|
HEADLINE NEWS
Mexicana
Airlines filed for protection from creditors in Mexico and the
US late Monday August 2, conceding in a statement that its "financial
and labor situation is no longer sustainable." It said it filed a
"voluntary petition to commence a case under the Mexican Business
Reorganization Act" and has also filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy
protection in the US. Most of the aircraft operated by the airline are
leased and court protection is needed to prevent the seizing of those
assets. The company said it plans to continue operations with only
"minor adjustments” adding that the filings "will in no way affect the
operations, flights or itineraries of MexicanaClick and MexicanaLink."
Despite being subsidiaries of MX, "these airlines operate under
completely different business models," the airline stated.
Rewards trip specialists
can help maximize points. While you can use online tracking
systems to keep track of your travel reward points, another option is
to hire a "rewards trip specialist," who charges a flat fee and can
help you get the best deal using your reward points. "It's much easier
to rely on an expert to book your award travel and it is well worth the
fee," says one customer.
Air travelers face an
array of fees. Travelers booking tickets on the nation's
airlines face an array of fees, including those for changing tickets,
standby travel fees and phone reservation fees. The growing number and
cost of these fees has raised concerns among lawmakers; a House
subcommittee recently met to discuss whether the fees should be more
clearly disclosed to travelers.
Frequent flier card offers
increase as demand slackens. Banks and airlines are vigorously
offering credit cards linked to frequent flier miles even as consumer
demand has tapered off, Joe Sharkey writes in The New York Times.
Observers say the flurry of card offers represents the symbiotic
relationship between the banks and the carriers. Meanwhile, the card
agreements remain big revenue generators for the carriers.
Hotels raise the bar on
fitness rooms with high-end gyms. Hotels in cities such as
Miami and London increasingly are beefing up their fitness room
facilities by incorporating some of the best-known gyms into their
offerings. The stylish new Gansevoort Miami Beach, for instance, is
home to the Miami branch of the David Barton Gym, a massive two-level,
Moroccan-inspired fitness complex featuring everything from boxing
classes to endurance spinning. And in London, St. Martin's Lane houses
the upscale Gymbox, considered the largest hotel gym in Europe.
Unrest in Greece leads to
decline in tourism revenue. Strikes, riots and negative press
have hurt Greece during the height of its travel season, and European
tourists have been booking travel to the Turkish Aegean cost instead.
Hotels and other members of the travel agency predict revenue generated
by tourists will decline by about 10% this year.
Mission accomplished on
cargo screening. Despite doubts by some government auditors,
the Transportation Security Administration said Tuesday it had met the
Aug. 1 deadline for screening 100% of cargo on domestic passenger
flights. The only cargo not currently being screened is that arriving
on flights from overseas. "We did not expect to meet the international
inbound mandate but will continue to work with the airlines and
international partners to work toward that goal," TSA spokesman Greg
Soule said.
Continental
will shed more light on proposed United merger. Continental
Airlines will shed more light on its agreement to merge with United
Airlines, Continental said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The merger is expected to close at the end of this year.
The airline agreed to make the disclosure after it was sued for
allegedly breaching its fiduciary duty to shareholders said The New
York Times.
Spirit Airlines' Next Fee?
Talking to a Human. Just when you thought airlines couldn't get
any stingier, the CEO of Spirit Airlines said he is considering a new
fee to talk with a human at the airport. Spirit Airlines now charges
for checked and carry-on bags, and customer service. Yes, the airline
that just started charging for carry-on bags might someday add a fee
for getting some help from one of its employees, Spirit CEO Ben
Baldanza told ABC News. Baldanza said passengers won't see this fee "in
the very near term." Or at least not until the airline improves its
airport technology. http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/spirit-airlines-fee-talking-human-airport/story?id=11306933
Gulf
Coast tourism groups brace for effects of oil spill. City and state
tourism offices and convention bureaus in the Gulf Coast region are
taking proactive steps as the oil slick moves toward the coastline. The
universal message is to encourage travelers and companies to keep their
travel plans. "New Orleans is 100 miles inland and foresees no
disruption in guest service or any negative impacts on visitors," the
website of Louisiana's Office of Tourism notes. "We are trying to
prevent cancellations and to reassure visitors to come," said a
representative of a multistateconsortium of destinations.
TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY
NEWS
Search for a WiFi
Zone
Some
developing countries might suspend BlackBerry service. Some
developing countries in the Middle East or Asia are concerned
BlackBerries create a security risk and are considering suspending or
banning e-mail services. "It's a reflection of fears of cybersecurity
and espionage that now extend to mobile phones," said Ron Deibert,
director of the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab. Concerns the
devices could be used in crimes might prompt the United Arab Emirates
to suspend service in October.
more Travel Tech news.....
|