Travel Roundup: Red Roof Defaults, Delta's Emergency Landing, Ryanair's Passenger-Baggage Handlers and More

Red Roof Inns defaults on loans — Red Roof Inns Inc. defaulted on four loans totaling $361.4 million. The loans are 30 days overdue and its collateral includes 113 Red Roof Inns, according to credit rating company Realpoint LLC. The four loans are valued at $181.75 million, $76.6 million, $67.6 million and $34.4 million. Red Roof Inns Inc. said it intended to restructure the debt and day-to-day operations would not be affected. [Source: Bloomberg]

Delta makes emergency landing in Ontario, Calif. — Officials say a Delta Air Lines plane made an emergency landing after one of its engines malfunctioned. The flight, from Atlanta to Ontario, Calif., managed to make it to its intended destination at Ontario International Airport after the Boeing 757 was forced to shut down its right engine. A Federal Aviation Administration official said pilots of the plane declared an emergency after the right engine began vibrating violently and quickly shut it off. None of the crew or 190 passengers were harmed. [Source: Los Angeles Times]

Ryanair proposes passengers handle own bags — Ryanair is proposing that passengers carry their own luggage to their plane, bypassing baggage handling completely. The passengers would then pay £5 ($8.21) per bag for each piece of luggage placed in the hold. Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said the new policy would cut down on baggage handlers, from five to one per plane, and save the airline £26 million ($43 million) a year. [Source: The Telegraph (U.K.)]

Southwest reaches deal with employees — Southwest Airlines Co. said it reached an agreement with the its customer support and service employees for a tentative four-year contract. The contract was ratified by workers, who were represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 142. The agreement includes a 3 percent wave increase and more retirement benefits. The new contract, which covers 5,300 employees, expires in October 2012. [Source: Dallas Business Journal]