EasyJet, the low-cost air carrier, has just been voted the best airline of its kind by the readers of Business Traveler Magazine, quite a consumer´s perspective for any company in the travel industry. By operating frequent daily flights to key airports throughout Europe, EasyJet offers business passengers the convenience, choice and flexibility they require at our famously low fares.

Frontier Airlines won approval from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation to offer new nonstop seasonal service to Acapulco, Mexico, from Denver. Service begins December 18, with up to two flights per week. Acapulco is Frontier´s seventh Mexican destination out of Denver. The carrier already serves Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo (seasonal), and flights to Cozumel start on December 17.

Spirit Airlines will spread its wings to the Cayman Islands this winter with the launch of daily service between Fort Lauderdale and Grand Cayman on February 9. Introductory fares start at $158 round trip. The flight will depart Fort Lauderdale at 10:50 a.m., arriving in George Town, Grand Cayman, at 12:15 p.m. The return flight will leave Grand Cayman at 2:20 p.m. and arrive in Fort Lauderdale at 3:45 p.m.

The bankruptcies of Northwest Airlines Corporation and Delta Airlines Inc. have deepened the worst crisis facing the U.S. airline industry since the failures of the early 1990s. Delta, the third-biggest U.S. carrier, and number-four Northwest sought protection from creditors in U.S. bankruptcy court in New York this week amid soaring fuel costs, high labor expenses and competition from low-fare rivals such as Southwest Airlines Co.

Caribbean Star has reduced its fare by 50 per cent for travellers within the tourism and travel-related industries. This discount is in effect for the period 15 September through November 30, 2005, and is applicable on 30-day and full economy fares. These fares are being offered as a special consideration to tourist boards, airport authorities (including red caps and immigration personnel), hotel associations and hoteliers throughout the region. The offer will not be accessible during festivals and other relevant blackout periods.

Implementing an alliance product for its member carriers, Star Alliance, together with Lufthansa and United Airlines, has finalized a deal with Amadeus for a next generation technology platform for passenger service systems in the airline industry. As a result of the development, Lufthansa and United will replace their own legacy IT systems, with expansion to other members being planned. The new platform is based on a common technical infrastructure and software.