According to news from Basel Aero, Sochi International Airport is already welcoming passengers for the upcoming Russian Formula 1 Gran Prix there. Sochi International Airport is expecting passengers to arrive and depart in between 30 countries on board over 730 flights.
Alitalia
Travelport and Alitalia Extend Content Agreement
Travelport announced today having a renewal of its multi-year content agreement with with Alitalia, Italy’s leading airline. This reneweal enables some 67,000 Travelport-connected agents worldwide to list all of Alitalia’s fares and inventory, including web fares, and ancillary offerings.
Alitalia Expands Crete Flights – Gets Investment Boost
Alitalia has begin a three times per week service in between Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and the Crete holiday destination of Heraklion (HER). The route is to be a summer seasonal one flying only through 31 August.
Alitalia On Bad PR and Profits Course
Just when European airline Alitalia could least afford bad publicity, news from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) tells of a fine of $125,000 levied against the airline for deceiving two passengers about their compensation rights.
Opodo Deal Gets EU Thumbs Up
Private equity firm Permira, and France’s Axa, have received the “go” from EU regulators in their bid to buy online travel entity Opodo. The two investors intent to merge the Spanish Opodo company with Go Voyages and eDreams will create one of the digital world’s biggest online booking agencies.
Amadeus Enters the American Airlines Ticket Wars
American Airlines started an online ticket war late last year they may not be able to finish. Now Amadeus is firing warning shots across the cockpits of airlines poised to go it via “direct connect” rather than relying on OTA’s to sell seats. In a bold but quiet move, one of the world’s biggest travel players takes sides with Expedia and Orbitz.