=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SF Gate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2002/01/11/f= inancial1425EST0200.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, January 11, 2002 (AP) French court orders seizure of ticket money from Swiss airline Crossair (01-11) 11:25 PST BASEL, Switzerland (AP) -- A court in Paris has ordered the seizure of $1.2 million belonging to Swiss airline Crossair, the carrier said Friday. Crossair spokesman Markus Baumgartner said the confiscated money came fr= om ticket sales by French travel agents. The seizure is part of a dispute between Crossair and French carrier Air Lib, which last month sued the Swiss company, claiming $404 million in damages. Air Lib -- created out of French airlines AOM and Air Liberte -- says Crossair is liable for losses it suffered after the collapse of Swissair, the former parent of both airlines. Crossair rejects Air Lib's claims as unjustified and will defend itself against the airline's moves, Baumgartner said. Swissair last year sold a 49.9 percent stake it held in Air Lib to French holding company Holco, and agreed to pay $107 million to help finance a rescue package. But the Swiss carrier did not pay the full amount owed, Air Lib said. The French airline claims Swissair's actions damaged Air Lib's reputation and caused potential investors to flee. AOM-Air Liberte posted a net loss of $326 million in 2000. On Dec. 14 a judge in Nice, France, ordered the impounding of a Crossair plane at the city's airport. The aircraft was released the next day. Air Lib claimed at the time that the seizure was meant to pressure Crossair, and threatened further moves. Crossair is in the process of becoming Switzerland's new flag carrier after Swissair was forced to seek creditor protection three months ago. Crossair has taken over parts of Swissair's operations and hopes to provide service to two-thirds of its destinations. =20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2002 AP