United Airlines will reduce international capacity from September by an additional 7 percent. Chief operating officer John Tague said the carrier is suspending at least until spring Washington, D.C. to China and Denver to London Heathrow services, and reducing frequencies or aircraft size on routes between San Francisco and Heathrow, Incheon, Osaka, [Tokyo] Narita; between Washington and Heathrow; and "a number of our other operations. Tague added that additional international service cuts may be necessary.

HRG obtained an option for "an initial minority stake" in Brazil's Grupo Alatur (HRG Brasil), and a right of first refusal on share sales.

Ryanair plans to slash London Stansted Airport operations by 40 percent from October, blaming high passenger fees and airport taxes.

Meeting Professionals International opened the first three of 14 planned Global Training Centers for Meetings and Business Events at San Diego State University, France's CERAM Business School, and the Qatar MICE Development Institute, part of the Qatar Foundation. All 14 centers are expected to open within two years to deliver a standard base of knowledge about meetings and events. MPI said it would provide modules of its knowledge plan and "collaborate with the faculty and professional education community."

Marriott International reported net income of $35 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared with $155 million the year before. Systemwide North American average daily rate declined 12.6 percent to $124.41; revenue per available room fell 21.2 percent to $82.63; and occupancy dropped 7.3 percentage points to 66.4 percent.

Delta Air Lines reported a $257 million net loss for the June 2009 quarter, compared to a loss above $1 billion a year earlier. Excluding expenses related to its merger with Northwest Airlines that closed in October and losses related to fuel hedges, the company posted a $191 million profit. On a combined basis with Northwest, quarterly passenger revenue dropped 25 percent. According to Delta president Edward Bastian, "We are not planning for any meaningful recovery this year."

Meeting Professionals International partnered with two tourism boards to strengthen its presence in the Asia-Pacific region and recruit members, establish chapters and create a training center for meetings, incentives, conventions and events. Beijing Tourism Administration is a strategic partner and the Hong Kong Tourism Board's Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong is the first Asian supporter of a new MPI Global Partner Program.