Northwest Airlines starts flying with replacements
Northwest Airlines starts flying with replacements — Northwest Airlines got off to a good start by keeping its planes flying when mechanics struck. But the real test for its replacement mechanics may be just beginning, airline experts said on Sunday. (AP)
Qantas jet makes emergency landing — A Qantas Airlines plane has made an emergency landing in Osaka, Japan, because of suspected smoke in the cargo hold, the airline said Sunday. (CNN.com)
Super-sized cruise ships create problems — Cruise lines have been battling for decades to outclass their competitors’ ships by making vessels longer, bigger and full of amenities such as mall-size promenades and ice skating rinks. However, these megaships are creating new problems. (AP)
Salt Lake City tapped top gay-friendly destination — When it comes to being a place friendly to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travelers, Salt Lake City is a much nicer place than most people would think - based on Utah’s reputation as a bastion of conservatism. (The Salt Lake Tribune)
U.S. issues warning on travel in Jordan — The U.S. Embassy in Jordan advised its citizens Sunday to exercise caution in regards to their security in the country in the wake of a mortar attack on a Navy ship last week. (UPI)
In a jam, travel agent trumps the Internet — With today’s focus on the Internet, it’s easy to forget that using a travel agent might still be the best way to arrange air tickets, hotels, rental cars, cruises, tours and other travel services. (The San Francisco Chronicle)
Pet owners can check on airlines — A second set of reports that detail pet injuries and deaths resulting from air travel were released this month, allowing pet owners to check on which airlines have had mishaps. In the first two months of filed reports, nine animal deaths were noted, along with nine pet injuries and two lost animals. (Cox News Service)
British Airways could face more union disruption — The Transport & General Workers’ Union has warned of further disruption to British Airways flights unless the 670 Gate Gourmet workers are reinstated. (BBC News)
Free flights scarce for airline workers — Airline employees, for whom free flights are a prime reason to be in the business, are suffering more than ever this summer with long standby waits and out-of-the-way connections because of airlines’ jammed flights. (Gannett News Service)
French make push against airlines with poor safety records — France should draw up a blacklist of airlines with poor safety records and ban them from landing in French territory, the leader of a parliamentary commission on air safety said.
Car rental tax hike challenged in Charlotte — The city plans to generate $81 million for a new arts and culture facilities by raising its car-rental tax from 11 percent to 15 percent. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Gas prices hit new high — Retail gasoline prices hit a record nationwide average of $2.61 a gallon last week as the effects of high crude oil prices trickled down to the pump, the U.S. government said on Monday. (Reuters)
EU airlines count cost of compensation confusion — The European Union’s compensation rules for airline passengers to address customer complaints has created an unprecedented legal quagmire. (Financial Times)
New federal funds revive Maglev project — The newly reauthorized federal transportation bill allocates $45 million for a super high-speed train connecting Las Vegas to Anaheim, a project that was first proposed over 17 years ago. (Business Press)