Australia is introducing jail terms for shining lasers on aircraft in flight, an increasingly common and dangerous practice that can distract pilots. The government says the incidents are happening two or three times a week in Australia, mainly when aircraft are on approach to land. The Australian and International Pilots Association warns that momentary blinding or distraction of a crew by a laser could result in disaster. It wants controls on importation and sale of the more powerful lasers, which can cost less than US$100.

Two privately owned Chinese airlines are planning to raise capital by selling equity, one of them to foreign strategic investors. Shenzhen Airlines, one of the largest Chinese carriers without direct government shareholdings, plans to raise up to US$200 million through a direct placement of 20% of its shares with investors and then at least US$1 billion in an initial public offering. The Chinese state has an indirect interest in Shenzhen Airlines through a 25% share held by Air China, itself partly government owned.

Qantas says it has probably breached competition laws in discussing freight charges with other carriers and will make a US$40 million provision for a possible fine by U.S. authorities. The Australian carrier has been cooperating with inquiries into the global price-fixing scandal by regulators from the U.S., the European Union, Australia and elsewhere. British Airways and Korean Air have already been fined for the industry-wide agreement to impose fuel surcharges. [email protected]