Travel Roundup: Southwest Cuts Flights, Virgin Wants bmi, Hyatt Caters to Kids and More

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BNET Travel provides daily industry trends and news coverage with insights for managers and executives into all aspects of the travel and tourism industry. In addition to detailed airline and hotel company profiles, we bring you industry analysis on new travel and carrier routes, bankruptcies, mergers, tourism figures, investments and a host of other important business issues.

Southwest cuts 32 flights – Southwest Airlines announced plans to cut 32 flights next summer in hopes of maximizing profit. Chief executive Gary Kelly said the airline was cutting unproductive flights while focusing on profitable new cities like Denver. Nineteen flights will be added, but the airline added only one new route, Denver to Tucson, and relaunched Nashville to Seattle and Oakland, Calif. The pulled flights are between Austin and Midland/Odessa, Texas; Fort Myers, Fla. and Long Island, N.Y.; Detroit and Orlando; and Fort Lauderdale and Manchester, N.H. Dallas will lose one flight to Albuquerque and one to Amarillo, Texas. [Source: Star-Telegram]

Virgin Atlantic wants bmi — Virgin Atlantic announced Wednesday the company is in talks with bmi majority owner, Lufthansa about the airline. Chief executive Steve Ridgway said in October a merger with bmi would be an opportunity to create a stronger airline to complete against British Airways. Virgin seems to be most interested in bmi’s Heathrow Airport slots, where the short-haul airline has a market share of 12 percent — higher than Virgin’s 3 percent. [Source: Reuters]

Hyatt Hotels and Resorts caters to kids – Hyatt Hotels and Resorts began its new Kid Concierge, an on-site service in its North America locations dedicated to providing advice, arranging for cribs, strollers, babysitters and other child needs. The new concierge will also plan birthday parties, coordinate baby supplies, advise on family-friendly local excursions and offerings at the hotel. Under a new plan, a second hotel room for the kids is also offered at 50 percent off. [Source: Hotels Magazine]

Qatar Air looks to expand — Qatar Air wants to grow to more than 150 global destination despite a weakened economy. Ali Al Rais, executive vice president, said despite the economic uncertainty, business is doing well in Asia and Qatar has plenty of what banks can’t give — cash. The airline has 60 planes and another 200 on order. [Source: The Guardian]

Tags: Airline, Flight, Virgin Atlantic, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Services, Investment, Finance, Barbara E. Hernandez

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.