Africa/Middle East: June 2008 Archives

Honestly? I didn't.

So, the news that British Airways is selling its 10.5% share in Air Mauritius was a surprise, mainly because I'd forgotten they even had it.

It's no surprise BA is selling it. Not because of the cash riches it will release - it's only worth £3.2 million - but because it is meaningless and frankly not worth the management hassle. I'd like to know why BA took the stake in the first place (it dates back to 1973). Something about helping a start-up get going I've read.

Airlines tend not to make much PR fuss about asking the airframers for their best offers when preparing an order.

So I note this press release from Nigeria's Bellview Airlines with interest.

It already operates a few Boeing 737s and 767s and wants more - a lot more: narrowbodies, widebodies and 70-seat regional jets.

As the release, which I print in full below, states, the ultimate order could be for up to 58 aircraft.

The Airline Business and Flightglobal team has assembled some remarkable video interviews from this week's International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting.

You can listen to immediate reaction from the world's largest gathering of airline bosses, with ex-airline CEO himself Peter Davies getting some fantastic interviews with among others:

* Willie Walsh, BA

* Fernando Conte, Iberia,

* Naresh Goyal, Jet Airways

* Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian Airlines.