News in Brief from Oneworld Alliance, US Airways, Delta, Rezidor and Global Hotel Alliance
Oneworld airlines to complete terminal changes at Heathrow
Qantas and British Airways (BA) will move terminals at Heathrow this week, in the final set of changes for Oneworld carriers. The changes will see all the alliance's airlines operate out of Terminal 3 and 5.
As of October 29, all Qantas' operations at Heathrow, as well as British Airways' Bangkok, Singapore and Sydney services, will move from Terminal 4 to Terminal 3.
Finnair and Iberia moved to Terminal 3 earlier this year, along with a number of British Airways' shorthaul routes.
Oneworld carriers American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Royal Jordanian are already based at Terminal 3, while all BA's other operations are now housed in Terminal 5. T3 is the terminal located closest to T5.
Heathrow airport is Oneworld's biggest European hub and the changes will mean smoother transfers for connecting passengers, said Oneworld.
www.oneworld.com [1]
US Airways reports $80m loss for third quarter
US Airways has announced a net loss of $80m between July and September this year, a significant reduction from the $866m deficit for the same period in 2008.
The airline also announced a drop in operating revenue of 16.6% year-on-year, while the airline's expenses have dropped 31.3%.
The operating results indicate a $6m profit in Q3, but a loss of $50m came as a result of fuel hedging and another $30m was lost in what the airline termed "special items related largely to reductions in capacity and employment levels".
Doug Parker, US Airways' ceo, said: "Our third-quarter financial results reflect the soft but improving economic environment."
He added that US Airways is "in an excellent position to capitalize on the recovering economy."
The airline raised some $110 million through ancillary revenues during the quarter and expects to raise more than $500 million over the coming year. It also raised $137 million through a public stock offering.
www.usairways.com [2]
Delta reports Q3 loss of $161m
Delta Air Lines recorded a net loss of $161m for the September 2009 quarter, with a 21% drop in operating revenue when compared to the third quarter in 2008.
Over the same period, passenger revenue decreased by 22% and there was a 4% reduction in capacity.
Richard Anderson, Delta's chief executive officer, said: "Our ability to earn a profit for the quarter shows we are making sound decisions for our business in this difficult economic environment. While we now see encouraging revenue and booking trends, we remain cautious in these early stages of an uncertain recovery."
Edward Bastian, Delta's president, said: "The global recession drove a significant revenue decline for the quarter, but we see improving trends in load factors, yield and business traffic.
"We will continue to exercise capacity restraint, coupled with strong cost control to effectively manage this."
Delta's 2010 capacity will decline by 3% compared to 2009, said the airline.
www.delta.com [3]
Rezidor opens new hotel in Hamburg
The Rezidor Hotel Group has opened the Radisson Blu Hotel, Hamburg Airport, as well as unveiling the renovated Radisson Blu Hotel, Hamburg.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Hamburg Airport is located opposite Terminals 1 and 2 at the airport and is connected to the arrivals and departures areas by a footbridge. It has 266 guest rooms, which feature LCD televisions with MP3 player connections, as well as Radisson Blu's standard free high-speed internet access.
Guests can make use of the PACE Fitness Club, which has fitness facilities, a sauna and steam room and roof top terrace. The hotel also has 15 flexible meeting rooms covering a total of 1,000 sqm, the largest of which can host up to 300 delegates. All meeting rooms have natural daylight, and are equipped with the latest audio visual equipment.
The city-centre Radisson Blu Hotel, Hamburg was Rezidor's first hotel in Germany, initially opened under Radisson SAS branding, and has relaunched after a €48m renovation.
With 556 bedrooms and suites, all re-designed by Swedish architect Christian Lundwall, the hotel is the largest in the city, and the highest. It has two restaurants, two bars and a revamped lobby area with two lounges, plus fitness facilities.
The conference facilities have also seen an upgrade, with two new event spaces, including High End, located on the top floor with panoramic views over the city. There is also a 2,120 sqm conference floor with 12 multi-functional rooms with the latest equipment, most of which have natural daylight, as well as a 530 sqm divisible ballroom and a foyer area.
www.rezidor.com
[4]
First Hotels joins Global Hotel Alliance
Scandinavian hotel chain First Hotels is the latest member to join Global Hotel Alliance. First runs 46 hotels in Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
Michael Telling, ceo of First Hotels, said: "'For First Hotels GHA is the perfect strategic partner in order for us to offer our guests and customers an unparalleled multitude of benefits and advantages on a global scale. This is a milestone for the company."
Chris Hartley, GHA's ceo, said: "Scandinavia is a key source market for many of our members and it has significant growth potential. A truly independent, regional brand with 46 unique hotels across Norway, Denmark and Sweden, First perfectly fits the role as GHA's member for Scandinavia."
According to Hartley, 2010 will see more members join GHA, with a particular focus on regions not currently represented, as well as the launch of a global, multi-brand loyalty scheme.
GHA's other 11 members are: Anantara, Cham, The Doyle Collection, Dusit, Kempinski, Landis, Leela, Marco Polo, Omni, Pan Pacific and Parkroyal.
www.firsthotels.com [5] www.globalhotelalliance.com [6]