Next winter, Lufthansa will introduce nonstop service from Frankfurt to Rio de Janeiro. Flights will be five times a week. Lufthansa served Rio from 1956 until 2005.

Thanks to the strong economic growth in the region in recent years, it is reinstating the service. Introductory fares start at 749 euros.

The Air Transport Association of America (ATA) reported that passenger revenue, based on a sample group of carriers, rose 10 percent in January 2011 compared to the same month in 2010, marking the 13th consecutive month of revenue growth. Miles flown by paying passengers rose 2.5 percent while the average price to fly one mile rose 7.2 percent.

Continental Airlines inaugurated today nonstop flights between its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (PLS).  Initially the flights will operate four times a week, on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, converting to daily service on March 6, 2011.

JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU) is pleased to launch its award-winning, low-fare service and preferred product to its newest Caribbean destination. Providenciales will be JetBlue’s 16th successful destination in the Caribbean. Daily flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) begin today, and weekly Saturday service will begin on Feb. 19 from Boston Logan International Airport.

AirTran Airways has begun daily nonstop service between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic.

American Airlines, which this year celebrates the 30th anniversary of its AAdvantage program, has launched Facebook and Twitter channels dedicated to the wide range of opportunities to earn AAdvantage miles with American Airlines and its growing list of AAdvantage participating companies. American is the first U.S. airline to launch dedicated social media channels focused on earning miles.