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- THE WEEK, Page 20BUSINESSWhose Airlines Are They, Anyway?
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- Air Canada rescues Continental, as U.S. carriers protest a British
- plan
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- No other major U.S. airline has successfully emerged from
- bankruptcy proceedings. But thanks to Air Canada, battered and
- bruised Continental is about to do the unthinkable -- complete
- a bankruptcy restructuring for the second time in 10 years. The
- two carriers have struck a deal that will give Air Canada part
- ownership and access to Continental's American routes, in
- exchange for a much needed $450 million infusion of cash.
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- The deal is the latest in a flurry of international
- partnerships being formed as the world's airlines shoot it out
- for passengers. By far the most controversial is USAir's plan
- to sell a 44% stake to British Airways for $750 million. The
- transatlantic combo would rank as one of the three biggest
- airlines in the world, linking 339 destinations in 71 countries.
- Most alarming to U.S. carriers, the arrangement would give
- British Airways, one of the world's strongest carriers,
- unlimited access to American markets. President-elect Bill
- Clinton and Ross Perot joined the chorus of alarm during the
- campaign. Said American Airlines chairman Robert Crandall: "What
- will happen is, the good jobs will go to London and the baggage
- handlers will stay here."
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