Travel Industry News
Friday, June 11, 2004

United Begins Daily Nonstop Service between San Francisco and Beijing
June 10 -- United Airlines marks the launch of its daily nonstop service between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Beijing, the People's Republic of China (PEK) with promotional activities around the city that include free rickshaw rides in downtown San Francisco and Chinese lion dancers at SFO.

United Airlines Launches Daily Nonstop Service Between Chicago O'Hare and Osaka Kansai
June 10 -- United Airlines launched daily nonstop service between Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX), strengthening its already comprehensive network in Japan and the Asia Pacific region. The flight is marketed in conjunction with All Nippon Airways, United's Star Alliance partner in Japan. It is flown using a Boeing 777 aircraft fitted with 10 United First Suite® seats, 45 United Business® seats, and 198 United Economy® seats.

US Airways Introduced GoFares between Philadelphia and San Diego
June 10 -- US Airways’ Philadelphia-San Diego GoFares start at as low as $94* each way in Coach Class. The one-way First Class fare is $699* each way and the new GoFirst fare is $698* roundtrip, with a seven day advance purchase and one-night minimum stay. Coach Class GoFares are never more than $499* each way on this route. The previous walkup fare on this route was $1286** each way.

US Airways Launches Florida And Caribbean Fare Sales
June 8 -- US Airways is offering a special discount fare – $178* roundtrip – for travel from most cities east of the Mississippi to Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. Separately, US Airways is now offering special sale fares as low as $179* for travel to the Caribbean and Latin America.

US Airways To Serve Vail For Winter 2004
June 7 -- US Airways announced today that it will return to Vail for the 2004-2005 winter season, with Saturday service from both Charlotte, N.C., and Philadelphia from Dec. 18, 2004 through April 2, 2005.

US Airways Express To Begin Regional Jet Service Between Grand Rapids And Philadelphia
June 8 -- US Airways Express today announced that it will begin daily nonstop roundtrip regional jet service between Grand Rapids, Mich., and Philadelphia on Aug. 8, 2004.

Fuller flights mean more will do the bump
More people will be flying this summer, and planes will be fuller than a year ago. That, travel experts say, means airline passengers will have a greater chance of getting bumped from jam-packed flights.

Paper Airline Tickets Gone by 2007
According to an article in Reuters.com, "the world's airlines agreed on Monday to cost cutting measures such as full electronic ticketing by 2007." Does anybody

FCC may let Wi-Fi go between TV signals
Despite the objections of TV broadcasters, the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday is expected to propose allowing unlicensed wireless services to use vacant airwaves between TV stations.

Nepal Travel Warning
June 8 -- The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Nepal. The U.S. Embassy has received reports of increased Maoist threats, intimidation, harassment, robbery and extortion against foreigners on popular trekking routes, roads and tourist areas.

Venezuela Travel Warning
June 4 - The political situation in Venezuela remains fluid. The opposition continues efforts to recall President Chavez. Supporters of both the government and opposition can be expected to hold political demonstrations and marches in the period covered by this announcement. There is always potential for violence at these demonstrations.

Somalia Travel Warning
June 7 -- The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Somalia, including the self proclaimed “independent Republic of Somaliland”. Inter-clan and inter-factional fighting can flare up with little warning, and kidnapping, murder, and other threats to U.S. citizens and other foreigners can occur unpredictably in many regions. There is no U.S. Embassy or other U.S. diplomatic presence in Somalia.

LOT Polish Airlines will establish a low-cost subsidiary
June 8 -- LOT Polish Airlines will establish a low-cost subsidiary by year end at the latest, CEO Marek Gabarek told ATWOnline in Singapore. The move is in response to the growing challenge from low-fare carriers in central Europe, including Wizz Air, which just began flying, and Air Polonia.

Virgin's proposed US airline goes bicoastal
June 8 -- Virgin's new US low-fare airline will make San Francisco its principal base of operations while establishing its corporate "Airline HQ" across the continent in Manhattan, where it expects to have more than 300 employees working initially.

EasyJet lowers current fiscal-year profit forecasts
June 8 -- Assuming that the sterling remains reasonably strong against the US dollar and global oil prices ease slightly, easyJet said it expects pre-tax profits for FY04 ending Sept. 30 to "at least exceed" last year's £52 million ($96 million).