BTN News

WTM chief calls for travel industry action to avoid 'catastrophe'

: BTN News; Wednesday, 21 January 2009

Travel and tourism must act now or face catastrophe – that’s the view of World Travel Market (WTM) chairman, Fiona Jeffery.

Shanghai tips doubled loss

: BTN News; Wednesday, 21 January 2009

Shanghai Airlines of China says its 2008 net loss is likely to more than double from the 2007 figure, due to poor fuel hedging decisions and weak demand in the local aviation market.

Air France group predicts Q3 loss

: BTN News; Wednesday, 21 January 2009

Air France-KLM has warned it expects a fuel hedging-driven fiscal third quarter operating loss.

Czech government to sell Czech stake

: BTN News; Wednesday, 21 January 2009

The Czech government has approved the sale of its 91.5 per cent share of national carrier Czech Airlines, expected to fetch up to US$241.8 million.

Solomon releases Honiara specials

: BTN News; Wednesday, 21 January 2009

Solomon Airlines has released special fares for return travel between Brisbane, Australia and Honiara if tickets are booked before 28th February 2009 and travel is completed by 31st March 2009.

Singapore inks OSA with Czech Republic

: BTN News; Tuesday, 20 January 2009

Singapore and the Czech Republic have signed an Open Skies Agreement (OSA). Under the OSA, Singapore carriers may operate any number of flights between Singapore and points in the Czech Republic, as well as beyond the Czech Republic to any other city in the world. Similarly, carriers from the Czech Republic will be able to operate any number of flights to and beyond Singapore.

First strike at Alitalia

: BTN News; Tuesday, 20 January 2009

union representing flight attendants, ground workers and pilots staged the first strike against the new Alitalia yesterday, a week after the privatised airline took off. The four-hour strike was called to protest new hiring policies.

MAG in running for Gatwick?

: BTN News; Tuesday, 20 January 2009

Manchester Airport Group (MAG) is understood to be among consortia tabling joint bids to buy London’s Gatwick Airport.

Thai seeks US$545 million

: BTN News; Tuesday, 20 January 2009

Thailand’s Thai Airways International is seeking THB19 billion (US$545 million) in loans from banks as working capital as it recovers from the recent shutdown of Bangkok’s two airports.

United offers domestic internet

: BTN News; Tuesday, 20 January 2009

US carrier United Airlines is to offer inflight internet services between New York and California starting in the second half of this year. Customers will be able to surf the web, check email, instant message and access corporate VPNs on wifi-enabled devices for a flat fee of US$12.95.