Eurocypria of Cyprus goes belly up, leaving thousands of tourists in the lurch

The Cypriot Charter Airline Company Eurocypria with its ongoing financial challenges finally announced on Thursday an indefinite suspension of all flights. This desperately bad news for Cyprus Tourism is expected to disrupt the travel arrangements of thousands of international tourists.

The state-owned board of Eurocypria made this desperate announcement after its 320 staff declared an indefinite strike over job losses. Rumours surrounding the airline seems have impacted on the distraction of its staff, which by some reports compromised air safety.

More specifically the Company stated "The executive board has decided to indefinitely suspend the company's flight programme from midnight, November 4,". The  board went onto advise the Government in the capacity of sole owner to proceed with entering the process of the Company liquidation at the earliest juncture and moreover to seek alternative employment for the Companies existing employees.

As the dust settles, it appears that Eurocypria were in such serious financial difficulty, that in essence it was the core reason why its flight programme could not operate under "conditions of absolute safety."

The Government on the Island of Love declared that it can no longer manage 2 national airlines and that it desires to save the National carrier Cyprus Airways (CA) which earlier posted H1 losses of 25 million euros.

The liquidation and eventual closer of Eurocypria is expected to affect an estimated 15,000 tourists. The greatest impact to of which will come from the markets of Germany and Russia. Cyprus Airways may however undertake some if not all of the routes.

The strategy of the Government is likely to feature the implementation of a voluntary retirement scheme, which will be true for both airlines, in order to  allow Cyprus Airways to absorb as many of the unfortunate staff of Eurocypria as possible. All this said, the Government of Cyprus still needs EU approval (following state aid rules for Cyprus Airways to absorb the staff and services of Eurocypria).

On the Political front opposition MPs jumped on the bandwagon to accuse the current Government of gross mismanagement of the Country’s funds. Other Politicians estimate that Eurocypria's debts may actually exceed a stunning 56 million euros in total, well over double of the purchase price, as it was only in 2006 when the state bought Eurocypria for 23 million euros from Cyprus Airways, for which it has a 70% stake to prevent the more established airline carrier from going bust.

By: Progress On 15:08

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Travel Alert - Haiti

Ahead of Tropical Storm Tomas (or Hurricane Tomas if it strengthens) possibly hitting Haiti, the U.S. State Department issued the following Travel Alert for the island nation on Tuesday (11/2) warning about the threat from the storm.

U.S. State Department
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens there is a high probability that Tropical Storm Tomas may bring tropical storm force winds and heavy rains to Haiti later this week. While the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has downgraded Tomas from a category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm, NHC reports Tomas could regain strength as it moves west. The NHC tracking model shows Tomas turning north toward Haiti by the end of this week; Haiti could begin to feel effects of the storm, such as powerful winds and heavy rain, by November 4. A Travel Warning issued by the U.S. Department of State on June 24, 2010 is still in effect and advises U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Haiti due to limited infrastructure and access to basic services. Even storms that do not reach hurricane strength have caused widespread damage and loss of life in Haiti in recent years. U.S. citizens who nevertheless plan travel to Haiti should defer travel until Tropical Storm Tomas has passed. This Travel Alert expires on November 10, 2010.

Source: Planet Data

By: Progress On 23:48

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Car Bomb Sat at Belfast Airport Since Last Year

A bomb squad defused an improvised explosive device in a parked car at Belfast International Airport over the weekend. The Belfast Telegraph reports that the vehicle has been parked in the long term lot since last year, and "was meant to go off at the time the car was abandoned." Thankfully it did not explode as the would-be bombers expected, and was only discovered after attendants examined the long ago parked car on Saturday (10/30).

Source: Planet Data

By: Progress On 08:55

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Ex-Guantanamo Detainee Gave Intel on Cargo Plane Bomb Plot

The British press (The Daily Telegraph, Sky News) is reporting that Yemeni officials have revealed that a former-detainee at the U.S. detention facility in Guartanamo Bay is the person who tipped off Saudi authorities about the parcel bomb plot discovered on Friday. According to the reports, it appears that Jabir al-Fayfi, a member of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, fled Yemen for his native Saudi Arabia where he surrendered to authorities on October 16 and then told them about the cargo plane terror plot.

Source:Planet Data

By: Progress On 08:53

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Airlines Must Be Compliant with Secure Flight

As from November 1st, the "grace period" for airlines to be in compliance with the TSA's Secure Flight program is over. This means that Secure Flight will not conduct watch list matching or approve the issuance of a boarding pass by an airline if complete passenger data is not submitted to TSA. When booking an airline reservation a traveler should make sure he/she provides complete Secure Flight passenger data, including full name (as it appears on government-issued ID you plan to use at the airport), date of birth, gender and Redress Number (if applicable).

For more information on TSA Secure Flight visit the TSA website.

Source: Planet Data

By: Progress On 08:48

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Investigation of Yemen Parcel Bombs Continues

Here are a some key updates about yesterday's discovery of suspicious packages being sent from Yemen to the U.S.

• President Obama confirmed in a statement to the country on Friday that at least two packages, one in England and one in Dubai, contained explosives.
• Obama called this a "credible threat".
• The packages stopped is England and Dubai were addressed to synagogues in Chicago.
• About 24 additional suspect packages are being examined in the Yemen capital of Sana'a.
• Officials around the world are saying that al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is likely responsible for sending the packages.

Source: Planet Data

By: Progress On 08:43

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Going Through Airport Security, Leave that MacBook Air in Your Bag

Last week Apple released its new 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air computers. And CNN was quick to learn that for frequent air travelers the 11-inch version might help speed you through airport security checkpoints. A TSA spokesperson told CNN the 11-inch Air can remain in a traveler's carry-on bag when it goes through the airport security x-ray machine. But the jury is still out on the 13-inch version. However, for the immediate future, if you want to avoid the possibility of a delay at a security checkpoint you may want to separate your 11-inch Air from your carry-on until the policy has time to filter down to TSA security personnel.

Source:Planet Data

By: Progress On 08:35

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