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U.S. Customs and Border Protection has advised all airlines that as of Jan. 20 it will be mandatory for all passengers traveling under the Visa Waiver Program to receive approval to travel through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program. British Airways strongly advises all customers traveling to or transferring through the U.S. from this date to apply for an ESTA at least 72 hours in advance of their journey. Silla Maizey, director of customer service, said, "It only takes 15 minutes to complete an ESTA and the vast majority of applicants will receive approval for travel within minutes, although it can take up to 72 hours. Under the new regulations, we will not be able to accept U.S.-bound customers for their flight if they have not received ESTA approval or if they do not hold a valid visa or Green Card. Most of our customers are already familiar with ESTA as it has been in place for more than a year, although not fully implemented." For more information, visit https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Jan 14, 2010 A large majority of travel managers polled separately by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives and the National Business Travel Association indicated their companies have not reduced business travel as a result of the Christmas Day attempt to detonate a bomb aboard a Northwest Airlines jet en route to Detroit from Amsterdam. But the byproducts of the terror plan--enhanced security screening and other reactive measures--already are affecting travelers around the world. The full consequences are not yet clear as authorities in several countries continue to review and enact new rules. Thus far, there is no evidence of a substantial drop in U.S. air travel demand as a result. "The terrorist incident in December has perhaps had some negative impact on ticket sales, particularly to/from Europe," according to a Jan. 11 research note from UBS analyst Kevin Crissey. "That said, the managements with whom we've spoken have not seen any material downtick that they can attribute to the failed attempt." But the situation raises questions for many frequent travelers and their managers. Will new security procedures that lengthen checkpoint wait times become too much of a drain on traveler productivity? Will carry-on restrictions become less consistent worldwide and force more travelers to wait for checked bags? How should national authorities and corporations that field business travelers handle health and privacy concerns related to the use of body-scanning technologies? How can corporate travel professionals stay on top of new developments? Jan 14, 2010 As of January 20, most UK travelers heading to the US will need to get approval before flying. The Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) scheme means passengers must apply online to US Customs and Border Protection before heading to the airport. The process takes around 15 minutes and should be done at least 72 hours before travel. Once granted, ESTA is valid for two years and allows multiple visits without the need to reapply. Travelers can apply for an ESTA even if they have no firm plans to travel to the US. Jan 13, 2010 Jerusalem-Ankara tensions are having an adverse effect on Turkish tourism, with seven percent fewer Israelis planning a vacation there during 2010 compared with last year. According to the findings of a survey held prior to IMTM 2010 - Israel's international tourism fair, to be held February 9/10 at the Tel Aviv Exhibition Grounds - among Israelis planning to holiday abroad during 2010, only 9 percent said they would do so in Turkey, compared with 16 percent who said they were planning a vacation there in 2009. Jan 12, 2010 The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has mandated new security measures covering inbound flights to the USA effective 4 January. Those measures are the latest response to a foiled attempt on 25 December by a Nigerian national to use explosives to destroy an Airbus A330 operated by Delta Air Lines. The administration's new directive applies to both US and international carriers operating inbound flights, and includes "long-term, sustainable security measures developed in consultation with law enforcement officials and our domestic and international partners", says the TSA. It is mandating enhanced screening for every individual flying into the USA travelling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism and other countries of interest. Jan 11, 2010 American Airlines Twitter was buzzing Thursday morning with news that several airlines are flying doctors and nurses to Haiti free of charge to help with relief efforts there in the wake of Tuesday's devastating earthquake. The only problem: The rumors are false, an American Airlines spokesman says. "Last night's hoax on Twitter about American and JetBlue flying doctors and nurses to Haiti for free was just that -- a hoax. We don't know who is responsible, but it's a very low thing to do," airline spokesman Tim Smith said in e-mails sent Thursday. Twitter users also circulated a rumor that UPS would ship for free any package under 50 lbs. to Haiti. In a blog post Wednesday on UPS's Web site, a spokeswoman debunked the rumor and said that destruction of Haiti's roads and communications networks "means our own shipping services to Haiti are on hold." UPS is donating USD1 million to help the people of Haiti through relief agencies, she said. Jan 14, 2010 Haiti Airlines are uncertain about when commercial service to disaster-ravaged Haiti will resume. Carriers have cancelled Wednesday flights in and out of the capital Port-au-Prince. American Airlines cancelled its five Wednesday round-trip flights. The airline is allowing passengers to change Haiti travel plans without penalty for up to 30 days, spokesman Tim Smith said in an e-mail. Jan 13, 2010 Qantas Airways Two Australian Qantas executives have been restricted from leaving Vietnam while the former CEO of Jetstar Pacific has been arrested over losses at the budget carrier, a joint venture between Qantas (27 percent) and the Vietnamese government and investors. COO Daniela Marsilli and CFO Tristan Freeman were not charged and are assisting authorities in investigating currency losses at the airline. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce told Australian media that Pacific's fuel hedging losses ran into the millions of Australian dollars and "were a part of global business risk." He said Marsilli and Freeman had not acted outside the company's board structure. Vietnamese media reported that former CEO Luong Hoia Nam was taken into custody in Hanoi last week under allegations that he, Marsilli and Freeman flouted a board resolution at the end of 2008 and continued to buy fuel into May 2009. Jan 12, 2010 United Airlines Among the several initiatives United Airlines has in place to support the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti, the airlines' foundation is matching up to a total of USUSD50,000 to the American Red Cross for monetary donations that United customers and employees are making to the organization through its International Response Fund at united.com. In addition, Mileage Plus® members and employees are donating miles to the airline's nonprofit relief partners as part of its Charity Miles program. United is also working with relief agencies to determine how we can best support air lift humanitarian efforts, including transporting aid workers, food, and water. Jan 14, 2010 ZZ AirGuide
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