Travel Roundup: US Airways Not Afraid of Southwest, Mokulele Defaults But Makes Payroll, Lufthansa's Strike and More
US Airways says it won’t leave Logan International – US Airways is trying to quash rumors that it will cut its Boston flights because Southwest Airlines Co. will enter Logan International Airport this fall. When asked by an employee in a corporate newsletter if the airline planned on pulling out of the market as it did in Las Vegas or Pittsburgh, US Airways replied it had no plans to do so. A spokesman said that the newsletter is often used to debunk rumors about the company. [Source: Boston Globe]
Mokulele Airlines makes payroll — Mokulele Airlines, a Hawaiian interisland carrier, was able to avoid a payroll deferment and pay its almost 200 employees Friday, despite defaulting on an $8 million loan payment. The $300,000 for payroll came from Republic Airways, its mainland partner since October. The two share a service agreement which added four Embraer 170 jets in November for use between Oahu and other islands. So far, Mokulele is operating at loads of 20 to 40 percent, lower than its competitors go! and Hawaiian Airlines. [Source: Pacific Business News]
Lufthansa flight attendants strike — Lufthansa flight attendants voted Monday to strike for a 6.1 percent raise and better benefits. Approximately 96 percent voted for a walkout in the two-week ballot. The union said it wasn’t planning a long-term strike but were partial to holding short-notice strikes lasting several hours. In January, the union staged two of the short-term, so-called “warning strikes” which caused 1,200 flights to be cancelled. [Source: Der Spiegel]
Marriott’s bus tour succeeds — Marriott Hotels’ “Spirit of Aloha” bus tour is being touted as the reason booking at Marriott’s Hawaiian hotels are up 40 percent. The tour, which traveled through 13 cities on the West and East coasts and the Midwest, partnered with Hawaiian Airlines and the Polynesian Cultural Center – who supplied Hawaiian dancers and musicians. [Source: Honolulu Advertiser]
Bay Area resident and award-winning business journalist Barbara E. Hernandez has covered tourism, real estate and personal finance. Her clients include the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle and Washington Post.
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