Celebrities back ‘Keep Virgin Trains’ e-petition as it passes 36,000 signature mark

As of 15:15 on August 22 total signatures reaches 50,000 London UK, 2012-08-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — 22 August 2012: High profile celebrities have given their backing to the independently-set up Government-run e-petition to force a debate in Parliament on the decision to strip Virgin Trains of the prestigious West Coast rail franchise. Earlier today the number of… Read the full press release

Dragonair Welcomes Further Streamlining of Entry Arrangements for Taiwan Residents

Hong Kong, 2012-08-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Dragonair today (Tuesday) welcomed the announcement by the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong SAR government that it will implement the online Pre-arrivalRegistration for Taiwan Residents from 1 September 2012. Dragonair Chief Executive Officer Patrick Yeung said: “Taiwan is an important market for Dragonair and we now operate three flights to… Read the full press release

Cathay Pacific welcomes further streamlining entry arrangements for Taiwan residents

2012-08-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Cathay Pacific Airways today (Tuesday) welcomed the announcement of the implementation arrangements for the online Pre-arrival Registration for Taiwan Residents by the Immigration Department which will further streamline the immigration arrangements for Taiwan residents to visit Hong Kong with effect from 1 September. Cathay Pacific Director Sales and Marketing Rupert Hogg said:… Read the full press release

Precautionary Health Advisory at the JW Marriott Chicago

2012-08-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has alerted the JW Marriott Chicago that three previous guests of the hotel have been diagnosed with a type of a pneumonia referred to as Legionnaires’ disease.  The hotel responded immediately with an investigation in cooperation with the CDPH.  On their advice, the hotel drained… Read the full press release

Gatwick welcomes BAA’s decision on the sale of Stansted

Gatwick calls on the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to now remove the unnecessary burden of economic regulation which has been in force for over 25 years Healthy competition amongst airports is good news for passengers and airlines Independent Gatwick gives a ‘foretaste of the benefits competition can bring’ 2012-08-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Gatwick welcomes BAA’s decision… Read the full press release

RYANAIR WELCOMES BAA DECISION TO SELL STANSTED AND CALLS FOR EARLY SALE TO PREVENT FURTHER TRAFFIC DECLINE

2012-08-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ryanair, Europe’s only ultra-low cost airline, today (20 Aug) welcomed the decision of the BAA monopoly to finally see sense and proceed with the sale of London Stansted Airport, as recommended by the Competition Commission (in 2008), which noted the BAA’s monopoly of London’s big 3 airports ‘adversely affected competition’. Ryanair has… Read the full press release

Over 10,000 aircraft handled by Atlas control as main Olympic airspace restriction period successfully passed after unique collaborative work

2012-08-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — The removal of the main airspace security arrangements covering the London Olympics at midnight on 15/16 August marked a successful end to one of the largest airspace changes ever undertaken in the UK. Pilots affected by the changes adapted extremely well throughout the period of the restrictions and, in general, showed a… Read the full press release

Packaging company guilty of safety breaches when carrying ‘dangerous goods’ on aircraft

2012-08-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — A West London packaging company has been fined £25,000 and £6,630 costs at Isleworth Crown Court for attempting to transport improperly packed dangerous goods on a cargo flight from Heathrow airport in August 2011. Angel Case and Packing Company Limited pleaded guilty to the offence at an earlier hearing, following a prosecution… Read the full press release

CDA Hosts Students in CAPS Safe Summer Program for Fifth Year

Tuskegee Airmen Beverly Dunjill and Milton Williams Jr. (front row) meet with CAPS Safe Summer students at the CDA

CHICAGO, 2012-08-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Thirty students from Chicago neighborhoods today completed a comprehensive, three-day aviation career program provided by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), in partnership with the City’s Safe Summer Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) initiative, and the Chicago Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen. The CDA has participated in the program for the past five years. CDA Assistant Commissioner and Illinois National Guard… Read the full press release

CVG TSA Pre-Check Program to Begin

Screening to begin for enrolled passengers in September 2012-08-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will expand its successful TSA Pre-Check program at VG for passengers this September. “We are delighted to announce that CVG is the first airport in Ohio and Kentucky that is able provide this significant service for our frequent travelers,”… Read the full press release

West MPs get the message on flight tax

Over 1,200 constituents support calls for A Fair Tax on Flying. 2012-08-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — West of England MPs have received over 1,200 emails from constituents calling for the UK’s flight tax – currently the highest in the world – to be cut, according to figures from a campaign backed by the leading names in the… Read the full press release

Ataturk Airport Receives “Obstacle-Free Airport” Certificate

2012-08-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Istanbul Ataturk Airport operated by TAV Airports has now been improved to facilitate disabled passengers to benefit all services comfortably. The new structure is a result of the extensive works that had been carried out since 2009. TAV Istanbul General Manager Kemal Unlu received the certificate from Civil Aviation General Manager Bilal… Read the full press release

Taking Action to Help Prevent Balcony Incidents in Popular Overseas Resorts

2012-08-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — There have been 13 incidents of young people falling from balconies so far this year. Three of these cases resulted in death while others have been seriously injured. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and ABTA – The Travel Association, have joined forces on a campaign to help prevent balcony incidents among young… Read the full press release

Statement from Michael A. Curto, Board Chairman and John E. Potter, President and CEO, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

2012-08-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — For several months, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has been working to address concerns raised by the Department of Transportation Inspector General and others regarding policies, practices and governance issues affecting public confidence. We are making significant progress in a number of areas: We revised the Authority’s bylaws in February to clarify… Read the full press release

Get Through Security Faster!

Dulles and Reagan National Pioneer Improvements for Airport Travelers 2012-08-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — New programs in place at Dulles International and Reagan National Airports help passengers move more efficiently through the airports’ security checkpoints. At Dulles, new technology provides live wait-time displays at security screening so passengers can make an informed selection. At Reagan National, an… Read the full press release

CAA to issue medical certificates to pilots and air traffic controllers with insulin-treated diabetes

2012-08-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — Pilots and air traffic controllers with diabetes treated with insulin (and other medications that significantly lower blood glucose), may now be considered for medical certificates by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), it was announced today. Until now, only a limited number of medications for the treatment of diabetes have been allowed… Read the full press release

CAA updates guidlines on unmanned aircraft

2012-08-10 — /travelprnews.com/ — The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today published revised guidance on operating unmanned aircraft in UK airspace. The advice updates existing guidelines on the safety requirements that have to be met before the CAA will issue permission for unmanned aircraft to be used in UK airspace. The guidance is published as… Read the full press release

FAA TEMPORARILY SUSPENDS OPPOSITE DIRECTION RUNWAY OPERATIONS; BEGINS MIDNIGHT TONIGHT, AUGUST 8, 2012

2012-08-09 — /travelprnews.com/ — Effective midnight Tuesday, August 8, 2012, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is suspending use of Opposite Direction Runway Operations at all applicable airports throughout the United States.  The FAA Air Traffic Control Tower at LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT) notified airport management this afternoon that this suspension will include ONT’s nighttime Contra-flow Operations.  This… Read the full press release

Main Olympics airspace restrictions coming to an end on 15/16 August, but some restrictions remain

2012-08-09 — /travelprnews.com/ — The main airspace security arrangements covering the London Olympics are scheduled to be withdrawn at midnight on 15/16 August. However, a smaller set of restrictions will remain to protect the main Paralympics sites and various shorter-term airspace restrictions will cover other venues. Airspace users are also asked to be prepared for the… Read the full press release

Major systems upgrade to usher in EASA pilot licences – disruption to normal CAA services expected

2012-08-07 — /travelprnews.com/ — The processing of personnel licence and rating applications will be affected by a major IT systems upgrade, taking place ahead of the introduction of EASA pilot licences on 17 September, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced today. The CAA’s Licensing and Medical Departments will be unable to process any applications on… Read the full press release

Air Travel Trust Publishes New Payment Policy

2012-08-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Air Travel Trust (ATT) has today published a new policy for making payments in the event of an ATOL holder failure, following the introduction of reforms to the ATOL scheme in April this year. The new policy sets out the circumstances in which the trustees of the ATT will make payments… Read the full press release

TSA Pre-Check Program Expanded at O’Hare to Delta, US Airways passengers

CHICAGO, 2012-08-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today announced it has expanded its Pre-Check program at O’Hare International Airport to US Airways and Delta Air Lines passengers in O’Hare’s Terminal 2. US Airways and Delta Air Lines passengers can now take advantage of TSA’s Pre-Check pre-screening program at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. TSA’s Pre-Check is a pre-screening process for select frequent flyers who, if… Read the full press release

Global Entry Arrives at San Diego Airport

Trusted Travelers Skip Line When Arriving on International Flights SAN DIEGO, 2012-07-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — Officials with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority unveiled new Global Entry kiosks at the international arrivals area of the San Diego International Airport on July 31. San Diego International Airport is the newest of… Read the full press release

Air Canada and ACPA Receive Arbitrator’s Final Offer Selection

MONTREAL, 2012-07-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — Air Canada said today that it along with the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) have received the decision of the arbitrator, Mr. Douglas Stanley, in the final offer selection arbitration conducted in accordance with the Protecting Air Service Act. The arbitrator’s selection of Air Canada’s final offer concludes a new collective… Read the full press release

CAA helps holidaymakers compare cost of flight extras before booking

2012-07-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — UK holidaymakers looking to book a last minute getaway this summer can compare the cost of any optional extra fees and charges for their flights, thanks to the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) comparison tool. The online tool allows passengers to compare the optional fees and charges applied by the top 23… Read the full press release

Latest annual review of aviation safety published by EASA

2012-07-30 — /travelprnews.com/ — The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published its Annual Safety Review for 2011. In Europe, there was a single fatal accident in scheduled operations during the year. For the decade 2002-2011, the rate of accidents in scheduled operations in EASA Member States was one of the lowest in the world with… Read the full press release

Don’t over tax tourism – WTTC tells EU Finance Ministers

2012-07-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has written to all 27 Finance Ministers in the European Union urging them to recognise the important role of the industry in stimulating economic growth and jobs, while avoiding unproductive knee-jerk tax hikes at a time of austerity. The letter, written by Dr Michael Frenzel,… Read the full press release

RYANAIR CALLS ON SPANISH GOVT TO PROHIBIT POLICE BRINGING GUNS ON BOARD AIRCRAFT

2012-07-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ryanair, Europe’s only ultra-low cost airline, today (24Jul) called on the Spanish Govt to prohibit the unsafe regulation allowing police officers – even off-duty – bringing firearms onto domestic flights in Spain, after a Spanish policeman breached safety regulations by boarding a flight while secretly carrying a gun. Ryanair has formally complained… Read the full press release

GBTA and Egencia® Research Shows Travel Professionals Gaining Control of Travel Policies

Report Ranks Top 10 Most Important Factors in Defining Policy Alexandria, Va. and Bellevue, Wash., 2012-07-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travel professionals are playing an increasingly large and influential role in shaping and controlling business travel policy, aided by online booking tools and fueled by a growing focus on cost-saving efforts, according to a new report by the… Read the full press release

ATIPAC calls for swift progress on further ATOL reforms

2012-07-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Air Travel Insolvency Protection Advisory Committee (ATIPAC) has welcomed the first phase of ATOL Reform, but says much more must be done to protect holidaymakers. In its annual report, published today, the Committee supports the introduction of Flight Plus sales into ATOL, and the forthcoming production of ATOL Certificates for anyone… Read the full press release