Major European players join new industry association
The Brussels-based European Technology & Travel Services Association (ETTSA) has been established by a number of Europe’s leading travel intermediaries. Members include Amadeus, ebookers, Expedia, Opodo, Sabre - including its affiliate lastminute.com - and Travelport. Affiliated members include Booking.com.

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Airline passenger rights (summarized)
By Airfarewatchdog: http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/NEWSADVICE/AirfareWatchBlog/tabid/54/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1501/Airline-passenger-rights-such-as-they-are.aspx

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Air France to run high-speed train rivaling Eurostar?!
Air France is looking into the possibility of starting a rival cross channel rail service to Eurostar. The airline has been in informal talks with the German train operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) and has also been having meetings in the past months with executives from Travelport. The carrier has also had talks with a leading rail freight company, Veolia Transport about forming a strategic partnership to run high speed train services. A high speed cross channel service by Air France will be possible from January 1, 2010 when the liberalisation of rail passenger services in the EU comes into force.

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Opinion: Amadeus still at odds with Lufthansa over booking fee isse
Amadeus has yet to come to terms with Lufthansa to shield its subscribers from the Preferred Fares Program surcharge, and stands to lose “significant” marketshare in Germany as a result, claimed a representative of the global distribution provider today said during a session at the spring conference of the German travel buyer association VDR in Cologne, Germany.

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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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