The merger of Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines is not a done deal yet. The head of Aloha has reportedly threatened a lawsuit and may sue Hawaiian Airlines for the breakup fee which could run up to $4 million …
Effective May 1, Continental will discontinue codesharing with America West, the frequent flyer relationship will end Sept. 24. OnePass members may continue to earn miles on America West flights through Sept. 23. OnePass reward reservations on America West for travel through Sept. 23 must be confirmed and ticketed by Sept. 23. As Alitalia solidifies its membership in SkyTeam it is simultaneously winding down with other partners. Effective June 1, Alitalia will no longer participate in the OnePass program. The last day to earn OnePass miles on Alitalia is May 31. The last day to call for reward reservations for travel through May 31, 2003, is May 17. Still with Continental, Azteca Airlines is now a OnePass partner. Flights systemwide will earn a minimum of 500 miles, and miles and segments will count toward elite status. OnePass miles can be redeemed for award travel on Azteca Airlines at OnePass mileage levels …
Air Canada has welcomed partner Spanair to its portfolio. Aeroplan miles can be earned on Spanair flights between Toronto and Madrid and on to over 15 destinations in Spain …
Concorde Hotels is now a partner in the AAdvantage program. Members can earn 500 miles per stay at any of 58 properties worldwide …
Polish carrier LOT is on the verge of joining the Star Alliance after the dissolution of the Qualiflyer group. Lufthansa will bring LOT into its leading group of airlines and help LOT adapt its standards and systems to those in the Star Alliance. Meanwhile, Aeroflot has signed a deal with Hungarian Malev. Under the agreement, the two airlines will jointly operate flights between Moscow and Budapest. Aeroflot has been seeking to expand its cooperation with foreign airlines, in its quest to join SkyTeam. Speaking of SkyTeam, Delta Air Lines has put pen to paper on a Memorandum of Understanding with Royal Air Maroc. Although it only covers engineering, maintenance and administrative support, deeper cooperation is sure to follow. Delta Air Lines, Air France and Alitalia face a European Commission investigation into whether an alliance covering sales, schedules, marketing and joint flights breaks European antitrust rules. The investigation will center on accords on routes between the European Union and “third countries” …
Up to Scandinavia, where the Competitions Authority’s decision to ban frequent flyer program participation on domestic routes has met with some ire. SAS is disappointed with the decision and the fact that Norwegian authorities have elected to enforce distinctively Norwegian rules that will unilaterally affect the SAS Group and Norwegian passengers. According to SAS, the decision is unfounded as the frequent flyer program is of no importance to the establishment of competition within Norwegian aviation in terms of the existing market situation. Well, we might have to argue with that.
