Airlines South America

American Airlines' purchase of rival Eastern Airlines' South and Central American routes Tuesday capped a year-end buying binge intended to push American--the country's largest domestic airline--to international prominence as well. The shopping spree started Monday, when American snapped up money-losing Trans World Airlines' valuable route to London from Chicago--a moneymaker that American has coveted for years.

A group led by state Senate Majority Leader Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) urged the Transportation Department to permit more nonstop flights between Los Angeles and South America as a step toward widening air service between the regions by U.S. carriers. The Assn. for California-Latin American Service said more than 334,000 passengers traveled between Los Angeles and Argentina and Brazil last year, but only 5% of the nonstop flights originated in California--and none involved a U.S. airline.

A group led by state Senate Majority Leader Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) urged the Transportation Department to permit more nonstop flights between Los Angeles and South America as a step toward widening air service between the regions by U.S. carriers. The Assn. for California-Latin American Service said more than 334,000 passengers traveled between Los Angeles and Argentina and Brazil last year, but only 5% of the nonstop flights originated in California--and none involved a U.S. airline.

American Airlines' purchase of rival Eastern Airlines' South and Central American routes Tuesday capped a year-end buying binge intended to push American--the country's largest domestic airline--to international prominence as well. The shopping spree started Monday, when American snapped up money-losing Trans World Airlines' valuable route to London from Chicago--a moneymaker that American has coveted for years.

American Airlines said Tuesday that it agreed to purchase the money-making South and Central American routes of Eastern Airlines in a deal valued at $471 million. The two carriers, which had been holding intense talks in the last few days, had apparently agreed to announce the deal at a news conference in Miami today. But according to Houston-based Texas Air Corp. which owns Eastern, American's chairman Robert L. Crandall jumped the gun and told American employees at Dallas/Ft.

A rash of job actions is hitting carriers across Asia, Europe and the Americas, tripping up travelers during the busiest flying season of the year. Although labor disputes among U.S. airlines have been fairly well publicized here, international disputes are less well known. So it's wise to check for updates with your travel agent or the airline. Among recent labor actions: * Asia: In Hong Kong, a dispute with pilots led Cathay Pacific Airways to cancel nearly one-fifth of its flights July 10.

D. Joseph Corr of Houston, former chairman and president of Continental Airlines and a business trouble-shooter in the airline industry, has died. He was 60. Family members said he died Aug. 21 of cancer. Corr was hailed by airline executives for his ability to improve failing companies. A former associate of businessman Carl Icahn, Corr returned more than one flagging firm to prominence. Frank Lorenzo, who was then chairman of Texas Air Corp.

If you're planning any trips to South America, check with some of the national carriers on their air passes. These air passes generally have to be bought in the United States in conjunction with an international ticket to the gateway city in the particular country. Usually, you can fly on any airline serving the country. Another restriction is that you can't visit any city more than once, except for connections, even when you have unlimited stopovers. Check the carriers about other restrictions.

Many of the prices for air passes within South American countries are the same as last year, and they are worth considering if you plan to spend a fair amount of time there. As a rule these air passes must be bought in the United States in conjunction with an international ticket to the gateway city in your first South American country. However, you can generally fly to the country on any airline serving the destination.

American Airlines said Tuesday that it agreed to purchase the money-making South and Central American routes of Eastern Airlines in a deal valued at $471 million. The two carriers, which had been holding intense talks in the last few days, had apparently agreed to announce the deal at a news conference in Miami today. But according to Houston-based Texas Air Corp. which owns Eastern, American's chairman Robert L. Crandall jumped the gun and told American employees at Dallas/Ft.