Travel Roundup: Sands Bethlehem Makes $1 Million a Day, Cessna Layoffs, Holland America's Swine Flu and More

Sands Bethlehem makes $1 million a day – Sands Bethlehem, Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s latest casino in Bethlehem, Pa., made $10.7 million in slot revenue during its 10-day soft opening, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The $743 million casino held its official grand opening on Tuesday. The casino has 4,000 slot machines, four restaurants and two bars. Another 2,000 slot machines will be added in November. So far, Pennsylvania gaming revenue has risen 18 percent from May 2008. [Source: Las Vegas Sun]

Cessna to lay off 1,300 — Cessna Aircraft Co. said Friday it will terminate another 1,300 workers, losing about half of its work force since November. The corporate jet maker blamed the layoffs on the downturning economy. Sixty-day lay off notices will go out to its first 800 workers by June 19. Cessna has laid off 6,900 workers since November. [Source: Associated Press]

Holland America crew tests positive for swine flu– At least three crew members on the Holland America Line cruise ship Zaandam tested positive for swine flu. The 1,460-passenger ship was on a seven-night, round-trip cruise from Seattle to Alaska. The affected crew were treated with Tamiflu and confined to their quarters, a spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. No passengers were reported to have the virus. Holland America informed its passengers about the situation by handing out letters. [Source: Associated Press]

Alaska buys up $50 million of stock — Alaska Air Group Inc. announced plans for a $50 million stock buyback. The Seattle parent company of both Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air said the stock purchase will be paid in cash, something their chief executive Bill Ayer said was indicative of the company’s liquidity. The group previously bought back nearly $112 million of common stock in 2007 and 2008. [Source: Puget Sound Journal]