NCL Corp. is negotiating to sell three of its older ships, according to reports by two European cruise publications. Seatrade Insider, an online newsletter, and Lloyd’s List in the U.K. said that the Norwegian Majesty, Norwegian Dream and Pride of Aloha are in play.

Southwest Airlines said its first quarter earnings were lower as it struggled with the effects of a weak economy and record fuel costs. Quarterly net profit for Southwest was $34 million, or 5 cents per share, down from $93 million, or 12 cents per share, in the same period last year.

The Thomas Cook Group Board is confident that the business will meet its expectations for the current financial year as the Group enters its close period, the tour operator announced during its Annual General Meeting last week.

Thomas Cook, one of the world’s largest travel companies, has bought luxury holiday firm Elegant Resorts for an undisclosed sum. Chester-based travel company Elegant Resorts offers tailor-made trips to the Caribbean and African safaris.

Copa Holdings, S.A. and its Copa Airlines and Aero Republica operating subsidiaries, said passenger traffic (RPM) for March 2008 increased 13.2 percent, while capacity (ASM) increased 15.5 percent. This resulted in a load factor of 80.2 percent, a 1.6 percentage point decrease when compared to March 2007.

Accor announced that it has signed a partnership agreement with Walter Torre, one of Brazil’s leading real estate investors, to develop a network of 20 Formule 1 and Ibis hotels in Brazil by 2010. The project represents nearly 5,000 rooms and a total investment of about €200 million.