Thai Airways is negotiating with both Airbus and Boeing for a possible record order of 30 aircraft, a Thai Airways executive said on Friday, deepening speculation over the potential USD$9 billion purchase. Airbus has proposed A350 wide-body jets while Boeing has proposed its 787 Dreamliner, said the senior executive, who declined to be identified because the negotiations were private. "We have to use more than 30 aircraft and we have asked Boeing and Airbus to propose details about their planes," he said, adding that the A350s could be used for heavy cargo routes and the 787s could be used on light cargo routes. The orders, which would require delivery between 2015-2020, coincide with intensifying competition in Asia's skies. Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific said this month it had placed orders for 30 Airbus aircraft at a list price of USD$7.8 billion and intends to exercise existing rights to buy six Boeing 777-300ER jets. Thai Airways has already firmed up a previously announced commitment to buy seven Airbus A330-300 wide-bodied jets, worth around USD$1.5 billion.

German carrier Air Berlin's move to become the 14th member of "Oneworld" signals new ground for the airline, the grouping and alliances in general. Air Berlin has signed a memorandum of understanding with oneworld regarding its membership of the group and says a formal alliance agreement will be "signed soon". It aims to complete membership in time to enter the alliance in early 2012, shortly before the opening of Berlin's new Brandenburg International Airport in June of that year. In the meantime Air Berlin is already planning to co-operate with oneworld carriers American Airlines and Finnair through codeshares this year, and says bilateral agreements are intended with British Airways and Iberia.

Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar plans to expand its domestic New Zealand operations and base another two aircraft there, following a decision by Virgin Blue to exit the domestic New Zealand market. Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas Airways, will increase flight frequencies on existing domestic routes and explore new destinations, says its group CEO Bruce Buchanan. It will also base an additional two Airbus A320 aircraft in New Zealand, taking its fleet there to eight. The seventh aircraft will enter service in December, while the eighth will do so between end-2010 and early 2011. Jetstar's announcement comes after Virgin Blue said that its New Zealand-based subsidiary Pacific Blue will cease domestic operations and concentrate on its trans-Tasman, Southeast Asian and Pacific Islands operations. Buchanan says the carrier will look at expanding routes from Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, ahead of the 2011 Rubgy World Cup. Its seventh A320 will be operated on domestic and trans-Tasman routes, including Melbourne- Queenstown, Gold Coast-Queenstown and Auckland-Cairns, says the airline. Jetstar currently operates on five domestic routes in New Zealand and has a trans-Tasman network with 10 routes.

South America's largest airlines, Chilebased LAN Airlines and TAM of Brazil, plan to merge under a single parent entity, LATAM Airlines Group. The carriers aim to offer seamless passenger and cargo service across Latin America and globally. A non-binding MOU outlines their intentions, but the transaction is subject to both parties entering into a binding definitive agreement and winning corporate, shareholder and regulatory approvals. Group airlines will continue to operate under their existing operating certificates and brands. They will also maintain their current headquarters and governance structure, thus satisfying foreign ownership and control requirements in the countries where they operate. Apart from its operations in Chile, LAN has airline affiliates in Argentina, Ecuador and Peru and cargo operations in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and the US. TAM has airlines in Brazil and Paraguay. "This is the completion of the vision of our founder, Captain Rolim, who believed that in an open skies market, a large Latin American airline group would provide much more competitive services to our passengers and cargo customers," said Marco Bologna, CEO of TAM. Enrique Cueto, CEO of LAN, added: "As the industry consolidates, we cannot stand still. We have enjoyed many years of collaboration with TAM. They share our passion for service and our belief in the great potential of the Latin American market."

Freshman year of college is an exciting and challenging time for your children as they embark on their new college world. Not only are there new experiences for them both academically and socially but most teens will be financially independent for the first time. More independence means more responsibility. It's important to talk to your teen about spending and budgeting before sending them off to college. Paying for college is more than just covering tuition costs. It is best to help your teens set up a budget before they go off to college to help them understand what money is going out and what money is coming in. The first step to creating a budget is considering your teen's expenses. There are many costs to take into account, including room and board or rent, books and supplies, food and groceries, transportation, personal care (cosmetics, toiletries, prescription medications, etc.) and more. Don't forget to set aside funds for entertainment -- things like dining out, going to the movies, or big events like birthday celebrations or travel plans. Next, figure out your teen's income. This includes any income from a school job, fi- nancial aid, scholarships, student loans, and any support or monthly allowances you will offer them. You should make it clear that income and expenses need to balance.

AirTran Airways announced that, as part of its executive succession plan, Steven A. Rossum, currently AirTran's executive vice president-corporate development, will assume additional responsibilities as the company's chief legal officer and will serve as the company's executive vice president and general counsel, effective August 31, 2010. Rossum will also serve as general counsel of AirTran Holdings. Rossum, 47, will succeed Richard P. Magurno, who has been senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of both AirTran Airways and AirTran Holdings since August 2000. Magurno, 67, will continue with the Company as senior vice president and corporate secretary of both companies and manage certain litigation matters for AirTran through the date of his planned retirement in 2011. In his new role, Rossum will oversee legal and government affairs and will continue to handle certain of his current business responsibilities including aircraft financing and other strategic and transactional matters. Both executives will continue to report to Robert L. Fornaro, AirTran Airways' chairman, president, and chief executive officer.