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 surcharges will jack these fares up by between €18.16 and €52.80, and are on sale through midnight on Sunday (German time).

2. As we reported the other day, Ryanair announced two new bases today: Valencia (21 routes, up from 10) and Alicante (17 routes, up from six.) The new Valencia routes will kick off in October, with the new Alicante routes following in November and December. Our favorites among the new routes: Valencia-Santiago and Valencia-Malta.