Lufthansa put in a sturdy performance in the first three months of 2006 despite record-level oil prices. In the traditionally weak first quarter, the Group result improved by 15.5 percent to €98 million. The operating result totaled €75 million, a whole lot better than the €26 million the air carrier grabbed in the first three months of 2005. Changes in the pay settlement and long-term lease agreements will save around 50 million dollars yearly.

GOL, Brazil´s low-cost airline, released last week preliminary passenger statistics for the month of April 2006. System-wide passenger traffic (RPK) increased 56 percent, while capacity (ASK) increased 50 percent y-o-y. GOL´s system load factor for the month of April 2006 was 78 percent. Domestic passenger traffic (RPK) for April climbed 52 percent, and capacity (ASK) jumped 46 percent. GOL´s domestic load factor for the month of April 2006 was 78 percent.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is poised to receive assistance from the Government of South Korea to advance the Region´s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development agenda. CARICOM and South Korea signed a Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism at the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters in Georgetown earlier this month, formalizing bilateral cooperation between the two sides in a number of areas, including the use of ICT for the Community´s development.

Trade Officer Floyd Capitolin believes Dominica is the OECS member country best prepared for the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), scheduled to take effect June 2006. The CSME is designed to represent a single economic space where people, goods, services and capital can move freely. This will require the harmonization and coordination of social, economic and trade policies by participating Member States.

Hilton has reported first quarter 2006 total operating income of $235 million, marking a 44 percent increase from the 2005 period, on total revenue of $1.519 billion, which means a 41 percent increase from $1.076 billion in the 2005 quarter. Other first quarter highlights, which include approximately five weeks of combined company results following the acquisition of the lodging assets of Hilton Group PLC on February 23, are total company adjusted EBITDA of $328 million, up 30 percent from last year´s first three months, and first-quarter net income of $104 million, compared with $64 million in the 2005 quarter.

Cendant Corporation reported results for first quarter 2006. Revenue totaled $4.2 billion, an increase of 7 percent over first quarter 2005, reflecting growth across each of the Company´s core operating segments. Revenue increased modestly primarily due to the acquisition of Texas American Title Company and related companies in January 2006. EBITDA decreased 25 percent, which was a lower decline than expected.