Hobby Airport plan wins approval
Houston's City Council approved Southwest's plan to introduce international service at Hobby Airport, in competition with United's hub at Bush Intercontinental. By a vote of 16-1, the council approved a plan for Southwest to finance a $100 million, five-gate international terminal at no cost to the city, in return for rent-free use of four of the gates. Construction is to begin next year. Southwest expects to launch service to Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America by 2015.
Monterey, Calif., set for Hawaii nonstops
Allegiant continued its buildup of mainland-Hawaii service, opening inventory for nonstops from Monterey, Calif., to Honolulu beginning Nov. 16. The discount carrier inaugurates Hawaii service at the end of the month from Fresno, Calif., and from Las Vegas, adding Bellingham, Wash., Eugene, Ore., and Stockton and Santa Maria, Calif., in mid-November.
Jet Blue, Hawaiian strengthen ties
JetBlue and Hawaiian inked a reciprocal frequent flyer deal allowing members of both airline plans to earn and redeem miles on either line. The pact coincides with Hawaiian's launch of New York-Honolulu nonstops this week and the appearance of its HA code on JetBlue connecting flights at Kennedy.
Alaska Air to fly San Diego-Orlando
Alaska Airlines disclosed plans to add a new transcontinental route from San Diego to Orlando, launching Oct. 11 with five weekly flights using 737-800 aircraft configured for 157 passengers.
DOT shuts down 26 bus operators
Federal safety officials shut down 26 East Coast and Midwest bus companies for various safety and licensing infractions, including the use of drivers who did not have valid licenses. The DOT said three firms, -- Apex Bus, I-95 Coach and New Century Travel -- oversaw a "broad network" of companies that carried more than 1,800 passengers daily along I-95 from New York to Florida. The action by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also ordered 10 individual owners, managers and employees to cease all passenger transport services, including ticket sales.
Algonquin reopens after renovation
New York's 181-room Algonquin Hotel reopened after a $15 million renovation. The midtown Manhattan landmark, part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, had been closed for five months. The property opened in 1902 and became famous in the 1920s as the lunchtime gathering place of notable writers and wits, who came to be known as the Algonquin Round Table.
Carnival Breeze makes its debut
Carnival took delivery of the Carnival Breeze from Italian builder Fincantieri, and steered the ship toward Venice for its inaugural cruise to Barcelona. The 130,000-ton, 3,690-passenger ship will cruise the Med this summer and move to Miami in the fall for year-round Caribbean cruises beginning Nov. 24. Carnival's 24th vessel, the ship is patterned after the Dream and the Magic and is the first Carnival ship to include all of the line's Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades.
Friends & Colleagues
Michael Crye, executive vice president of technical and regulatory affairs at CLIA, will leave the association to pursue other interests, CLIA said. Crye was president of the International Council of Cruise Lines when CLIA absorbed that organization in 2006. He joined ICCL in 2000. A successor has not been named, CLIA said. Crye's resignation is effective June 8. • • • John Cottrill is joining Loews Hotels as executive vice president of operations. Cottrill started his career with Hyatt Hotels in 1978 before accepting a job with Ritz-Carlton in 1983, where he eventually progressed to a general manager role. He also spent several years with Westin Hotels & Resorts. He returned to Ritz-Carlton in 2000, rising to the position of senior vice president before departing in 2008. He most recently served as executive vice president of operations at Brooks Brothers.