STORY:
Polish Airline Won't Fly On New Year's Day

LOT cancels flights because of Y2K computer bug fears

In a move thought to be the first widespread cancellation of flights because of the Y2K computer bug, Poland's national airline LOT says it's grounding all of its planes on January 1 2000.

A spokesperson for the airline tells Reuters the cancellations were made "because of the possibility of complications or problems with the airline's infrastructure".

LOT services most major eastern and western European capitals and North America with Boeing aircraft. Traditionally, LOT increases its traffic during the holidays with charter flights.

So far, only Vietnam Airlines has canceled its flights around the New Year's holiday because of possible complications of the Y2K computer bug. Virgin Atlantic has cancelled its flights on New Year's Eve to give its employees the day off and not because of Y2k says Virgin Atlantic CEO Richard Branson.

All major international carriers as well as aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus say Y2K testing of their planes has been completed and will be ready to fly over the New Year's Eve holiday period.

Source: Reuters

DATE: 07/13/99

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