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Travel Updates - Weekly Edition

June 04, 2009

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Airline News | Airport/Destination News | Miscellaneous

AirTran Airways

AirTran Airways has announced they will end nonstop service between Milwaukee and Branson, MO. The privately funded Branson Airport just opened on May 11 with AirTran as one of its first airlines. AirTran's Branson-Milwaukee route will drop from daily to thrice-weekly service on June 11 and will be eliminated altogether July 6. On the flip side, AirTran will add a second daily round-trip flight between Branson and Atlanta, also on July 6.

Aviacsa Airlines

Mexico has grounded Aviacsa Airlines temporarily after officials reported irregularities in the maintenance of 25 planes. The Transportation and Communications Department says the low-cost domestic airline has 60 days to fix the problems. The action effectively shuts operations at the airline, which has a fleet of 26 planes serving 17 Mexican cities and Las Vegas. The department says the problems put passengers at risk, but Aviacsa has issued a statement denying any safety problems and accusing officials of violating a court order by grounding the planes.

British Airways

British Airways has announced they are pushing ahead with the launch of its business-only service that will fly from London City Airport to New York (JFK) later this year. British Airways will operate two A318s, fitted with 32 seats that turn into flat beds. The flights are scheduled to begin in October. Due to the restrictions on the amount of fuel that airlines are allowed to carry out of London's City Airport, flights would briefly stop at Shannon Airport in Ireland to refuel. Shannon has the added bonus of being home to a U.S. Customs and Immigration facility, which will allow for passengers to pass and clear Customs and Immigration in Ireland before arriving in New York eliminating long lines upon arrival. This also means that British Airways will be flying its first ever domestic arrival at JFK.

British Airways announced they will end its flights between London Gatwick and New York JFK on October 25. The daily service was only launched in October 2008

Delta Airlines

Delta has announced the beginning of daily nonstop service between Lincoln, NE. and its hubs in Atlanta, GA. and Salt Lake City, UT. Both flights will be operated by Delta commuter service Atlantic Southeast Air and Skywest Airlines respectively with 50 passenger jet service.

Delta has announced that they have postponed the launch of two new routes to Africa. Delta was forced to abruptly cancel Tuesday afternoon's (June 2) planned inaugural flight between Atlanta and Nairobi, Kenya, after federal security officials denied approval. Approval also was denied for Delta's Atlanta-to-Monrovia, Liberia, route, which was to begin on June 8. Delta says both routes have been postponed indefinitely.

Customers flying Delta Air Lines from Salt Lake City can now use Web-enabled mobile devices to check in and receive an electronic boarding pass, thanks to a partnership between the airline and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The option is available for domestic travel on nonstop Delta, Northwest and Delta Connection flights departing from Salt Lake City International Airport.

Frontier Airlines - Frontier Airlines will begin twice-daily nonstop service to Tulsa International Airport from its hub at Denver International Airport on Aug. 2. Frontier's wholly-owned subsidiary Lynx Aviation will provide service for the route. This is the first new city added to the Frontier network in 2009.

	Frontier Airlines
	Frontier Airlines will begin twice-daily nonstop service to Tulsa International Airport from its hub at Denver International Airport on Aug. 2. Frontier's wholly-owned subsidiary Lynx Aviation will provide service for the route. This is the first new city added to the Frontier network in 2009.

	Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
	The United States government is now collecting the fingerprints of certain non-residents leaving the country under a trial program, and the Atlanta airport is one of the proving grounds. The program is designed to root out fraudulent use of travel documents and help guard non-residents from identity theft. Unlike names and dates of birth, biometric data is unique and almost impossible to forge.

London Heathrow International Airport

SkyTeam announced that the first level of its first ever co-branded alliance lounge in Terminal 4 at London Heathrow International Airport opened on June 4. The two-level lounge occupies more than 1,600 square meters and offers space for more than 300 passengers. Jointly designed by the nine member and associate airlines serving Heathrow, the lounge offers customers a superior airport experience that combines the comfort and convenience passengers have come to expect with luxurious amenities such as a wine bar, oxygen bar and full-body massage chairs. Opening the first level of the lounge marks a significant step forward in the development of a sophisticated customer-focused presence for SkyTeam at Heathrow Terminal 4. Work on the second level of the lounge will be completed in November in conjunction with the grand opening of the dedicated alliance facility, which will include a premium check-in area for first and business class passengers and SkyTeam Elite passengers, as well as common-use self service kiosks and additional bag drop-off locations. Eligible passengers traveling through Terminal 4 at London Heathrow on Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Kenya Airways operated flights can enjoy access to the first level of the co-branded SkyTeam lounge. Other eligible passengers will gain access once additional SkyTeam member airlines begin operating from Terminal 4. Until then, eligible SkyTeam passengers can enjoy two airline lounges in Terminal 2 at London Heathrow.

INFLUENZA A (H1N1)

As of 06:00 GMT, June 3, 66 countries have officially reported 19,273 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 117 deaths. The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases and deaths from the infection - Argentina (131), Australia (501), Austria (1), Bahamas (1), Bahrain (1), Belgium (13), Bolivia (3), Brazil (20), Bulgaria (1), Canada (1530;2 deaths), Chile (313), China (69), Colombia (20), Costa Rica (50;with 1 death), Cuba (4), Cyprus (1), Czech Republic (1), Denmark (1), Dominican Republic (11), Ecuador (39), Egypt (1), El Salvador (41), Estonia (1), Finland (4), France (26), Germany (28), Greece (5), Guatemala (14), Honduras (2), Hungary (1), Iceland (1), India (1), Ireland (4), Israel (33), Italy (30), Jamaica (2), Japan (385), Kuwait (18), Lebanon (3), Malaysia (2), Mexico (5029;with 97 deaths), Netherlands (4), New Zealand (10), Nicaragua (1), Norway (4), Panama (155), Paraguay (5), Peru (40), Philippines (16), Poland (4), Portugal (2), Romania (5), Republic of Korea (41), Russia (3), Singapore (9), Slovakia (2), Spain (180), Sweden (7), Switzerland (10), Thailand (2), Turkey (4), The United Kingdom (339), The United States of America (10,053; with 17 deaths), Uruguay (15), Venezuela (3), Vietnam (3).

State Dept. Travel Warnings and Public Announcements

For the full announcements or further detail on Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, please see http://http://travel.state.gov/travel

Chad - On June 2, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning for Chad, " The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Chad and recommends that American citizens not affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts avoid all travel to eastern Chad and the Chad/Central African Republic border area due to insecurity caused by banditry, recent clashes between Chadian government and rebel forces, and current political tension between Chad and Sudan. The U.S. Embassy in Chad has prohibited official government travel to eastern Chad without express authorization. American citizens residing in Chad should exercise extreme caution throughout the country. This replaces the Travel Warning for Chad dated November 14, 2008 to note the political tension between Chad and Sudan and the embassy's restrictions on travel to eastern Chad. Armed rebel groups are active in the region and present real dangers. Rebel activity tends to increase during the dry season, which lasts from late September to July. Government troops pushed back rebel groups entering Chad from Sudan on May 7, and subsequently attacked rebel positions inside Sudan, which exacerbated tensions between Chad and Sudan. Chadian rebels continue to operate out of Sudan. The security situation remains fluid and potentially dangerous. The government of Chad is unable to guarantee the safety of visitors in most parts of the country. If rebels approach the capital, N'djamena, the U.S. Embassy may, on short notice, decide to evacuate non-emergency personnel and family members of Embassy personnel, as was done in June 2008. Family members of Embassy personnel under the age of 21 are not authorized to reside in Chad. Commercial flights continue to operate from N'Djamena International Airport, but flights are subject to change when rebel activity intensifies. 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 United Nations mission, which has aircraft and other logistical support. The Embassy strongly recommends that all U.S. citizens in Chad be prepared to implement their personal evacuation or safe haven plans on short notice should the situation warrant, and exercise extreme caution. Americans in Chad should closely monitor news media and the U.S. Embassy's website."

Cameroon - On June 3 the U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé issued the following Warden Message: "The 2010 World Cup/African Cup qualifying match between Morocco and Cameroon will take place in Yaoundé on June 7 at 4 pm. This match will likely generate either celebrations or frustration that could be expressed in public venues during or after the match. The Embassy advises Americans in Cameroon to avoid large groups or gatherings and to use prudence and good judgment in moving around town during this time. Traffic patterns may be disrupted. Police and gendarmes will likely have an increased presence throughout the country. ..."

Indonesia - On June 2 The U.S. Consulate in Surabaya issued the following Warden Message which reads in part: "The U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya would like to inform U.S. citizens that several Indonesians and a few foreigners, including an American Citizen, who were visiting the islands of Bali and/or Lombok have reportedly died in recent days due to methanol poisoning. Each of the deaths is reportedly associated with a locally brewed alcoholic beverage called 'arak.' In these cases, the arak beverage had reportedly been spiked with methanol to increase its potency. The U.S. Consulate suggests that Americans exercise extreme caution and avoid consumption of 'home-distilled traditional arak liquor.'"

Lebanon - On June 2 the U.S. Department of State issued a Travel Alert for Lebanon, which reads in part as follows: "The Department of State alerts Americans traveling to or residing in Lebanon that Lebanese Parliamentary elections will be held on June 7. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, expects greater than normal traffic congestion, and large crowds at or near polling stations on that day. The Embassy expects the elections will occur in a peaceful and orderly fashion, but reminds American citizens in Lebanon that even peaceful gatherings and demonstrations can turn violent unexpectedly. This Travel Alert expires on June 30, 2009. "American citizens planning travel to Lebanon just before or immediately after the elections should carefully consider the necessity of such travel before making final plans. The U.S. Embassy has maintained a Travel Warning for Lebanon for many years, and continues to advise American citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon."

Mali - On June 2 The U.S. Department of State issued a Travel Warning regarding travel to Mali which reads in part as follows: "Al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has been designated as a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union, and has declared its intention to attack Western targets. AQIM uses northern Mali as a safe haven and platform from which to conduct operations. AQIM kidnapped two Canadian diplomats in Niger in December 2008 and four European tourists along the Mali-Niger border in January 2009. All were believed to be held in northern Mali; the Canadians and two of the Europeans were released in April 2009. The U.S. Embassy's ability to assist American citizens in northern Mali is severely limited. In addition to threats posed by AQIM and potential hostage takers, confrontations between the Malian military and Tuareg rebel groups occurred in Nampala along Mali's frontier with Mauritania in December 2008, and in the region of Kidal in January 2009. The threat posed by AQIM, continued Tuareg unrest, sporadic banditry, and the porous nature of Mali's northern borders with Algeria, Niger, and Mauritania all reinforce longstanding security concerns affecting travel to northern Mali. "U.S. Government employees in Mali are required to have the written approval of the U.S. Ambassador to Mali prior to traveling to the region of Kidal, areas north and east of the town of Gao, including along the road to Ansongo, the town of Timbuktu, and points further north. This restriction includes the site of the popular Tuareg music festival at Essakane, north of Timbuktu.

Pakistan - On May 29 the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad issued a Warden Message that reads as follows: "This Warden Notice is to alert American citizens to additional security measures in Islamabad and remind U.S. citizens of new and ongoing security concerns in Pakistan. In recent weeks, militants have targeted Pakistani police and security forces. This week, a suicide attack on the provincial headquarters of Pakistan's intelligence agency in Lahore resulted in almost 600 wounded and 60 dead. On May 28, multiple bombs exploded in two Pakistani cities, Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan. In response to an intensified offensive by Pakistani military forces against extremist elements in the Swat Valley, militants have threatened attacks in Pakistan's cities and against Pakistani government officials and buildings. Local authorities have tightened security measures in Islamabad and American citizens should expect additional road closures and road blocks. In addition, the Pakistani government has requested that diplomatic personnel limit their movements in the capital. The Embassy reiterates its advice to all Americans to take appropriate individual precautions to ensure their safety and security at all times. These measures include maintaining good situational awareness, avoiding crowds and demonstrations and keeping a low profile. Americans should avoid setting patterns by varying times and routes for all required travel. Americans should ensure that their travel documents and visas are valid at all times.

Russia - On June 2 the U.S. Embassy in Moscow issued the following Warden Message: "Russian law enforcement authorities and the U.S. Embassy are in receipt of potential threat information targeting those market areas in Moscow frequented by Central Asian and Caucasian immigrants. The information is purported to originate from a Russian nationalist group and specifically identifies the Cherkizovskiy Market, adjacent to Izamailovsky Park, as a potential target. The validity of the information is being assessed at this time. "While the assessment process is ongoing, we caution U.S. citizens to avoid travel to the market areas for the near future."

Tajikistan - On May 22 The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe released the following Warden Message: "Due to increased activities by the Tajik Government security, military, and law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Embassy advises American Citizens to exercise extreme caution when traveling in areas east of Dushanbe past Vakhdat. The U.S. Embassy recommends American Citizens against travel to the town and immediate surrounding area of Tavildara as Tajik agencies are engaged in a law enforcement action in that area. Additionally, police have set up checkpoints in various places throughout the country. There have also been significant disruptions to travel because of mudslides and rockslides following heavy rains."