Airports leery on travel registry
Airports leery on travel registry — Only one of the USA’s busiest airports has signed up for a much-vaunted program to speed travelers through checkpoints, while at least a half-dozen others are balking at an idea that they say won’t work. (USA Today)
New RFID travel cards could pose privacy threat — Future government-issued travel documents may feature embedded computer chips that can be read at a distance of up to 30 feet, a top Homeland Security official said Tuesday, creating what some fear would be a threat to privacy. (CNET)
Northwest drops leg-room fee for top fliers — Northwest Airlines’ most loyal customers no longer must pay $15 to secure a seat with extra legroom. On Tuesday, the company modified a new pricing plan that charges for the right to reserve some of its aisle and exit-row seats. The change gives its most frequent fliers access to those seats without paying the fee. (The Detroit Free Press)
Rising jet fuel costs may push airline tickets up — The millions who are expected to make this summer’s air travel season the busiest ever should soon begin feeling the pain of the 24% run-up in crude oil prices since Feb. 15. (USA Today)
Manchester city council votes to include ‘Boston’ in airport name — In a world where airlines are struggling to attract passengers, the Manchester City Council voted Tuesday to rename the local airport Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. Never mind that Boston is 50 miles away. (AP)
U.S. market share of international travel at an all-time low — The Global Travel & Tourism Summit attended by more than 700 travel ministers and industry leaders this week affirms the need for the U.S. to adopt a national travel and tourism policy and create a sustained international marketing campaign, key U.S. travel industry leaders said today. (Hotelmarketing.com)
Stranded passengers rescued from East River tram — A four-minute trip on the Roosevelt Island Tramway yesterday turned into a harrowing ordeal that lasted hours as a series of power failures left about 70 people suspended hundreds of feet in the air, forcing a daring late-night rescue over the East River. (The New York Times)
Preemies may need check up before air travel — Children who were born prematurely and have impaired lungs as a result should probably have their respiratory function checked before flying. That’s because more than 80 percent of preterm infants with a history of so-called neonatal lung disease would need extra oxygen during flight, according to a small study. (Reuters)
Passport requirement for border crossers still on track — The Bush administration said Tuesday it still plans to require passports from all foreigners entering the United States by the end of next year, despite calls for a delay by some Republicans worried about strained relations with Canada. (AP)
Cancun’s beaches fully restored, government says — The government declared this resort city’s famous beaches officially restored Tuesday, almost exactly six months after Hurricane Wilma tore through the area and swept away long swaths of sand. (AP)
American Airlines quarterly loss narrows — Leading U.S. carrier American Airlines on Wednesday reported a narrower quarterly loss that handily beat forecasts as rising fuel prices were partially offset by increasing revenue. (Reuters)
British Airways to hike fuel surcharge — British Airways PLC announced an increase in the fuel surcharge on its longhaul flights Tuesday. BA said soaring crude oil prices had forced it to raise its forecast for its 2005/2006 fuel bill and it was passing some of that cost on to passengers. (AP)
Trump sets up Trump State Park — Donald Trump is donating 436 bucolic acres in New York City’s northern suburbs for a new state park that will be named for — you guessed it — Donald Trump. (AP)
Carrie Charney, Christopher Elliott, John Frenaye, Charles Leocha, Marge Purnell, Valerie Schneider, Mary Staley, Stephanus Surjaputra, Richard Wong.