Travel Update-Weekly Edition
June 19th, 2008
Airline News
Air Canada - Air Canada has
announced it will slash as many as 2,000 jobs and "sharply reduce"
capacity. The airline said it would cut capacity by 7% in the final quarter of
this year and the first quarter of 2009. But it said the cuts could be deeper
than that if fuel prices remain at current levels. Among routes being dropped:
Toronto-Rome and Vancouver-Osaka. U.S. routes will also take a big hit. The
airline will cut U.S. routes by 13%, which compares to a 7% cut for non-U.S.
international routes and to a 2% cut for domestic flights,
AirTran - AirTran will pull out of the
Stewart International Airport near Newburgh, NY., as of Sept. 3.
Continental Airlines/United
Airlines - Continental
Airlines and United Airlines just announced a framework agreement to
cooperate extensively, linking their networks and services worldwide to the
benefit of customers, and creating revenue opportunities and cost savings and
other efficiencies. In addition, Continental plans to join United in the Star
Alliance, the most comprehensive airline alliance in the world.
Initially, Continental will request the U.S. Department of Transportation to allow
it to join United – along with Lufthansa, Air Canada
and six other carriers – in their already established antitrust immunized
alliance. This will enable Continental, United, Lufthansa, Air Canada
and other immunized Star Alliance carriers to work closely
together as other antitrust immunized alliances do, and to establish
trans-Atlantic and other international joint ventures. Over the coming months Continental and
United will be working through the details of this exciting new partnership
that offers customers more opportunities and value.
Delta Air Lines - Delta Air Lines has
become the first legacy carrier to sponsor Registered Traveler lanes
through an agreement with Verified Identity Pass' Clear to launch the program at
its terminals in New York's John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports
and Los Angeles International Airport. The companies expect to launch the lanes
this summer. The companies in a joint statement today said Delta would
embark on a marketing campaign that targets its SkyMiles frequent flyer members,
host enrollment stations at lounges in the Atlanta airport and offer SkyMiles
members bonus miles for Clear membership, which costs $100 per year, not
including a $28 Transportation Security Administration screening fee.
Delta Air Lines, struggling
with high fuel costs, plans to slash about 13% of its flights at Los Angeles International Airport,
including nonstop service to Boston, Hartford, Conn., and Columbus,
Ohio. With the cutbacks,
passengers can expect higher fares and fewer travel options, particularly
to Mexico and Latin America. In all, Delta
plans to end service on nine routes departing from LAX, including several cities
in Mexico, starting mid-August. For Delta, the cutbacks effectively end the
Atlanta-based carrier's plans to expand at LAX. The airline is also canceling
plans to launch a nonstop service to Washington, D.C.'s, Dulles International
Airport from LAX.
Emirates Air - Emirates
is to boost its Indian operations with the launch of 18 more flights a week to
the region, adding over 5,900 seats. The Dubai-based airline will increase
frequency between July and October to New Delhi and IT hubs Bangalore and
Hyderabad, bringing the total flights into India a week to 132. The extra
capacity will first give extra flexibility to passengers with connections from
New York and Houston. LA passengers will start using the extra services from
September and San Francisco will follow in October. All US destinations offer
daily non-stop service to Dubai. For New Delhi, Emirates will build on the two
daily operations to the city by introducing four additional weekly frequencies,
one each on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, starting July 2. For
Bangalore, passengers will be served with seven additional weekly frequencies -
two in July and the rest in October. For Hyderabad, Emirates will increase its
service to 18 flights a week by
October.
Mexicana Airlines -
Mexican carrier Mexicana says it will drop Portland, OR. as a
destination, ending service to both Mexico City and Guadalajara on Sept. 2,
Northwest Airlines -
Northwest Airlines announced it will reduce its workforce and "reduce
the number of seats for sale in the fourth quarter" as it tries to offset
soaring fuel costs. NWA "now expects to reduce its combined domestic and
international capacity by as much as 9.5%, compared with a 5% domestic cut
signaled in April. For Northwest passengers, the changes will become visible
after the summer travel season, most likely to show up in reduced frequencies of
flights to certain destinations. The airline said it doesn't plan to shut down
any of its domestic stations as part of the reductions. NWA's capacity cuts will
lead it to "cut its fleet by 47 aircraft, including 14 Boeing 757s and Airbus
A319s and A320s, and dropping from 94 DC-9s at the beginning of 2008 to 61 by
year-end." NWA also "is in the process of parking 33 of its 94 DC-9s, which are
older and less fuel-efficient members of its fleet, by the end of the year. In a
growth area, NWA said "regional flying would rise by as much as 55% as it
continues to add new 76-seat jets.
Philippine Airlines -
Philippine main carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced it is
limiting its free check-in baggage on its North American flights to 50 pounds
per person in an effort to keep down cost due to rising fuel prices.
In a statement, PAL said the new weight limit will start on July 1.
Currently, passengers are allowed 70 pounds free check-in
baggage.
Sun Country Airlines -
Sun Country Airlines is proud to announce the introduction of its
cashless cabin project in which Visa and MasterCard will be accepted as payment
for items available for sale onboard flights. Intended to better serve
customers, Sun Country will launch the program on June 17, 2008. Visa and
MasterCard will be accepted for payment for all the items Sun Country passengers
can purchase in-flight, including snacks, sandwiches, candy, premium beverages,
space-available first-class upgrades, headphones and pillow/blanket sets. It is
anticipated that the new payment process will allow flight attendants to more
efficiently serve passengers in-flight. Payments will typically be posted to the
consumer’s credit card within 24 hours of the
transaction. While Visa and MasterCard credit and debit will be accepted upon
the launch of the program, other credit cards, cash and checks will not be.
Consumers flying Sun Country on or after June 17, 2008 are encouraged to bring
their accepted credit cards to purchase items onboard the
aircraft.
Qantas Airlines - Qantas
has announced more capacity and network changes resulting from the current fuel
crisis. The changes are domestic and will focus on QantasLink’s regional
operations in New South Wales and Victoria. The carrier will bring forward
retirement of its six remaining Dash 8 100 36-seat aircraft, close a maintenance
base and exit the loss making Melbourne to Wollongong route. It will also exit
permanently from the Newcastle- Melbourne and Sydney routes.
Spirit Airlines - Spirit
will now charge $15 for a first checked bag that's checked-in online. If a first
checked bag is checked-in at the airport, the fee now will be $25. The changes,
$5 increases from the current fees, begin June 20. Fees for a second bag remain
$25, whether checked in online or at the airport.
United Airlines - United guests may now reach cruising altitude with a
new, personalized in-flight entertainment system. United is the first U.S.
carrier to offer iPod and iPhone connectivity to its in-flight entertainment
system, enabling customers to enjoy their individual content on a 15.4-inch
personal television, all while the iPod or iPhone charges. The first
aircraft with iPod and iPhone connectivity is scheduled to depart at 5:40 p.m.
from Washington, D.C. to Zurich as United #936, and it will fly
primarily on trans-Atlantic routes. United's entire fleet of international,
widebody aircraft are being reconfigured over the next two years with lie-flat
seats, on-demand entertainment, and iPod and iPhone connectivity in first and
business class. Through a cable that
supports iPod and iPhone via the 30-pin connector, customers may watch and enjoy
their personal content on United’s in-flight entertainment system. The
customized video and audio options complements the more than 150 hours of movies
and television shows available on-demand on United’s newly-configured
international aircraft, as well as games and XM radio.
Virgin America -
Virgin America has announced that it will tweak its flight
schedule in response to soaring fuel costs. Virgin, which operates out of San
Francisco, said it would reduce capacity on mid-week, off-peak flights beginning
this fall, but will also add some flights on high-demand routes. The effect will
be a 10% capacity cut from its previously projected fourth-quarter capacity.
Unlike other airlines, it said there would be no job cuts or changes to the
number of planes it operates. Virgin America said it will still add daily
flights on its San Francisco-Las Vegas route on high-demand travel days, and
continues to plan its Sept. 4 launch of daily non-stop flights between New
York's John F. Kennedy airport and Las
Vegas.
Airport/Destination
News
Baltimore Washington International Airport -
Starting July 4, travelers at Baltimore/Washington International who
are returning rental cars with a partially filled gas tank will get a price
break. Following an investigation by the attorney general's office in
Maryland, rental car companies operating in the state agreed to cut their
refueling costs — which can be as much as $8 a gallon — by up to
40%. Maryland's investigation began six months ago, and found that "some of
the rental car companies had increased their refueling charges drastically in
recent months, far in excess of gas prices found in the
Baltimore/Washington/Philadelphia area," the attorney general's office said, in
a statement. The rental car companies agreed to lower their charges within
Maryland to about 135% to 142% of current retail prices, or about $5.85 per
gallon as of last week. Enterprise and its affiliated companies — Alamo and
National — were not part of the negotiation because they had lower refueling
fees prior to the investigation. Shortly before the settlement was
announced, Hertz said it will start a new refueling pricing policy nationwide.
Customers returning cars with a partially filled tank will be charged local
retail prices, plus a one-time refueling fee of $6.99. They can also choose to
buy a tank of gas at the outset and receive a 15-cents-per-gallon
discount.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport -
Federal regulators have said they will lift flight caps now in place at
Chicago O'Hare. Additional capacity at the airport has made the caps
unnecessary, regulators said. "The caps will expire on Oct. 31, (acting Federal
Aviation Administration head Robert Sturgell) said, just weeks before the
opening of a new runway on Nov. 20 — the airport's first new runway since 1971,
and about a month after the extension of another runway is scheduled for
completion." The caps currently limit O'Hare arrivals to 88 flights per hour
during peak hours. Federal regulators imposed the caps in 2004 as a way to
address chronic congestion and delays at O'Hare. Before the caps, more than 100
incoming flights landed at O'Hare each hour.
Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport -
Some passengers at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport will now
have to pass through machines that will render detailed anatomical images of
their bodies. The new technology, known as "whole body imaging," was installed
on Friday and will help security screeners identify guns and other potentially
dangerous objects without having to pat down travelers. The machines use
electromagnetic waves and energy reflected from the body to create the
three-dimensional images of the body, while blurring facial features. According
to the Transportation Security Administration, other passengers will not be able
to see the images and screeners will be remotely located. As the first machine
was being installed in the D terminal on Friday morning, some travelers said
they would be comfortable passing through it. Federal officials said passengers
are chosen at random to pass through the scanner and that those who feel
uncomfortable can opt to be physically searched. Signs are posted to inform
travelers about the new technology.
Kansas City International Airport -
Expect road bumps and fewer driving lanes at Kansas City International
in the next six weeks as it renovates main roadways. Much of the work will
involve the International Circle, a large circular roadway directly in front of
the three ring-shaped terminals. The road from Terminal C's exit will be
particularly affected, going from five lanes to two lanes. To minimize
disruption, much of the work will be done between 11 p.m. and 5
a.m.
Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina - The
Centers for Disease Control recently issued advice on yellow fever conditions in
Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. In
Paraguay, the first new cases of
yellow fever in more than 30 years have been identified. As of May 12, a total
of 25 confirmed cases were recorded this year, including eight deaths. In
Brazil, a yellow fever alert for
tourists and diplomats residing in the country is in effect. As of June 11, 45
confirmed cases of yellow fever had been reported in Brazil, with 25
fatalities. Argentina's
Ministry of Health reported seven confirmed cases of yellow fever as of May 20,
including one death, all in Misiones Province. Travelers bound for these
countries should be vaccinated for yellow fever 10 days before
entry.
Seattle International Airport -
Seattle-Tacoma International is the latest airport to adopt self-select
security lanes. The program, operated by the Transporation Security
Administration to ease checkpoint congestion, aims to get passenger to choose
their own security lanes based on travel experience. The Expert lane is
for business travelers; the Casual lane is for passengers who travel less
frequently; the Family/Special Assistance lane is for those with children,
elderly passengers and travelers who may need special assistance.
South Korea- The Korean Confederation
of Trade Unions (KCTU) indicated on June 17 that it will launch a strike on July
2 to protest rising fuel prices. The KCTU, which is one of the country's two
main labor federations with more than 600,000 members, stated that the purpose
of the strike is to pressure the current administration to cancel its plans to
privatize public corporations and renegotiate the renewal of beef imports from
the U.S. The Labor Ministry responded to the announcement by the KCTU, calling
the strike political and illegal. In an effort to alleviate the strain of
surging oil prices, the government announced on June 17 that it has approved a
supplementary US$4.7 billion budget increase. Officials announced the funds
would be taken from last year’s budgetary surplus. It remains to be seen whether
this step will satisfy the striking unions. Protests have also been ongoing
since late April when President Lee Myung-bak agreed to lift a five-year ban on
U.S. beef imports. The U.S. and South Korea are still attempting to reach an
agreement on the issue. ASI Comment: With the larger umbrella union, the KCTU,
initiating a strike on July 2, the potential for violence and clashes with
police officers increases. Usually violence has erupted in and around
universities, with students at the forefront; however, should the massive
numbers of union members strike, it is highly probable that street protests will
affect transportation in and around large cities, especially the capital,
Seoul. Historical analysis indicates that strikes by the major trade unions
tend to spread across various sectors of the economy and to turn violent.
Travelers to South Korea should remain vigilant, paying close attention to their
surroundings, should avoid large gatherings at all times, and should keep
abreast of local media. Time should also be allotted for transportation
delays.
Taiwan / China - Chinese aviation
officials announced on June 17 that six Chinese airlines have been
authorized to operate regular direct flights to Taiwan. China Southern Airlines
Co, Air China Ltd and China Eastern Airlines Corp will operate four return
flights each week, while Hainan Airlines, Shanghai Airlines and Xiamen Airlines
will operate two return flights each week. Flights will take off from Beijing,
Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xiamen, beginning on July 4. The announcement comes
after the signing of a deal between China and Taiwan, which called for the
resumption of regular direct flights for the first time since 1949, allowing for
Chinese citizens to visit Taiwan and providing for the exchange of the Chinese
Yuan in Taiwan.
Rental Car
News
Hertz - Starting July 1, Hertz said its fuel and service
charge, for renters who don't refill the tank before returning the car, will be
based on local fuel prices. Customers who don't refill the tank also will be
charged a $6.99 refueling fee. Renters choosing Hertz's fuel purchase option,
which involves buying a full tank of gas before driving off with their vehicle,
will be charged a rate reflecting local prices minus a discount of 15 cents per
gallon. Customers may still choose to refuel the vehicle themselves and return
it with at least as much fuel as was in the vehicle when it was
rented.
Hotel
News
Travelodge - Travelodge
is imbuing its bedsheets with a variety of aromas that have been identified as
being helpful in sending guests off to sleep. The budget hotel chain, which has
been responsible for such inventions as the mobile hotel room in the past, is
now trialling its “a-room-atherapy” project at a selection of its
hotels.
Sheets will smell of “reminiscents” – scents that remind guests of
happy and comforting memories. These scents have been created following a
“Senses Census” of 5000 people which asked them which aromas relaxed them the
most. Top of the charts was the sea, which evokes holiday memories and helps
those who live by on the coast. Other smells Travelodge will be using are
freshly cut grass (a reminder of summer), baby powder (a reminder of guests’
children), apple pie (home) and chocolate.
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
Chad - On June 16, the U.S. Department of state released the
following Travel Warning for Chad: "This Travel Warning is being updated to
reflect the resumption of rebel activity in Chad and to inform American
citizens that the U.S. Embassy in N’Djamena temporarily relocated some
personnel to Cameroon on June 16. The Department of State urges American
citizens to defer travel to Chad and that American citizens in Chad consider
departing. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Chad dated April 30, 2008.
"American citizens should defer all travel to Chad due to the unstable
security situation throughout the country. Rebel groups resumed activity in
eastern Chad in mid-June and may attempt a renewed assault on the capital city
of N’Djamena. On June 16, the U.S. Embassy in N’Djamena temporarily relocated
non-emergency personnel and dependents to Cameroon. American citizens in Chad
should consider departing at this time. Commercial flights continue to operate
from N’Djamena International Airport, but flights are subject to cancellation
if rebel activity intensifies. The security situation remains fluid and
potentially dangerous. "Limited American citizen services are available at the
Embassy, but visa services are suspended until further notice - see contact
information below. "U.S. citizens in Chad, particularly those outside
N’Djamena, should be aware that the U.S. Embassy cannot guarantee that the
same options and level of evacuation assistance that existed in February 2008
will be available should the situation again deteriorate. The Embassy strongly
recommends that U.S. citizens be prepared to implement their personal
evacuation or safe haven plans. "The State Department advises American
citizens not affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts to avoid travel to
eastern Chad and the Chad/Central African Republic border area due to
insecurity caused by banditry and clashes between Government and rebel forces.
The U.S. Embassy is not able to support evacuation from eastern Chad. All
Americans affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts in eastern Chad must
have an evacuation plan developed with the UN which has aircraft and other
logistical support. Americans in Chad should closely monitor news media and
the U.S. Embassy's website at http://ndjamena.usembassy.gov. "U.S.
citizens affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts in eastern Chad are
strongly urged to coordinate travel plans with UN High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) security officers in Abeche and N'Djamena, and to follow
UNHCR guidance regarding safety and security. The government of Chad requires
all individuals traveling to or residing in refugee-affected areas in eastern
Chad to obtain permits issued by the Ministry of Territorial Administration in
N'Djamena, and to register in Abeche upon arrival in eastern
Chad."
India - On June 17, the U.S. Department of State issued the
following Warden Message for East India: "This warden message is being issued
to alert American citizens who may be traveling to the areas of Darjeeling,
Kurseong, Siliguri, and Kalimpong in Eastern India about an indefinite bandh
(“strike”) called by the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJM) group in support of its
demand for a separate Gorkha state. For more information please go to the U.S.
Consulate General in Kolkata, India’s website: http://kolkata.usconsulate.gov/wm061108.html or http://kolkata.usconsulate.gov."
Republic Of
Congo - On June 16 the U.S. Embassy in Brazzaville issued the
following Warden Message: "Widespread gasoline shortages are creating
congestion and long lines at gas stations across Brazzaville, Pointe Noire and
other cities in Republic of the Congo. There are confirmed reports of sporadic
violence at gas stations in Brazzaville as frustrations mount while the
shortages continue. There are no reports of any American citizens being
targeted and the frustrations appear directed only at the lack of available
gasoline. There are reports of private SUV or 4x4 vehicles traveling near gas
stations being surrounded by angry, idled motorists who pound on the vehicles’
hoods or doors. For these reasons, the Embassy is advising all American
citizens in Congo to avoid gas or petrol stations whenever possible, review
their security measures, and remain alert."
Sri
Lanka -
On June 13,
the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning for Sri
Lanka: "This Travel Warning provides updated security information and alerts
American citizens traveling to or living in Sri Lanka about the continuing
danger of terrorist attacks throughout the country. This supersedes the Travel
Warning for Sri Lanka dated February 8, 2008. "The Department of State urges
American citizens to evaluate carefully the risks of travel to Sri Lanka and
specifically warns Americans against travel to northern and eastern areas of
Sri Lanka. Since early January 2008, fighting between the Sri Lankan military,
paramilitary groups and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has
increased, and bomb explosions in densely populated areas have killed dozens
of civilians, including in some areas frequented by foreign tourists. Although
there is no specific indication that American citizens or institutions have
been targeted, there is a heightened risk of American citizens becoming
victims of violence just by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
American citizens who decide to travel to Sri Lanka despite this Travel
Warning should be aware of their personal surroundings and follow prudent
security practices. Americans should avoid large crowds and public gatherings
and should particularly avoid political rallies, military bases, and
government and military vehicle convoys, which are frequent targets of LTTE
attacks. Americans are also strongly advised against using public
transportation in Sri Lanka, as civilian buses and trains have increasingly
been the targets of terrorist bomb attacks in recent months. U.S. Government
personnel are currently prohibited from using these modes of transportation.
"On June 6, 2008, 22 civilians were killed and 70 injured by an anti-personnel
mine aimed at a passenger bus in Colombo. The same day, two more people were
killed by another anti-personnel mine detonated in a passenger bus in Kandy.
On May 31, 2008, a grenade attack on a bus stop in Wellawatta killed two
people and wounded 10. On February 3, 2008, 14 civilians were killed and
approximately 100 were injured when a suicide attacker detonated an explosive
device inside the main railway station in Colombo. The same day, seven were
injured when a grenade was detonated at the Dehiwala Zoo in Colombo. On
February 2, 2008, a bomb on a bus from Kandy, headed for Anuradhapura,
exploded in Dambulla and killed 18 civilians and injured over 50. On January
8, 2008, a government minister was killed and several persons were injured
when his vehicle was attacked on the road between Colombo’s international
airport and central Colombo. In 2007, the LTTE also attacked an Army camp in
Yala National Sanctuary, and the Katunayake Air Force Base in Colombo was
attacked by LTTE aircraft, causing brief suspension of operations at the
adjacent Bandaranaike International Airport. Foreign tourists were not
specifically targeted in these attacks and none were injured. "While the
government has effectively controlled the eastern part of the country since
July 2007, security is not yet assured. Some LTTE members and larger numbers
of armed paramilitary members are active in the area, leading to instability
and incidents of violence. This situation is likely to continue for some time.
Americans are particularly warned against travel to LTTE-controlled areas in
the north, which may pose severe hazards. "Official travel by U.S. Government
personnel to areas north of a line following the highway from Puttalam through
Anuradhapura to Polonaruwa, Bibile, and Pottuvil in the northern and eastern
parts of Sri Lanka is restricted, and unofficial travel is prohibited.
"Americans should comply with all instructions from security forces and police
when traveling in Sri Lanka. American citizens, including those of Sri Lankan
origin, whether living in Sri Lanka or traveling there even for only a few
days, are strongly urged to register with the Embassy. Registration will allow
the embassy to provide direct information on the security situation as
necessary."
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