Proposal Would Drastically Alter Cruise Industry Itineraries
Fire Hits London’s Camden Market
EU’s Clear Skies Initiative to Develop “Green Aviation”
TSA Blog Stirs Policy Change
Farecast Now Forecasts International Prices
PROPOSAL WOULD DRASTICALLY ALTER CRUISE INDUSTRY ITINERARIES – USA Today
Federal officials are completing a proposed rule that would severely affect itineraries of many foreign-flagged cruise ships, such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Instead of four- to 12-hour stays, the rule would require 48-hour stays and also would possibly reduce the amount of stops on trips that last a week or less. The proposal is aimed at helping the U.S.-flagged ships compete with foreign-flagged cruise lines that depart from the U.S.—specifically on Hawaii itineraries. The point is that some foreign-flagged ships that sail from California to Hawaii, often make very short stops in Mexico—sometimes are short as an hour—which helps them avoid meeting U.S. standards for health, safety, environmental factors, and labor laws. However, some disagree with the proposal: “It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard of,” said Susan Aft, president of Discount Travel and Cruise in Atlanta. “Nobody wants to stay in some of these [foreign] ports that long.”
Link: USA Today
FIRE HITS LONDON’S CAMDEN MARKET – The Times Online (UK)
A blast set the Camden Market ablaze in London on Saturday night. Scotland Yard on Sunday stated that it did not know the cause of the blast. More than 100 firefighters fought the fire for more than three hours; no one was reported injured in the fire. Hawley Arms, a popular hangout for Kate Moss and Amy Winehouse, was the worst-hit building, and several flats and small businesses were damaged. Chief Superintendent Dominic Clout, the borough commander for Camden, noted that the fire was not completely extinguished and the London Fire Brigade would be on-scene for two or three more days.
Link: Times Online (UK)
EU’S CLEAR SKY INTITIATIVE TO DEVELOP “GREEN” AVIATION – Business Week
On January 5, the European Commission started a public-private partnership, which will develop “green” aviation technologies. The Clear Sky Initiative is one of the EU’s largest research funding programs ever and currently has $1.6 billion in funding. The project will survey aspects like engines and aircraft design in order to reduce carbon emissions and the carbon footprint of the aeronautics industry. From 1990 to 2002, greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation increased nearly 70 percent, and the EU emissions increased by 87 percent between 1990 and 2006. The commission also is proposing to include the aviation sector in the EU emissions trading scheme, and by 2012, all airlines departing from and arriving to the 27 member states, and intra-EU flights, will be included in the scheme.
Link: Business Week
TSA BLOG STIRS POLICY CHANGE - MSNBC
The TSA recently added a blog to its Web site, which inspired many travelers to unleash their rage, but the TSA hoped the blog, entitled “Evolution of Security,” would “facilitate an ongoing dialogue on innovations in security, technology and the checkpoint screening process.” Turns out they were right: The TSA was planning a pilot program requiring passengers to remove all electronics—not just laptops—from their carry-on bags at security checkpoints, but after an overwhelming amount of irritated comments on the blog, the TSA decided to cancel the program.
Link: MSNBC
FARECAST NOW FORECASTS INTERNATIONAL PREDICTIONS – Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Cost-saving company Farecast now has expanded to offer international predictions for its customers. The site lets travelers know the “best” time to purchase plane tickets—based on whether fares will increase or drop in the future. The site now includes over 85 European cities and more than 100 Mexico and Caribbean locations.
Link: Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Want to see other recent Travel News Roundups? Click here.
Or, check out more travel news you can use in our main Travel News section.
