Travel and Transport | Travel Updates

Travel Updates - Weekly Edition

February 02, 2012

[ Click here for Archives ]

Air France – Air France has announced that it will suspend its much-touted nonstop flights from Orlando, FL. to Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport as of September 3. The service debuted less than eight months ago, in June, with three flights a week.

American Airlines - American Airlines announced it has changed its Terminal 4 lobby at LAX from old-fashioned ticket counters to self-service kiosks. AA agents are out in front rather than behind the counter. These agents can show passengers who aren’t familiar with kiosks how to use them. The 36 machines in T4 West Lobby can check in both international and domestic passengers. Instead of taking bags over to Transportation Security Administration screening, passengers check them in at the self-service machines.

Delta Airlines – Delta announced it will expand its direct flights from Flint to Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. As of March 2, Delta will offer three jet flights per day to Flint from Minneapolis.

Porter Airlines - Porter Airlines announced it is enhancing its New York service with two additional daily flights and a more convenient schedule. This increases daily roundtrip departures between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Newark, NJ. to as many as 13 flights, and provides a wider range of morning, afternoon and evening departures for passengers.

Qatar Airways – Qatar announced it has opened its new Premium Lounge at London Heathrow’s Terminal Four. The Premium Lounge at Terminal 4 is the airline’s first dedicated facility for First and Business Class passengers outside its Doha hub. The carrier currently operates the Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport, exclusively for use by passengers travelling in First or Business Class.

Southwest Airlines - Southwest announced effective February 11 it will no longer offer any nonstop service from Boston, MA. to Philadelphia, PA.

Southwest had announced new service beginning August 12 for the following:
Southwest:
•           Three new daily nonstop flights between Atlanta, GA. and Norfolk VA.
•           Three new daily nonstop flights between Atlanta and Louisville, KY.
•           Two new daily nonstop flights between New York LaGuardia, NY. and St. Louis, MO.
•           Two new daily nonstop flights between San Antonio, TX. and St. Louis, MO.

AirTran: Two new daily nonstop flights between Akron-Canton, OH. and Chicago Midway, IL.

United Continental Holdings, Inc. – United has announced plans to launch daily year-round service between Washington/Dulles, DC. and Honolulu HI. beginning June 7. The flights will operate using Boeing 767-400 aircraft.

United announced it will also add seasonal service to several popular summer travel destinations. New daily service between Denver, CO. and Fairbanks, AK. will operate from June 7, 2012 through Aug. 27, 2012, using Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

United Express will offer daily seasonal service between Houston’s Bush Intercontinental, TX. and Rapid City, SD. beginning June 7 through August 27. ExpressJet will operate the flights using Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft.

United announced it will also add summer-season flights between its Houston and San Francisco, CA. and Jackson Hole, WY. The Houston flights will operate twice-weekly from June 8, 2012, through Aug. 27, 2012, using Boeing 757 aircraft. The San Francisco flights will operate daily from July 1, 2012, through Aug. 27, 2012, as United Express, with Bombardier CR7 aircraft flown by SkyWest Airlines.

United Airlines announced it is now offering Economy Plus seating on all long-haul international Boeing 757-200 flights, offering economy customers the option of six inches of extra legroom. With the reconfiguration, the aircraft have 16 flat-bed seats in BusinessFirst, 45 seats in Economy Plus and 108 in Economy. The 757-200 reconfiguration project, which began in late November, outfits those aircraft with 1,845 Economy Plus seats. The 41 aircraft principally operate between New York/Newark and Amsterdam, Barcelona, Belfast, Berlin, Birmingham, Copenhagen, Dublin, Edinburgh, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Hamburg, Lima, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Manchester, Oslo, Paris, Shannon, Stockholm and Stuttgart, and between Washington/Dulles and Amsterdam and Paris.

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/

Mali - On February 1 the U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued an Emergency Message for U.S. citizens, which reads in part as follows: "The U.S. Embassy in Bamako is issuing this Emergency Message to inform U.S. citizens of the on-going conflict and security situations in Mali. "Local press is reporting a demonstration in Kati, 15 km north-west of Bamako, against military engagement in the north. In addition, on February 2, a demonstration in support of military action in the north is scheduled to take place in the center of Bamako. Lastly, the Malian soccer team will play in the African Cup of Nations match. Large crowds of spectators are expected to celebrate or commiserate the outcome of the match. "We encourage U.S. citizens to exercise caution, remain vigilant, maintain situational awareness at all times, and take appropriate security precautions to ensure your own safety. Monitor the local media for up-to-date information and consult the Embassy's website for further information and warden messages which may suggest additional safety and security measures. "In addition, conflict continues in the north of Mali between the National Movement for Liberation of the Azawad (MNLA), other armed groups, and the Malian military. Most recently, the MNLA attacked and may still control Anderamboukane, in Gao region, and Léré, in Timbuktu region. Press reports indicate that fighting has diminished in Tessalit, Aguelhok and Menaka; however, rebel forces reportedly remain in the vicinity of these towns. The situation is unpredictable and instability could spread. Private citizens have not been targeted, but the MNLA has indicated via its websites that it intends to conduct military operations across northern Mali."

Nigeria - On January 26 the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos issued the following Emergency Message: "The U.S. Mission alerts U.S. citizens that assailants kidnapped a German citizen along the Zaria Road in Kano, Kano State, on January 26. According to media reports, investigators believe the abduction occurred at the construction site where the individual worked. As a follow-up to the last Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens (released January 21), the U.S. Mission to Nigeria has temporarily deferred all travel by U.S. government personnel to northern Nigeria. As a reminder, curfews of varying durations remain in place in the cities of Gusau (Zamfara State), Kano (Kano State), Maiduguri (Borno State), Minna (Niger State), Potiskum (Yobe State), and Yola (Adamawa State). "The U.S. Embassy continues to monitor closely the ongoing threat posed by a Nigerian extremist group and various criminal groups, and their intentions to carry out attacks against the Nigerian government and western interests in Nigeria. Locations where large crowds may gather, including large hotels, places of worship, shopping centers, and areas frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers are potential targets. Nigerian police and military units may establish additional police checkpoints, security, and road blocks in major cities for the foreseeable future. "Please review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, monitor local news stations for updates, and report specific incidents of targeted violence to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos..."

Slovenia - On February 2 the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana issued the following Emergency Message: "The U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana has been notified that the October 15th Group and the Anonymous Group are planning to organize a protest at Kongresni Trg on Saturday, February 4th, 2012. The event will begin at 12:00 noon and is expected to last until 15:00. They are protesting against ACTA, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. So far more than 7,900 people have confirmed their presence/participation on social media sites. Street closures and other traffic disruptions are possible. Slovenian police are prepared and ready to react if the gathering becomes too large or violent. "U.S. citizens should avoid the areas of demonstrations and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. Try to stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of your surroundings at all times."

Switzerland - On February 2 the U.S. Embassy in Bern issued the following Security Notice: "The RSO has been informed by the Swiss police that an Anti-WEF protest will occur in Bern on Saturday February 04, 2012, beginning at 3:00 p.m. According to the Police, it appears to be the local Left Wing group that plans to gather at the Holy Ghost Church across from Loeb next to the Banhof. The protestors DO NOT have a permit to demonstrate and will not be issued a permit. The police are taking steps to ensure that they have the necessary resources to address any potential problems. "There is no indication that this protest is directed at Embassy employees or their families. The RSO strongly recommends that all Embassy personnel and family members avoid the downtown area of Bern on Saturday afternoon and evening. If you or any of your family members experience any trouble as a result of this protest, please contact the police at 117 immediately. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the RSO at +41 31 357 7311 or +41 31 357 7222."