Connexion by Boeing has been named the world’s top high-speed in-flight Internet service for the third year in a row. The Boeing Co.’s aerial Internet service recently received a World Travel Award. The Connexion service has won the award for best in-flight Internet service ever since the award was created in 2003.
Delta seeks to void contract with pilots
Delta Air Lines Inc. asked a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge Wednesday to void its contract with Delta’s pilots union so the beleaguered airline can impose deep wage and benefit cuts and avoid further financial erosion. In a hearing that lasted into early evening and was to continue today, Delta attorney Jack Gallagher said the airline valued its pilots and tried to negotiate reductions, but failed. Faced with rising fuel costs, Atlanta-based Delta is seeking to slash $325 million from its collective bargaining agreement with its pilots, saying the money is needed to keep its operations running. The pilots union, which has offered $90.7 million in concessions, has threatened to strike if the court grants Delta’s request.
220,000 Ford vehicles recalled
Ford Motor Co. recalled 220,000 vehicles from the 2005 model year Wednesday amid worries that a battery cable rubbing against the frame could start a fire and concern that a fuel tank strap could separate after tens of thousands of miles. The recall linked to the cable involves more than 98,000 Ford Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis sedans.
Roche ends its Tamiflu dispute
Swiss drug maker Roche Holding AG said Wednesday it has ended a dispute with U.S. biotechnology company Gilead Sciences Inc. over the manufacture of Tamiflu, in what they said was a joint effort to build up stocks of the drug in the face of a threatened flu pandemic. Roche will pay Gilead $62.5 million in retroactive royalty adjustments.
Senate battles pension dumping
Hoping to reverse the deterioration of pension plans covering 44 million Americans, the Senate voted Wednesday to force companies to make up underfunding estimated at $450 billion and live up to promises made to employees. The action came a day after the federal agency that insures such plans reported massive liabilities and predicted a troubled future. The Senate legislation, passed 97-2, takes on the daunting task of compelling companies with defined-benefit plans to live up to their funding obligations – without driving those companies into abandoning the plans and further eroding the retirement benefits of millions of people.
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