TravelRes the online hotel reservation service intensified its existing co-operation with Air Berlin and became a premium partner of Germany’s second largest airline. Next to various placements within the Air Berlin travel environment, for example, logo presenters at Air Berlin ticket and check-in counters, partner billboards on the outside of airplanes and advertisements within the onboard TV program, this premium co-operation comprises an increased online presence in particular.

In the third quarter of 2007, the Air Berlin Group transported 12 percent more passengers than during the corresponding quarter of the previous year, increased its fleet capacity utilization by 2.3 percentage points, raised its sales volume by 7.2 percent and, with net profit exceeding 60 million euros, achieved the highest quarterly net profit in its corporate history.

NCL Corp. reported an $8.6 million loss for the third quarter of this year, compared to earnings of $49 million in the same period of 2006.

A hedge fund with shares in both Delta and United sent a letter to Delta urging the two airlines to merge, but Delta immediately tried to quash the speculation that a deal is in the offing or has even been discussed. Delta did not, however, brush off the general idea of a merger.

Mexico-based hospitality management group Islander Collection has acquired five archaeological villas formerly owned and operated by Club Med. The properties, soon to be added to the Islander Collection, are all located near archaeological sites.

British Airways and Texas-based TPG officially have lost interest in taking over operations of Spanish carrier Iberia. In a letter to Iberia's board, British Airways explained that recent moves by Iberia's core shareholders negated the “consensus and friendly terms that we considered essential for this project.”