May 2009 ~ lpn

Friday, 29 May 2009

Distrust of the Italian Airlines leads to growth on the track

In December 2008 a third more travellers were reported using the super new train service of Italy affectionately called "The Frecciarossa" which commutes between the mega cities of Rome and Milan. Clearly the Italian Railway is launching a competitive challenge to Alitalia, Air One and the Budget Airlines that frequent...

By: Progress On 07:17

Increased rights for EU passengers

Undoubtedly the EU is taking a Global lead in protecting Air Passenger rights, which at Perpetual Traveller we whole heartily approve of. Its only a shame that IATA (the air transport association) and IAPA (internationa air passengers association) do not do more to support such measures on a global...

By: Progress On 07:15

Airlines gearing up for heavy losses

Mark my words, the situation in the Airline Industry is nothing short of a financial disaster! To illustrate, IATA (International Air Transport Association) is reported to state that it expects losses to the tune of 5 billion USD worldwide in 2009. The head of IATA Giovanni Bisignani said "The Industry is...

By: Progress On 07:13

Eurostar links UK with Switzerland

Eurostar high speed rail service has introduced through fares for as many as 18 Swiss cities.The development was made possible as the Company teamed up with Lyria, which operates high speed trains between France and Switzerland, to provide passengers with 1 complete ticket for the entire journey. The key...

By: Progress On 05:18

A HOLIDAY FIT FOR A SULTAN

Wistfulness for ancient times and desire for progress, battlemented forts and modern architecture, Bedouin villages and creative designer hotels, Islamic culture and equal opportunities. Welcome to Oman, on the extreme south-eastern end of the Arabian peninsula, one of the most fashionable destinations of the moment. From years of being...

By: Progress On 04:42

Tuesday, 26 May 2009

Bulgaria

SummaryThere is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.The main types of incidents for which British nationals required consular assistance in Bulgaria in 2007 involved petty crime and, replacing lost or stolen passports. You should be aware of...

By: Progress On 02:53

Monday, 25 May 2009

Bosnia and Herzegovina

SummaryThere is an underlying threat from terrorism in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.Tensions between ethnic and religious groups occasionally result in demonstrations. Since Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in February 2008 there have been a number of...

By: Progress On 01:50

Weather Forces Shuttle Landing in California

More bad weather across Florida forced NASA to land the space shuttle Atlantis at Edwards Air Force Base in California this morning (5/24).Read moreBy Planet Data...

By: Progress On 01:45

TSA Cancels Use of Airport "Puffer" Machines

United States — In a blog post Thursday (5/22), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced it is phasing out the use of "puffer" machines used to screen passengers for trace amounts of explosives.The TSA says it finds the devices, officially known as Explosive Trace Portals (ETPs), "do not meet...

By: Progress On 01:44

Saturday, 23 May 2009

Perpetual Travellers “Top June Events”

Genoa Italy 30 May - 1 Jun “A Thousand Sails”La Regatta delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare - (A Thousand Sails) is held every four years in the fascinating city of Genoa, this historic boat race and procession has been staged since 1956. As well as costumes and spectacular boats, there...

By: Progress On 02:11

Friday, 22 May 2009

HEAVENLY ROME…

With your eyes pointed skywards, an unusual journey to some of the most evocative sacred locations in the city.As we all know, Rome is a city that evokes strong emotions. Like those we feel when standing in front of the Coliseum, with its long history, or visiting the Vatican...

By: Progress On 02:07

Greetings from Vienna Airport

Greetings from Vienna Airport where red is the colour. Here they take Security seriously and for some non Schengen flight the Passport Passport control is at the gate, along with a second security check and 3 checks of ones Boarding card.On the topic of security at airports, which is...

By: Progress On 02:05

TSA Reminds Flyers About Using Correct Information

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is launching a public awareness campaign to educate the American air traveling public about new identification requirements being phased in under the "Secure Flight" program.With Secure Flight, the TSA is assuming responsibility from the individual airlines for uniform pre-flight watch list matching. The...

By: Progress On 02:05

Trinidad and Tobago Flights Canceled Due to Bad Fuel

Caribbean Airlines had to cancel flights in both Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday because of poor quality fuel received from the state-owned National Petroleum (NP).Read moreBy Planet Data...

By: Progress On 02:04

Four Men Charged in Plot to Shoot Down Military Jets

Four men have been arrested in Newburgh, New York for allegedly plotting to blow-up a synagogue in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, and shoot down National Guard airplanes with surface-to-air missiles.Read moreBy Planet Data...

By: Progress On 02:03

Iran Claims Long Range Missile Test a Success

Iran test-fired a new advanced missile today (5/20). President Ahmadinejad claims the missile has a range of about 1,200, which is enough to strike Israel, southeastern Europe, and U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf. It is reported that U.S. officials confirmed the launch, but not the details of the...

By: Progress On 02:02

More than 90 Dead in Indonesian Military Plane Crash

Indonesia — An Indonesian military transport plane crashed into a village today as it was coming in for a landing at an air force base. At least 97 people in the aircraft and on the ground were killed, but there are some survivors. The plane was carrying military personnel...

By: Progress On 02:01

U.S. Navy Helicopter Crashes in Ocean Off Southern California

United States — Late Tuesday night a U.S. Navy helicopter went down in Mexican waters about 13 miles southwest of San Diego. The U.S. Coast Guard is on the scene and looking for survivors. A USCG spokesperson told CNN five people were on board when the copter crashed.Read moreBy...

By: Progress On 02:00

Wednesday, 20 May 2009

Belgium

SummaryThere is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. Belgium shares a common level of threat with neighbouring European countries. On 11 December 2008 a number of terrorist suspects were arrested in Belgium. Theft and pick pocketing is a...

By: Progress On 03:58

Belarus

The threat from terrorism is low. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.Visas are required to enter, or travel through, Belarus. This includes anyone travelling by train on popular routes such as...

By: Progress On 02:08

Tuesday, 19 May 2009

Azerbaijan

SummaryWe advise against all travel to Nagorno-Karabakh and the military occupied area surrounding it.Azerbaijan faces a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets and places frequented by foreigners.Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Azerbaijan have led to a small number of human fatalities....

By: Progress On 03:05

Monday, 18 May 2009

Austria

SummaryThere is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.There are complex driving laws in Austria, especially for caravan and motorhome owners. If you intend to ski you should be aware that during and around the winter season there...

By: Progress On 06:35

Photos of Hudson River Airplane Salvage

Wired.com has an article about the interesting story of photographer Stephen Mallon, the man tapped to photograph the Hudson River salvage of US Air Flight 1549. There are also some impressive photographs accompanying the piece.Read moreBy Planet Data...

By: Progress On 06:32

TSA Asking Travelers to Put Shoes Directly on X-Ray Belt

According to a TSA Blog post, starting this past week TSA security screeners around the nation "will be asking passengers to put their shoes directly on the X-ray belt instead of in a bin at the checkpoint."The reasons why? To "declutter bins and give officers a better view of...

By: Progress On 06:31

Mock-Terror Training Event in Colorado

Starting today (5/15) and lasting until Saturday morning there is going to be a large-scale emergency exercise in Aurora, Colorado. Operation "Vigilant Front Range" will center around a mock terrorist incident and involve Buckley Air Force Base, University of Colorado Hospital, The Children's Hospital, and the University of Colorado...

By: Progress On 06:30

Air Force Wants Cyber Command in Texas

United States — According to local reports from cities which did not win the selection process (Denver, Omaha, Shreveport), the Air Force has selected San Antonio's Lackland Air Force Base as the home of its new cyber defense force.Originally the Air Force was to establish the "Cyber Command" as...

By: Progress On 06:28

Government Employees Die in Guatemalan Plane Crash

Guatemala — Five people employed by the Guatemalan government and a pilot died when their plane crashed Thursday after taking off from the La Aurora International Airport. The small plane came down in the yard of an unoccupied home. No one on the ground was injured.Read moreBy Planet Data...

By: Progress On 06:27

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Gets new FSD

United States — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today (5/14) that Mary Leftridge Byrd has been named the new Federal Security Director (FSD) for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.Read moreBy Planet Data...

By: Progress On 06:25

Thursday, 14 May 2009

RAF Wants to Purchase More Eurofighter Typhoon Jets

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced that the Royal Air Force (RAF) is negotiating to purchase a third round of the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet.The aircraft are purchased through the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA), which is a consortium of UK, Germany, Italy and Spain.Read moreBy...

By: Progress On 23:34

Militants Threaten All Out Conflict in Niger Delta

Nigeria — The Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) on Wednesday issued an ultimatium to oil companies to either evacuate all their workers or face an onslaught of attacks against not just oil ships and installations, but also against airplanes and helicopters. On Thursday (5/14) MEND extended...

By: Progress On 23:33

Air Travelers Pay Attention to Use Your Name on Your ID

Starting May 15, people traveling by air in the United States should make sure the name they are using to make reservations matches what is on the piece of identification they will be using at the airport. This is part of the requirements of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)...

By: Progress On 23:32

Armenia

SummaryWe advise against all but essential travel near the border with Azerbaijan due to the unresolved dispute over Nagorno Karabakh. This particularly covers the border areas of Tavush and Gegharkunic regions, where there is sporadic gunfire. In Tavush Marz we specifically advise against travel on the road from Ijevan...

By: Progress On 23:24

Andorra

Travel SummaryThere is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.Andorra is not a Member of the European Union and therefore EU reciprocal medical arrangements do not apply.Visitors to ski resorts should take advice on weather and...

By: Progress On 03:07

Wednesday, 13 May 2009

Greetings from the Flower Festival of Larnaka

Greetings from Larnaka, where the Anthestiria Flower Festival took place last weeked, which is a celebration of spring and nature's rebirth. What a pleasure it was to see the parade of flower floats and locals carrying beautiful, fresh flowers along Larnaka's attractive seafront promenade.The festivities date back to ancient...

By: Progress On 02:51

How far can Ryanair go?

The Budget air travel market has grown significantly over the past decade across the globe and one of the leading airlines fuelling this rise in popularity is Ireland’s Ryanair, an airline that truly pioneered new destinations in regional airports all over Europe, avoiding the major hub expensive airports to...

By: Progress On 02:49

Albania

Travel SummaryWe advise against all travel to the north east border areas (i.e. the districts of Kukes, Has and Tropoje) between Albania and Kosovo because of the risk of unexploded ordnance placed during the 1999 Kosovo crisis and the poor condition of the roads.Although public security is generally good,...

By: Progress On 02:32

Tuesday, 12 May 2009

More Airports Get Stimulus Funds for Security Technology

United States — Montana's Great Falls International Airport is receiving more than $386,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to fund the purchase of a Reveal CT-80 explosives detection system reports the Great Falls Tribune. According to Reveal's website, the CT-80 can scan 225 bags per hour.Read moreBy...

By: Progress On 23:41

AirTran to Offer Internet Access on All Flights

United States — Low-cost air carrier AirTran announced today (5/12) that by mid-summer it will offer in-flight Wi-Fi on all 136 of its jets. As with most other carriers offering mid-air Internet access, AirTran is deploying Aircell's Gogo Inflight Internet service. Pricing was not announced.Read moreBy Planet Data...

By: Progress On 23:39

DoD Recruiting and Retention Numbers for April 2009

United States — The Defense of Department has announced its April 2009 recruiting and retention numbers for its active and reserve components, and across the board all branches of the military met or exceeded their goals. In particular the Marines by far surpassed its target of 1,018 recruits by...

By: Progress On 23:39

FAA Rejects Low-Level Navy Flight Down Hudson River

On Monday (5/11) the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) denied the Navy permission to fly a P-3 Orion airplane down the Hudson River at an altitude of 3,000 feet. This was a training flight from Maine's Brunswick Naval Air Station, which has been conducted multiple times since 2001, but with...

By: Progress On 23:38

Baggage Cart Sucked into 747 Engine at LAX

From LA Times:"A large metal baggage container was sucked into the engine of a Japan Airlines Boeing 747 on Monday as the giant jetliner prepared to depart with 245 passengers from Los Angeles International Airport, authorities said."Read moreBy Planet Data...

By: Progress On 23:37

Militant Safe House Targeted in Drone Attack

Pakistan — A suspected U.S. drone attack killed at least 8 people in Pakistan's South Waziristan region today (5/12). According to multiple reports, two missiles targeted a house used by Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters after returning from or before going to Afghanistan.Read moreBy Planet Data...

By: Progress On 23:35