After two and half years of negotiations, flight attendants at US carrier World Airways have turned down new contract proposals put to them in November.

The negotiations included nine months of federal mediation to try and reach agreement on a new deal. The attendants old contract expired in July 2000.

The Georgia-based company, which provides customized services for international passenger and cargo airlines, says it does not expect any immediate impact on its operations because of the decision.

Hollis Harris, chairman and chief executive officer of World Airways, said: “We are disappointed in the outcome of this vote. We had worked very hard to find work rule changes that would make this a cost neutral contract and provide our flight attendants many of the things they wanted. We will now work with the National Mediation Board to ensure that our operation is not impacted during this very critical time as our nation deals with the situation in Iraq.”

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