A Spanish airliner bound for the Canary Islands swerved off the runway and caught fire during takeoff from the Madrid airport on Wednesday, killing at least 149 people, the Interior Ministry said.

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-budget carrier, announced it will cut its cheapest air fares in half in order to offset shrinking demand, UK newspaper The Guardian reports. The announcement comes after the airline announced it would reduce flights due to soaring fuel prices.

Vueling, the new-generation airline, carried a total of 621,729 passengers during the month of July. Vueling continues its strategy of canceling non-profitable routes and adjusting the fleet size accordingly, in order to reduce costs. Such strategy is turning a positive result and revenue per flight levels are significantly superior to last year’s.

TAM began operating direct flights from Brasilia (DF) to Buenos Aires, Argentina, as of August 8. With the launch of this new route, TAM becomes the only airline to offer nonstop flights between the Brazilian and Argentinean capitals, allowing passengers to reach their destination more quickly. The new flights will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, configured for Business and Economy classes.

To celebrate American Airlines’ new nonstop service between Miami and Antigua –which connects to most of the airline’s U.S. gateways- Elite Island Resorts, the award-winning Caribbean hospitality group, announces a “Fantastic Fall” airfare promotion plus resort savings of up to 40 percent.

JetBlue Airways Thursday announces plans to launch its first intra-Caribbean service with daily nonstop service between San Juan, Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic beginning December 18, 2008, subject to government approval. Fares on the route will range from $89 to $275 each way, subject to conditions.