Delta to lease all AirTran 717s
Delta cut a deal with Southwest and Boeing to lease the entire 88-aircraft fleet of 717s operated by Southwest subsidiary AirTran, subject to pilot ratification, Delta said. Southwest initially planned to integrate the 717 aircraft into its fleet as it merged with AirTran but later changed its mind. The aircraft originated as the MD-95, a 100-passenger variant of the DC-9/MD-80, but was renamed the 717 when Boeing acquired McDonnell Douglas. Delta intends to use them to replace 50-passenger regional jets and older DC-9s.
Mayor endorses Hobby Airport plan
Houston Mayor Annise Parker endorsed a proposal by Southwest Airlines to upgrade the city's Hobby Airport for international service in 2015. Southwest has proposed to fund the construction of a five-gate international terminal for service to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America, at no cost to the city. United has been fighting the plan, which still requires approval from the City Council.
Sandals to drop Beaches Sandy Bay
Sandals Resorts International will terminate its lease with the owners of Beaches Sandy Bay in Negril, Jamaica. Sandals will operate the resort through Aug. 31. The all-inclusive resort, which has been in the Sandals portfolio for 12 years, is one of three Beaches on Jamaica. Guests booked for dates after Aug. 31 can switch without penalty to the other two. Owner Poincianna Resorts intends to close the property for September and take over operation of the resort when it reopens.
Bulgari opens London hotel
Bulgari Hotels, a joint venture of the famed jewelry firm and Marriott, is slated to open its third hotel this week, the 85-room Bulgari Hotel & Residences, London, the first newbuild luxury hotel in the city in four decades. Located in London's Knightsbridge district and managed by Ritz-Carlton, the hotel will feature an 80-foot swimming pool built with Vicenza stone and a 47-seat screening room. The brand also has properties in Milan and Bali.
Wyndham to flag 20 IHG properties
Wyndham agreed to take over management of 20 hotels owned by Hospitality Properties Trust and managed under various InterContinental Hotels Group brands. Four large hotels in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Irvine, Calif., each with 300 rooms or more, will take the Wyndham brand. Another 16 smaller properties in various locations will be branded Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham. The parties agreed that a single long-term management contract will govern all 20 properties.
RCCL unit eyes major res upgrade
Royal Caribbean International in the next five years plans to invest $100 million in automation upgrades, including its online and agency reservations systems. The changes will be geared to "help travel agents sell cruises more easily and service their clients more effectively by leveraging the latest technologies," Royal Caribbean said. Among the planned changes are simplified group bookings plus the ability to book more than four people into a family cabin or suite.
Friends & Colleagues
Flight Centre USA, parent of Liberty Travel and Gogo Vacations, has made several leadership changes that will be effective July 1. Emma Jupp, right, will become president of Liberty Travel. Jupp was most recently responsible for developing Flight Centre USA's air, tour and cruise product strategy. Michele Kish, who has worked for Liberty and Gogo for 30 years, will move from her current role as president of Gogo Vacations to become Flight Centre USA's senior vice president of product and business development. In her new role, Kish will be responsible for air, tour and cruise product as well as identifying and implementing new distribution channels. Margaret Mulholland, who previously led the U.S.-based Flight Centre Global Product business will take over as president of the Gogo Vacations and Worldwide Traveler brands. John Beauvais, left, leader of the FCm Travel Solutions, Corporate Traveler and Stage & Screen brands, will take on an expanded role as leader of Flight Centre's corporate travel business in the U.S. In his new role, Beauvais will oversee the Travel Associates and CiEvents brands, in addition to FCm Travel Solutions, Corporate Traveler and Stage & Screen. Billy McDonough will move from his current role as president of Liberty Travel to become president of FCm Travel Solutions and Travel Associates. McDonough will report to Beauvais and will focus on developing the corporate travel agency business. • • • Silversea Cruises has named Kristian Anderson vice president of sales for North America, effective mid-June. Anderson has nearly 25 years of sales and management experience with several travel companies. Most recently, he was vice president of U.S. sales for Qatar Airways.