Six SkyTeam carriers—Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Northwest Airlines—late last month filed for antitrust immunity with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Although a similar filing for antitrust immunity in 2005 went without DOT approval, the recent Open Skies agreement between European Union and United States is expected to ease regulatory hurdles for alliances seeking immunity
(BTN, April 23). In addition to making alliancewide corporate rate deals easier for clients and airlines to implement, antitrust immunity would offer "more choice in flight schedules, travel times, services and fares," Delta said. In 2002, DOT gave antitrust immunity to SkyTeam carriers Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines and Delta. Additionally, Northwest and KLM's joint venture has antitrust immunity.
Rearden To Partner With Expense Reporting ToolsRearden Commerce planned to announce today the launch of its Open Expense Network, a service that allows users to integrate Rearden's online services with a client's choice of expense tool. The network will give business managers better control of travel spending by offering a "personal assistant," not only for travel booking but also in reviewing other plans, such as selecting dining or parking vendors. This data can prepopulate employee expense reports, much like established online booking tool and expense reporting partnerships. "Rather than simply managing air, car and hotel, they can manage all the services an employee would consume: dining, shipping, conference centers," said Dan Ford, Rearden's director of product marketing. "Also, it allows organizations to proactively manage spending, rather than trying to manage expense after the fact." Although Rearden said the network is designed to work with any expense reporting tool, it specifically has partnered with suppliers Necho, Gelco, ExpenseWire and ExpenseWatch.com, whose services come at a discounted rate to users of the network.
Lufthansa Eyes Newark-Frankfurt All-Biz ServiceLufthansa this month announced that it would launch all-business-class service from Newark, N.J., to Frankfurt on Oct. 28. "In addition, Lufthansa Business Jet flights between Newark and Munich will be replaced with a three-class Airbus A330-300 widebody aircraft to accommodate increased demand in all categories on the route," Lufthansa said in a statement.
American Airlines Files For 2009 China RouteAmerican Airlines filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation to launch nonstop service between Chicago O'Hare and Beijing in 2009, taking advantage of the recently signed bilateral agreement between the United States and China. DOT and China's Civil Aviation Administration in May agreed to more than double to 23 the number of daily passenger flights between the two countries by 2012. DOT last year allowed American to launch daily nonstop Chicago-Shanghai service.
CWT Takes Majority Stake in Indian VentureCarlson Wagonlit Travel last week announced it has taken majority control of an Indian joint venture with AFL Private after it acquired a 26 percent ownership stake on top of its previous 50 percent stake. CWT India, which encompasses 12 offices in 10 cities with more than 800 employees, said it handled travel sales of $230 million in 2006. Praveen Gandhi will remain CEO of CWT India and AFL Private chairman Cyrus Guzder remains chairman of the board for CWT India. The joint venture has been in place for more than 10 years and became a 50/50 partnership in 2000.
HRG Buys Belgian TMC, Plans Tech IntegrationHRG last last month announced the acquisition of Antwerp, Belgium-based Weinberg Travel for $1.95 million and separately reported annual revenues of $623.9 million, an increase of 4.8 percent compared with $595.5 million from the prior fiscal year. However, operating profits decreased 9.9 percent to $70.9 million. HRG said it plans to rely less on revenues from traditional suppliers, such as airlines, and more on value-based services by expanding the regional-division approach employed at HRG North America. The company also revealed plans to internationally integrate its technology, which includes a "follow-the-sun" approach for linking its customer service centers in the United Kingdom, Hungary, Sweden, Singapore and Canada.