AN ATTEMPT to break an aviation speed record went horribly wrong yesterday when a small “experimental” plane crashed through an apartment building in the Swiss city of Basel, killing the pilot and injuring at least three other people, authorities said.

Managers and consultants accused in the collapse of former national airline Swissair were today acquitted of all charges.

SWISSAIR is offering special fares from Dublin to a range of long-haul destinations (via Zurich). Bookings must be made before October 31, for travel to be completed by January 31.

THE European airline sector had a difficult day yesterday as trading in Italian flag carrier Alitalia was suspended and its Swiss equivalent issued a profit warning that shaved 6% off the share price.

The Zimbabwean army was placed on full alert today following the seizure of a US registered cargo plane carrying 64 “suspected mercenaries” and military equipment.

Swiss International Air Lines saw losses narrow in 2003 after the airline formerly known as Swissair said it faced daunting challenges in 2004.

British Airways has signed a deal with Swiss International Air Lines to make the Swiss carrier part of the Oneworld global airline alliance.

British Airways has announced a deal with Swiss International Airlines that will see the two companies sharing flights between their two countries.

BRITISH AIRWAYS is offering to take a major stake in Swiss International Air Lines, while Germany’s Lufthansa is eyeing a full takeover, a Swiss newspaper reports.

British Airways was close to “meltdown” in the wake of September 11 and a war in Iraq would be a “major issue” for the company, its chief executive warned today.

The son of the pilot who crashed into the Pirelli building in Milan believes his father committed suicide.

Switzerland's new national airline has taken to the air.

Airbus is claiming the lead over Boeing despite seeing more than 100 orders cancelled by airline customers facing bankruptcy.

Swiss voters have cleared government support for a successor to financially troubled Swissair.

Compass has bought up a handful of Swissair's catering businesses for £41m.

Irish company Datalex which provides technology solutions for the global travel industry, has announced that Armin Meier has resigned as non-Executive Director of Datalex.

Swiss citizens today rejected a proposal to scrap the country’s armed forces, cherished by many as vital protection for the small, long-neutral Alpine country in the heart of Europe.

Flight recorders from the Swiss airliner that crashed on approach to Zurich airport, killing 24 people, showed the pilots were in the process of aborting their landing attempt to make a new approach, investigators said today.

Sabena has filed for bankruptcy at Brussels commercial court.

Sabena, the Belgian state airline, will file for bankruptcy next week, union officials said today.

Swissair have announced details of 9,000 job cuts.

Budget airline Ryanair is to challenge a Belgian Government loan to its ailing national carrier Sabena in the courts, chief executive Michael O’Leary said today.

The European Union has approved the Belgian government's plan to give Sabena airlines a short-term loan of £80m.

Swissair says it will cut 9,000 jobs and offer reduced-price tickets to lure more customers.

Sabena is being reprieved from the threat of bankruptcy until the end of next month.

Crossair has taken over 110 of Swissair's short-haul flights, a third of the total.

Passengers will face higher ticket prices if the decline in the airline industry continues, according to analysts.

Passengers will face higher ticket prices if the decline in the airline industry continues, according to analysts.

The Swiss Government has announced that it will provide £192m in direct aid to help the national airline, Swissair, to survive until the end of the month.

Hotels and airlines moved to help thousands of stranded passengers today as the Swiss Government pressed Swissair and the largest banks to find a lasting solution to the sudden shutdown of the airline.

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary says the collapse of Swissair will benefit consumers.

Troubled Belgian state airline Sabena will seek bankruptcy protection today after Swissair failed to provide promised financial assistance, the government announced.

Belgium's state airline Sabena says it has enough cash to keep it flying for the moment.

Swissair's former subsidiary Crossair is taking over Swissair's services to 24 European destinations from today.

Swissair has suspended its flight operations as it struggles to find a financial backer.

The battle to have the EU lift its ban on state aid for Aer Lingus will be fought on two fronts in Europe today.

The Minister for Public Enterprise, Mary O?Rourke, is preparing to travel

Several major airlines including British Airways are altering their timetables to the Middle East as violence escalates in the region.

Germany’s Frankfurt airport today closed its check-in hall to anyone without a ticket to prevent the area being invaded by human rights activists protesting at the deportation of rejected asylum see

There is growing concern over the future of the State owned airline, Aer Lingus, following the recent spate of rumours over the Government’s willing to sell the airline.

Management of the Swissair group have promised to co-operate with an investigation into how the company came to lose £1.2bn last year.