Airline Unions ahead of U.S. Travel Association Roundtable: heavily subsidized competition by government-owned airlines from Qatar and UAE poses very serious economic threat to the U.S.

Joint Statement from Airline Unions on U.S. Travel Association Roundtable WASHINGTON, 2015-3-20 — /Travel PR News/ — The union leaders of the Air Line Pilots Association, International; the Allied Pilots Association; the Airline Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; the Association of Flight Attendants; the Association of Professional Flight Attendants and the Communications Workers of… Read the full press release

David Whitaker to become chief marketing officer for Brand USA on May 11, 2015

WASHINGTON, 2015-3-20 — /Travel PR News/ — Industry veteran David Whitaker has been tapped to become chief marketing officer for Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States. Whitaker will join Brand USA on May 11, 2015, following eight years as president and CEO of Tourism Toronto, the fourth largest city in North… Read the full press release

The Board of Trustees of the Destination & Travel Foundation selected Brand USA as the upcoming recipient of its highest honor, the Spirit of Hospitality Award

WASHINGTON, 2015-3-20 — /Travel PR News/ — The Board of Trustees of the Destination & Travel Foundation has selected America’s destination marketing organization, Brand USA, as the upcoming recipient of its highest honor, the Spirit of Hospitality Award. The award is presented annually to the individual or organization that has shown exceptional dedication and commitment… Read the full press release

Emirates Airline President: American consumers, international gateway airports, local and regional economies will be the ultimate victims of the US carriers’ protectionist campaign

Debunks allegations of subsidy and “stealing traffic” in white paper presented by Delta, American, and United Highlights economic benefits of Emirates’ services to American consumers, local and regional economies, and businesses Discusses the impact of selective protectionism that restrict international air transport links and trade bridges in a global economy Washington D.C., USA, 2015-3-19 —… Read the full press release

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) will conduct a Minority, Women and Disadvantaged-Owned (M/W/DBE) Contractors Workshop on March 31

CHICAGO, 2015-3-19 — /Travel PR News/ — The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) will conduct a Minority, Women and Disadvantaged-Owned (M/W/DBE) Contractors Workshop on Tuesday, March 31 from 1-4 p.m. at the UIC Forum. Don’t miss this chance to network face-to-face with prime contractors and learn more about upcoming opportunities at Chicago’s Airports. Your business could be… Read the full press release

Register now for The Chicago Department of Aviation Airport Concessions Symposium scheduled for March 25, 2015

CHICAGO, 2015-3-19 — /Travel PR News/ — The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Airport Concessions Symposium is just eight days away. Registration is now open, so sign up today! The free workshop will provide an overview of the steps required to become a concessionaire, from the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, airport design and construction requirements,… Read the full press release

Southwest Airlines marks its 30th year at Midway International Airport

CHICAGO, 2015-3-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Thirty years ago today, Southwest Airlines began service at Midway International Airport. Southwest’s operation in Chicago began with 40 employees and seven daily flights to St. Louis. Today, Midway is the carrier’s largest operation with more than 4,200 local employees and an average of 250 daily nonstop departures to nearly… Read the full press release

#IWANTTOGOWHERE, the new image promotion campaign by S7 Airlines

Novosibirsk, Russia, 2015-3-19 — /Travel PR News/ — S7 Airlines, a member of the oneworld® global aviation alliance, launches the image promotion campaign #IWANTTOGOWHERE, starting from March 16, 2015. Travelling all over the world became an integral part of our lives. We go on business trips, fly to visit our friends, go on vacations using familiar… Read the full press release

Coalition of aviation groups calls on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to reassert the vital role contract air traffic control towers play in improving safety and saving taxpayer dollars

Alexandria, VA, 2015-3-19 — /Travel PR News/ — A coalition of aviation groups, including the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)/U.S. Contract Tower Association (USCTA), have written leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to reassert the vital role that contract air traffic control towers play in improving safety and saving taxpayer dollars, and made… Read the full press release

The Rezidor Hotel Group’s Annual Report 2014 and Sustainability Report 2014 (downloads)

Brussels, Belgium, 2015-3-18 — /Travel PR News/ — The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the most dynamic hotel companies worldwide, has published its Annual Report 2014 and Sustainability Report 2014. The publications can be downloaded here:   Annual Report 2014 Sustainability Report 2014   For further information please contact: Christiane Reiter, Senior Director Corporate Communication, Christiane.Reiter@rezidor.com Inge… Read the full press release

Hyatt Hotels Corporation to convert Tbilisi national heritage monument into a Hyatt Regency hotel

Plans in place to convert a Tbilisi national heritage monument into a Hyatt Regency hotel CHICAGO, 2015-3-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Rustaveli Property Ltd for a Hyatt Regency hotel in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia, which is expected to open in… Read the full press release

The first stage of Bahrain International Airport’s (BIA) passenger terminal building construction officially launched

Muharraq, Bahrain, 2015-3-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications signs Contract of First Enabling Works for Passenger Terminal Building at Bahrain International Airport The first stage of Bahrain International Airport’s (BIA)  passenger terminal construction has officially launched with the commencement of enabling works on the Airport grounds. This development comes following the… Read the full press release

Fraport AG’s supervisory board to recommend an increased EUR 1.35 per share dividend for fiscal 2014 at the company’s AGM

AGM to Decide on Dividend Increase of 10 Euro Cents to €1.35 per Share Frankfurt am Main, 2015-3-18 — /Travel PR News/ — At its regular board meeting on Monday, 16th of March, the Fraport AG supervisory board approved Fraport AG’s annual financial statements for 2014 and the Fraport Group’s annual statements. For the fiscal year… Read the full press release

MSC Orchestra reached the shores of New South Wales, Australia receiving a warm welcome from Sydney-siders

Geneva, 2015-3-17 — /Travel PR News/ — Following her Asian maiden calls on her 33-night maiden voyage from Dubai to Fremantle, MSC Orchestra today reached the shores of New South Wales, receiving a warm welcome from Sydney-siders. MSC Orchestra made her first Australian debut in Brisbane on 15 March before sailing into Sydney’s iconic harbour, cruising by… Read the full press release

Martinair Cargo to scale back its fleet by June 2016 and will continue as a freighter operator for Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo

Martinair Cargo is to scale back its fleet by June 2016 and will continue as a freighter operator for Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo using three Boeing 747-ERFs and a Boeing 747-BCF. The company has reached this decision after thorough deliberation with all the parties involved. Amstelveen, Netherlands, 2015-3-17 — /Travel PR News/ — In September 2014, Air France-KLM-Martinair… Read the full press release

The European Aviation Safety Agency published its proposals for the future of the aviation regulatory system

Cologne, Germany, 2015-3-17 — /Travel PR News/ — The European Aviation Safety Agency published today its proposals for the future of the aviation regulatory system. These proposals, presented as an ‘EASA Opinion’, are the outcome of consultation with stakeholders which started in September 2014. Among others, EASA proposes that when national authorities have a lack… Read the full press release

IATA to host the sixth annual Ops Conference on 13-15 April in Los Angeles, California

Geneva, 2015-3-17 — /Travel PR News/ — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will host the sixth annual Ops Conference (Ops Conference 2015), 13-15 April in Los Angeles, California. More than 300 high-level delegates from airlines, regulators, air navigation service providers, airports, manufacturers and systems providers are expected to attend the event. “Safety is aviation’s… Read the full press release

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive addressed more than 150 international guests with keynote speech at the New York Times ‘Art for Tomorrow’ conference in Doha

His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker delivers keynote speech on the importance of art as a pillar of society and connector of people around the globe Insight shared on the intricacies of transporting global masterpieces DOHA, Qatar, 2015-3-17 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, delivered a keynote… Read the full press release

Qatar Airways hosted the first ever oneworld Operations Control Conference in Doha, Qatar

Operations and Network Control Managers from global oneworld partner airlines participated in two-day event held in Doha, Qatar Discussions focused on operational best practices and areas of information integration DOHA, Qatar, 2015-3-17 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways was pleased to host the first ever oneworld Operations Control Conference in Doha, Qatar, on March 11 and… Read the full press release

The Dragonair Aviation Certificate Programme celebrates its 10th anniversary; shortlists 32 young people to take part in the 9-month aviation-related training programme

HONG KONG, 2015-3-17 — /Travel PR News/ — The Dragonair Aviation Certificate Programme (DACP) celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, with an inaugural ceremony held on 13 March to launch the 2015 activity. A total of 32 young people, shortlisted from more than 500 applicants, will take part in the nine-month aviation-related training programme. The DACP,… Read the full press release

Airport Operators Association agrees with the Committee’s assessment that smaller airports are key enablers of social and economic prosperity

LONDON, 2015-3-16 — /Travel PR News/ — Responding to the publication of the Transport Select Committee report on Smaller Airports, Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association (AOA), the trade association representing UK airports, said: “We wholeheartedly agree with the Committee’s assessment that smaller airports are key enablers of social and economic prosperity. They… Read the full press release

G6 Hospitality LLC CEO Jim Amorosia joined the Board of Directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA)

Board comprised of accomplished executives and leaders from every segment of the hotel industry Dallas, Texas, 2015-3-16 — /Travel PR News/ — Jim Amorosia, President and CEO of G6 Hospitality LLC has joined the Board of Directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), the sole national association representing all segments of the 1.8 million-employee lodging… Read the full press release

The American Hotel & Lodging Association announced new additions to its Board of Directors

New additions join accomplished executives and leaders from every segment of the hotel industry Washington, D.C., 2015-3-16 — /Travel PR News/ — The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), the sole national association representing all segments of the 1.8 million-employee lodging industry, today announced new additions to its Board of Directors. The 2015 Board of Directors represents… Read the full press release

Zurich Airport honored with the Air Cargo Excellence Award 2015 in the “European airports up to 399’999 tons of air cargo” category

Zurich Airport wins the Air Cargo Excellence Award for its services in the cargo business for a third time in a row. ZURICH, 2015-3-16 — /Travel PR News/ — For its performance in cargo handling, Zurich Airport was honored with the Air Cargo Excellence Award 2015. In the category “European airports up to 399’999 tons… Read the full press release

IHG brings its boutique hotel brand, Hotel Indigo, to Southeast Asia with the opening of Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road

Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road brings inspired design to the city Bangkok, 2015-3-16 — /Travel PR News/ — InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has brought its boutique hotel brand, Hotel Indigo, to Southeast Asia with the opening of Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road. The 192-room Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road is… Read the full press release

Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport Group announced the extension of the Changi Transit Programme Partnership

Joint Release With CAG SINGAPORE, 2015-3-16 — /Travel PR News/ — Singapore Airlines and SilkAir customers transiting in Singapore can continue to look forward to a rewarding transit experience with the extension of the Changi Transit Programme in partnership with Changi Airport Group (CAG). Under the extension of the Changi Transit Programme to 31 March… Read the full press release

Philippine Airlines (PAL) awarded its two-year base maintenance services for its Airbus fleet to Lufthansa Technik Philippines, Inc. (LTP)

MANILA, Philippines, 2015-3-12 — /Travel PR News/ — Philippine Airlines (PAL) recently awarded its two-year base maintenance services for its Airbus fleet to Lufthansa Technik Philippines, Inc. (LTP) LTP will handle all heavy maintenance visits for the A320s, A321s, A330s and A340s of PAL for calendar years 2015 and 2016. LTP is also the line… Read the full press release

Greg Liddell appointed General Manager at Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona

Hong Kong, 2015-3-12 — /Travel PR News/ — Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona is delighted to announce the appointment of Greg Liddell as General Manager. Mr Liddell began his career with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in 2009 as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai and was most recently at the helm of the award-winning The… Read the full press release

U.S. Travel Association comments on news from the U.S. Commerce Department that inbound international visitation to US reached a new high in 2014

WASHINGTON, 2015-3-12 — /Travel PR News/ — U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow comments on news from the U.S. Commerce Department that inbound international visitation to the United States reached a new high in 2014: “This latest international visitation figure is the fruit of a lot of hard work by the American travel community and… Read the full press release

Deutsche Lufthansa AG announced 37% increase of its operating profit in 2014 compared to the prior-year result

· Target achieved with EUR 954 million operating profit for the year · EUR 2.8 billion in investments and EUR 30 billion in revenues for 2014 · Strike costs erode EUR 232 million from operating result · Carsten Spohr: “2014 results reconfirm that sticking to uneconomical structures is not an option for our future” ·… Read the full press release