41.  Striking pilots and Comair executives will meet through Thursday with federal mediators at National Mediation Board offices in Washington.

42.  Takahashi said there was little effect on both domestic and international flights scheduled for Thursday as pilots in managerial posts were replacing the striking pilots.

43.  Talks between Air France management and the striking pilots broke off Saturday after all night negotiations.

44.  The airline fired all the striking pilots after they ignored a government return-to-work order.

45.  The Belgian airline Sabena asked a court Friday to force striking pilots back to work, arguing their walkout threatened the future of the troubled carrier.

46.  The eight striking pilots are protesting what they call mismanagement of the debt-crippled national carrier, which was declared bankrupt last week.

47.  The state-owned airline Iberia and striking pilots held talks Tuesday but failed to end a work stoppage that is causing disruptions for Easter holiday travelers.

48.  The striking pilots also demanded that JAL abandon plans to reduce costs by cutting retirement allowances, the official said.

49.  The striking pilots are seeking higher pay, company-paid retirement, more rest between shifts and pay for non-flying hours when they are on duty.

50.  The striking Comair pilots and the carrier, based in the Cincinnati area, are to meet in Washington on Friday with Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta.