Travel Update-Weekly Edition

August 16th, 2007

Airline News

 

Cayman Airways is working with Continental and other airline partners to rebook ticketed passengers, both to/from Houston and those connecting in Houston.

Rental Car News 

 

 

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

Burundi - On August 9, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning: "This Travel Warning is being re-issued to provide updated security information on the situation in Burundi and to remind Americans of precautions to take while traveling in Burundi. "The Department of State continues to caution U.S. citizens traveling to Burundi. Burundi was plagued by a civil war from 1993 to 2006 that often involved non-government, non-combatant targets. In September 2006, the government and the last remaining hold-out rebel group from the peace process, the PALIPEHUTU - FNL, signed a cease-fire agreement. While many of the cease-fire provisions have not been implemented and the rebels still retain the capability to conduct indirect fire attacks on the capital, Bujumbura has remained free of attacks since July 2006. Rebels are still present throughout Bujumbura Rural, which surrounds the capital city. "Crime, often committed by groups of armed bandits or street children, poses the highest risk for foreign visitors to Bujumbura and Burundi in general. Common crimes include muggings, burglaries, robberies, and carjackings. Visitors should be careful when stopped in heavy traffic due to the threat of robbery by roving bands of criminals. The U.S. Embassy has received reports of armed criminals ambushing vehicles, particularly on the roads leading out of Bujumbura. U.S. Government personnel are restricted from walking on the streets during the hours of darkness, and prohibited from using local public transportation. Due to insufficient resources, local authorities in any part of Burundi are often unable to provide timely assistance in case of need. "Adult dependents of U.S. Embassy personnel in Burundi were authorized to return to Burundi in June 2006. Nonetheless, Embassy employees are still subject to certain travel restrictions. Certain areas of the capital of Bujumbura are off-limits to Embassy personnel. In addition, the Embassy’s Regional Security Officer must pre-approve all travel outside the capital by U.S. Embassy personnel, and employees must travel in two-vehicle convoys. The Embassy recommends that Americans not travel on national highways from dusk to dawn. ..." Adult dependents of U.S. Embassy personnel in Burundi were authorized to return to Burundi in June 2006. Nonetheless, Embassy employees are still subject to certain travel restrictions. Certain areas of the capital of Bujumbura are off-limits to Embassy personnel. In addition, the Embassy’s Regional Security Officer must pre-approve all travel outside the capital by U.S. Embassy personnel, and employees must travel in two-vehicle convoys. The Embassy recommends that Americans not travel on national highways from dusk to dawn."

 

Central African Republic - On August 9, the U.S. Department of State issued a Travel Warning, which reads in part as follows: "This Travel Warning is being reissued to alert Americans of heightened security concerns as a result of fighting between rebels and government forces in the north prefectures of the country. "American citizens are strongly advised not to travel to the Central African Republic (CAR) until further notice. Active rebel movements are still present in the northern regions of the country. In the northwestern prefectures of Ouham and Ouham-Pende, roadblocks by rebels and by government forces pose a serious and continuing threat to aid workers and travelers. Fighting between rebels and government forces has forced much of the population near the town of Ngaounday to flee into neighboring Cameroon and Chad. An expatriate aid worker was killed in an attack on a well-marked vehicle north of Bocaranga in June 2007. "U.S.-sponsored development and aid work in the northwest area has been temporarily suspended, and U.S. Government employees on temporary duty and other contract visitors to the Mission will not be allowed to visit the northwestern or northeastern CAR prefectures without specific authorization of the Chief of Mission. "Rebels and armed men are also present in the northeastern Vakaga prefecture, and pose a threat to travelers in that area. The rebels wish to overthrow the constitutionally-elected president and seek new elections, and continue to pose a threat to travelers despite recent tentative steps in the peace process. "In addition, highway bandits ('coupeurs de route' in French) pose a serious threat to travelers throughout the country. Two World Health Organization physicians were murdered by unidentified assailants outside Bossembélé in April 2006. There have been repeated attacks on Central African and expatriate travelers on the Berberati-Carnot-Baoro-Bouar-Bozoum axis. The U.S. Embassy in Bangui strongly discourages American citizens, including aid, development, and religious workers, from traveling on these roads at any time of day or night. "Poachers and armed men also pose a threat to game hunters in the north central CAR, in and around the 'Parc National de Bamingui-Bangoran.' A French hunter was murdered in a targeted attack on a hunting party that included an American outside the town of Ndélé in April 2007. The poachers in this area are heavily armed, often with automatic weapons, and outside local and national government authority. "The Central African government is unable to guarantee the safety of visitors in most parts of the country. The U.S. Embassy advises its personnel to exercise caution in traveling to all parts of the country. In addition to the above warnings, the Embassy recommends that Americans traveling outside the capital not travel with a CAR military escort, or any armed escort, as the armed escort may draw fire from rebel troops. "U.S. citizens already in the Central African Republic should contact the American Embassy in Bangui to verify their locations and contact points. They should avoid travel outside the capital unless absolutely necessary and exercise caution at all times, particularly at public gatherings. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the area around the Presidential Palace in Bangui and to exercise caution if they encounter presidential guards. The presidential guards have various checkpoints around the Palace and have harassed official personnel driving in that area. "There are approximately 300 peacekeeping troops from neighboring member countries of the Economic and Monetary Union of Central Africa (CEMAC) that move in and out of the capital. CAR security forces, sometimes with French military assistance, staff checkpoints throughout the city. Some crimes are perpetrated by uniformed CAR security and military personnel. In particular, military elements charged with presidential security are likely to be aggressive and belligerent. Activities of the Presidential Guard throughout the CAR indicate that they operate with near-total impunity."

 

Fiji - On August 9, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Public Announcement: "This public announcement is updated to reflect the current security situation in Fiji. The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to the Republic of Fiji due to the current unstable environment in the country. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement issued on June 12 and expires on October 31, 2007. "On December 5, 2006, the Commander of Fiji’s military deposed the lawfully elected government of Fiji. An unelected interim government was later established. While a State of Emergency is no longer in effect, some basic rights remain uncertain. The independence of Fiji’s law enforcement and judicial systems appears to have been compromised, putting into question protections ordinarily afforded by the rule of law. "While Fiji is currently calm, political and economic uncertainties continue. Ongoing public-sector strikes and other potential labor actions could affect public services such as health care. Police checkpoints remain in place in and around major population centers. The security situation, especially in Suva, could deteriorate rapidly."

 

Philippines - The U.S. Embassy in Manila issued the following Warden Message on August 12: "The Embassy highlights that as of mid August there is a continuing terrorist threat in central Mindanao to include Cotabato City. The threat could affect such public places as bus terminals and shopping malls. U.S. citizens should exercise extreme caution in central Mindanao. "U.S. citizens living and working in central Mindanao are urged to reassess their personal security and to keep a low profile, and should avoid public gathering places."

 

United Kingdom - On August 14, the U.S. Embassy in London issued a Warden Message, which reads in part: "The Camp for Climate Action is holding a gathering near Heathrow Airport from Sunday, August 12, to Tuesday, August 21. The Camp is intended to highlight issues around the air travel industry and its alleged impact on climate change. "The protesters have declared their intention to highlight their cause by disrupting Heathrow's day-to-day operations. Protesters are expected to conduct numerous 'Direct Actions' at various strategic locations around the airport. These likely will take the form of small groups blocking/disrupting roads, offices, car parks, or any other venue associated with the air travel industry. As well as the week-long plans for 'Direct Actions,' there are plans for 24 hours of 'Mass Action' between midday on Sunday, August 19, and midday on Monday, August 20 when the number of demonstrators, and the potential for disruption, is expected to increase. "If traveling by car or taxi to/from Heathrow through August 21, please allow plenty of extra time for your journey - it is highly likely you will be delayed. You may want to consider other transportation options, such as the train or Underground. If you are collecting a visitor arriving at Heathrow, give prior warning that you may be delayed getting to the airport."

 

 

The Transportation Security Administration this fall plans to test with select airlines the latest version of its Secure Flight passenger-prescreening program, through which the government, rather than the airlines, would check passenger data against government watchlists in efforts to bolster air travel security.
TSA said it plans the domestic portion of the program to be completed in the first year following approval, with the international component completed in the second year. TSA today outlined the latest incarnation of the program in a proposed rulemaking, saying it has revamped Secure Flight to address privacy, operational and cost concerns, among others. The program's previous attempts to launch came undone after failing to meet standards set by Congress. TSA today said it plans to merge international prescreening components of the Custom and Border Protection's Advance Passenger Information System with the Secure Flight program. The Department of Homeland Security today separately published a final ruling on the APIS program to enable the U.S. government to collect flight manifests for international flights departing or entering the country. TSA said it would seek comments on the Secure Flight program for 60 days following today's filing. The proposed program would give TSA access to more passenger data with which to compare against the government's No Fly watchlist, which it said would create "more accurate, timely, and comprehensive screening, and a reduction in false positives." However, by TSA's estimates, the program could add time to the reservations process and create additional costs for travel agencies and airlines.

 

A leading supplier of toiletries for luxury hotels recalled complimentary tubes of Chinese-made toothpaste worldwide Monday after tests showed some contain a potentially toxic chemical. It was the latest in a series of recalls of Chinese-made goods - toothpaste, children's toys, tires and pet food - because of shoddy and perhaps dangerous manufacturing methods. Gilchrist & Soames said it is recalling its 0.65-once tubes with the name Gilchrist & Soames on it. The company said Monday some samples showed the tubes contained diethylene glycol, a chemical found in antifreeze that can be toxic to the kidneys and liver. "They're just the kind of little complimentary size you get in the hotels, and its branded Gilchrist & Soames on it," said Cindy Duran, a spokeswoman for the company, which is based in Indianapolis. Gilchrist & Soames bills itself as "the only branded toiletries dedicated to the luxury hotel market," according to its Web site. It serves The Greenbrier in West Virginia, The Properties at Pebble Beach in California and Plaza on the River in London, among other locations.

 

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer signed a state airline passenger rights bill on Aug. 2 that is likely to be challenged in court by the nation's airlines, but the bill is another indication of customers' level of frustration with airline service. As of Jan. 1, all airlines operating out of New York airports must provide passengers with food, water, fresh air, lighting and working rest rooms on any flight that has left the gate and been on the tarmac for more than three hours. The airlines risk a $1,000 fine per violation per passenger if they don't comply. The law requires airlines to post an explanation of passenger rights at their service desks and in "other appropriate areas" at the airport. But the law will likely be challenged, because when Congress wrote the Airline Deregulation Act in 1978, it included language to keep states from interfering. Under the federal law's preemption provision, states "may not enact or enforce a law, regulation or other provision having the force and effect of law related to a price, route or service of an air carrier."  Travel and Transport will continue to monitor this subject and advise of any further details or information. 

 

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Previous Updates

August 9, 2007
August 2, 2007
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

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