news about cheap fares and airlines from travel search engine Trabber

German airline Air Berlin said on Tuesday it had agreed to buy charter carrier LTU. The purchase price for the 100 percent participation in LTU is 140 million euros ($185.8 million), Air Berlin said in a stamenent.

The agreement is subject to the approval of the Federal Cartel Office. The acquisition will be financed through the issuance of new shares and convertible bonds in an expected total amount of about 250 million euros.

source: Reuters

Swiss International Air Lines will be offering its customers tasty treats from Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland this spring. The new inflight attraction is the latest chapter in the airline’s innovative “‘SWISS Taste of Switzerland’” culinary concept, which focuses on its home country’s varied regional cuisine.

Manfred Roth, chef de cuisine at the renowned Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotels & Spa, will be offering SWISS’s inflight customers culinary delights from Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland from mid March onwards. SWISS will be serving the new exclusive meals to its Swiss First and Swiss Business passengers on long-haul services from Switzerland (and also on selected inbound flights). Swiss Business customers on longer European flights departing from Switzerland will also be able to sample these regional specialities.

source: Easier

LAN Chile Airlines has signed a firm contract with Airbus for the acquisition of 15 additional A320 Family aircraft. This is a confirmation of the options that were announced in October 2005.

“‘We are proud to take part in the tremendous growth of LAN in the Latin American region'” said Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers, John Leahy. “‘The A320 Family is clearly the winner in its category, and this repeat order from a prestigious airline like LAN really endorses the superiority of our product.'”

source: Mercopress

Romanian integration into the European Union has generated over 50% surge in the number of passengers using low-cost airlines on the local market, while established airline companies saw a growth of 10-20%. TAROM, the biggest established airline operator on the local market, saw a 10% increase in the number of passengers using external flights in the first two months of the year, against the same period in 2007, as well as a 25% rise for domestic flights, according to company representatives. “The number of Blue Air passengers increased by 148% at the beginning of 2007, against the figures recorded in January 2006.

source: zf.ro

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

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

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

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