Sydney International Airport is up for sale, but the Australian government will limit foreign ownership to 49 percent valued at approximately $5.8 billion. The successful bidder will receive the option to build and develop a secondary airport within 100 km of the city's center -- but only if the need can be justified. Potential bidders are believed to include the U.K.'s BAA, which operates Melbourne Airport; the Dutch Schipol Group; and the Changi Airport Group from Singapore, which already holds a share in Auckland International Airport in New Zealand.

Geneva-based charter operator PrivatAir has acquired Ogden's Flight Services Group operations in the United States and its Transair FBO at Paris' Le Bourget airport. FSG says it will keep its corporate identity for the immediate future, though it will be identified as part of the PrivatAir group.

The $1.7 billion losses suffered by the Swissair Group are the worst in the 70-year history of the company. To help the tough fight back to profitability, the Group's Swissotel chain is to be sold, as are half of the real estate assets of Avireal. Former Chief Executive Philippe Bruggisser, who was fired in January, was held responsible for the failed strategy of buying into several second- and third-level airlines in an attempt to create a Swissair-centered alliance.