U.S. Travel Association Creates Advocacy Council Of Meetings Luminaries
The U.S. Travel Association this week announced the creation of an all-star council led by supplier executives that focuses on developing advocacy and promotion efforts for meetings, incentives and trade shows.

Maloney Abruptly Departs ASTA CEO Post
The American Society of Travel Agents today announced the resignation of CEO William Maloney, effective immediately.

Passengers Drop, Load Factors Soar
Domestic airlines last year served the fewest passengers since 2004, but recorded the most crowded planes ever, according to data released this week by the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

FAA Assesses AA Maintenance Fines
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration today proposed to fine American Airlines $787,000 for three maintenance-related infractions that occurred in the past two years.

Google Marketplace Drives Corporate Travel Apps
Corporate travel technology providers are seizing on this week's launch of the Google Apps Marketplace to target small and midsize companies with Web-based scaled-down versions of their products distributed through the online storefront.

ARC Air Transactions Rise Over Previous Year For Fifth Straight Month
U.S. booked monthly air transactions for the fifth straight month showed increases over the corresponding period in the previous year, according to the ARC February 2010 reporting and settlement summary.

Stockholders OK Acquisition Of Interstate Hotels
Interstate Hotels & Resorts stockholders today approved the company's acquisition by a joint venture of two lodging companies, Thayer Lodging Group and Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels Co.

Amadeus Composes New Look For Planned Agent Desktop
Amadeus' new agent desktop has undergone a significant reconfiguration since the company previewed the product last summer, Amadeus North America director of product management and support services Alix Arguelles said yesterday.

IATA Halves 2010 Airline Loss Forecast
The aviation industry outlook grew a little less gloomy today, as the International Air Transport Association cut its 2010 loss forecast in half. Predicting stronger than anticipated demand and sustained capacity discipline, the forecast keeps global airlines in the red this year, but by an aggregate $2.8 billion, not IATA's previously projected $5.6 billion.

DOT Proposes To Delay Air On-Time Reporting Requirement
The U.S. Department of Transportation this week said it would accede to airline requests to extend by 45 days to June 14 a new requirement for carriers to post flight delay data on their Web sites.

CWT Launches Bundled Tech, Services For Midmarket In Europe
Carlson Wagonlit Travel this week became the latest supplier to announce new services and technology designed for the midmarket as it launched in Europe its own packaged offering, which includes a newly built online booking tool.

Oneworld Partners Offer Slots In Joint Venture Approval Quest
The European Commission on Wednesday said American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia have offered to give up slots between London Heathrow or Gatwick airports and Boston, New York, Dallas and Miami in their quest to gain antitrust immunity and move forward with their proposed joint venture.

Concur Offers Expense Tool For Small Business On New Google Marketplace
Concur on Tuesday launched a version of its expense management tool scaled for small business and distributed through the newly created Google Apps Marketplace.

J.P. Morgan Notebook: Airlines Share Plans For Capacity, Alliances, Revenue Growth
Major domestic airlines today praised the industry's restraint from adding new supply into the domestic market as executives committed to flat capacity this year during presentations at the J.P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation & Defense Conference in New York City.

Marriott Issues Five-Year Plan To Double Rooms In Europe
Marriott International today announced plans to double its European portfolio in the next five years, growing from 40,000 to 80,000 rooms in the region by 2015.