Ryanair announced a new bid to take over Aer Lingus today, two years after it failed to buy the Irish airline with an unsuccessful offer. Already, Ryanair – Europe’s largest low-cost airline – owns almost 30 percent of Aer Lingus, and a spokesperson for the carrier says the airline believes it will now win the approval of the Irish government and other Aer Lingus shareholders for the purchase.

Numerous airlines have posted airfare sales this week. Cayman Airways is promoting $99 one-way fares from Washington, D.C., to Grand Cayman for booking through Dec. 8. Air Jamaica is offering deals for booking by today (Dec. 1) for travel Jan. 6-March 31, 2009. And, LAN will give your clients special fares for flights to South America for booking by Dec. 10 to travel Feb. 1-June 15, 2009.

Lufthansa plans to launch Lufthansa Italia, a new subsidiary based in Italy that will begin offering flights from northern Italy to major European destinations.

British Airways will resume flying between London and Saudi Arabia next March.