EASTERN AIRLINES VOWS TO APPEAL CONTEMPT RULING

Eastern Airlines vows to appeal a court order that found the Miami-based airline in contempt for trying to sell its profitable shuttle service to its parent company, Texas Air Inc.

"Eastern continues to believe strongly that it has not violated any court orders and is seeking a stay of the court action and expedited consideration of an appeal," Eastern spokesman Robin Matell said in a statement Monday.The company will probably file its appeal sometime this week but in the meantime will comply with the court order, Matell said.

Eastern's comments came after a federal judge issued sanctions against the airline for violating the earlier court order banning the sale.

In Monday's ruling, U.S. District Judge John Pratt ordered Eastern to withdraw all applications to sell its shuttle service.