Travel-On Travel Industry News
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Friday, October 19, 2012
Events We're Watching

India - Kingfisher Airlines Extends Lockout Indefinitely
The CEO of Kingfisher Airlines has extended the airline's lockout indefinitely after talks with striking engineers and pilots failed Oct. 17. Operations had been scheduled to resume Oct. 20. The airline did not announce a restart date for operations, but leaders of the strike and the airline are expected to meet again Oct. 22. The continued flight suspensions will likely prompt crowded conditions, possible overbooking on other airlines, and price-gouging on other domestic flights in India.

Italy - Mass Demonstration in Rome Oct. 20
Italy's largest union, CGIL, is planning a mass demonstration in Rome's Piazza San Giovanni starting at 1030 Oct. 20 to protest the country's economic crisis and high levels of unemployment. Thousands of people from across Italy are likely to attend the event. Police or crowds will probably block streets; expect significant traffic delays near the rally site. Authorities may also temporarily shut down nearby metro stations. Previous protests have turned violent; low-level clashes are possible between protesters and police.

United Kingdom - Transport Workers Vote to Strike
Hundreds of bus workers belonging to the Rail Maritime and Transport union in southeast UK voted on Oct. 17 to stage an industrial action. Union workers with First Devon and Cornwall voted in favor of the strike action in a dispute over pay. The workers have not announced a date for the strike. Union members and management officials have failed to reach an agreement concerning salary, as union workers rejected a long overdue pay deal. A strike by First Devon and Cornwall workers could result in disruptions to bus services in Devon and Cornwall, as the company employs about 500 workers in southwest UK.

El Salvador - Bus Drivers May Strike in Major Cities
Bus driver organizations have called for a nationwide strike and protest Oct. 22 across El Salvador, though the majority of participation will likely be in the greater San Salvador metropolitan area. Transportation strikes and protests are not uncommon in El Salvador. Drivers may use their vehicles to block roads. Taxi availability may be limited due to high demand. Expect traffic disruptions. Violence is possible, but unlikely. Drivers often use vehicles to block traffic along major highways, particularly arteries connecting major cities. Government representatives are scheduled to meet with transportation workers before the strike; negotiations may prevent the protests from taking place.

Kenya - Gulf Air Suspends Flights to Nairobi Indefinitely Starting Nov. 13
The Bahraini passenger airline Gulf Air announced Oct. 17 that it would be suspending all flight service to Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport indefinitely beginning Nov. 13. Gulf Air management said the suspension was due to commercial reasons. Gulf Air becomes the fourth airline to suspend service to Kenya in 2012. Recently, Virgin Atlantic Airways (VS) suspended its non-stop service to Nairobi via London. Also, Brussels Airlines (SN) and small South African airline 1Time (T6) canceled service to Mombasa's Moi International Airport (MBA) due to both financial and security reasons.

Is it true that some flights go over the North Pole to get from one side of the world to the other?

Yes, for decades now some inter-continental flights have flown the "polar route" over the arctic. Special requirements exist for polar flights, including special communication equipment, fuel freeze monitoring, and firm passenger recovery plans in the event of an emergency. During the Cold War when Russian and Chinese air space was avoided, flights from Europe to the Far East often flew over the top of the world to a connection in Alaska and then down to the Far East. With the opening of trans-Siberian routes in the late '90s, many 21st century flights between the Far East and the U.S. fly across the arctic and Siberia. In December 2011 the easing of rules in how close two-engine jets, such as the 777 and 787 Dreamliner, must keep to diversion airports from 3 hours to 5.5 hours expanded the possibilities for more polar route flights in the future connecting places such as London to Fiji.

  • Most tourists to Antarctica visit the Antarctic Peninsula, accessible from Chile, which is mild, teaming with wildlife, and known as the "Banana Belt" of the continent
  • On average, Antartica is 17 degrees colder than the Arctic
  • Lichens and moss grow in the 2% of Antarctica that is ice-free
  • Antarctica is the highest, driest, windiest, coldest place on earth
  • The only land mass on earth without a time zone is Antartica
  • Antartica is the best place in the world to find meteorites
  • Approximately 37,000 tourists a year visit Antarctica, mainly on cruise ships
  • Antarctica is the only continent with no native insects

Still Time to Earn Double Points on Amtrak

Autumn is here, and with it comes a great time to travel and earn big rewards. Register for Double Days today and travel September 5 - November 16, 2012 to receive double points on all Amtrak travel. That’s any route, anywhere with twice the point earnings. Registration is required. Earn Double Points on All Amtrak Travel

Book Now for Holiday Travel

If you have travel plans this holiday season it's time to book! Christmas is on a Sunday this year which means the Friday before and the Monday after will be the peak travel days. Consider these tips:

  • To get the best fares book early, be flexible, and consider alternate airports
  • Remember that busy travel days mean full parking lots and longer security lines - arrive early to allow the extra time
  • Allow plenty of time for connections and take typical weather patterns into account when selecting your flights and connection city
  • It's a busy, often stressful time for everyone - a smile and kind word for the ticket and gate agents are much appreciated
  • Save the wrapping for when you arrive and carry all gifts unwrapped in case they need to be inspected

Contact your Travel-On/Travel Place agent today for assistance with your holiday travel plans.

Inaugural Travel

The Presidential Inaugural will be held on Monday, January 21st. Hotels in D.C., suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia are expecting higher than normal occupancy rates during the period of January 18-23. If you anticipate needing hotel rooms for business travel within the region between these dates, it is recommended that you block space now. Talk to your Travel-On account manager now to discuss your needs.