EasyJet seeks listing - UK low-cost carrier easyJet has announced that it intends to seek a listing on the London stock exchange and the US Nasdaq market early next year, to finance the purchase of the new aircraft it has on order. A spokesman also said that easyJet would drop its complaint to the EC about predatory pricing on the London-Edinburgh route by British Airways' low-cost subsidiary Go. Martinair buy halted - The European Commission has told KLM that it will not agree to the carrier's planned full acquisition of Martinair, until further investigations are completed. KLMalready has a 50% stake and wants to buy the other half-owned by Nedlloyd. The purchase would give KLM virtually total control over the Dutch air transport market. Fare stability - The cost of business class air travel from the UK in the fourth quarter of last year has remained unchanged for the first time in two years, according the latest American Express Travel Index. American Express puts this down to a tightening of travel budgets by UKcompanies, which have seen passenger numbers fall by up to 10%. ATC warning - UK air traffic controllers have been vindicated in their warnings that safety may be compromised by the privatisation of National Air Traffic Services (NATS). In a leaked memo, NATS admits that there will be a trade-off between safety and productivity, and that a reduction in the number of air traffic controllers will be inevitable.
Source: Airline Business
