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

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AA: intermediaries to one day pay for selling AA tickets
American Airlines CEO Gerard Arpey has a dream: getting travel agents to pay American for selling its tickets. In a conference call discussing the airline’s earnings report, Arpey was asked by UBS analyst Kevin Crissey, “What kind of distribution cost savings might there be out there?” Arpey responded that he hoped to push those costs down, and maybe even reverse the flow.

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Happy April 1st day!
Who lied about what in the travel industry on April 1st?
* Taj Mahal to be moved ‘800 metres to the South East’ - Worldreviewer.com.
* Hotels.com to offer rooms on the moon - Hotels.com
* Travel Rants working with travel industry to improve British tourism - Travel Rants.
* Thomson space plane to launch by 2010 - TTG
* Ryanair to launch new Plus and Irish Gold luxury class flight services - Skyscanner
* Bailout special - Lincoln bedroom in the White House - IStopOver
* Great getaways - Lastminute.com
Earlier efforts:
* Boutique bendy bus hotels - Mr&MrsSmith
* The Hotelicopter - Vibeagent
http://www.travolution.co.uk/blog/2009/04/and-in-other-april-fool-news.php

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New York, the-city-that-never-sleeps, the-big-apple and the-largest-colorful-chaos-on-the-planet, recently launched new campaign to promote its travel and tourist services. This is Entertainment, This is Fashion, This is Food, This is Shopping, and This is Just Another Day are some of the This-is that NYC offers. Then you have Just Ask The Locals where celebrities and residents of New York will answer your questions. Watch out for Robert De Niro and Julianne Moore.

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