news about cheap fares and airlines from travel search engine Trabber

Air travellers will enjoy lower fares and greater choice of airlines flying the Atlantic because of a controversial ‘Open Skies’ deal between the EU and the US, it has been claimed.

The landmark pact will open up Heathrow airport to European and US airlines wanting to fly the lucrative transatlantic route.

But critics said Britain and its EU partners had caved in to US pressure for a one-sided deal favouring America, because US airlines will enjoy far greater freedom in Europe than European airlines will in the US.

source: thisislondon.co.uk

Low cost German airline Germanwings said Friday it enlarges its business in Bulgaria with the first flight Cologne-Sofia-Sodia scheduled March 27.

Germanwings is a subsidiary of Eurowings, a partner of Germany’s Lufthansa. It will fly three times a week from Cologne to Sofia and back _ on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

source: bnn

Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic said it remains interested in snapping up rival bmi, but a bmi spokeswoman reiterated on Friday that the carrier was not interested.

“‘We have always said we are interested in bmi and we will continue to look at it,'” Virgin Atlantic spokesman Paul Charles was quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph. A spokeswoman for the airline confirmed the remark late on Thursday.

She said Virgin Atlantic — 51-percent-owned by Branson and 49-percent by Singapore Airlines — had repeatedly acknowledged an interest in bmi.

source: Reuters

None of Indonesia’s 48 commercial airlines, charter operators and air cargo companies are complying with all mandatory safety regulations, according to an emergency audit, a local report said Friday.

The audit was conducted by the Ministry of Transport following two deadly airline crashes in Indonesia since January 1, including one involving flag carrier Garuda Indonesia on March 7 that killed 21 people, The Jakarta Post reported.

Garuda was one of 13 domestic airlines and cargo companies placed in the middle of a three-category system denoting best to worst, meaning they had met all but a few safety requirements.

From March 25 2007, JAL and Thai Airways will expand their bilateral code share agreement to include twice daily domestic flights operated by the Thai airline between Bangkok and the popular holiday destination of Krabi in southern Thailand.

source: touristikpresse.net

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport will announce this morning a new airline that will offer nonstop flights to Las Vegas, linking the gambling meccas in an effort to bolster the Coast’s recovering economy and the tourism industry.

Allegiant Air, which in January 2006 began nonstop jet service to Vegas from Shreveport, La., will soon begin its operations on the Coast. Details about the partnership will be released today at the airport.

“‘We’re bringing a new airline and new service that will be a tremendous boost to the tourism on the Mississippi Gulf Coast,'” said Jim Pitts, the airport’s director of marketing and business development.

source: The Sun Herald

European Union governments on Thursday backed a deal with the United States that should boost the number of people flying across the Atlantic by opening up restricted routes to new rivals – but delayed when the agreement will take effect.

The EU said all 27 member nations backed the deal, but delayed the effective date until March 30, 2008 instead of Oct. 28 of this year. European negotiators will now have to secure U.S. agreement to the delay.

source: Forbes

One of the world’s most luxurious airlines will double its Australian services by 2011.

Transport Minister Mark Vaile announced Emirates Airlines will operate an additional 35 flights each week to Australia by 2011.

“‘I welcome the successful outcome of this week’s negotiations with the United Arab Emirates which will provide Australia’s airports and tourism industry with increased airline operations and tourists,'” Mr Vaile said in a statement.

Emirates will operate from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.

source: Bendigo

Deutsche Lufthansa and a US private equity fund have requested information on Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA.

Yesterday, the Spanish flag carrier said its board authorised chairman Fernando Conte in February to provide information to potential investors interested in participating in the company.

The airline said yesterday that it is currently not considering any tie-up proposal, nor has it received an approach or become involved in an agreement with any third parties.

source: Forbes

Canada’s main no-frills airline has struck a deal to fly around executives from Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest discount department store and food retailer.

WestJet Airlines announced a ‘preferred airline’ link with Wal-Mart on Wednesday in a move the discount air carrier hopes will generate new revenues from expanded transportation and group services to the giant retailers’ business travellers.

source: Canoe Money