Two Airports Poised to Launch Trusted TravelerTwo California airports are seeking to launch trusted traveler programs, using as their template a privately run, Transportation Security Administration-approved program begun this summer in Orlando. As TSA moves forward to launch the Registered Traveler Program nationwide
(BTN, Nov. 14), Mineta San Jose International Airport and Sacramento International Airport separately are working with Verified Identity Pass to roll out programs. Mineta San Jose International Airport last week said it has signed a deal with Verified Identity Pass, while a Verified Identity Pass spokesperson said the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved negotiating a deal with the company. Verified Identity Pass said both deals require TSA approval, after which it would begin enrolling travelers within 30 days and begin operating airport security checkpoint lanes within 90 days.
Cendant Spinoff To Unveil Integrated Booking ToolTravel Network Group, the travel distribution piece of the four companies spun off from Cendant on Oct. 25, plans to unveil a new full-service online corporate travel booking product that represents the integration of Orbitz For Business and Travelport early this month, as intended from the outset of Cendant's purchase of Orbitz
(BTN, Oct. 4, 2004). The new product will carry the Travelport name and be powered by the Orbitz platform. The existing Travelport will be phased out by 2007 once all users have migrated to the new program. The new, integrated Travelport will provide discounted hotel rates with various hotel chains previously only offered by Orbitz for Business and the Board Room Rates program
(BTNonline, June 27). The new Travelport also will include unused ticket management and the Care Alert program, which automatically rebooks canceled flights and notifies the traveler in case of flight delays and the traveler's company and family in case of itinerary changes.
Amadeus Adjusts Airline Segment Fee StructureGlobal distribution system operator Amadeus in 2006 will introduce a booking fee level for regional segments, between fee levels levied on domestic and intercontinental segments. Amadeus in late 2003 was the first GDS operator to formalize and widely communicate value-based airline pricing
(BTN, Dec. 8, 2003), though other GDSs are developing conceptually similar models. Amadeus also is increasing, from 25 euro cents (29 U.S. cents) to 45 euro cents, the rebate on certain bookings paid to airlines providing full content through the GDS channel, including lowest available fares. Amadeus said several airlines are testing the program.
AA, Southwest Prepare For New Love Field BattleSouthwest Airlines said on Dec. 13 it will launch four daily roundtrip flights from Dallas Love Field to both Kansas City and St. Louis, while American Airlines said it would initiate service at Love, "as soon as it can obtain and prepare appropriate facilities." The announcements quickly followed President George W. Bush's signing of a 2006 appropriations bill that includes a provision allowing service from Love Field to Missouri, the eighth state exempted from federal rules barring out-of-state service from the airport. American has been arguing against any relaxation of those rules—covered by the controversial Wright Amendment
(BTN, Nov. 10)—but as it did in competing against fleeting premium-class carrier Legend Airlines in 2000
(BTN, Nov. 21, 2000), has again opted to operate from Love Field.
CO, Flight Attendants Prepare For 11th-Hour TalksContinental Airlines and its flight attendants represented by the International Association of Machinists this week will hold a contract negotiating session in Washington with federal mediators. The National Mediation Board indicated that failure to reach a deal would start the clock ticking on a 30-day cooling-off period, at the end of which, the company could implement wage and benefit reductions, and the flight attendants could strike. The airline in March reached new agreements with unions representing other employee groups
(BTNonline, March 31).British Airways Plans New Business Class for Mid-2006British Airways in mid-2006 plans to begin introducing a new, long-haul business class product. First discussed with BTN in October
(BTN, Oct. 31), the £100 million project will cover new lie-flat seats, enhanced services on the ground and upgrades to inflight entertainment systems. B/E Aerospace last month said it won a $150 million deal from BA to design and manufacture "next generation horizontal lie-flat bed seats."