Government regulators want to know more about how a proposed alliance between American Airlines and British Airways could affect competition on overseas flights. The U.S. Transportation Department asked the airlines to provide more information about the planned partnership, including its impact on Heathrow Airport in London, cargo operations, and service in Asian and Latin American markets.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has agreed to borrow up to 485.6 million euros (about $680 million at Wednesday’s exchange rate) from Germany’s KFW IPEX-Bank.

The German carrier recently acquired a controlling holding in Bmi, the second largest carrier at Heathrow. Virgin, which has courted Bmi for a potential tie-up in the past, now sees a renewed opportunity to forge a link. “Virgin Atlantic can confirm that it is holding talks with Lufthansa regarding the future of bmi.

The Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) has stressed that contrary to reports appearing in the regional media, its members are not opposed to working on Public Holidays, but are desirous of being adequately compensated as is the case with other employees in the air transport industry. This was stated in an official release issued by the Association.

Comtec Group Limited announced its fourth acquisition of 2008 –the Canadian tour operator content management company Comnet Canada Inc. The strategic move is the latest in a series of deals by Comtec to widen the group’s international footprint and distribution capabilities for the leisure travel industry.

Choice Hotels International just launched its new Ascend Collection, a group of historic, boutique and unique properties located across the U.S. and the Caribbean. Among the properties featured in the new collection are the Golden Hotel, located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in the heart of historic downtown Golden, CO, and The Baechtel Creek Inn & Spa in the heart of California’s Mendocino Coast, just north of San Francisco.