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News Archive
» Thousands Stranded As Sterling Airways Goes Bust
Published 10/29/2008
Icelandic-owned Sterling Airways has cancelled all flights, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at London Gatwick and thousands stranded across Europe.
The low-cost airline, which flies from Gatwick to Copenhagen, Stockholm and other Scandinavian cities, said it was filling for bankruptcy and blamed the Icelandic financial crisis for its decline.
“Over a three to four week period, the whole financial system melted down, and that resulted in our shareholder being unable to continue his support to the company,” the airline said in a statement.
“Negotiations have been conducted with several potential investors, but it was impossible to make ends meet. The inevitable result is that Sterling Airlines A/S has no option but to file for bankruptcy.”
The airline is owned by Iceland's Northern Travel Holdings and employs around 1,100 staff.
It flew to 40 destinations, mainly from its hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm.
Customers who have directly purchased their tickets on Sterling’s website will not be refunded, even for their return flights.
They will have to book return flights with another airline.
Those who have paid by credit card are advised to contact their bank or credit card company to ask for a possible refund.
Customers who have booked their flights through a travel agency or tour operator should initially contact them.
» Travel Promotion Act Gets Bipartisan Support
Published 09/23/2008
"Congress understands that travel promotion will boost the economy and create thousands of new jobs," said Roger Dow, President and CEO of TIA. "With Senator Lugar's support, America is one step closer to improving its economy and strengthening its image in the world."
The Travel Industry Association (TIA) announced that Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, became the 50th U.S. Senator to co-sponsor S. 1661, the "Travel Promotion Act," which would create a public-private partnership to better explain U.S. security policies and attract millions of additional overseas visitors to the United States. A House companion bill, H.R. 3232, is co-sponsored by 245 members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Despite a weak dollar that puts America "on sale," two million fewer overseas travelers visited the United States in 2007 than in 2000. The decline in overseas travel to the United States since 9/11 has cost America 46 million visitors, $140 billion in lost visitor spending and $23 billion in lost tax revenue. If the United States had simply kept pace with global travel trends in 2007, an additional 340,000 jobs would have been created, lowering the nation's total unemployment rate to 4.4 percent.
The "Travel Promotion Act," (S. 1661, H.R. 3232), establishes a public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier international travel destination and communicate U.S. security and entry policies. At no cost to U.S. taxpayers, the bill specifies that that travel promotion be paid for by the private sector and a modest fee on overseas travelers that don't pay $131 for a visa to enter the United States. Nearly every developed nation in the world spends tens of millions of dollars to attract visitors.
Oxford Economics, an international economic consulting firm, estimates that a $100 million travel promotion program would yield $8 billion in new visitor spending and $850 million in new revenues annually.
The bill has been reported to the Senate floor by the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The House companion bill has been reported out of Subcommittee. A markup in the House Committee on Energy in Commerce is expected next week.
» Plane Crashes in Russia, killing all aboard
Published 09/13/2008
MOSCOW (AP) — A plane carrying 88 people crashed in central Russia, killing all on board, an emergency official said Sunday.
The Boeing-737 traveling from Moscow to Perm went down about 3:40 a.m. Sunday, Emergency Situations Ministry spokeswoman Irina Andrianova said.
There was no indication of a terrorist attack, she said.
The plane, operated by a division of Aeroflot, was on its approach to land in Perm when it crashed into an unpopulated area of the city, she said. A total of 82 passengers, including seven children, and six crew were on board, she said.
She said there was no damage or deaths on the ground and investigators were working to determine what caused the crash.
Aeroflot spokeswoman Irina Danenberg said in televised comments that the plane was at an altitude of about 3600 feet when it lost contact with ground dispatchers.
Perm is about 750 miles east of Moscow.
Perm emergency official Valery Tivunov said in televsied comments that the plane fell onto train tracks just a few dozen meters (yards) from an apartment building.
Russia and the other former Soviet republics have some the world's worst air traffic safety records, according to the International Air Transport Association.
Experts have blamed weak government controls, poor pilot training and a cost-cutting mentality among many carriers for affecting safety.
Sunday's crash was the second involving a Boeing 737 in the former Soviet Union in the past month. A Boeing flying from the Central Asian nation of Kyrgystan to Iran crashed shortly after takeoff on Aug. 24, killing 56 people.
» Zoom airlines the lastest budget airline to fail
Published 08/29/2008
Zoom Airlines failed with 60,000 bookings for future travel, the Civil Aviation Authority sais this morning.
In addition, there are 4,500 UK passengers abroad left stranded by the collapse of the budget transatlantic carrier.
The CAA warned those passengers who booked direct with the carrier that they have to make alternative arrangements with other airlines.
The same applies to UK travellers who were due to fly back to the UK with Zoom.
This is because the CAA’s ATOL scheme does not cover customers who book flights directly with airlines such as Zoom.
Passengers with forward bookings who booked using a credit card are advised by the CAA to contact their credit card company about refunds.
Those who paid by debit or charge card should contact their card company for advice about full or a partial refund where only part of the journey has been completed, according to the CAA.
Customers with travel insurance should check their policy to see whether any airline insolvency cover was provided.
UK customers that purchased air holiday packages that included Zoom Airlines flights or charter flights from a tour operator should contact their operator or travel agent about alternative travel arrangements, the CAA advised.
Non-UK passengers are advised to contact their home country’s aviation/consumer protection organisation or their credit card company for advice and information about whether they are able to obtain refunds or assistance.
» Ryanair provides screen scaping evidence to European regulators
Published 08/27/2008
Ryanair has provided detailed evidence of what it claims is illegal screen scaping of its website to the European Commission.
The carrier says it has found websites that are inflating its fares by between 200%-300%.
It has detailed four websites where hidden mark-ups have be added.
The airline added that it has suffered “dramatic slowdowns and outrages” to the Ryanair.com website in recent weeks due to the “illegal and unauthorised” activities of screen scaping sites which it has tried to ban.
CEO Michal O’Leary said: “We have responded to the European Commission’s enquiries by providing them with documentary evidence of this unauthorised, illegal ticket-tout scam being perpetuated on consumers by these screen scraper websites.”
He called on the commission to take action to force screen scrapers to “desist from unlawfully overcharging consumers by 200% or 300%, particularly when they provide no useful service to consumers”.
» Advisory Against Non Essential Travel To Georgia
Published 08/10/2008
American citizens in Georgia who would like assistance to depart should contact the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi immediately. The Embassy is organizing a convoy from Tbilisi to Yerevan that will depart on August 10, 2008. A second convoy will depart on August 11. American citizens interested in joining the convoy should call the consular section at 995-32-27-70-00, ext. 7137 or ext. 7003, or 899-57-39-69.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has changed its travel advice to Georgia. They now advise that if you have no urgent need to stay in Georgia, you should leave as soon as possible.
The relevant summary points now read:
We advise against non-essential travel to Georgia. If you or your family have no urgent need to remain in Georgia you should leave as soon as possible. It is wise to do so while some air services are still available and the border remains open.
We advise against all travel to the separatist regions of South Ossetia, Abkhazia and also the upper Kodori Valley (also known as upper Abkhazia).
Serious fighting continues in the conflict zone of South Ossetia. There have also been aerial bombardments of Georgian military installations outside the conflict zone at the Black Sea port of Poti, the military bases at Vaziani, Senaki and Marneuli.
Air travel has been disrupted so contact airlines directly to confirm status of specific flights.
American citizens remaining in Georgia despite this warning should monitor the U.S. Embassy website http://georgia.usembassy.gov and stay in contact with family and friends in the United States. People in Tbilisi may also tune in to Radio Syndicati at FM 104.3 or throughout Georgia at Radio Green Wave at FM 107.4 for updated U.S. Embassy warden message information for U.S. citizens.
Family members and friends unable to verify the safety and welfare of U.S. citizens in the affected area should call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or from other areas via a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. U.S. citizens in the area are urged to monitor the local news. Those residing or traveling in Georgia are reminded to register with the U.S. Embassy either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs or in person at U.S. Embassy Tbilisi so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the embassy or consulate to contact them in case of emergency.
The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi is located at 11 George Balanchine Street (in Didi Dighomi), Tbilisi 0131, Georgia, tel: 995-32-27-70-00. The after hours emergency number is 995-99-57-39-69, or, if dialing locally on a mobile telephone, 899-57-39-69.
» American Airlines Jet Makes Emergency Landing
Published 08/5/2008
According to CNN.com:
An American Airlines Boeing 757 made an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport an hour after taking off because the crew smelled smoke in the cockpit, a fire department official said.
American Airlines spokesman John Hotard said there was evidence of smoke in the cabin, but he could not say if it was visible or just an odor.
Flight 31 was headed from Los Angeles to Honolulu, Hawaii. There were 188 passengers and seven crew members aboard.
When it landed, the pilot ordered an emergency evacuation. Passengers evacuated by inflatable slides.
"It was split-second, 'Go, go, go. Don't take any bags with you. Just go, get off,' " said passenger Julie Brown. "And we just walked to the exit door, and there's that huge slide."
Five passengers had minor cuts and bruises, Hotard said.
Hotard said the flight was the first of the day for the aircraft, and there were no reports of problems with it in the past 30 days.
The pilot requested an emergency landing as a precaution, Hotard said.
American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith said most passengers would take an afternoon flight to Hawaii, although he added that a "handful" of passengers were not continuing to Honolulu. He did not specify why.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/08/05/emergency.landing/index.html
» Official Delegates Warned to Use Throwaway Mobile Phones
Published 08/5/2008
Britain's official delegates to the Olympic Games have been told to use throwaway mobile phones because of security concerns, it has been reported.
The measure is designed to avoid any Chinese officials spying on their conversations.
Delegates have been told not to use their personal mobile phones but pay-as-you-go mobiles that should be thrown away as soon as they return from the Games.
There have been repeated warnings about the lengths the Chinese government will go to obtain information, and the tight controls it keeps on people in the country.
Channel 4 News reported security officials at MI6 told the British delegation the Chinese would as a matter of routine, bug phone conversations.
When you make a call on a regular mobile phone, a signal is sent via the airwaves. Chinese intelligence officials can then use a special listening station to tap into the frequency and eavesdrop into the conversation.
Once the call has been monitored, the unique number can be stored and tracked all over the world, meaning their phones would no longer be secure.
Members of the delegation are also being told not to have private conversations over the phone.
Mike Moran, from Security Protection International, said it would be "naive to suggest the Chinese will not be listening in.
"You have to assume there's going to be three people on the phone."
» Second Qantas Flight Makes Emergency Landing
Published 08/2/2008
A QANTAS international flight on its way to the Philippines was forced to turn back and make an emergency landing at Sydney Airport yesterday because of a hydraulic fluid leak.
The problem for the Boeing 767 is the third for Qantas in just eight days.
A Melbourne-bound Qantas Boeing 747 was forced to make an emergency landing in Manila on July 25 after an oxygen bottle exploded, tearing a hole in the fuselage and subjecting 365 passengers and crew to a 10-minute ordeal.
And last Monday night an Adelaide-Melbourne flight was aborted after take-off because the door above one wheel would not close.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson said of yesterday's drama that air traffic controllers contacted the pilot "when they thought they saw smoke coming from the back of the aircraft".
Checks revealed it was hydraulic fluid coming from an area near the wing.
"The pilots would have had a warning from the flight management system," Mr Gibson said.
"The pilot decided to return to Sydney. They flew out over the ocean to dump fuel because they were overweight for landing."
The flight returned on the airport's longest runway as the pilots ran emergency checks during landing.
"Air traffic controllers received a call from the pilot declaring an emergency and proceeded to give priority clearance for a landing at Sydney. There was no safety issue at any time." One of the 200 passengers aboard the Manila-bound QF 19 said the plane was "very low in the sky" after take-off.
In a statement released late yesterday, Qantas played down the mid-air drama.
"On inspection by engineers, it was determined that the fluid was coming from the spoiler actuator (part of the wing) that was not evident before departure," the statement said. "The Qantas Group operates more than 330,000 sectors each year and air turn-backs are extremely rare."
» Will Checking Bags Cost More Than Your Airline Ticket?
Published 07/31/2008
With Delta Airlines Inc., the nation’s third largest carrier, doubling its charge for checking a second bag, some observers wonder when bags will cost more than airline tickets. Or is it happening already?
Fee changes include an increase from $25 to $50 to check a second bag for domestic travel. Fees for specialty items that require special handling, such as surfboards or ski equipment, will increase on domestic and international flights, Delta said.
Consumer reaction was negative. Readers of the Consumerist blog reacted this way:
"Does this strike anyone else as INSANE? They are getting greedier by the second. Soon breathing in their planes will carry a charge."
"This is getting out of hand. I'd rather see them raise ticket prices a little bit then continue to go crazy with fees."
"The airlines will always be bloated (and) mismanaged. ...If passengers would revolt and quit flying, maybe something would change."
First Class, BusinessElite and Medallion customers will still be able to check up to three bags at no charge, the airline said.
Delta said that as fuel costs remain high, it believes revising its fee structure for excess bags and specialty items is essential to generate the necessary revenues to offset its higher costs.
Delta currently does not charge passengers for checking a first bag on domestic flights. It has said it is studying a decision by several other major carriers to impose that fee.
Delta customers checking bags on international flights can check a first and second bag at no charge.
Fees are for each extra bag, each way.
The fee for checking a third bag on a domestic flight will increase from $80 to $125, while the fee for checking a bag that is between 51 and 70 pounds on a domestic flight will rise from $80 to $90. On any flight checking a bag that is 62 inches to 80 inches of the total of its length plus its width plus its height will rise from $150 to $175.
Delta warned on its Web site that if a customer has an extra piece of baggage that goes over the weight limit and the size limit, the passenger will be charged three times -- once for the extra bag, once for going over the size limit and once for going over the weight limit.
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