news about cheap fares and airlines from travel search engine Trabber

The merger of two major Latin American airlines has been approved, creating the largest carrier in the region.

Brazil’s anti-trust authorities said they approved the merger of the Brazilian airline TAM with Chile’s LAN, first proposed in 2010.

The new airline, LATAM, is valued at about $14.5bn (£9.4bn) and will represent 6% of global air transport.

Last year, TAM and LAN flew more than 45 million passengers and 754,777 tonnes of cargo.

The combined airline would fly to 115 destinations in 23 countries, with a 40,000-strong workforce.

source: bbc.co.uk

Nearly 8,000 people have signed a petition against the ad, which shows a curvy Ryanair employee dressed in a bikini accompanied by the slogan ”Red Hot Fares & Crew”.

The carrier also produced a racy ‘2012 Cabin Crew Calendar’, showing female Ryanair crew in heels and bikinis.

The online petition on change.org also features outraged comments, with one woman stating: “‘Making staff take off they’re clothes to advertise air plane flights is sexist and objectifying, not to mention completely irrelevant.”‘

source: aol.co.uk

easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has announced plans for ‘’The Car Club” – a car rental scheme where customers can ‘’share”.

He has already joined the car hire business with easyCar rental company and the new scheme would run through its website.

A joint launch-project with Brent Hoberman, the co-founder of late bookings website LastMinute.com, The Car Club, due to launch in the New Year, will see registered owners pool their vehicles and allow them to be rented out for an hourly fee.

source: travelmole.com

Delta Air Lines Inc. is boosting its flying out of New York’s LaGuardia airport, adding routes that target American Airlines and put it in a better position to compete against United.

Delta says the additions make it the biggest airline between the New York area and cities in the U.S. That should help it grab more business travelers.

The list of added cities reads like a map of the hubs of competing airlines. Delta is adding Miami and Dallas, both American Airlines hubs. It will also fly to Houston and Denver, which are both United hubs, and Charlotte, which is a hub for US Airways.

source: abcnews.go.com

Travelling alone on an aircraft can be a lottery. But now the Dutch airline, KLM, is offering passengers the chance to pick who they sit next to by using Facebook and LinkedIn profiles.

It is developing an internet service known as “‘meet and seat’” which will give fliers access to to their fellow travellers’ Facebook and LinkedIn profiles.

The scheme will be launched next year and KLM admitted that many details still have to be worked out.

source: Telegraph.co.uk

The owner of British Midland International (BMI), Lufthansa, has said it has not yet decided on a buyer for the carrier.

In November the German airline signed an agreement with BA owner, International Airlines Group (IAG), to work towards a final deal.

However, the agreement was not exclusive and Lufthansa has now said it also has a deal with Virgin.

It means that both carriers still have a chance of buying BMI.

source: BBC.co.uk

Technology that allows aircraft to measure volcanic ash concentrations so they can steer clear of dangerous clouds in mid-flight has been successfully tested by EasyJet.

The system used by the low-cost carrier could improve the mapping of ash clouds, helping regulators avoid shutting down large swathes of commercial airspace in response to volcanic eruptions.

source: FT.com

Pay-as-you-drive electric car rentals are expected to help cut pollution and reduce traffic in Paris, as the new fleet of fully electric Autiolib’ vehicles hits the French capital.

From last week, Parisians could take the bubble cars for a ride from more than 1,200 parking spots where they rest for recharge.

A subscription cost €10 a day or €15 a week, while an annual subscription of €144 subscription allows users to take the car for only half an hour each time for €5, just over the price of two underground tickets.

The Autolib’ system builds on the success of the Velib’ bicycle-sharing service and could provide a shop window for entrepreneur Vincent Bolloré and his nascent car battery business.

source: Guardian.co.uk

Customers flying with bmi, British Midland International, will now enjoy a better inflight dining experience, as the airline has launched a new range of products onboard its flights.

A new bespoke and elegant crockery range, contemporary cutlery and a new set of glassware have been introduced in the Business Class cabin. Customers travelling in Economy will also benefit from new dining ware and cutlery designed to enhance the dining experience.

source: incentivetravel.co.uk

Ryanair has announced increases in the fees it will charge passengers for checking in baggage during peak travel periods.

The increases will apply to flights in the months of June, July, August, September and at Christmas.

Peak period fees will rise by €5 or £5 to €25 for online bookings made from December 15.

Ryanair will also increase its checked in bag fees paid at call centres and airports by at least €25/£25 (from €35 to €60) per bag.

source: rte.ie