New leads in Mizener case
A man aboard the cruise ship from which Annette Mizener disappeared a month ago says he’s the one who found an array of her belongings on a deck, and that he witnessed a security camera covered with paper near those items. Michael Gaither, of Milipitas, Calif., said he was surprised the FBI never contacted or interviewed him because he was one of three people who knew firsthand where the items were found.
Fares take a tumble
The stocks of major airlines were hurt on Wednesday by the prospect that lower fares would spread even more thickly across the country, fueled by strategic moves by the industry’s healthiest player and one that is trying to regain its footing. Southwest Airlines, the industry’s healthiest player, delivered another punch to struggling US Airways, announcing plans to start service from Pittsburgh, where US Airways is dismantling its hub after a long reign as the airport’s dominant carrier.
Independence Air cuts flights
In a cost-cutting move, Independence Air plans to eliminate 150 of its 560 daily flights — most in and out of Dulles International Airport — at the end of this month. The financially troubled carrier will continue to offer flights to each of the 38 cities it serves from its Dulles hub but the frequency will be scaled back in many cases, said Rick DeLisi, the airline’s spokesman.
Rental tracking goes to court
The state’s highest court will hear arguments tomorrow over whether a rental car company was allowed to use satellite tracking to slap customers with hefty penalties when they’re caught speeding. American Car Rental says it was within its rights when it used GPS tracking software to spot drivers going over 79 miles per hour for more than two minutes.
Delta cuts prices, rules
Delta Air Lines, the nation’s second largest carrier, is expected to become the first of the so-called Big Six to radically change its pricing policy nationwide, removing irritating ticketing rules like required Saturday-night stays, halving ticket-change fees to $50 from $100 and slashing fares on everything from first class to last-minute tickets.
A riot on Flight 33
Some of the 300 passengers stuck on an international flight that was delayed 18 hours by fog, regulations and mechanical glitches said the passengers were almost ready to riot as the wait dragged on. Food and water ran short, and the toilets stopped working before Northwest Airlines Flight 33 finally reached Seattle early Wednesday, 28 hours after leaving Amsterdam.
US Airways on the brink?
Local airports and competing airlines are preparing themselves for a world without US Airways. The bankrupt airline faces several financial hurdles that will determine whether it survives beyond next month. What’s more, the carrier is coming off a Christmas weekend in which a large number of employees calling in sick left thousands of passengers — and their luggage — separated from their loved ones.
Airline chaos continues
The nation’s airlines are going through the most wrenching transition in their 80-year history, and this holiday season travelers are getting a taste of what the future may be like. Besides the cold, snow, and ice which often foul up Christmas travel, this year’s record number of fliers have had to contend with fewer available flights, mountains of misplaced luggage, and, in some cases, overworked and less than helpful airline staff - all symptoms of an industry in the midst of a historic downsizing.
DOT investigates airlines
Department of Transportation yesterday launched a formal investigation into the weekend’s travel disruptions involving US Airways and Comair that left thousands of passengers stranded or separated from their baggage. The expedited probe will be the first step in what the agency’s inspector general said would be a major audit of the airline industry’s performance.
‘Death came from the sea’
Rescuers are scouring the sea for missing tourists and soldiers are racing to recover bodies amid fears of disease as Asia counts the cost of a tsunami that has killed more than 16,400 along coasts from India to Indonesia. Relatives hunted through piles of dead stacked up in hospital corridors and threw flower petals into the waters off India to pray for the safe return of thousands still missing.