Wyndham Worldwide Corporation reported results for the three months and full year ended Dec. 31, 2009. The company generated fourth quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.40, compared with company-issued guidance of $0.35-$0.38. For the year ended Dec. 31, 2009, Wyndham generated net cash from operating activities of approximately $690 million, compared with $109 million in 2008.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on Feb. 13 said it would tentatively grant antitrust immunity to American Airlines and four international partners to form a global alliance.
Choice Hotels International, Inc. reported operating income for the year ended Dec. 31, 2009, was $148.1 million compared to $174.6 million for the same period of 2008, a decline of 15.2 percent. Total revenues declined $77.5 million, or 12 percent, to $564.2 million for 2009, compared to 2008.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts lost $107 million in the last quarter of 2009 but ended what is considered one of the worst years in industry history with a profit.
Two Latin American airlines, Colombia’s Avianca and El Salvador’s Grupo TACA, closed on a merger agreement after receiving government approvals to combine their operations.
Brazil’s largest airline, TAM Linhas Aereas is in talks to buy a stake in Chile’s flagship airline owned by President-elect Sebastian Pinera, Brazilian magazine Exame reported on its Web site.