A snowy cold snap gripped most of Europe causing massive cancellations of flights that rippled through the continent.
The Eiffel Tower in Paris was closed, and roadways were treacherous. Two of London's airports were closed overnight.
Chaos reined all over as trains and other transportation modes were all impacted. Airlines had to scramble to adjust their schedules and most have issued travel waivers for travel to/from the affected airports.
The timing could not be worse as many travelers are beginning to make their way home for the holidays, and even couple of more days may cause big inconveniences to tens of thousands of travelers.
www.premieretravel.com
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
U.S., Brazil Agree to Ramp Up Flights
The U.S. and Brazil have agreed to end the limits of flights between the two countries. The process will be gradual and will be entirely lifted by 2015.
28 additional flights will be added in 2011 and another 28 in 2012.
Overall, this is very positive news for travelers to/from the U.S. as more services will be introduced between several cities in both countries.
www.premieretravel.com
28 additional flights will be added in 2011 and another 28 in 2012.
Overall, this is very positive news for travelers to/from the U.S. as more services will be introduced between several cities in both countries.
www.premieretravel.com
Monday, December 6, 2010
American Airlines Direct Connect- Another Threat to Travel Distribution
An Illinois court has stepped in to block American Airlines from pulling its listing of flights from Orbitz, an online ticketing website.
In the continuous battle between airlines and Global Distribution Systems (GDS) that aggregate travel information to suppliers such as online agencies and travel agents worldwide, American had earlier announced a termination of its display on Orbitz.
The rationale of American for going to "Direct Connect" has continued shifting since the announcement which was made, and travel providers from the U.S., Europe and Australia have logged their strong objections to what they deem is a move to fragment and control travel information.
If other carriers follow American's lead, the traveling public will not have access to comparative information about fares and/or ancillary fees. This is a blatant attempt to fragment travel content in a way that is contrary to the interest of the traveling public.
Kevin Mitchell, Chairman of the Business Travel Coalition added that " (American's) Direct Connect appears to be a solution in search of a problem..."
www.premieretravel.com
In the continuous battle between airlines and Global Distribution Systems (GDS) that aggregate travel information to suppliers such as online agencies and travel agents worldwide, American had earlier announced a termination of its display on Orbitz.
The rationale of American for going to "Direct Connect" has continued shifting since the announcement which was made, and travel providers from the U.S., Europe and Australia have logged their strong objections to what they deem is a move to fragment and control travel information.
If other carriers follow American's lead, the traveling public will not have access to comparative information about fares and/or ancillary fees. This is a blatant attempt to fragment travel content in a way that is contrary to the interest of the traveling public.
Kevin Mitchell, Chairman of the Business Travel Coalition added that " (American's) Direct Connect appears to be a solution in search of a problem..."
www.premieretravel.com
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Spain Declares "State of Alarm"
Spain moved decisively today to end a strike by air traffic controllers that has effectively shut down civil aviation and left tens of thousands of travelers across the country stranded.
The government threatened striking workers with arrest and prison terms under military laws. Workers started returning to work late Saturday, but the situation remains chaotic.
Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said most Spanish airports were still not operating and apologized to irate travelers who spent Friday night sleeping at airports on what was supposed to be the start of a long holiday weekend.
He accused the air traffic controllers of trying to blackmail the country and warned that even if they go back to work soon it will take some time for Spanish airports to return to normal.
www.premieretravel.com
The government threatened striking workers with arrest and prison terms under military laws. Workers started returning to work late Saturday, but the situation remains chaotic.
Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said most Spanish airports were still not operating and apologized to irate travelers who spent Friday night sleeping at airports on what was supposed to be the start of a long holiday weekend.
He accused the air traffic controllers of trying to blackmail the country and warned that even if they go back to work soon it will take some time for Spanish airports to return to normal.
www.premieretravel.com
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Is TSA Listening to Air Travelers?
TSA insists that it is listening to the wide barrage of criticism regarding the new body scanners and the "enhanced" pat-downs. At the same time TSA said it will not back down from subjecting the vast majority of travelers to the new procedure.
New surveys are showing that the ever changing and intensive procedures are adding to the already existing hassles of air travel and will likely dampen demand in 2011.
In fact, Amtrak has seen a surge in demand in the northeast corridor of Boston-New Yor-Washington, thanks to a combination of factors that include the new TSA requirements. Amtrak took notice and the train fares have been "modified".
While the majority of the traveling public fully supports TSA's mission of securing our air space and preventing terror, most feel that there has to be a better way...
www.premieretravel.com
New surveys are showing that the ever changing and intensive procedures are adding to the already existing hassles of air travel and will likely dampen demand in 2011.
In fact, Amtrak has seen a surge in demand in the northeast corridor of Boston-New Yor-Washington, thanks to a combination of factors that include the new TSA requirements. Amtrak took notice and the train fares have been "modified".
While the majority of the traveling public fully supports TSA's mission of securing our air space and preventing terror, most feel that there has to be a better way...
www.premieretravel.com
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
A380 Super Jumbo Coming to Washington
Air France is the first carrier to announce that it will begin operating A380 service to/from Dulles Airport starting June 6, 2011.
The aircraft configuration includes 9 Premiere Class, 80 Business and 449 main cabin seats.
www.premieretravel.com
The aircraft configuration includes 9 Premiere Class, 80 Business and 449 main cabin seats.
www.premieretravel.com
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Portugal Strike Paralyses Travel
A crippling nationwide strike resulted in the total cancellation of all flights into and out of Portugal. Train and bus service has also come to a complete halt.
The strike has been organised by two of Portugal's biggest unions in protest at the Government's austerity measures.
www.premieretravel.com
The strike has been organised by two of Portugal's biggest unions in protest at the Government's austerity measures.
www.premieretravel.com
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