Travel Update-Weekly Edition
August 2nd, 2007
Airline
News
AirTran Airways -
Beginning Nov. 15, AirTran will add nonstop service between St. Louis
and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in Florida. The carrier will fly
one daily round-trip flight on the route.
American Airlines -
Beginning Sept. 5, American Airlines will add one additional daily
round-trip flight each on seven existing routes from its St. Louis hub. The
additional flights will fly between St. Louis and Cedar Rapids, Iowa (for a
total of three daily round-trip flights); Charlotte (four); Dayton (three); New
Orleans (four); Newark Liberty (six); Springfield, Mo. (two); and Tulsa (three).
American Eagle, the regional affiliate of
American Airlines, will add nonstop service between LaGuardia International
Airport (LGA) and Bishop International Airport in Flint, Mich. (FNT), beginning
Nov. 4. American Eagle will operate round-trip service between the two cities
using 37-seat Embraer ERJ-135 jets. American Eagle serves Flint with four daily
nonstops to Chicago O’Hare International Airport and will begin nonstop service
to Dallas/Fort Worth on Sept. 5, with two flights daily.
American Airlines said that will
begin testing in-flight broadband Internet early next year. The airline will
conduct the test on its 15 Boeing 767-200 aircraft that fly transcontinental
routes, making it one of the first domestic carriers to offer passengers
broadband service. AMR will consider rolling it out to the rest of the fleet if
the test is successful, the company said. The fee-based service will provide
passengers with wireless Internet connections for laptops, smart phones and
other personal digital assistants equipped with Wi-Fi
antennae. The system will block the use of Internet-based telephone
services.
Cathay Pacific Airways -
Cathay Pacific Airways announced on July 31 that it will be introducing
a third daily service between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport
(JFK) and Hong Kong starting on November 15, 2007. The additional daily
non-stop service from New York, scheduled for a 9 a.m. departure, will now
provide passengers with morning, afternoon and evening options for travel to
Hong Kong and beyond. While announcing the New York non-stop service addition,
Cathay Pacific also confirmed that this launch will coincide with the
introduction of the airline's new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and its much
anticipated and innovative new long-haul product to New York passengers. Cathay
Pacific's long-haul product will include brand new seating, cabin design and
in-flight entertainment across First, Business and Economy classes.
Delta Air Lines -
Beginning Dec. 10, Delta regional affiliate ExpressJet will add Delta
Connection service from the New Mexico state capital to both Los Angeles (two
daily round-trip flights) and Salt Lake City (four daily round-trip flights).
The flights will be operated on 50-seat Embraer regional
jets.
Delta Air Lines has changed their fee for
same day confirmed flight change. The same-day confirmed option
allows traveler to change the flight time on the same day of travel
for a fee of $50. To use the same-day confirmed option, travelers must
confirm their new flight within 3 hours of the scheduled departure time.
If a traveler has a flexible fare (usually a refundable
ticket), they may be able to change the itinerary without a
fee. Travelers can use the same-day confirmed option for travel within the
United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Delta and
Delta Connection® flights. Limitations: This option is limited to specific
flight routing and connection changes.
*Travelers can change from a
connection flight to a nonstop/direct flight.
*Traveler will be booked in the same class
of service that they were originally ticketed.
*A $150 fee applies to restricted Delta
Shuttle fares when changing to a peak flight time.
If the traveler is a Medallion member
currently confirmed for an upgrade in V class, they will be rebooked in
Coach class and need to request a an upgrade for the new flight. The
following are not permissible:
*No changes between origin, destination,
or co-terminals (such as New York’s LaGuardia and JFK airports).
*No changes to routing for fares that are
flight specific or require specific routing.
Service Charges: Travelers can
confirm a new flight for $50 within 3 hours of the departure time.
If they are changing prior to 3 hours of the flight departure time, the
standard rules of each fare will apply. Example: If you are scheduled on a
9:00am flight and would like to take a 7:00pm flight on the same day, you can
request the same-day confirm option as early as 4:00pm. If you request a change
prior to 3 hours of the flight departure time, the standard rules of your fare
will apply.
Frontier Airlines -
Beginning Dec. 15, Frontier Airlines will add nonstop service from
Milwaukee to Cancun. The carrier will fly one round-trip flight between the
cities every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday using Airbus A319 jets. Frontier
will drop to one weekly flight during non-peak periods and will be the only
carrier with regularly scheduled service between Milwaukee and Cancun.
Frontier's Mexico-bound flights will leave Milwaukee at 2:40 p.m. and land in
Cancun at 6:10 p.m., all times local. Return flights leave Cancun at 7 p.m. and
arrive in Milwaukee at 10:50 p.m.
JetBlue Airways - JetBlue
unveiled plans for nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale and Ponce, Puerto
Rico. That route will begin Nov. 5. The southbound flight leaves Fort Lauderdale
at 11:55 p.m. and arrives in Ponce at 3:25 a.m. (all times local). The return
leaves Ponce at 4:35 a.m. and lands in Fort Lauderdale at 6:20 a.m.
Northwest Airlines -
Northwest Airlines and its pilots made a deal Wednesday, Aug.
1, that would ease pilots' workloads in an effort to stop the
end-of-the-month cancellations that have plagued the airline. Northwest was
forced to cancel hundreds of flights at the end of June and July because it
couldn't find enough pilots. The agreement would have to be ratified by the
rank-and-file. That could happen as soon as Saturday, the pilots union said. The
tentative agreement would pay pilots time-and-a-half for flying hours over 80 in
a month. Cancellations spiked at the end of the month as pilots ran out of hours
they were allowed to fly.
Singapore Airlines -
Singapore Airlines , the world's biggest airline by stock market value, said on
Thursday that it would raise the surcharge on tickets due to rising jet fuel
prices in recent months. The
state-controlled company said in a statement that it would raise the charge by
$9 to $98 per sector for flights between the city-state and the
United States and
Canada. The charge will increase by $2 to $22 for flights from
Singapore to regional
destinations including Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. The
charge will be raised by $5 to $63 on all other
flights. The hikes
in fuel surcharges will be implemented from Aug.
2.
Spirit Airlines - Beginning Nov. 1, Spirit Airlines will
begin daily nonstop service from its Fort Lauderdale
hub to Ponce, Puerto Rico. The carrier will fly one daily round-trip flight on
the route. The flight to Ponce leaves Fort Lauderdale at 11:30 p.m. and lands in
Puerto Rico at 3 a.m. The return flight leaves Ponce at 3:50 a.m. and lands in
Fort Lauderdale at 5:35 a.m.
Beginning
Nov. 10, Spirit Airlines will add nonstop service between its Fort
Lauderdale hub and Aruba. The carrier will operate one round-trip flight every
Saturday.
Airport/Destination
News
Atlanta Hartfield-Jackson
International Airport - Sometimes planes landing at
Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport can't find an unoccupied gate to
pull up to. In the past, they simply sat and waited, sometimes for 30 minutes or
more as passengers fumed. Airport officials now say they have a quick fix - a
group of buses that can transport travelers and their baggage from the stranded
plane to the terminal. The new system, now being tested, includes a special
staging area called "hard stands" where the stranded planes can be parked. The
system could be in use in a month or so, airport officials said. The city of
Atlanta, which
runs the world's busiest airport, has approved $2.5 million for the project,
which includes four buses that can carry about 100 passengers
each.
Brazil - The
main runway at Congonhas Airport (SBSP/CGH) in Sao Paulo was reopened
on July 27 after inspections were completed by the country's defense
minister. The airstrip had been shut down following a crash on July 17 when a TAM Airlines Airbus 320 overshot the
runway in wet conditions. Arrivals will be restricted to the auxiliary runway in
wet weather for several weeks as the main landing strip is resurfaced to improve
water drainage.
Rental Car
News
Enterprise, Alamo & National -
On Wednesday, Aug. 1, the
owners of Enterprise Rent-A-Car announced they have completed the purchase of
Vanguard Car Rental and its National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car businesses
from Cerberus Capital Management LP. Terms of the transaction between the two
privately held companies were not disclosed. On March 30, 2007, Andrew C.
Taylor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, announced
his family had entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Vanguard. The
transaction closed today. The
Taylors, who own and operate Enterprise, announced they will operate Vanguard
and its National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car businesses as an independent
subsidiary separate from Enterprise for the foreseeable future. Joint teams from
both Enterprise and Vanguard have, however, already begun an integration review
process. “Over time and with careful study, we will determine how best to join
these operations and create the most comprehensive service provider in the
history of this industry,” said Taylor. “Already on ‘Day 1’ we are implementing
programs that allow each company’s corporate customers to participate in
programs offered by its new sister company; for example, offering free
memberships in National’s Emerald Club for Enterprise corporate customers.” “All
of us on both sides of this transaction are now part of a family-owned company
that is dedicated to three things: 1) Listening to and satisfying our customers;
2) Creating opportunities for our employees; and 3) Achieving long-term
sustainable growth,” said Taylor. “And starting today, we are better positioned
to deliver against these three goals than at any time in the collective
histories of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car.”
The combination of Enterprise and Vanguard under common ownership creates a
rental car operation that is unparalleled in size and financial strength and
stability. The totals for the two businesses include: $11.7 billion in annual
revenue; 10,683 locations; 1.1 million vehicles; and 74,169
employees
Miscellaneous
State
Dept Travel Warnings and Public announcements - For the full
announcements or further detail on Travel Warnings and Public Announcements,
please see http://travel.state.gov/travel
Afghanistan - The U.S. Embassy in Kabul released the
following Warden Message on July 29:
"The U.S. Embassy wishes to inform American citizens in Afghanistan that it
has received information regarding a possible threat against Kabul University
involving an improvised explosive device. Although the credibility of this
reported threat has not yet been determined, employees of the U.S. Embassy are
deferring any visits to Kabul University for the near term. "The Embassy
reminds Americans that they should restrict their own travel in Kabul to
essential business only and to consider the current threat environment when
planning necessary travel around the city. "The Embassy urges Americans to
practice good security measures: be aware of your surroundings; vary your
times and routes of travel; avoid traveling after dark; do not travel alone;
avoid crowded areas and demonstrations; avoid Afghan and international
government buildings and compounds; do not approach any international or local
military or government convoys."
Bahrain - On July 26, the U.S. Embassy in Manama issued the
following Warden Message: "Pursuant to Embassy efforts to advise U.S. citizens
in Bahrain of events or gatherings that may affect them, the following
information is provided. Please understand that protests are often spontaneous
and will periodically occur due to local issues or worldwide events.
Accordingly, all American citizens should monitor events in the local press
and be aware of their surroundings at all times. We wish to remind Americans
that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and
possibly escalate into violence. If you find yourself encountering large
unexpected gatherings or demonstrations, you should simply depart the
vicinity. Upcoming events may include: Friday, July 27 - At
approximately 4:30p.m. local time, a gathering is expected to
take place in Manama. The gathering will begin in Ras Raman (near the Sheraton
Hotel). Embassy reminds that demonstrations and rioting can occur with little
or no warning."
Ecuador - On July 30, the U.S. Embassy in Quito issued the
following Warden Message: "This Warden Message is being released to remind
U.S. citizens that the hotel zone in the vicinity of Avenida 12 de Octubre and
Calle Cordero continues to be a popular target area for thieves and muggers.
Criminals are drawn to this and other hotel areas, attracted by the large
number of foreign tourists whom they view as affluent, easy targets. Recently,
an American Embassy Employee was robbed and assaulted on 12 de Octubre while
walking in this zone. The assailants approached on a motorcycle, dismounted,
and robbed him at gunpoint. Americans should exercise caution, be aware of
their surroundings, and maintain a low profile when moving about the hotel
zone. Leave valuables, including passports, at home or in your hotel safe.
Whenever possible, do not walk alone, especially after dark. Carrying
briefcases or laptop bags while walking in the hotel zone appears to increase
the chance that a person may be targeted for this kind of incident. If
confronted, try to remain calm, obey the robber’s instructions and offer no
resistance. Do not make any furtive or quick movements that could be
misinterpreted. Surrender all property as requested. Police and Embassy
reporting suggests that most criminals in the Quito area who use some sort of
weapon in the commission of their criminal acts do so for intimidation
purposes only; robberies that escalate into violent assault are not the norm,
and violence is the exception if the victim cooperates and offers up his/her
property without resistance.
India -
On July 30, the U.S. Consulate
General Kolkata issued the following Warden Message: "The Government of India
has confirmed a localized outbreak of Avian Influenza, H5N1 strain, in the
Northeastern Indian state of Manipur. The outbreak is in the town of
Chingmeirong, north of the state capital Imphal. American citizens traveling
to Manipur should take all necessary precautions. The outbreak has affected
poultry but there are no reported human
cases."
South Africa - On July 27, the U.S. Consulate
General in Johannesburg issued the following Warden Message: "In recent weeks,
there has been an increase in the number of protests by residents upset with
the lack of service delivery and poor living conditions in their
neighborhoods. These protests have taken place primarily in and around nearby
townships, including Soweto, Alexandra, the Central Business District (CBD),
and Mamelodi (near Pretoria). These protests are often spontaneous with the
potential for violence. Protestors have used burning tires and other debris to
block roads; thrown rocks at passing vehicles and police officers; and
assaulted municipal officials attempting to restore order. Police regularly
use stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse crowds. "Demonstrations and
marches are not spectator events. We remind American citizens that
demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly
escalate into violence. Based on these potential hazards, American citizens
should exercise caution when driving in and around the areas mentioned. Every
effort should be made to avoid driving near such a protest. If you find
yourself in the middle of such activity, make sure your car windows are up and
doors are locked; move out of the area as quickly and safely as possible. Stay
informed about protests and road conditions by listening to local radio
stations (i.e. 92.7FM Talk Radio 702 or 105.1
SAFM)."
Yemen - On July 28, the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa released the
following Warden Message: "The U.S. Embassy has instructed official Americans
and their families to continue to maintain a low profile in Sanaa, avoiding
stores, hotels and restaurants where large groups of Westerners have gathered
or that do not have vehicle inspection programs and secure parking and dining
areas. Official travel outside Sanaa will be limited to mission essential
activities. The US Embassy will continue to monitor the security situation in
Yemen and ensure American citizens are informed of any developments."
Airline passengers with transit
connections in the European Union (EU)
may no longer have to surrender bottles of alcohol or perfume purchased
at non-EU airports under rules adopted by the EU executive on
Tuesday. Last year the EU limited air
passengers to carrying small containers of liquids or gels in sealed plastic
bags on board planes after British authorities said they had foiled an attempt
to blow up aircraft using liquid explosives.
But duty-free items bought at airports outside the EU became a casualty
of the new rules. Passengers who bought whiskey or other liquid items outside of
Europe had to give them up when changing planes in the EU, even though the items
would have been purchased after security checkpoints in the departure
country. The European Commission said the
new measures would allow passengers to keep such products if they were purchased
in countries with security standards that match those of the 27-nation EU. The
Commission will examine airport security standards in other countries, sometimes
by sending EU experts to conduct inspections, and will then exempt passengers
from handing over liquid products if their home countries make the grade. A spokesman for Transport Commissioner Jacques
Barrot said the focus would initially be on nations with high numbers of
passengers flying to the EU, such as the United States, Russia, and
Singapore. The Commission would verify
especially that the "supply chain" at retail shops in non-European nations was
safe. "If the Commission considers the
security measures applied by third countries in relation to liquids as
equivalent and the country also applies satisfactory overall standards of
aviation security, the Commission will decide to grant exemptions," it said in a
statement. "The first decisions on
exemptions are expected in the autumn of this
year."
On
July 31, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced
contract awards to begin testing millimeter wave imaging machines, as
well as additional backscatter machines, at airport security checkpoints in
Phoenix, Los Angeles, and New York-JFK in the coming months. These passenger imaging technologies
enable TSA to screen passengers for prohibited items on their person quickly,
unobtrusively and without physical contact, detecting weapons, explosives and
other metallic and non-metallic threat items concealed under layers of
clothing.
July 26, 2007
July 20, 2007
July 12, 2007
May 31, 2007
May 17, 2007
May 10, 2007
May 3, 2007
April 27, 2007
April 26, 2007
April 19, 2007
April 12, 2007
April 9, 2007
