Runway reports often unreliable
Runway reports often unreliable — An antiquated warning system for the nation’s pilots has led dozens of them to receive unreliable information about slippery runways and to land in dangerous conditions, according to a USA TODAY review of accidents and pilot reports during the past decade. (USA Today)
Monitoring faulted in runway skidding — The National Transportation Safety Board is months away from issuing formal findings on the Dec. 8 Southwest Airlines crash at Midway, but the way that airports across the country monitor runway snow and slush is sure to be scrutinized. (USA Today)
TSA: Program may use fliers’ financial data — A new program to speed travelers through airport security may require passengers to agree to a check of their personal and financial records, the Transportation Security Administration said. (USA Today)
Cruise passengers threaten mutiny — Some passengers on the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship are threatening not to get off the ship at its next port of call to protest a last-minute change in the itinerary, the vessel’s operator said Sunday. (AP)
Three die in crash; five hurt, but stable — A young child was among three who died when a single-engine Cessna crash-landed in forest on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the RCMP confirmed yesterday. (Canadian Press)
Fans hit by hotel rip-off at World Cup — Hundreds of German hotels have sharply increased their prices to cash in on the hordes of fans who will be arriving from across the world for the tournament in June. (The Observer)
Full steam ahead for global voyagers — After a banner year for travel to traditional destinations, experts anticipate a yearning for more exotic locales, such as Africa, Antarctica and China. (The Los Angeles Times)
Comeback of the year: New Orleans — Less than six months since hurricane-driven floodwaters flowed through its streets, New Orleans faces its traditionally festive springtime season with its mind on weighty issues. Much of the city’s citizenry remains dispersed, but is gradually returning to the city. (The New York Times)
JetBlue to add 10 new cities this year — JetBlue Airways Corp., the largest airline operating from New York’s JFK International Airport, plans to add flights to 10 new U.S. cities this year, Chief Executive Officer David Neeleman said. Those routes may be shorter ones as the airline seeks to make the most fuel-efficient use of new, 100-seat Embraer jets. (Bloomberg News)
ATA grows out of bankruptcy — ATA Airlines will add service to four cities and increase flights to Hawaii, the first sign of the airline’s business plan once it emerges from federal bankruptcy protection in the coming weeks. (AP)
Mobile expects big crowd for Mardi Gras — A scaled-down New Orleans Mardi Gras because of Hurricane Katrina’s destruction could boost turnout for the rollicking festivities in Mobile, where local historians say carnival was first celebrated in the United States in the 1700s. (AP)
New guilde details a fantastic but pricey London — London was hailed as one of the greatest cities in the world despite being horrendously expensive and filthy, the new Lonely Planet guidebook said last week. (AP)
Former Starwood chief launches luxury hotel brand — Barry Sternlicht, the former chief executive of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, will launch a new luxury hotel brand called the Crillon, he said Monday. (Reuters)
American to resume New York-New Orleans service — American Airlines said Monday it will resume one daily non-stop flight between New York’s LaGuardia Airport and New Orleans on Feb. 3. (AP)
Carrie Charney, Christopher Elliott, John Frenaye, Charles Leocha, Marge Purnell, Valerie Schneider, Mary Staley, Stephanus Surjaputra, Richard Wong.