In Brief

Egencia expand in Europe

Egencia, the online agency formerly known as Expedia Corporate Travel, has announced plans to move into Ireland and the Netherlands.
In Ireland, the agency will partner e-Travel, an online company founded in 1997 and based in Dublin.
In the Netherlands, it will launch its own operation.
Egencia already has offices in the UK, France and Germany.
Christophe Pingard, Egencia's vp Europe, said: "Launching in Ireland and The Netherlands is another important step in our expansion strategy in Europe and globally.
"It will allow Egencia to bring added-value to both its international clients travelling into these countries and to Irish and Dutch corporate travellers."

Six US carriers unveil losses

Six US airlines this week unveiled second quarter net losses.
They were American Airlines which reported a $1.45bn loss, Delta Air Lines ($1bn), Continental Airlines ($3m), United Airlines ($2.7bn), US Airways ($567m) and JetBlue Airways ($7m).

HRG continues African expansion

Hogg Robinson Group has continued its expansion in Africa with two new partners: Hull Blyth in Angola and O-VOYAGES in Côte d'Ivoire.
Hull Blyth has 150 years' experience operating in Angola with five offices across the South West African country.
O-VOYAGES was set up in 2004 andis part of the Olizair Group, an airline representative in West and Central Africa.
David Radcliffe, HRG's ceo, said: "The addition of two new partners in the African market significantly strengthens our presence there with representation now in over 20 countries across the continent.
"Their local expertise will enable us to provide the superior standard of service that our clients have come to expect."

Sirius teams up with US partner

Sirius Management, a travel management consultancy led by Tom Stone, has teamed up with US  company Partnership Travel Consulting (PTC) led by Andy Menkes.
The two will work together on multi-national consulting projects.
PTC was founded by Mr Menkes in 2001and later sold to Hogg Robinson Group while Mr Menkes worked for the now defunct Eos Airlines. He has now re-opened the company.
Mr Stone, a former travel manager and chairman of the Institute of Travel Management, said: "We have decided to form a partnership because travel consultancy projects are increasingly becoming multinational in scope, especially linking both sides of the Atlantic.
"It is a trend we expect to gather momentum."

ATP sets up Middle East JV

Independent travel management company ATP has set up a joint enterprise with a Dubai-based agency Orient Travel.
The closer agreement consolidates two years partnership between the two companies.
Graham Ramsey, ATP's group ceo, said: "This is an exciting development for ATP as we continue to grow our status as one of the worlds leading travel management companies.
"Our expansion into Dubai will be pivotal in boosting our presence and reputation in the UAE and Middle East."
ATP has offices in the UK, USA, France and Norway.

Utell launches mobile phone booking service

Utell, a hotel services IT company, has launched a mobile phone booking service for hotels.
Travellers will be able to use their mobile phone to call up a Utell website and book hotel in cities including London, New York Berlin, Rome and Barcelona.
Bookers will have a choice of more than 100 properties.
Diana Banks, senior vp sales and marketing Utell which part of the Pegasus Solutions group, said: "Travellers need swift and safe technology to book accommodation and our new mobile site enables those on the move to find and reserve hotel rooms in major cities."

Choice Hotels to expand in Europe

Chocie hotels International have signed a deal with an Ireland-based company Kasterlee Limited to expand its Calrion bradn in the UK, Germany and Russia.
Under the deal, Kasterlee will develop at least 16 Clarion properties in the three countries over the next eight years.
Choice already has 45 Clarion 4-star properties with more than 8,000 rooms in Europe.