61.   The radio said the inner cabinet meeting also discussed reports of security problems at the state airline El Al.

62.   The Russian government named the former commander of the Soviet armed forces as general director of the big state airline Aeroflot on Friday, NTV television reported.

63.   The state airline El Al has also delayed the opening of direct services between Tel Aviv and Amman for the same reason, the radio reported.

64.   The state airlines Air France and Air Inter were due to joint the strike Thursday.

65.   Transport Minister Giovanni Caravale ordered the state airline to guarantee flights over the next five days and urged pilots to abstain from any collective protest.

66.   Venezuelan cabinet ministers were at loggerheads Thursday over the future of the state airline Aeropostal, which has suspended operations because of financial problems.

67.   It removes the incentive for state owned airlines to become efficient and to adopt a sound commercial approach.

68.   On Tuesday, the council adopted a separate resolution lifting a flight ban and financial restrictions on the state airline Ariana.

69.   State airline Royal Jordanian cancelled a number of flights to Europe and merged others, while other services were delayed.

70.   Struggling state airline Air France unveiled Thursday controversial plans to merge with its grounded subsidiary to prepare for a free market next year, despite massive union hostility.