A largely Italian consortium of financiers and entrepreneurs has expressed interest in buying ailing Italian airline Alitalia, which is struggling to find a buyer, the group’s lawyer said on Friday.

Marriott International Inc. says that its second-quarter profit rose 11 percent on higher demand for rooms. However, its stock dipped on signs that growth in the lodging industry may be cooling off.

Marriott International Inc. says that its second-quarter profit rose 11 percent on higher demand for rooms. However, its stock dipped on signs that growth in the lodging industry may be cooling off.

Brazilian company Embraer reports that its firm order backlog for the Commercial Aviation, Executive Aviation, and Defense and Government segments increased by $600 million during the second quarter of 2007, totaling a record $15.6 billion.

Brazilian company Embraer reports that its firm order backlog for the Commercial Aviation, Executive Aviation, and Defense and Government segments increased by $600 million during the second quarter of 2007, totaling a record $15.6 billion.

A June travel agent survey by Bank of America indicates a pickup in pricing as booking windows lengthen and Alaska and Caribbean pricing improves. Bank of America analyst Michael Savner writes that the June booking window improved by three days, primarily due to pricing increases.