In Brief
Continental and United get closer
Continental Airlines and United Airlines have agreed to co-operate more closely to create joint revenue opportunities and achieve savings on efficiencies.
Continental also announced it was leaving the SkyTeam alliance and joining the rival Star Alliance of which United is a leading member.
Larry Kellner, Continental's chairman and ceo, said there was "significant value" to be gained from working with larger networks.
The two carriers are expected to work closely on their frequent flyer programmes, use of lounges, information technology and procurement.
UK risks rail monopoly
The UK government is risking a rail monopoly by discouraging domestic air travel.
The warning came from Johan Vanneste, managing director of niche operator VLM Airlines.
He said tax increases on UK domestic flights would put people off flying and risk creating a rail monopoly.
He added: "Peak time rail fares for journeys between Manchester and London are already higher than those for flights between the cities with VLM Airlines.
"But imagine what would happen if Government moves to increase air taxation forced airlines to discontinue operating domestic services.
"There would be no alternative should the rail network be disrupted – and, as we know, it frequently does hit problems - and rail operators would not face any competition on pricing."
Berry honoured
Tony Berry, Hogg Robinson Group's distribution services director, is one of seven new "Distinguished Fellows" named by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE).
The award is for exceptional educational achievement at ACTE's global education conference in Washington last month where Mr Berry contributed to a session on Open Skies.
UK hotels grow despite gloom
UK hotels had "steady levels of growth" in May despite worsening economic conditions, PKF Hotel Consultancy said.
Room rate in London increased by 3.6% from £136.49 last year to £141.40 while occupancy figures also rose by 1% to 81%.
This led to a 4.7% increase in room yield.
In regional cities, room yield rose by 1% to £54.85 driven by a rise in room rates of 1.4% as occupancy fell by 0.4%.
Robert Barnard, PKF partner, said: "As the figures for March and April were affected by the different Easter holiday dates between 2007 and 2008, the figures for May are the first true indicator for the market thus far in 2008.
"Looking at the preliminary figures we can see that the industry is so far faring well despite the economic concerns that the country is facing."
Air Berlin cuts aircraft and staff
Air Berlin has announced a cutoff 14 aircraft from its schedule for this winter.
The German low cost carrier will take 14 out of service in the winter mother as part of its strategy to combat the rising cost of oil.
Air Berlin has also announced the closure of the dba administration office in Munich with the loss of 52 jobs.
From October, dba, which Air Berlin bought from BA in 2006, will be run from Berlin.
On The Move
Vasiliou new Radius ceo
Christopher Vasiliou is joining global network Radius Travel as its new ceo.
Mr Vasilious was formerly head of strategy management, joint ventures, alliances and direct distribution for Sabre's Asia Pacific division.
He will take up his new post next month.
Mr Vasiliou succeeds Tony Hughes who left Radius last year.
Mr Vasiliou has worked in many posts for Sabre and Travelocity, its online agency.
These include chief operating officer at Travelocity, senior vp for North and South America for Sabre Travel Network and managing director for Europe.
Radius is one of the leading networks in the world with 90 agencies in 80 countries.
BSI makes eight new appointments
Online hotel booking agency BSI has made eight new appointments after a sharp rise in business in the past six months.
The newcomers include four new members of the sales and marketing team and four new account managers. In the sales team, Irene Turner and Geoff Littler join as sales managers and Leon Brown as marketing executive.
The fourth newcomer is Amy Bassett who joins Olive360, BSI's event organisation, as an account director.
Tanya has joined the account team as a senior account manager while Helen Lintern-Connett, Sarah Bowen and James Higgins have joined as account analysts.
Kröger to quit Air Berlin
Carsten Kröger, saels director of Air Berlin, is to leave the company in December to set up his own business.
Mr Kröger, 41, has held the post at the low cost carrier since 2001.
His new business, run with business partner Peter Merscher, will be a sales agency for foreign airlines in the German-speaking area.