Travel Roundup: New Dollar Thrifty Prez, Boeing Strike Fallout, Crowne Plaza in Foreclosure and More

Dollar Thrifty’s new president to hurry sale? — Tulsa-based Dollar Thrifty’s former chief financial officer Scott Thompson replaces president Gary Paxton, causing analysts to speculate that the move will speed the company’s sale to Hertz. The company’s stock has been trading around $1 from a peak of $55 in 2007, when it was rumored the company would merge with Vanguard Car Rental USA. [Source: Tulsa World]

Spirit AeroSystems mulls shutdown, layoffs amid Boeing strike — After six weeks of a Boeing machinists’ strike, Spirit AeroSystems president Jeff Turner told employees that the company is considering layoffs or a company shutdown. Employees have already been on a three-day work schedule since the strike. Spirit, an aerospace design and manufacturing company based in Wichita, is a Boeing subcontractor that makes fuselages and other parts for the company. [Source: Wichita Eagle]

Cedar Rapids Crowne Plaza in foreclosure — The Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is in foreclosure and its lenders have asked city officials to oversee the building during a legal dispute. A lawsuit filed by lenders says the hotel’s parent company, which also owns 10 other hotels, is $48.5 million in debt and went into default Sept. 8. A hearing on the case is expected next month. [Source: The Gazette]

JetBlue unveils high-tech terminal at JFK –JetBlue will open a new high-tech terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport Oct. 22.  The new upgrades include 40 ticket counters, 65 e-ticket kiosks, 20 lanes of security with family lanes and Wi-Fi throughout the terminal and on planes by 2009. Joseph Eng, executive vice president of JetBlue’s systems and technology, said there will also be various self-service options throughout the terminal. [Source: ZDNet]