1.   Although the talks were instigated by Continental, Delta may see a deal as a way to expand its international route network.

2.   Amaro enlarged the company through the addition of international routes to Buenos Aires, Miami, Paris and Frankfurt.

3.   American and United put most of their efforts into their premium seats, in business and first class, especially for long-haul jets on lucrative international routes.

4.   Ansett, which competes with Qantas Airways on domestic and some international routes, has been suffering from declining market share and higher costs at Sydney airport.

5.   Before a hearing this month on international route issues, senators placed a small bag of peanuts at the seat of each airline executive attending.

6.   A weak dollar can hurt Japanese air carrier competitiveness on international routes since their fixed costs rise relative to those of foreign rivals.

7.   Aeroflot representatives are quick to point out that their company, which now mostly serves international routes, is no longer connected to the Babyflots.

8.   Airline executives said passenger numbers were starting to climb again, particularly on international routes.

9.   Air New Zealand was expected to have to pay a premium for a strategic entry into the Australian domestic market and for the new international routes Ansett has gained.

10.   All its international routes are profitable except to continental Europe and South-East Asia, including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.