Anguilla’s Ministry of Tourism has announced the launch of a new executive air service which will operate between San Juan, Puerto Rico and Anguilla. The new service, scheduled to start on February 14, will be provided on the Anguilla Air Express, and operated by Rainbow International Airlines Inc.

Hotwire has announced that Clem Bason has been promoted to president of the Hotwire Group, which includes Hotwire.com, Travel-Ticker.com, and CarRentals.com. Bason, who will oversee all aspects of the three business units, takes over for Eric Grosse, who has been promoted to president of Expedia Worldwide.

The tourist season of 2009 may turn out to be the worst in years, Dnevnik daily reports, quoting information that the bookings in advance for summer vacations are 50 percent less than in 2008. The major seaside resorts report 50 percent less bookings for the summer by foreign tourists, but the same goes for smaller resorts as well.

Several U.S. airlines have reported less traffic for the fourth quarter of 2008 as the recession hit both business and leisure travel. Some carriers have been offering sales to lure passengers back to the skies.

The proposed merger between British Airways and Spanish carrier Iberia could be threatened after BA warned the deal may not go ahead on the basis of current market valuations, the Financial Times said on last week.

Southwest Airlines reported a $56 million net loss for the fourth quarter, its second quarterly loss in row. That was due in part to special charges of $117 million associated with its fuel hedge fund, which saw its value fall.