Sir Richard Branson: Proposed AA-BA tie-up threatens the survival of Virgin Atlantic
The proposed merger of the North Atlantic operations “will be absolutely disastrous” for consumers, travel agents and the industry, he said. “It will be the end of red-hot competition,” the British tycoon and head of the Virgin Group said at the National Press Club in Washington. Last year, American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia of Spain signed an agreement to cooperate over flights between North America and Europe to help them overcome soaring fuel costs, drawing fierce opposition from Branson’s group. Asked about the impact of the deal on his own airline if it wins regulatory approval, Branson said: “I cannot guarantee Virgin Atlantic’s survival if BA and AA are allowed to merge.”
http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,23483,25486714-5014090,00.html?from=public_rss
http://www.abtn.co.uk/news/1512484-branson-hits-out-ba-aa-tie
http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1136348.php

Priceline unperturbed by intense promotional activity
http://www.eyefortravel.com/news/marketing/priceline-com-unperturbed-intense-promotional-activity

US Airlines expect fewer travelers this summer
A trade group for U.S. airlines says the number of passengers will drop 6.7% this summer because of the recession. The Air Transport Association said Friday it expects the number of passengers to drop by 14 million, to 195 million between June 1 and Aug. 31, compared with the same period last year. It expects domestic travel to drop 7% to 171 million passengers, and international travel to fall 6% to 24 million passengers.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-05-15-airline-summer-outlook_N.htm