Travel Update-Weekly Edition

April 19th, 2007

Los Angeles International Airport - Several major U.S. carriers have matched the $10 surcharge United Airlines began levying on flights last week departing from Los Angeles International Airport. American Airlines and US Airways confirmed a similar surcharge, and sources said Northwest and Delta also have joined the fold. Continental Airlines, however, said it is not imposing the fee for flights out of LAX.

 

Morocco - Speaking after a government meeting on April 18 in the Moroccan capital of Rabat, a top Moroccan official warned that the country is facing an "extreme" threat of more terror attacks in Casablanca and other cities following a series of suicide bombings on March 11 and April 10-11. He also confirmed that Moroccan authorities are on high alert and have stepped up security at consulates, hotels frequented by foreigners and religious sites.

 

Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport - Paris Charles de Gaulle recently began operating its people mover train. The driverless train links the three terminals, the parking lots and local train stations. The system is about 2.2 miles long and has five stops. Trains runs every four minutes. A flower trail featuring Japanese azalea, magnolia and white wisteria blossoms has been created along the train line.

 

 

 

Indonesia - On April 17, the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta issued the following Warden Message: "Indonesia has suffered a series of serious aviation incidents and accidents in recent months that raise questions about the safety practices of Indonesian air carriers and their oversight by the Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). On April 16, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it had revised Indonesia's safety oversight category from Category 1 to Category 2 due to serious concerns about DGCA's safety oversight and operational control systems. Category 2 indicates that the FAA has assessed the Government of Indonesia's Civil Aviation Authority as not being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for the oversight of Indonesia's air carrier operations. "It is important to note that the FAA category designation is different from that used by the DCGA in its March 22 media release outlining the results of an operational performance assessment for all domestic air carriers. The assessment examined the performance of airlines using 20 different criteria; however, the DGCA has not identified detailed methodology supporting the ratings. Categories as defined in the media release, and DGCA domestic airline assessments, are as follows:

*Category One: Airline meets all requirements of civil aviation safety regulations: No Indonesian air carrier was found to meet minimum civil aviation safety standards.

*Category Two: Airline has met minimal requirements of civil aviation safety regulations, but some requirements have not been implemented: Garuda Indonesia, Merpati Nusantara Airlines, Lion Mentari Airlines, Sriwijaya Air, Wing Abadi Airlines, Indonesia Air Asia, Pelita Air Service, Riau Airlines, Trigana Air Service, Travel Express Aviation Service, Republic Express Airlines, and Express Transportasi Antarbenua.

*Category Three: Airline has met minimal requirements of civil aviation safety regulations, but some requirements have not been implemented, which may reduce safety levels: Metro Batavia, AdamSky Connections Airlines, Kartika Airlines, Trans Wisata Air, Jatayu Gelang Sejahtera, PT. Dirgantara Air Service, Tri MG, Intra Asia Airlines, Manunggal Air Service.

Whenever possible, Americans traveling to and from Indonesia should fly directly to their destinations on international carriers from countries whose civil aviation authorities meet international aviation safety standards for the oversight of their air carrier operations under the FAA's International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program. "The U.S. Embassy reminds Americans in Indonesia of the continued serious security threat to Americans and other westerners in Indonesia. The Embassy urges Americans to remain vigilant about security at all times. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time and could be directed against any location, including those frequented by foreigners and identifiably American or other western facilities or businesses in Indonesia. Such targets could include but are not limited to places where Americans and other Westerners live, work, congregate, shop or visit, including hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, identifiably western businesses, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools or public recreation events. While past terrorist attacks have involved the use of vehicle-borne explosives or suicide bombers carrying explosives in backpacks, terrorists may use other forms of attack in the future. Terrorists may target individual American citizen residents, visitors, students, or tourists, and tactics could include but are not limited to kidnapping, shooting, or poisoning."

 

Nigeria - On April 19 the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos issued the following Warden Message regarding upcoming presidential elections in Nigeria: "This Warden message is being issued to inform American citizens in Nigeria about a noticeable increase in violent crime and of an increase in public political activities, some of which have been occasioned by violence, in connection with the upcoming elections. 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 areas of demonstrations if possible and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. Given the possibility of some localized disturbances during this period, the U.S. Consulate General Lagos has advised its American citizen personnel and family members that they must obtain prior approval from the Regional Security Officer (RSO) to travel outside of their residential compounds on Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22. The U.S. Mission also reminds American citizens of the travel restrictions established by the Government of Nigeria during the conduct of elections on April 21. For the days not covered above, the U.S. Mission continues to recommend that American citizens avoid restaurants, bars, and night clubs between the hours of 10:00pm and 6:00am. We have recommended that our staff evaluate their current personal contingency/emergency planning and at a minimum take the following precautions:

*Fully fuel and inspect motor vehicles to ensure they are properly functioning

*Stock up on food and water so that you have sufficient stores to last several days

*Check locks and doors and remain in positive control over all keys to entry ways, doors, and locks

*Ensure mobile phones are fully charged

*Have on hand a basic first aid kit

We continue to advise all Americans to review their security procedures, remain vigilant to their surroundings, and report specific incidences of targeted violence to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U. S. Consulate General in Lagos at the numbers below."

Previous Updates

April 19, 2007
April 12, 2007
April 9, 2007
March 21, 2007
March 21, 2007
March 15, 2007
March 8, 2007
March 1, 2007
February 22, 2007
February 15, 2007
February 8, 2007
February 1, 2007
January 29, 2007
January 25, 2007
January 18, 2007
January 15, 2007
December 28, 2006
December 27, 2006
December 21, 2006
December 20, 2006
December 14, 2006
December 7, 2006
December 5, 2006
December 1, 2006
November 30, 2006
November 22, 2006
November 17, 2006
November 16, 2006
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