Travel Update-Weekly Edition

November 13th, 2006

American Airlines - Starting next Friday, Nov. 17, American Airlines will resume seasonal non-stop service between Miami and Montevideo, Uruguay. The carrier's non-stop Montevideo flights will operate three times a week and are currently scheduled to run through April 10. On days the non-stop Montevideo flights do not operate, AA will continue to fly its current schedule of service to the city via Buenos Aires. American will operate its Miami-Montevideo flights using Boeing 767 jets with 30 business-class seats and 182 in coach.

 

Maylasia Airlines - Beginning Jan. 16, Malaysia Airlines will upgrade the schedule for its Los Angeles-Taipei-Kuala Lampur route to daily service. The carrier just last week added a sixth weekly flight on the route. Malaysia Air will operate the route using Boeing 747-400 aircraft, which the airline says in a press release has "recently have been renovated with the latest technology in sleeper seats and in-flight entertainment."

 

Southwest Airlines - Beginning Dec. 20, Southwest Airlines will add non-stop service between Detroit and Orlando. The carrier already offers connecting service between the cities. Also on Dec. 20, Southwest will add a second daily non-stop flight between Denver and Orlando.

 

United Airlines - United Airlines will add service to Huntsville, AL. with non-stop flights to its hubs at Washington Dulles and Denver. United Express partner SkyWest will begin one daily round-trip flight to Denver on Feb. 14. On April 9, United Express partner Mesa begins two daily round-trip flights to Washington Dulles.

 

 

 

Hotel News

 

Bangladesh - On November 8, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Public Announcement regarding Bangladesh: "This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Bangladesh to recent events related to the security situation in Bangladesh. American citizens are urged to continue to monitor events closely and remain vigilant with regard to their personal security while in the country. This Public Announcement expires on 6 May 2007. "In late October 2006, political violence erupted in Dhaka and provincial cities, killing approximately 15 people and wounding several hundred. The political opposition successfully shut down the country's major port in Chittagong, border entry points from India, and major highways leading to Dhaka and Chittagong. All modes of transportation, including rail and river, were temporarily disrupted. "An interim 'caretaker' government took office at the end of October to begin preparations for general elections anticipated for January 2007. The two main political parties - the former ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the opposition Awami League - have failed to agree on key modalities for the elections. "Based on experience from elections in 2001, the Embassy expects the situation throughout Bangladesh to remain uncertain through January 2007. During that four-month election cycle, nearly 400 people were reported killed and over 17,000 injured. "Transportation networks and other services may be disrupted by sporadic local or countrywide general strikes (hartals). The Embassy advises all Americans traveling or residing in Bangladesh to keep abreast of developments when planning travel. American citizens in Bangladesh should remain vigilant and avoid large crowds and political demonstrations."

 

Fiji - On November 3, the U.S. Department of State issued a Public Announcement for Fiji: "This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in the Republic of the Fiji Islands to the recent deterioration of civilian-military relations in Fiji and to threats by some elements of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces of possible action against the democratically elected government.  Of special concern is the military commander’s public threat  to forcibly remove the government  if it does not accede to his demands.  At present, Fiji remains calm; however, the security situation could deteriorate without warning.  This Public Announcement expires on December 4. The Department of State advises all American citizens contemplating travel to Fiji to be aware of the escalation in civil-military tensions.  All American citizens in Fiji are urged to continue to monitor events closely and to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security.  Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid any political or military demonstrations, and at a minimum to exercise caution in the vicinity of any demonstrations. The Department of State and the Embassy in Suva are continuing to follow developments closely."

 

Jordan - On November 5, the U.S. Embassy in Amman issued the following Warden Message: "On November 5, the Iraqi High Tribunal in Baghdad, Iraq reached a verdict in the trial of ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Mr. Hussein was found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. This verdict may prompt anti-American demonstrations. We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the area of demonstrations and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. American citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security."

 

Kenya -On November 2, a Warden Message from the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa was posted. The message reads as follows: "The US Embassy in Addis Ababa wishes to alert American citizens living and traveling in Ethiopia to reports of credible terrorist threats emanating from extremist elements within Somalia which target Ethiopia, Kenya, and other surrounding countries. These threats envision suicide explosions at prominent landmarks within Kenya and Ethiopia. American citizens are advised to remain vigilant and to be cautious when frequenting prominent public places and landmarks."

 

Nigeria - On November 3, the U.S. Consulate in Lagos issued a Warden Message regarding potential bombing attacks and continued kidnapping, which reads in part as follows: "The U.S. Government has learned that as of late October 2006, a militant Niger Delta group may have finalized its plans for a unified attack against oil facilities in the Niger Delta region. The attacks allegedly will be carried out sometime during the first week of November and will include 10 to 20 simultaneous bombings of land-based targets and a series of separate attacks on oil installations in which expatriate workers will be taken hostage. There are no details available as to the specific targets of the attack. "Additionally, on November 2 two expatriate oil workers, including an American, were kidnapped off a marine vessel near Bayelsa State. This act indicates a continuation of the violence seen since earlier this year in the Niger Delta region. The Consulate strongly advises all American citizens to exercise caution in their daily activities, and to avoid travel to the Niger Delta region. Americans in the area should limit their travel, particularly at night, and should avoid public venues whenever possible. Americans should review their security procedures, remain vigilant to their surroundings, and report specific incidences of targeted violence to the U.S. Consulate in Lagos."

 

Pakistan - On November 9, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad issued the following Warden Message: "On November 8 a suicide attack was conducted against the Dargai Fort, a Pakistani military base located approximately 50 miles north of Peshawar in the North West Frontier Province Malakand District. The attack killed at least 42 Pakistani soldiers. It is believed the blast was in retaliation to the operation carried out on October 30 by the Pakistani military on the alleged terrorist training camp at Bajaur. "We recommend that American citizens postpone travel to Peshawar today or Friday, 10 November. U.S. citizens may want to limit nonessential travel around the city, and are reminded to examine their personal security practices. "The Embassy would like to remind the American citizen community of the need to stay alert, be aware of your surroundings, vary times and routes, reduce travel to minimum acceptable levels, act self-defensively at all times, and avoid all demonstration activity. We remind American citizens that threats, protests and demonstrations may occur throughout Pakistan without prior notice or warning."

 

Previous Updates

November 13, 2006
October 26, 2006
October 19, 2006
October 12, 2006
September 22, 2006
September 19, 2006
September 19, 2006
September 19, 2006
September 14, 2006
September 7, 2006
August 31, 2006
August 25, 2006
August 24, 2006
August 22, 2006
August 17, 2006
August 14, 2006
August 11, 2006
August 11, 2006
August 10, 2006
August 10, 2006
August 3, 2006
July 27, 2006
July 20, 2006
July 13, 2006
July 5, 2006
June 29, 2006
June 22, 2006
June 15, 2006
June 8, 2006
June 1, 2006
May 25, 2006
May 18, 2006
May 11, 2006
May 4, 2006
April 27, 2006
April 20, 2006
April 13, 2006
April 12, 2006
April 7, 2006
April 4, 2006
March 30, 2006
March 23, 2006
March 16, 2006
March 9, 2006
March 2, 2006
February 23, 2006
February 16, 2006
February 9, 2006
February 6, 2006
January 26, 2006
January 19, 2006
January 12, 2006
January 5, 2006
January 3, 2006