1. TUI AG (the parent company of low-cost airline TUIfly) announced second-quarter earings today that seriously bummed investors out. Among other issues, TUIfly’s load factor is down a startling 12 percent, to 79.5%. But as if without a care in the world, TUIfly today released 555,000 €5 fares for travel through October 31. Taxes and » Read more

Exciting: EasyJet recently announced that they’ll soon be flying to Romania. Today’s new route annoucement goes one better: From November 3, the UK low-cost carrier will be flying between London Gatwick and Sofia three times a week. With one-way journeys starting at £27.99 (€41.30; $57), the airline is directly challenging Wizz Air on the London-Sofia » Read more

In July, Ryanair filled their planes impressively, managing a load factor of 90%. This number is identical to the Irish low-cost carrier’s July 2006 load factor numbers. Even more impressive is Ryanair’s 21% increase in passengers carried in July of this year against July 2006 numbers. Clearly, this summer’s fare war helped to fill planes » Read more

Calling all Puccini lovers. It’s time to make a pilgrimage to Lucca to experience the 53rd annual Puccini Opera Festival, to experience opera as the master himself wanted to hear it. Started in 1930, following a 1924 letter from Puccini exclaiming his wish to hear his opera in the “open-”air,” the Puccini Opera Festival attracts » Read more

Visiting Barcelona? Watch out for Woody: The BBC reported Monday that the city of Barcelona is coughing up € 1,000,000 to Woody Allen, covering 10% of the budget of his upcoming film, which is set in the city and currently filming around town. In addition, the regional Catalonian government is chipping in another € 500,000. » Read more