The owners of ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines have bought Air Jamaica, according to a published report. The Jamaica Gleaner newspaper on July 4 reported that Jamaica is trying to privatize Air Jamaica, the national carrier, with the sale.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials report that eight million international travelers have successfully applied to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program using the Electronic System of Travel Authorization (ESTA). ESTA, which launched on August 1, 2008 and become mandatory on January 12, 2009, allows VWP travelers to apply electronically for visa-free travel to the U.S.
The European Commission has granted regulatory approval for the tie-up of the two airlines. The decision paves the way for Lufthansa to acquire an initial 45 percent stake in SN Airholding SA/NV, the parent company of Brussels Airlines.
PhoCusWright has released a comprehensive study of the tour operator and packaged travel market in the U.S. The study, commissioned by ASTA and researched by PhoCusWright, looks to streamline information on the tour operator market which, according to PhoCusWright, was worth over $18.3 billion in gross travel sales in 2008.
Tour operators have lowered prices an average 20 percent compared to 2008 on many vacations, in response to the soft economy and stronger U.S. dollar in many destinations, according to the U.S. Tour Operators Association. A recent member survey revealed a range of savings, from 10 percent to more than 50 percent for the same vacation when compared to last year.
Canada’s WestJet announced it will reduce agency commissions from 9 percent to 7 percent as of July 1, but that announcement was applauded in Canada because the carrier’s original intentions were to lower agent pay to 4 percent.