Alitalia and Etihad Airways have confirmed that they have received merger clearance from the European Commission under EU Regulation No. 139/2004, meaning they are able to proceed with the proposed strategic partnership announced in August.

Following the completition of its review, the European Commission confirmed that the partnership complies with European regulations on competition, with the two parties hoping to complete the transaction before the end of the year.

In line with previous cases, the airlines undertook commitments aimed at facilitating the entry of new airlines on the Rome to Belgrade routewith president and CEO of Etihad Airways James Hogan saying it will allow the travel opportunities in Italy to expand.

"An equity investment in Alitalia will be beneficial not only for the both airlines, but, more importantly, it will give more choice and broader travel opportunities to business and leisure travellers into and out of Italy," he said.

A small group of Travel Counsellors agents recently had the chance to get acquainted with the highlights of Abu Dhabi and Dubai on an educational famil hosted by the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.

Anne Dugdale from the Melbourne head office accompanied agents Danielle Cutrupi, Veronica Hunt, Sam Slattery and Trish O’Brien to some of Abu Dhabi’s most popular theme parks, including Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World, as well as the impressive Dubai Mall and souks and mosque tours.

Travel agents will now find it even easier to book their clients on a cruise, with Carnival Cruise Lines introducing air-inclusive bookings for its local cruises.

The launch of Carnival CruiseAir packages follows an increase in interstate bookings for Carnival Spirit and Carnival Legend, as well as the debut of the cruise line’s new fly-cruise options to Singapore and Hawaii this year.

Air Canada recently hosted a group of Helloworld agents on a six-night educational tour to Vancouver and Seattle, with the aim of highlighting how easy it is to combine Canada and the US into one seamless trip.

The agents flew in Air Canada’s International Business Class, and enjoyed a tour to Whistler, ziplining, a Scandinavia Spa and a flight simulation ride over Canada’s scenery with FlyOver Canada.

Air Canada sales executive Suzie Goumas says the group, who stayed at Fairmont resorts throughout the trip, also enjoyed a foodie tour of Granville Island, one of Vancouver's top shopping districts, before returning home. 

Excite Holidays and the Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau recently treated 50 Melbourne-based agents to a special spa event at The Olsen Art Series Hotel, involving manicures and massages, and learning about what Santa Monica has to offer with Excite Holidays.

The Langham, Sydney will reopen its doors on December 2 following a $30 million transformation that will re-establish the landmark Sydney hotel as one of the most exclusive harbourside property.

The property will now feature new interior furnishings, fine dining concepts, an exclusive day spa, lavish event spaces and newly exposed harbour views from all aspects of the hotel’s public spaces.

Aviation Australia is expanding its six week flight attendant courses to include Sydney and Melbourne in January 2015, with the courses currently run in Brisbane.

The course, which aims to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, values and experience that airlines seek when recruiting candidates, will begin on January 12 in Melbourne and January 19 in Sydney, costing $5250 for the seven weeks.