Continental Airlines signed a deal with MLT Vacations to begin operating the airline’s private label vacation packaging service effective Jan. 1, 2009. The agreement moves the private label from Certified Vacations, which operated the brand for 11 years, to MLT.

Mexicana has accepted an invitation to become part of the Oneworld airline alliance. The airline’s low-cost subsidiary, Click Mexicana, will join at the same time as a Oneworld affiliate member.

In response to the high cost of fuel and a shaky economy, Northwest Airlines is raising fuel surcharges and cutting capacity.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for the Latin American aviation industry to redouble its efforts to drive down the accident rate in the region and better coordinate safety regulations in a keynote address delivered by IATA Director General and CEO Giovanni Bisignani at the Wings of Change conference.

Air France and OnAir announced the launch of a trial of inflight voice calls. Air France’s is the first inflight mobile phone service to offer the full range of mobile communications services, including voice, SMS and email.

US Airways has spruced up its Envoy (transatlantic business class) service by revamping menus and completing the installation of near-lie-flat seats on its Boeing 767s. US Airways also said it will offer “more personalized service,” but did not elaborate. New menus include a choice of three entrees and one optional express meal, available at the customer’s leisure. US Airways said dishes feature fresh, higher-quality ingredients with an emphasis on healthier choices.