Feds cut flights at NYC’s LaGuardia
Federal aviation authorities are cutting the number of hourly flights at LaGuardia Airport as they try to address the worst major airport delays in the country. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced Monday that the government will lower the cap on take-offs and landings at LaGuardia from 75 to 71 per hour. LaGuardia ranks last among the 32 major U.S. airports in on-time arrival performance.... [Read more]
Protesters break into secure area at UK airport
Dozens of environmental activists broke into a secure area of a London airport Monday and chained themselves to each other in a protest against air-traffic pollution, causing the cancellation of dozens of flights. Protest group Plane Stupid, known for its attention-grabbing stunts, said activists stormed Stansted Airport before dawn and staged their protest near the taxi area where planes travel between... [Read more]
More Americans stay home for the holidays
Travelers breezed through airport terminals Wednesday and drivers cruised open roads, the effects of a sour economy blamed for keeping people closer to home at the start of the annual Thanksgiving rush. Even though gas prices fell and airlines offered last-minute deals, many Americans appeared to be skipping trips this year. San Francisco resident Sharon McKellar called the Miami airport “shockingly... [Read more]
Bangkok airport chaos deals blow to tourism
Thousands of bleary-eyed tourists mingled with yellow-clad protesters who brought flights to a halt at Bangkok’s international airport Wednesday, dealing a major blow to Thailand’s tourism industry during its peak season. The tourism industry, which makes up 6 percent of the economy and employs about a million people, was already flagging after protesters in late August shut down airports... [Read more]
Holiday Travelers’ Survival Guide 2008
The waits for planes, trains, and rental cars will be absurdly long this year. Get ahead of the crowd by taking the following shortcuts. Leave your gifts unwrapped. Airport screeners reserve the right to open any package. Wait until you reach your destination and then wrap your presents. You may bring cakes and pies through a security checkpoint, but they will be subject to inspection. Bringing wine... [Read more]
Airport workers program stresses how to de-stress
An irate traveler once raised his hand threateningly at Kaisy Belfon when told a flight was overbooked. Another petulant passenger tossed a piece of luggage at her. Such stressful moments can happen anytime at an airport, but they’re never more likely than when people are trying to get home for the holidays. So Belfon and hundreds of other workers at Newark Liberty Airport are getting a crash... [Read more]
Wanted: Safe US city with 20,000 hotel rooms
Are you a U.S. city or resort with 20,000 hotel rooms, an international airport and a full complement of riot police? Looking to raise your profile? Willing to pay for the privilege? If so, and especially if you have ties to Asia, Uncle Sam wants you. The State Department is seeking a venue for a massive, nine-day conference of Pacific Rim leaders, dignitaries and business executives to be held in... [Read more]
Atlanta airport terminal project may be suspended
A $1.6 billion project to build a new international terminal at the world’s busiest airport could be suspended within the next few months because the airport has been unable to sell $600 million in municipal bonds due to tight credit markets, the head of the airport said Thursday. “Investors are not interested in our debt,” Ben DeCosta, general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta... [Read more]
American Airlines offers mobile boarding passes
Passengers on American Airlines will be able to get boarding passes electronically on their mobile phones or PDAs at some airports beginning Thursday, avoiding the need for printed passes. The carrier said the electronic passes were being introduced Thursday for passengers leaving on domestic flights from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. The passes will be offered on domestic flights... [Read more]
Check out your future check-in
Space travel, security threats and increasing passenger numbers are forcing major changes in the way airports are designed. In fact, when discussing the future of the airport it is now appropriate to consider both conventional air travel hubs we are familiar with, as well as the imminent ’spaceports’. The rush of interest in setting up ’space tourism’ companies has seen proposed... [Read more]