Quickbites

The first to go were 68 staff from ATV8217;s drama production department as the network underwent restructuring. Bruno Wu Ching, Chief operating officer of the company, which has 1,600 staff, said the restructuring could save 200 million-to-300 million Hong Kong dollars 26 million-to-39 million US. Wu said ATV lost 130 million dollars in the six months to June. Furama Hotel, owned by Lai Sun Development, said it was sacking 40 staff because of the deepening economic crisis and tourism downturn.

In the three months endingMarch 1998, total labour supply was 3,272,800, of which 3,166,600 were employed and 106,200 were unemployed. In the same period, the nu mber of underemployed persons was 63,600.

Strike may kill Philippine Air

A looming ground crew strike could lead to the closure oftroubled Philippine Airlines PAL, reports quoting a leading company official said. The possible strike would cripple operations and prevent management from meetinga deadline to file a rehabilitation plan needed to avoid bankruptcy, PAL executive vice President for administrative services Manolo Aquino was quoted in television reports as saying. This will force the closure of the loss-making airline, SNN cable television channel quoted Manolo as saying.

The Securities and Exchange Commission on June 23 suspended creditors claims against PAL and gave the airline 30 days to come up with a preliminary rehabilitation plan to enable it to repay 2.1-billion debts. However a Union representing PAL8217;s blue collar workers has been protestingagainst PAL8217;s massive downsizing plans which have thrown 5,000 ground and cabin personnel out of their jobs.

EC softens conditions for BA-AA link

Brussels has softened the conditions it has demanded of British Airways and American Airlines if it is to approve their proposed alliance, the Financial Times reported. The FT said the European Commission would announce on Wednesday that the two Airlines would have to give up 220 weekly take-off and landing slots at London8217;s Heath row airport, down from the 350 originally demanded. The figure is close to the 196 asked for by BA and AA. The paper added that Karel Van Miert, the European competition commissioner, would also recommend that 40 to 50 weekly slots at London8217;s second busiest airport Gat wick also be given up.

The proposal, which would create the world8217;s biggest and most powerful airline alliance, would still need approval by the British government and US authorities. Once their link-up is completed BA and AA hope to make similar deals withJapanAirlines, Qantas, Canadian, Iberia of Spain and Cathay Pacific of Hong Kong.

Agencies