US Airways is cutting fares on 21 routes between markets in the eastern and midwestern US and its hubs in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Charlotte. Sample fares provided by the airline show reductions of between 42% (Charlotte-Indianapolis, Philadelphia-Akron) and 61% (Pittsburgh-Syracuse). The routes may be operated by its Regional partners, America West or through codeshare operations with United Airlines.

Australia's business-only airline OzJet is showing further signs of stress after only two months, announcing a two-for-one fare deal designed to overcome slow business during the domestic holiday season.The giveaway offer comes as the fledgling carrier struggles with threadbare loads on the three 737-200s it operates on the busy business route between Sydney and Melbourne. Launched Nov. 29, Ozjet also has halved its schedule to four return flights per day but plans to return to full service at the end of January.

United Airlines parent UAL Corp. remains on course to leave bankruptcy in early February after the company announced the launch of its oversubscribed exit financing loan for up to $3 billion.The six-year loan consists of a $300 million revolving credit facility and an up-to-$2.7 billion term loan, both priced at LIBOR plus 450 basis points. It is secured by "substantially all available assets."

US regulators proposed a USD$500,000 fine against Alaska Airlines on Friday for allegedly operating a passenger jet on 478 flights without proper lighting to identify emergency exits.

About 1,000 American Airlines executives are set to receive payouts because of the rise in share price of parent AMR Corp, the company said on Friday.

Nigeria will clear a thick forest and stagnant ponds at Lagos Airport as part of urgent reforms to the aviation sector after two plane crashes that killed more than 200 people, the airports authority said on Sunday.

FLYi, parent of Independence Air, grounded its fleet Jan. 5 following its last flight, an A319 from Tampa that landed at Washington Dulles.Some 2,700 workers were left unemployed by the shutdown. The low-fare carrier, formerly known as Atlantic Coast Airlines, made the decision Jan. 2 to cease operating after failing to gain financial support from outside investors.

Northwest Airlines' markets are particularly well-adapted for new-generation large regional jets, the company argues in a special edition of its internal newsletter Passages.As previously reported, the carrier is seeking permission from its pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Assn., to create a standalone subsidiary to operate 70/100-seat jets (ATWOnline, Jan. 6).

National Air Traffic Services said it handled a record 2.3 million flights through British airspace in 2005, a rise of 5.7% over the previous year and the highest annual growth since 1999.An increase in service by low-cost carriers to Eastern Europe contributed to the record, with flights to the region jumping 36.5% over the 12 months. Traffic to the Middle East, Asia and Africa also showed significant growth, rising 12.9%. However, the strong gains in domestic traffic seen all year slowed considerably after the start of the winter schedule, from a peak increase of 9.5% in May to 0.4% in December. Transatlantic overflights remained below 2000 levels.

Boeing has had its most successful year ever in 2005 in terms of orders, but Airbus could still beat its rival later this month if it firms a series of crucial commitments.