“No Hope” for Children Trapped Under Rubble in China
Boeing 777 Crash Still an Enigma
Influx of Flights and Low Fares from US to Heathrow
New Regulations Allow China-Taiwan Flights
Ridership on Amtrak Hits Record Highs
“NO HOPE” FOR CHILDREN TRAPPED UNDER RUBBLE IN CHINA – The New York Times
After the series of earthquakes in China, the most “fortunate” ones suffered broken bones or a severed limb; the others were either hauled out by the hundreds to a burial site or still remain trapped beneath schoolhouse debris. A school collapsed in a suburb of Dujiangyan, and at least 900 children were killed. “There’s no hope for them,” said Lu Zhiqing, 58. “There’s no way anyone’s still alive in there.” At least 15,000 people are dead and thousands more buried alive. One woman escaped from her apartment building, but her 5-month-old son and 56-year-old mother were buried in the rubble. The woman called local government officials 10 times for help, but to no avail.
Link: The New York Times
BOEING 777 CRASH STILL AN ENIGMA – Washington Post
To this day investigators haven’t any clue why the Boeing 777 malfunctioned as it approached Heathrow on January 17. Though no one was killed during the crash, the aircraft was unrepairable. Outside experts find it ironic that investigators have not discovered the cause of the crash, especially considering that investigators reportedly were able to obtain more data and information regarding the accident than any other crash in history. A report released by British authorities said they suspected that the low fuel in the plane somehow was restricted between the engines and fuel tanks, but they did not say what caused the blockage; however, anonymous sources say investigators believe it was caused by ice accumulation. Outside experts also don’t believe the ice theory pans out because each engine should have been using fuel from a separate tank, and both engines’ thrust subsided.
Link: Washington Post
INFLUX OF FLIGHTS AND LOW AIRFARES FROM U.S. TO HEATHROW – USA Today
Before March 30, only British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, America and United were allowed to operate flights between the U.S. and Heathrow, but the Open Skies has other airlines jumping at the opportunity. Northwest, Delta and Continental airlines are adding service between the U.S. and Heathrow and, in many cases, shifted flights from Gatwick to Heathrow or added new routes. By June, travelers will be able to choose from 95 flights a day each way between Heathrow and the U.S. “You always hope for a strong start right out of the gate,” said Andrew Nocella, US Airways’ senior vice president for planning. “But I would describe Heathrow’s start as not what we’d hoped for. It’s going to be a tough market. In this case, there’s a large influx of capacity, and prices are down.”
Link: USA Today
NEW TOURISM REGULATIONS TO ALLOW CHINA-TAIWAN FLIGHTS - Jaunted
Ma Ying-jeou officially will fill his role as president of Taiwan next Tuesday, and he already is taking lickety-split action to remedy regular direct flights from the Chinese mainland. Taiwan initially banned direct China-Taiwan flights during Communist rule in 1949, primarily due to concerns over sovereignty. During major holidays, direct charter flights were reinstated under a 2006 agreement. Anticipating a throng of tourists pouring into Taiwan from China, Taiwan is devising new tourism regulations, such as requesting all hotels and restaurants to reprint menus with simplified Chinese. Business owners near Sun Moon Lake are buying additional boats and expanding their restaurants. It is not yet known as to which airline Taiwan will allow to operate the cross-strait flight, but the likely candidate will be China Airlines.
Link: Jaunted.com
RIDERSHIP ON AMTRAK HITS RECORD HIGHS - Economist.com
Amtrak’s life has been plagued with miniscule federal funding, overwhelming debt, tough competition with airlines, and deferred maintenance since 1971, but Amtrak has been chugging along and has improved in recent years. In fiscal 2007 ridership hit a new record: a whopping 26 million took to the tracks rather than the skies, and ridership this year is up 12 percent. Flying these days is more of a hassle, even on short-haul flights, so numerous business travelers find it more convenient to ride Amtrak on certain routes—the Acela from Penn Station to Washington, D.C., for example, is often faster and more efficient than flying.
Link: Economist.com
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