FEATURED PARTNER: AEROMEXICO
AeroMexico, named “Best Airline in Mexico” and “Best Airline in South/Latin America 2011″, is introducing new non-stop service on May 21, between Washington Dulles International and Mexico City International Airports. Now you can conveniently connect to 40 cities in Mexico and 11 countries throughout Latin America for business or pleasure. AeroMexico is a founding member of the SkyTeam which includes 15 international carriers, making the world more accessible through improved connections as well. For your next adventure south of the border fly with AeroMexico.
AIRLINE NEWS
Ryanair will shut down its website for 24 hours starting at midnight on Friday, May 18 to perform upgrades. Passengers set to travel have already been informed to check-in before 4pm on May 18 for May 19 flights.
Virgin Atlantic, responding to passenger demand claims to be the first carrier to offer in-flight cell phone service over the Atlantic. Passengers will be able to send and receive both calls and text messages once some 20 planes are equipped by the end of 2012.
British Airways is set to discontinue operation of bmibaby, the budget carrier acquired from Lufthansa, beginning next month. Hundreds of staff will lose jobs as bmibaby winds down, halting all flights by September. (TravelMole.com, May 14)
RAIL NEWS
Amtrak issued its new strategic plan for reorganization to improve financial performance and customer service. Four business divisions will be established with clear fiscal accountability; Northeast Corridor Services, Long Distance Services, State Supported Services and Commuter Services. (TravelPulse.com, May 12)
The high-speed rail operator, Eurostar, seeks to compete with airlines and expand train service between London and Paris to include a network of cities across Western Europe such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Cologne, Lyon, Geneva and Marseille. (Airwise.com, May 14)
NEW ROUTES FOR DCA
The Department of Transportation announced that four carriers have been awarded new routes from Washington Reagan National Airport. The following airlines will operate nonstop flights, schedules to be determined; Alaska Airlines to Portland, JetBlue to San Juan, Southwest to Austin and Virgin America to San Francisco. (USAToday.com, May 14)
TRAVEL AND TOURISM PLAN FOR THE USA
The Obama Administration announced a National Travel and Tourism Strategy acknowledging the value and contribution of the travel and tourism industry to our economy. The goal is to attract 100 million international visitors a year by; using technology to facilitate the entrance of foreign tourists, expanding the Trusted Traveler Program, improving customs staffing and expanding open skies agreements. The strength and growth of this sector drives job creation and has the potential to realize from visitors, double their current spend of $125 billion annually. (TravelMarketReport.com, May 11)
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE TURNING 75
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco is throwing a big party on May 27. There will be a free public festival featuring music, art and vintage cars, culminating in fireworks that evening. The event will take place, over a four mile stretch of the San Francisco Bay waterfront. (Travelagewest.com, May 11)
CRUISE COSTS HOLDING
Strong demand for cruising worldwide is lifting sales and keeping prices up. Cruise lines see increased bookings across the globe with one exception, Europe. Southern Europe and seaports around the Mediterranean have suffered the most, due to unrest. Advance bookings into 2013 look healthy overall for the industry; perhaps an indication for the broader economy. (USAToday.com, May 10)