Lufthansa on 1 July will assume control over bmiafter agreeing to financial terms with bmi chairman Sir Michael Bishop. Lufthansa announced an out-of-court settlement under which its U.K. holding company will acquire Bishop's 50 percent plus one share stake in bmi parent British Midland plc.

Separately, the European Commission conditionally approved Lufthansa's proposed acquisition of Brussels Airlines' parent SN Airholding. Lufthansa agreed to surrender slots on four routes from Brussels to allow new entrants to compete. Lufthansa initially plans to acquire 45 percent of SN Airholding, with an option to purchase the remaining stake in 2011.

Self-booking tool provider GetThere next month will enable bookings for Eurostar services, according to published reports.

InterContinental Hotels Group announced a push for "preferred business accounts" in the Asia-Pacific region to adopt dynamic pricing, which it said provides an "alternative" to annually negotiated rates. Noting that annually negotiated rates cannot respond to "unexpected market conditions," IHG said the appeal of a dynamic pricing model has "grown" among corporate travel buyers.

British Airways on 29 September will launch twice daily all-business class service between London City Airport and New York JFK. Initially announced in early 2008, the service represents "the first ever longhaul route from London City Airport," according to BA.