Travel Industry News Page 379

Comito steps down as leader of Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association
During his tenure, Frank Comito led the association through the Covid-19 pandemic, several devastating hurricanes and numerous global challenges impacting the industry.

Travel sector calls for further support as new lockdown begins
The travel sector has called for further financial support in the wake of new lockdown restrictions across the UK, but there are signs of optimism ahead of the key summer season.
Sandals founder Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart dies
Caribbean hospitality giant Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart has died. The Jamaican-born hotelier, founder of Sandals Resorts International, died in the United States earlier after a short illness.

UK government offers £4.6 billion in new lockdown grants
The UK chancellor of the exchequer has announced one-off top up grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses as the country enters a third lockdown.

Qatar Airways expands LATAM codeshare partnership
The expanded agreement will allow Qatar Airways passengers to book travel on 45 additional LATAM Airlines Brasil flights and to access over 40 domestic and international destinations.

Cornwall Airport closed until mid-February
Cornwall Airport Newquay will remain closed to commercial traffic until at least the middle of next month as the UK continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.

daa International to run aviation at the Red Sea Development
The company will provide airfield and terminal operations, aviation services, facilities management and commercial activities, as well as corporate and financial services.

FirstGroup sells Greyhound facilities in North America
FirstGroup has sold three major bus facilities in North America for a total of £102 million. The firm said the move was part of a continuing drive to rationalise its bus property portfolio.

Commercial aviation fatalities increase in 2020
New research has revealed more people died in commercial plane crashes last year than in 2019. This comes despite the number of flights plummeting due to the pandemic.

British Airways secures £2bn in export development loans
The airline has received commitments for a five-year term-loan Export Development Guarantee Facility. The funds are underwritten by a syndicate of banks, partially guaranteed by UK Export Finance.

IAG rejigs ownership structure to accommodate Brexit
International Consolidated Airlines Group has implemented plans it says will ensure that its EU licensed airlines continue to comply with current ownership and control rules following Brexit.

ABTA places members at heart of new Travel with Confidence campaign
ABTA members are at the heart of the second phase of the national advertising campaign from the body, which launches across social media channels from today.