Iberia will take longer than expected due to the downturn in the aviation sector, BA president Willie Walsh said in an interview published Monday.

BELGRADE, Oct 6, 2008 (AFP) - The government of Serbia said Monday it would prepare a business strategy for the state's only air carrier JAT after the airline failed to attract foreign buyers.

The government in July sought bids for 51 percent of JAT Airways for at least 51 million euros (68.8 million dollars) but had received no offers by the September 26 deadline.

DUBLIN, Oct 3, 2008 (AFP) - Irish airline Aer Lingus said Friday it planned to urgently implement 'substantial savings' in order to remain an independent company.

A statement from the carrier said that 'given the extremely challenging revenue environment the board is committed to delivering these cost savings as a matter of urgency.'

ROME, Oct 2, 2008 (AFP) - British Airways is interested in forming a partnership with a revived Alitalia but does not want a stake in the Italian flagship, a leading Italian daily reported Thursday.

ROME, Oct 1, 2008 (AFP) - Air France-KLM chairman Jean-Cyril Spinetta on Wednesday confirmed to officials in Rome that the European giant was interested in acquiring a minority stake in Italian carrier Alitalia, said a source close to the dossier.

ROME, Oct 1, 2008 (AFP) - Air France-KLM chairman Jean-Cyril Spinetta confirmed on Wednesday that the European giant was interested in acquiring a minority stake in Italian carrier Alitalia, a source close to the dossier said.

HANOI, Sept 30, 2008 (AFP) - Demand for air travel continued to slow in August as the sector endures a 'perfect storm' of rising fuel costs and the global financial crisis, an industry group said Tuesday in Hanoi.

WASHINGTON, Sept 30, 2008 (AFP) - A former executive in British Airways' cargo business has agreed to plead guilty to price-fixing in the US and will serve eight months in jail and pay a fine of 20,000 dollars (14,000 euros), the US government said Tuesday.

PARIS, Sept 30, 2008 (AFP) - Italian airline Alitalia said its temporary flying licence was confirmed on Tuesday, after the national flag-carrier was pulled back from the brink of bankruptcy when unions agreed to a rescue plan.

ROME, Sept 29, 2008 (AFP) - A billion-euro (1.45 billion dollar) rescue plan for Alitalia on Monday won final clearance for takeoff by the near bankrupt Italian flagship's workforce, media reports said.