- Galileo International Signs 2 Contracts[Jun. 19, 2006]
Galileo International has successfully concluded GDS agreements with two of the Philippines' leading travel organizations: Warner Barnes Travel Inc. (WBTI) and Sharp Travel Services, a division of C.F. Sharp Group. Both travel organizations have signed three-year contracts with Galileo Philippines.
- Europe Adds Four Carriers to Blacklist[Jun. 22, 2006]
In the first quarterly update since the March launch of its aviation blacklist (ATWOnline, March 23), the European Commission added four carriers.Three airlines were added because of "national measures notified by the member states." Surinam-based Blue Wing, notified by France, and Sky Gate International, licensed in Kyrgyzstan and notified by the UK, are subject to a total ban. Air West, based in Sudan and notified by Germany, is subject to operating restrictions.
- Rio Judge Gives Varig Employees[Jun. 21, 2006]
Apparently satisfied that an investor group organized by Varig employees has its financial affairs in order, a Rio de Janeiro bankruptcy court judge approved a BRL1.01 billion ($449.7 million) bid for the ailing airline late Monday.Judge Luiz Roberto Ayoub had given his conditional blessing to the proposal from NV Participacoes last week but said he needed more time to review the bid structure and financial details (ATWOnline, June 16). "The consortium has presented the explanations and the guarantees necessary and the court is satisfied," the judge told reporters. NVP has until Friday to deposit $75 million or Varig will go back onto the auction block.
- ILFC Considers $3b A380 Cancellation[Jun. 21, 2006]
International Lease Finance Corp. signaled yesterday that it may cancel its order for 10 A380s and could do so without penalty because of the program's delays.Chairman and CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy told Bloomberg News that ILFC "could cancel and are considering canceling" an order valued at $3 billion. "We are not happy and on safe ground to cancel the order," he said.
- Survey:Hilton HHonors Tops Guest Program[Jun. 21, 2006]
In a recent global syndicated study among nearly 10,000 individuals, Hilton HHonors is rated the "most preferred" hotel Frequent Guest Program in the world.
- Qantas Airways Ltd Issues Profit Warning[Jun. 21, 2006]
National carrier Qantas Airways Ltd's profits will fall by more than a quarter in 2005/06 on the back of record fuel prices and redundancy payouts.
- JAL, ANA Workers Unions Avert Strike[Jun. 21, 2006]
Workers unions at Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways averted strikes they had planned to launch on Wednesday after they reached agreements with their management over summer bonuses, airline officials said.
- Virgin Blue Gears Up for New Engine[Jun. 20, 2006]
TDS Europe 2006 special: By EyeforTravel Correspondent
- Bezurk.com Becomes An Agent in Asia[Jun. 20, 2006]
Asia Pacific travel search engine Bezurk.com has signed an agreement with Yahoo!, becoming the exclusive partner for Yahoo! Travel's meta-search service in Southeast Asia. (6/20/2006)
- Airlines Question A380 Orders Again[Jun. 21, 2006]
Emirates, the biggest customer for the A380, is still commited despite the plane's delays. But a Malaysia Airlines union wants its orders cancelled.