Although regional carriers LIAT and Caribbean Star missed their self-imposed June 15 deadline for merger completion, both carriers are confident that the deal will be finalized by the end of the month –three days from now- or shortly thereafter, at which time the two carriers are expected to operate as a single airline.

Northwest Airlines Corp. expects to make $102 million in non-ticket revenue this year from fliers who purchase seat upgrades, one-day airport club passes and more online or using self-service kiosks.

Analysts were mostly sweet on Carnival Corp.’s second quarter earnings report, despite the cruise line trimming its full-year guidance due to fuel costs. Carnival said during a conference call with analysts yesterday that it posted a $390 million profit in the quarter ended May 31, up from $380 million in the same period of 2006.

Lufthansa will not enter the bidding contest for Italian carrier Alitalia, the German airline’s Chief Executive Wolfgang Mayrhuber said. There were a number of reasons why the German airline would remain “very cautious” in its acquisition strategy, despite Italy’s decision to give potential suitors more time to bid, he said.

BCD Travel has expanded its operations in Brazil by acquiring a stake in current partner Avipam, an independent travel management company with five offices and more than 400 employees around the country. Avipam serves some 900 corporate customers, with annual sales nearing $200 million.

Helping consumers to reduce the financial stress of planning a vacation, today Visa USA introduced an online Summer Travel Budgeting Center which features a free, web-based budget calculator called the “Travel Wizard.”