SN appoints Burrows as ceo
SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express have appointed Neil Burrows as its chief executive officer. At his request, Mr Burrows, 61 and a former managing director of Virgin Express, will hold the post for one year only.
Six bidders for Europcar
Up to six companies are expected to make an offer for Europcar, the car rental business put up for sale by owner Volkswagen.
The bidders for the company valued at €2.5bn include Sixt, a rival car rental company based in Munich, Enterprise, an American car rental company and four private equity companies, Cerberus, Cinven, Carlyle and Merrill Lynch Global.
Sabre opens office in Russia
Sabre Holdings, a leading GDS and travel commerce company, has opened an office in Russia to handle its growing business in that country and central Asia.
Tom Klein, group president of Sabre Travel Network and Sabre Airline Solutions, said the region was a "huge growth area" with the amount of travel being booked up by 14% in one year.
Austrian expands eastwards
Austrian Airlines is to start four new routes in Eastern Europe in the coming year. The new destinations are Jekaterinburg in Russia, Donetsk in Ukraine, Iasi in Romania and Pecs in Hungary. It will bring the carrier's Eastern European network to 44 destinations in 23 countries.
Carlson strengthens German sales team
Carlson Wagonlit Travel has strengthened its hotel sales team in Germany with the appointment of Christine Vogel as its first manager hotel sales development.
Ms Vogel formerly worked for InterContinental Hotels as its account director for ENEA responsible for large corporate customers.
Avis promotes Hainsworth
Car rental company Avis UK has appointed Paul Hainsworth, formerly operations director, as its new fleet and operations director. He succeeds Carolyn Emberton who has retired.
The company has also promoted Daniel McCarthy, previously business development director, to commercial director responsible for business development and marketing.