THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 5, 1996 TAG: 9609050427
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D2 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 68 lines
Airlines, travel agents resolve dispute
The nation's largest airlines have agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by travel agents who accuse them of conspiring to cap the commissions paid on ticket sales. American, Delta, Northwest and United airlines agreed Tuesday to a $72 million settlement just as jury selection in the class-action antitrust lawsuit was about to begin in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis. The carriers denied all claims in the anti-trust lawsuit but decided to settle to avoid risks and expenses of further litigation. The agreement is to be the subject of a hearing today before U.S. District Judge James Rosenbaum. The total amount of the settlements is slightly more than $86 million in cash, according to a statement from Heins. Details of how the money would be distributed weren't disclosed pending the hearing. (AP)
Times Mirror to sell Harry N. Abrams Inc.
Times Mirror Co. plans to sell Harry N. Abrams Inc., the nation's largest publisher of art and illustrated books. Times Mirror, publisher of the Los Angeles Times and Newsday, said the move will enable it to concentrate on newspapers, professional information and magazines. Times Mirror, based in Los Angeles, also publishes professional information for the legal, aviation and medical fields. Abrams, based in New York City, has 150 employees. The company also publishes textbooks, children's books and calendars. (Dow Jones News)
Air Canada to fly from Raleigh to Canada
Air Canada will become the first airline to offer non-stop service from Raleigh-Durham to Canada, the company said. Beginning Nov. 18, Air Canada will offer direct service from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Toronto. ``Business travelers in particular will appreciate our convenient twice-daily schedule that allows for same-day return,'' said Ronald Waters, a general manager for Air Canada. To promote the new route, the airline will offer a round-trip introductory fare of $189 until Oct. 4 and triple bonus miles until Jan. 18. (AP)
Fox to launch 24-hour news service
Fox News Channel becomes the third 24-hour cable news service when it launches next month, chasing CNN and the new MSNBC channel for news-hungry viewers. The weekday schedule will consist of 16 hours of live programming daily, with news updates during programming repeated overnight. The channel will have 10-minute news segments every half hour. During the day, the other 20 minutes will be devoted to special topics such as health, politics or business. During the evening, the updates will be part of hourlong shows, interviews and in-depth reports. As part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. empire, the channel signs on Oct. 7 and will initially be available to some 10 million cable subscribers. (AP)
Tourism society to gather for meeting at Cavalier
The region's top tourism industry leaders will gather at the Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach Thursday through Saturday for the Southeast Tourism Society's annual meeting. ``Public and Private Sector Marketing of the Southeast'' is the theme of this year's program, which features programs on domestic and international marketing. James B. Ricketts, director of the Virginia Beach Department of Convention and Visitor Development, is the society's chairman. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., the 450-member organization promotes tourism in the Southeast region.
7-Eleven top seller in prepaid phone cards
Southland Corp. said its 7-Eleven store on Shore Drive across from Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base is the top seller of prepaid phone cards in the 5,100-store 7-Eleven chain. The cards, sold in denominations of 15 minutes to three hours, are used to make long-distance calls. Southland didn't disclose actual card sales figures for the store. (Staff) by CNB