Air France plans to convert three of its 747-400 jetliners into cargo haulers. The airline and the Boeing Co. announced the deal Friday. Air France plans to phase out the older 747-200 freighters in its fleet, replacing them with new 777 freighters the airline ordered Thursday. Converting the 747s will speed that process, the airline said.
Deadline put off for United talks
United Airlines dodged the immediate threat of a strike Friday when a bankruptcy judge gave the carrier more time to negotiate an agreement with its machinists union before he decides whether a new contract can be forced on the workers. Judge Eugene Wedoff’s decision puts off a ruling until May 31.
Internet sales rise 24 percent
First-quarter retail Internet sales rose 23.8 percent to $19.8 billion in the United States from $16 billion a year ago, according to numbers released Friday by the Department of Commerce. E-commerce sales during the first quarter rose 6.4 percent from the fourth quarter, when they were $18.6 billion.
Budweiser to get new cartoon ads
Anheuser-Busch Cos. hopes the two brothers behind last year’s wildly popular cartoon parody of President Bush and Sen. John Kerry’s presidential campaigns produce winning returns for Budweiser. It tapped JibJab Media Inc. to make online ads that may make their way onto television. Anheuser-Busch announced the partnership with Gregg and Evan Spiridellis on Friday, debuting on www.budweiser.com a 30-second teaser video that brings back the beer brand’s popular pitch lizards, Frank and Louie.
Trump casino is out of bankruptcy
With a new name, a big bankroll and a challenge as big as you-know-who’s ego, Donald Trump’s casino company emerged from bankruptcy protection Friday. The casinos, which remained open throughout the Chapter 11 filing by Trump Hotels &Casino Resorts, now face the task of winning back gamblers who took their coin cups and wallets to rival casinos that added hotel rooms, retail developments and other attractions while Trump barely had two $5 chips to rub together. Lawyers for the company and its bondholders put the finishing touches on a recapitalization that reduces the company’s interest payments by $102 million a year and frees up money for improvements.
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