Travel-On Travel Industry News
Events We're Watching
Thursday, February 09, 2012

Alaskan Volcano Could Disrupt International Travel

Officials are monitoring Mount Cleveland in the Aleutian Islands. "Eruptive activity" and a new lava dome have been detected, though so far no ash emissions or explosive activity. The volcanic activity could heighten and affect air travel. 90% of air freight from Asia to Europe and North America flies over Alaska air space, and hundreds of flights -- including more than 20,000 passengers -- fly through Anchorage's air space daily.

Spain - Iberia Pilot Strikes

Pilots with Spanish flagship airline Iberia intend to strike Feb. 3, 17, 20, 24, and 29 to protest the company's planned launch of a new low-cost subsidiary, Iberia Express. Cabin crew and ground staff have also indicated their intent to participate in those actions. Significant flight cancellations and delays are likely if the actions are not averted; prior strikes have seen hundreds of flights canceled or rescheduled, though the workers cannot stage a total shutdown as employees are required by law to maintain minimum service levels. Domestic and short-haul flights departing from Madrid and Barcelona airports will be most heavily affected.

Japan - Heavy Snowfall Disrupting Transportation in Northern Areas

Heavy snow and blizzard conditions are affecting transportation across much of northern Honshu and Southern Hokkaido. The heavy snow is expected to continue at least through Feb. 3 with reports of widespread disruptions to all transportation systems. Officials at many airports in northern Japan have either delayed or canceled many flights outright. Passenger and freight rail is also affected, including parts of the Shinkansen ("Bullet Train").

Major Snowstorm Targets Denver Area

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning starting Thursday evening along the Interstate 25 corridor, including the city of Denver. The storm will be slow moving, so a prolonged period of snow will occur through early Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Areas east of the city are under a blizzard warning, where snowfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour are expected. Light snow started falling in Denver on Thursday as it braces for a major winter storm that is expected to blast some areas with up to two feet in a few days. Parts of the region could be plowing out of two feet of snow by Saturday when conditions are expected to gradually taper off. With the approaching storm expected to cause numerous delays, Denver International Airport announced it had up to 180 cancellations.

France - Pilots Threaten Nationwide Strike Feb. 6-9

The largest French pilot union is threatening to strike Feb. 6-9. Unless averted, the labor action will likely cause significant flight delays and cancellations.

Q and A

I've heard people talk about "gate-checked luggage". What is it?

Have you ever been one of the last to board an aircraft and find there is no room for your roll-aboard suitcase in the overhead bins? When this happens the flight attendant takes it from you and checks it just as though you had checked it at the ticket counter. This may also happen at the gate if the gate agent notices a passenger coming through with a piece of carry-on luggage that is larger than the allowed size. Depending on the airline and route you may not see your gate checked luggage again until you get to your final destination or you may find it waiting for you at the door as you deplane that flight. There is generally no charge for "gate check" service when there is no room in the overhead bins, but there may be if you try to sneak through with more than your allotted carry-on limit. We haven't heard of specific instances of it happening yet, but there is talk of adding "carry-on sizers" to the TSA security stations. In addition to showing your ID and boarding pass travelers would also need to prove that their carry-on items fit within the allotted size!

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  • Kansai Airport in Osaka, Japan, is built on a man-made island three miles off shore.
  • A main road runs directly across the runway at the Gibraltar Airport. Railroad-style crossing gates hold the cars back every time a plane takes off or lands.
  • One-third of the runway at Portugal's Madeira Airport runs atop a bridge.
  • The folks in Bangkok, Thailand, made unusual use of the space between two runways at Don Mueang Airport - they built an 18-hole golf course.
  • The runway at Courchevel, France, runs up or down a hill, depending on your viewpoint. Planes generally take off heading down the 18.5 degree slope and land uphill.