Sir Richard Branson donned a Jamaica shirt, his best dreadlocks and an imitation spiff as his airline made its inaugural flight to Jamaica. Mr. Branson, friends, customers and press were greeted by government officials and a traditional band on the tarmac as the first Virgin Atlantic flight to Montego Bay touched down.

This month Air Jamaica has unveiled exciting product upgrades on board its A340 aircraft on the London-Jamaica route, with the introduction of a brand new Deluxe Economy Class with sleeperette seats and flat beds in Business Class for the first time. Now in its tenth year on this route, Air Jamaica continues to invest in delivering the highest levels of service for its passengers.

The European Union´s second-highest court threw out on Tuesday a challenge from easyJet to the merger of Air France and KLM, backing a decision by EU regulators to let the deal go through. British low-cost carrier easyJet was seeking to get the European Court of First Instance to annul the European Commission´s decision in February 2004 to approve the merger of Air France and KLM.

Virgin Atlantic Limited witnessed a significant increase in the number of business travelers helped to boost profits and achieve record sales in the last financial year. During fiscal year 2005-2006, which ended February 28, Virgin Atlantic recorded revenues of £1.91 billion, up 17 percent on the previous year (£1.63 billion).

GOL, Brazil´s low-cost, low-fare airline, has received “Melhores e Maiores 2006” award in the transportation sector. This award is organized by the leading business magazine in Brazil, EXAME, ranking the best and largest companies in the country each year. In 2004, GOL had received the same award, and, additionally, was named Company of the Year by EXAME.

Caribbean Star Airlines announced last week it has postponed plans to offer new service to and from Curacao. The move comes as the carrier refocuses and expands its efforts toward achieving Category One status under the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA). All Caribbean Star passengers ticketed and confirmed for postponed travel to or from Curacao are eligible for full refunds of all ticket charges. To claim compensation, Caribbean Star customers must send their tickets via regular mail to the following address: