The commission investigating the August 20 air crash in Madrid, which killed 154 people, was Wednesday accused of delays in investigating other accidents, which could jeopardize air safety.

The commission had not yet issued the results of 51 investigations on accidents which occurred more than 12 months ago, the time limit set by the European Union and other international organizations, the daily Periodico de Catalunya reported.

Gibraltar  - The Spanish airline Iberia will stop the historic flights between Madrid and the British enclave of Gibraltar, sources of the airline said Tuesday.

Iberia said the route was not profitable enough. The last flight was scheduled for Sunday.

The flights were part of a 2006 agreement lifting some of the restrictions of movement and telecommunications between Spain and the enclave which Madrid has claimed for three centuries.

The agreement included the joint use of Gibraltar airport.

Athens - Hundreds of workers with Greek state carrier Olympic Airlines blocked the main runway at Athens International Airport Tuesday over plans to privatise the airline.

The demonstrators, including pilots, air stewards and technicians, prevented planes from taking off and landing on the runway.

Airport officials said the protest forced air traffic controllers to divert planes to a second runway. The demonstration did not affect any flights, they added.

Tuesday's airport protest was the second in one week.

The European Commission last week approved a government plan to privatise the airline while ordering the current company to pay back more than 1 billion dollars in illegal state aid.

London - British Airways has "indefinite

Air India has signed a financial pact worth $550 million with the Export-Import Bank of US (Exim Bank). The company would use the amount to purchase eight new aircraft. The pact was signed between the chairmen of Exim Bank and Chairman and Managing Director of National Aviation Company of India Limited (NACIL), Raghu Menon.

Air India would buy three 777 aircraft and five 737-780 aircraft and the guarantee for the amount would be provided by the bank to Standard Chartered Bank.

Vijay Mallya-promoted Kingfisher Airlines is all set to cut 300 jobs. It would also return additional aircrafts to reduce the expenses. The move by the company indicates the turmoil in the aviation sector.

It is recalled that Kingfisher Airlines has started its international operations in last fortnight. The move is part of the cost savings and restructuring plans of the company. The carrier has already returned two redundant aircrafts. The company has total of 86 aircrafts at present.