Alaska Air Group, Inc. reported a first quarter net loss of $35.9 million, or $0.97 per share, compared to a net loss of $10.3 million, or $0.26 per share, in the first quarter of 2007. Both periods include adjustments resulting from mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting.

The government of Brazil may more than double the stake foreign companies can buy in domestic airlines to stimulate investment in the over-stretched industry, Defense Minister Nelson Jobim said on Thursday.

GTP Travel Group acquired Group Travel Planet and provided a substantial capital infusion to accelerate the company’s growth in the $100 billion group travel marketplace. Group Travel Planet has been the pioneer of online group travel.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. reported EPS from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2008 of $0.42 compared to $0.56 in the first quarter of 2007. Excluding special items, EPS from continuing operations was $0.44 for the first quarter of 2008 compared to $0.48 in the first quarter of 2007.

A 45 percent increase in aircraft fuel costs helped push AMR Corp., the parent of American Airlines, to a $328 million loss in the first quarter of 2008. American’s fuel bill was $2.05 billion in the quarter, compared with $1.41 billion a year earlier.

Marriott International, Inc. reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations of $0.33 in the first quarter of 2008, down 18 percent from the first quarter of 2007. The company’s EPS guidance for the 2008 first quarter, disclosed on Feb.14, 2008, totaled $0.32 to $0.36.