12 things in travel you need to know today

12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today
(This is a recurring post, updated daily with new information):

Wednesday, April 24
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,134,276 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 24. One year ago on the same day: 2,015,155. (TSA)

Airlines required to refund passengers for canceled, delayed flights
Good news for airline travelers: the Department of Transportation on Wednesday announced it is rolling out new rules that will require airlines to automatically give cash refunds to passengers for canceled and significantly delayed flights. The delays covered would be more than three hours for domestic flights and more than six hours for international flights, the agency said. This includes tickets purchased directly from airlines, travel agents and third-party sites such as Expedia and Travelocity.  ABC News

 

American Airlines extends deadline for agencies to reach preferred status
Travel agencies that are working toward becoming an American Airlines preferred agency will have more time to do so. American had said it would cease awarding AAdvantage points for bookings through nonpreferred travel agencies starting May 1. The new deadline is July 11.  Travel Weekly

 

JetBlue shares tumble after airline lowers 2024 revenue outlook
JetBlue’s forecasts for second-quarter and full-year revenue fell below analysts’ estimates. The carrier has been on a cost-cutting spree and is cutting unprofitable routes and focusing on those with steady and premium demand. JetBlue called off its merger agreement of Spirit Airlines last month after a judge blocked the deal earlier this year. CNBC

 

Big changes coming to LAX ahead of World Cup, Olympics
LAX is reportedly set to undergo some significant organizational changes intended to help travelers better navigate the airport ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games in 2028. According to a report published on the industry website View from the Wing, Los Angeles International Airport plans to combine the planned Concourse 0, an expansion of the Southwest Airlines portion of the airport, with the existing Terminal 1. The combined space will remain Terminal 1. KTLA

 

FAA probes union claims Boeing retaliated against two engineers in 2022
The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday it is investigating a union’s claims that Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab retaliated against two employees who in 2022 insisted the planemaker re-evaluate prior engineering work on 777 and 787 jets. The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) said the two unidentified engineers were representatives of the FAA, which delegates some of its oversight authority and certification process to Boeing workers.  Reuters

 

Air traffic meltdown boss defends staff working from home
The boss of the UK’s air traffic services provider has defended engineers who work from home, in evidence presented to MPs about major flight disruption last summer. The CEO of National Air Traffic Services (Nats) Martin Rolfe insisted the ability to problem solve remotely when called upon was “a bonus”. BBC

 

Douglas DC-4 plane crashes in Alaska
A Douglas DC-4 airplane carrying two people was involved in a fiery crash Tuesday in the Alaska city of Fairbanks, just minutes after takeoff, authorities said. The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that a Douglas C-54, which is a model of the Douglas DC-4, was carrying two people when it crashed southwest of Fairbanks International Airport at about 10 a.m. local time (2 p.m., ET). CBS News

 

Woman who went missing during hike near Angeles National Forest found dead
A woman who went missing during a hike near the Angeles National Forest was found dead on Monday, a day after she was reported missing.  The L.A. County coroner’s office listed Li’s cause of death as blunt trauma. The Sheriff’s Department said foul play is not suspected at this time. LA Times

 

Carnival Firenze cruise ship arrives at new home in Long Beach
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal has a new resident — a 1000-foot-long, 5,200-guest cruise ship by the name of Firenze. The Carnival cruise ship arrived Tuesday after traveling from Europe to Long Beach, which will be its permanent home base as it sails year-round, offering multi-day cruises to the Mexican Riviera. KTLA

 

A British Airways flight to nowhere circled in the air for 4 hours after its weather monitoring system collapsed
A British Airways plane went on a “flight to nowhere” after experiencing a problem. After flying in circles for four hours to burn fuel, the plane landed back in Singapore. The delay had a knock-on impact on British Airways, leading to a flight from London to LA being canceled. BI

 

Girl, 9, ‘snatched’ outside Harrods while shopping with family
A56-year-old man has been arrested after a nine-year-old girl was allegedly snatched from outside Harrods department store while shopping with her family. Police were called to the scene outside the department store at 2.44pm on Monday where the youngster had become separated from her family. Evening Standard

 

Tuesday, April 23
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,570,159 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 22. One year ago on the same day: 2,425,693. (TSA)

 

California bill could change how third-party airport security vendors operate at state airports
A California bill could prohibit third-party airport security vendors from operating in state airports unless they utilize their own security lanes. The bill, formally known as SB 1372, would prohibit vendors like Clear Secure from using standard security or the Transportation Security Administration PreCheck security lanes for their expedited services. KTLA

 

Airbus hires former JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes to lead North America unit
Airbus SE hired Robin Hayes, the former chief executive officer of JetBlue Airways Corp., to lead its operations in North America. Hayes will replace Jeff Knittel, who is retiring as chairman and CEO of Airbus Americas Inc., the European planemaker said in a statement Monday. He will oversee the North American aircraft unit and be responsible for coordinating among Airbus’s helicopter, space and defense units, the statement said. Bloomberg

 

Boeing expects slower production increase of 787 Dreamliner because of parts shortages
Boeing executives have previously said parts and supply chain issues have persisted. Boeing has been trying to ramp up 787 production in recent months after quality problems suspended deliveries for nearly two years, ending in mid-2022. The company is grappling with a production slowdown in its 737 Max program stemming from a door plug blowout on one of its planes earlier this year. CNBC

 

Public advised to stay out of 3 Los Angeles County beaches due to poor water quality
The Los Angeles County Public Health Department is advising beachgoers to avoid all water contact at three beaches in the region. The three locations are: Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach. (Near Will Rogers Tower 18, 100 yards up and down the creek in both directions) Marie Canyon Storm Drain and Puerco Beach. (The entire swim area) Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro. (The entire swim area) KTLA

 

Delta Air Lines gives staff another 5% raise, hikes starting wages to $19 an hour
Delta Air Lines said it is raising staff pay by another 5% this year as the country’s most profitable airline prepares for the busy summer travel season. The pay increase, which starts June 1, applies to workers including flight attendants, ground handlers, mechanics and some office workers, among others. It does not apply to pilots, who are unionized and ratified a contract last year for big pay increases after stagnant wages during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA launched a unionization campaign of Delta’s cabin crew in late 2019. CNBC

 

I’m a native Hawaiian. Locals are tired of tourists treating the island like a theme park
Keani Rawlins-Fernandez grew up in Hawaii and has seen tourism increase over the years. Now a local council member, Rawlins-Fernandez says locals can feel overrun by tourists. She said her advice for tourists is to be respectful and not entitled. BI

 

Handbag designer to the stars gets 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile bags from Colombia
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the “Sex and the City” TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia. The Independent

 

New access restrictions go into effect at Hartsfield-Jackson airport
Access is restricted to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport beginning today in compliance with legislation passed by the Atlanta City Council on Feb. 19. Going forward, access will be restricted 24/7 to ticketed passengers, personnel, individuals meeting or greeting passengers, those performing facility maintenance, and others who have legitimate business to conduct at the airport. Yahoo

 

Huge change coming to Qantas international flights
You’ll soon be able to browse the internet on your phone or laptop on Qantas international flights. Being connected to the world wide web on ground-level is something that people take for granted, but it’s a different story when you’re 33,000 feet in the air. While passengers have been able to surf the net on certain domestic routes, they’ve been kept offline when flying on most overseas journeys. But change is afoot. Yahoo

 

Thousands of planes have run into issues with jammed GPS signals while flying over Eastern Europe, and some people are blaming Russia
About 46,000 flights reported navigation problems flying over the Baltics during an eight-month period, The Sun reported. The tabloid reported that many were likely to have been Russian jamming and spoofing attacks. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Türkiye, and Cyprus are all at high risk of the attacks, per the report. BI

 

How moving from the US to Costa Rica’s ‘blue zone’ transformed this family’s life forever
When Kema Ward-Hopper and her then-fiance Nicholas Hopper, both from the US, decided to get married in Costa Rica, they had no idea that they’d end up relocating there a few years later. But a series of devastating events led the couple and daughter Aaralyn, now 15, to a new life in the Central American country’s very own “blue zone,” one of the regions of the world where people live longest and are the healthiest. CNN

 

Monday, April 22
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,751,741 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 21. One year ago on the same day: 2,570,184. (TSA)

FAA will require more rest time for air traffic controllers
The Federal Aviation Administration will require a minimum of 10 hours of rest between shifts, up from nine hours. The changes come amid concerns about air traffic controller fatigue and air travel safety. The FAA is trying to ramp up hiring of air traffic controllers but is still short-staffed. CNBC

 

United Airlines cancels flights to Tel Aviv through May 2 on security concerns
United Airlines, opens new tab on Friday canceled its daily flight from Newark, New Jersey to Tel Aviv in Israel through May 2 due to security concerns after Israel’s apparent strike on Iran. The carrier said a scheduled second flight from Newark to Tel Aviv has also been canceled until May 18. Germany’s Lufthansa (LHAG.DE), opens new tab also called off all flights to Tel Aviv and Erbil until Saturday and said it would fly around Iraqi airspace during the period. Reuters

 

Brightline West Vegas-to-LA rail system groundbreaking set for today
Brightline West plans to break ground next week on its Las Vegas-to-Southern California high-speed train system. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will join Brightline founder Wes Edens and federal, state and local officials from Nevada and California on Monday at the planned Las Vegas station site for a ceremony kicking off construction on the 218-mile rail line. Local Las Vegas

 

Billions in dirty money fly under the radar at world’s busiest airports
Jo-Emma Larvin wheeled a baggage cart piled with suitcases through London’s Heathrow Airport in August 2020 and handed her passport to an Emirates Airline agent for a flight to Dubai. Larvin was traveling business class with another woman and together they heaved seven heavy suitcases onto the conveyor belt. She exchanged texts with her boyfriend en route to the security line. WSJ

 

Dubai Airport survives unprecedented rainfall – Emirates Airlines president writes apology letter
On Tuesday 16 April, the UAE experienced its highest rainfall in 75 years. Lashing storm winds and rain disrupted activity across the cities. Our 24/7 hub in Dubai remained open, with flight movements reduced for safety, but flooded roads impeded the ability of our customers, pilots, cabin crew, and airport employees to reach the airport, and also the movement of essential supplies like meals and other flight amenities. Travel Pulse

 

Dulles people movers set for an overhaul
One of the quirkier aspects of flying out of Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., is getting set for a major face-lift. Yes, we’re talking about Dulles’ so-called “people movers.” Over the coming years, the airport’s fleet of “mobile lounges” and “plane mates” is getting a multimillion-dollar overhaul. It’s work that, like it or not, should solidify the notorious — and, dare we say, iconic — vehicles as part of the airport’s airside transportation picture for years to come. The Points Guy

 

Man arrested after Denmark’s Billund Airport evacuated over bomb threat
A man was arrested in Denmark on Saturday in connection with a bomb threat at Billund Airport, the country’s second largest aviation hub, police said in a statement. The airport, in central western Denmark, was evacuated and remains shut following the threat. “The evacuation has proceeded calmly and as expected, with travellers following our instructions,” police inspector Michael Weiss said in a statement. Reuters

 

Liverpool John Lennon Airport power outage: What happens if my flight is cancelled?
Flights at Liverpool John Lennon airport are severely disrupted due to a power failure affecting the air-traffic control tower. Just before 2pm, the airport posted on X: “Unfortunately, a power failure is impacting air-traffic control and aircraft operations are temporarily suspended. AOL

 

American Airlines offering nonstop PHL flight for Eagles game in Brazil
The Birds are flying south to make history this upcoming season, and you can meet them there! American Airlines has announced nonstop flights from Philadelphia to Sao Paul, Brazil, to see the Eagles take on the Packers on September 6. The first flight will take off on September 5, then a second will bring fans home on September 7. Fox 29

 

Memphis woman busted with 56 pounds of marijuana in luggage
Before a 21-year-old Memphis woman could board an United Airlines flight, Memphis International Airport Police found 56 pounds of marijuana in her luggage, according to multiple reports. The woman was charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intention to manufacture, deliver or sell, Shelby County jail records show. This charge is a felony offense that “carries harsh penalties,” the Law Office of Bernie McEvoy, an attorney in Nashville, Tennessee, said. USA Today

 

United struggles to fill all those seats Down Under
United made a huge push into the Pacific this winter, and the numbers are somewhat staggering. With so many seats flooding the market, it’s perhaps not surprising that United has struggled to fill them all. Early results may not look good, but this doesn’t mean it’s a complete failure. There will be some improvement as markets mature, but there’s also going to be some tweaking needed. Cranky Flier

 

Sunday, April 21
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,221,654 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 20. One year ago on the same day: 2,057,354. (TSA)

Rain causes over 500 flight cancellations at DFW
Multiple rounds of heavy rain caused issues on roadways and for airport travelers.  “Pretty much has destroyed our whole vacation so far,” said JoeDan Brown. “It’s kind of a mess.” CBS News

Thousands of summer holidays at risk as Just Stop Oil plot to cause havoc at airports
Protesters will halt flights by storming terminal buildings, glueing themselves to runways and clambering onto jets in tourist hotspots like Spain, Greece and Turkey. It means travellers will likely face agonising delays here – while those lucky enough to take off could be forced to wait hours on the runway on the other side. Mirror News

 

British Airways revives flights to Tel Aviv celebrating heritage with new uniforms
British Airways’ rich heritage and new staff uniforms mark a milestone. The return of flights to Tel Aviv brings hope for reduced ticket prices. In the first week of October, we visited London to find out more about British Airways’ heritage and to understand its current philosophy as the company launched its new staff uniforms. JPost

 

Hawaii sounds alarm after python is discovered at Oahu home
“Those who know anyone with snakes or other illegal animals in Hawaii should report it and those who possess them should turn them in under amnesty.” Hawaii’s amnesty program is designed to deter people from releasing unwanted invasive reptiles into the wild, where they could establish populations and threaten native fauna. (Possessing snakes and other illegal animals in Hawaii is a class C felony, punishable by fines of up to $200,000 and three years in prison. Under the amnesty program, citizens can turn in illegal animals, prior to the start of an investigation, without fear of prosecution.) For The Win

 

Wow: Cathay Pacific still 40% below 2019 passenger numbers
Global airline seat capacity in April is around 4% ahead of pre-pandemic April 2019, with schedule data showing 112.5 million seats available this year compared to 108.9 million in the same week of 2019. While that’s a promising number globally, the same positivity is certainly not true with Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific, which carried 40% fewer passengers in March 2024 than in March 2019. Simple Flying

 

10 injured, 1 critically after crash involving tram at Universal Studios
More than a dozen people were injured during a crash involving a tram at Universal Studios Hollywood on Saturday.  Los Angeles County Fire Department crews rushed to the scene, located at 3900 Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood, at around 9 p.m. on Saturday. CBS News

 

Disneyland’s $1.9-billion project is latest investment in Anaheim
Walt Disney famously said that Disneyland will never be completed. He was right. The vote by the Anaheim City Council on Wednesday to approve the Disneyland resort’s $1.9-billion expansion plan is the latest of several huge investments made by the media giant at the 100-acre facility known to its fans as the “Happiest Place on Earth.” Los Angeles Times

 

The stacks of rocks at national park trails are cairns and NPS wants you to leave them be
The National Park Service is asking visitors to leave the stacks of rocks that are found along hiking routes alone, as messing with them can have detrimental effects for other hikers. Officially called cairns, the rock piles and help mark where the hiking route in some parks, an article from the National Park Service states. Each park differs on how cairns are used but moving them can mislead visitors who are hiking on the trails. USA Today

 

NYC airport shamed over sky high beer prices — stressed flyers forced to fork over $12.41 per cold one
What a bunch of lager louts. NYC’s LaGuardia Airport is being shamed for sky high prices on beer. Passengers in need of an adult beverage can expect to pay $12.41 per cold one, the second highest average tariff in North America. The Big Apple’s littlest airfield comes in behind Cancun International Airport, where tourists are regularly gouged to the terrible tune of $14.92 per cerveza — the highest average price out of any of the 50 largest airports on the continent. NY Post

 

Anne Innis Dagg, Who Studied Giraffes in the Wild, Dies at 91
Anne Innis Dagg, who broke ground in the 1950s as one of the world’s first biologists to study giraffes in the wild, then spent decades fighting sexism in Canadian universities before finally finding long-overdue acclaim in the 2010s, died on April 1 in Kitchener, Ontario, west of Toronto. She was 91. Alison Reid, who documented Dr. Dagg’s life in the 2018 film “The Woman Who Loves Giraffes,” said the cause of her death, in a hospital, was pneumonia. The New York Times

 

Guy Fieri-backed drive-thru restaurant is coming to NorCal
The Chandi Hospitality Group plans to oversee the development of 10 new Chicken Guy restaurants in the coming years, according to a news release, with the first opening this summer at 200 American Canyon Road in American Canyon, part of Napa Valley. The American Canyon location would be the first standalone Chicken Guy restaurant in the state — there are already two concession-style options in Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, and in Los Angeles International Airport. SF Gate

 

Giant pandas coming to San Francisco from China
China will send giant pandas to live at San Francisco’s zoo for the first time, Mayor London Breed has announced. “The memorandum of understanding signed by Mayor Breed and the (China Wildlife Conservation Association) this morning is the first official leased agreement for Giant Pandas to have residency at the San Francisco Zoo,” a media release from the city on Friday reads. “In 1984 and again in 1985, the San Francisco Zoo temporarily hosted Giant Pandas from China as part of a global tour.” CNN

 

Saturday, April 20
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened TSA NO LONGER UPDATES ON WEEKENDS people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 19. One year ago on the same day: 2,534,751. (TSA)

FAA investigating Rockies charter flight for unauthorized personnel in cockpit, airline ‘deeply disturbed’
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and United Airlines have opened an investigation after a video surfaced on social media showing unauthorized personnel in the cockpit during a flight chartered by the Colorado Rockies to Toronto, according to CNN. CBS Sports

Airlines reroute flights after Israeli attack on Iran
Airlines changed flight paths over Iran, cancelled some flights, diverted others to alternate airports or returned planes to their departure points on Friday due to airspace and airport closures and security concerns after an Israeli attack on Iran. Reuters

 

Four dead in UAE, Dubai airport still disrupted after storm
Deaths from heavy rains earlier this week in the United Arab Emirates rose to four, authorities said on Friday, as well as flooding roads and jamming Dubai’s international airport. Reuters

 

Dubai airlines resume full schedule after flooding chaos
Dubai’s major airlines say they have resumed a full flight schedule after torrential rain hit the United Arab Emirates and neighbouring countries causing chaos at Dubai airport. Emirates and flydubai said operations were back to normal on Saturday but a passenger backlog remained. BBC

 

Amsterdam bans new hotel construction to battle overtourism
In a bid to tackle overtourism and ensure the city’s livability, Amsterdam officials have announced a bold new policy banning the building of new hotels in the bustling Dutch capital, The Washington Post reported. TravelPulse

 

Star Princess debut delayed, nine cruises canceled
Princess Cruises has announced new ship Star Princess’ debut will be delayed by several weeks. Princess and ship builder Fincantieri announced a mutual decision to postpone the delivery of the Sphere Class ship from July 29, 2025 to September 26, 2025. They made a comprehensive review of the remaining construction milestones, and decided to push back the delivery. Travelmole

 

Plane forced to land after filming melted windows
A passenger plane had to turn back after its window panes fell out having been melted by a film crew’s high-intensity lighting, a report found. The Airbus A321 took off from Stansted Airport in October when crew members noticed damage and noise. BBC

 

FAA to increase time off between air traffic controller shifts after report highlights risks
The Federal Aviation Administration has announced scheduling changes in response to an expert panel that is recommending air traffic controllers have more stable work schedules and consistent time off to reduce fatigue. The panel was established after a string of near collisions on US runways. CNN

 

Business travel picks up, bolstering outlook for US airlines
U.S. airlines have enjoyed a travel boom for the past three years, but until this past quarter, big-spending corporate travelers had been largely missing. Those customers are now back in full force, boosting profits for carriers in what is normally a weak quarter for results. The U.S. airlines that have so far released results – including Delta, United and Alaska Air – all reported a sharp rebound in flying for business purposes. Reuters

 

Carnival Cruise Line shuts down illegal on-board activity
Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Lines, Virgin Voyages and Margaritaville at Sea all use 21 as their onboard drinking age. Passengers under that age may be able to drink in certain ports where the legal age is lower, but they’re not allowed to imbibe on board. TheStreet

 

Could a client’s DUI keep him out of Canada?
A: He may well have trouble at the airport. As a general rule, the Canadian federal government considers DUI to be a serious criminal offense for which someone will be denied entry into Canada. Canadian immigration authorities have access to U.S. state and federal crime databases and apparently access them whenever an American enters Canada as a tourist. Travel Weekly

 

The sky’s the limit: A brief history of in-flight entertainment
As the winter holidays draw near, many of us are already booking flights to see friends and family or vacation in warmer climates. Nowadays, air travel is synonymous with some form of in-flight entertainment, encompassing everything from the reception offered by the aircrew to the food choices and digital content. The Conversation

 

Friday, April 19
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,687,379 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 17. One year ago on the same day: 2,534,751. (TSA)

 

‘Narrowly avoided crash’ at DC-area airport sparks FAA investigation
Virginia Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine called a “near crash” at Ronald Reagan National Airport on Thursday morning a “horrifying example” of the effects of efforts to undermine slot and perimeter rules. They called the runway where the incident happened “overburdened” and “the busiest in the country.” Scripps

 

United soars as outlook eases worry over Boeing deliveries
United Airlines Holdings Inc.’s shares surged the most in more than three years after the carrier forecast better-than-expected profit this quarter, tempering concerns that Boeing Co. aircraft delays and regulatory pressure will put expansion plans at risk. Bloomberg

 

Fire guts famous Copenhagen landmark
There’s one less spire in the “City of Spires” after fire gutted the Boersen, Copenhagen’s famed former stock exchange building on Tuesday – a calamity being compared to the destruction of Notre Dame in Paris in 2019. Danish firefighters toiled Wednesday to extinguish the last pockets of a fire that gutted the 400-year-old building, as owners of the structure looked ahead to rebuilding the iconic landmark. Travel Industry Today

 

San Francisco sues Oakland over plans to rename airport
The city of San Francisco has sued the city of Oakland, claiming that plans to rename the airport would infringe on its trademark and “cause confusion.” San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu filed a federal lawsuit Thursday after the Port of Oakland Board of Commissioners approved a plan to rename the Metropolitan Oakland International Airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport. The Hill

 

Italy’s new digital nomad visa is here: What you should know
Remote workers with dreams of working from the rolling hills of Tuscany or the cliffs of Positano are now one step closer to making that reality. Italy launched a new digital nomad visa. Two years after its announcement, the highly anticipated digital nomad visa officially became available for those eligible on April 4.  USA Today

 

Miami International Airport hosts children with disabilities to help them overcome any fear of flying
More than two dozen families are now ready to take flight. In recognition of Autism Acceptance Month, Miami International Airport hosted their MIA Air Tour. Their goal is for children with disabilities and their families to overcome any fears of flying.  Little Alexander couldn’t be more excited. He is boarding a plane for the very first time. CBS News

 

Food trucks now serving late-night travelers at Fresno airport
Travelers at Fresno Yosemite International Airport now have more food options to enjoy while waiting for their flight. Food trucks are now serving late-night passengers. The temporary program provides culinary options at the airport during construction for the terminal expansion. ABC30 Fresno

 

Australian tourists face charges for destroying pro-Palestine banners
Two Australian tourists could face charges after one of them ripped up pro-Palestine posters displayed on a wall. One of them tore down posters while the other filmed it. A case has been filed by Fort Kochi Police against Zara Shilensky Michele, 38 and another female. Travelmole

 

Leonard Williams interrupted his Tokyo vacation to sign his contract with Seattle
Defensive tackle Leonard Williams was vacationing in Japan when his agent let him know they had agreed to a three-year, $64.5 million deal for him to return to the Seahawks. Williams jumped on a plane for a nine-hour flight back to Seattle from Tokyo, spent a few hours in town to sign the new deal and celebrate and then jumped on a flight back to Seattle to complete his three-week vacation. NBC Sports

 

FPD: Driver hit 104 MPH while standing on motorcycle seat
Police in Fishers arrested a driver who went faster than 100 MPH while standing on the seat of a motorcycle. Dashcam video posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, shows a motorcyclist driving around semis and other passenger vehicles on a three-lane road. The biker swerved throughout one lane and allegedly reached 104 MPH while standing on the seat. WFLA

 

Lufthansa seeks to persuade EU regulators over ITA stake buy
Lufthansa executives and lawyers will attend a day-long hearing in Brussels on Friday to try to convince EU antitrust regulators to clear the company’s bid for a minority stake in Italian rival ITA Airways. Lufthansa last week submitted remedies to address the EU competition watchdog’s concerns about its 325-million-euro ($346 million) bid for a 41% stake in state-owned ITA, the successor to Alitalia. Reuters

 

Thursday, April 18
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,345,663 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 16. One year ago on the same day: 2,227,164. (TSA)

Airline executives predict a record summer and even more demand for first class
Airline executives expect a record summer travel season. Demand is growing despite persistent inflation and safety concerns. Air travel demand has been resilient despite persistent inflation and a spate of high-profile safety issues that have sparked congressional hearings. CNBC

 

Third Disney cruise employee arrested on child pornography charges
A third Disney Cruise Line crew member was arrested Monday on child pornography charges. Law enforcement found sexually explicit pictures and videos of minors on two phones belonging to Tirso Neri, who was working on the Disney Dream. The material featured both teenagers and young children, according to an affidavit signed by Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Eric Stowers. USA Today

 

Caltrans anticipates Highway 1 stabilization work at Rocky Ridge to be completed by Memorial Day
Caltrans today announced it anticipates completing the initial repair work to stabilize the edge of Highway 1 south of the Rocky Creek Bridge by Memorial Day, May 27. This would mark the end of the current convoys and allow alternating one-way traffic through the area without an escort using 24/7 signalized traffic control. Caltrans

 

United Airlines to defer some new planes due to US safety review
United Airlines Holdings Inc. has put off delivery of at least three Boeing Co. Max 9 aircraft due to limits placed on its operations while federal aviation regulators carry out a safety evaluation at the carrier. The deferrals mark the second example of how United is being constrained by a Federal Aviation Administration review that began in late March following a series of headline-grabbing safety incidents. The mishaps included an aircraft running off a Houston runway and a wheel falling off another plane just after takeoff. Airline safety throughout the US has been under heightened scrutiny since a fuselage panel broke off an Alaska Airlines flight Jan. 5. Bloomberg

 

Alaska Airlines briefly grounds flights due to technical issue
Alaska Airlines briefly grounded all flights Wednesday due to a technical issue. The Seattle-based airline said in a statement it requested a ground stop for all Alaska and Horizon air flights out of an abundance of caution after it “experienced an issue while performing an upgrade to the system that calculates our weight and balance.” AP

 

A company is turning former cruise ships into floating hotels — see inside its largest ‘floatel’
Bridgemans ServicesGroup operates a fleet of former cruise ships turned into hotels. Its “floatels” are designed to house workers during long-term projects. See its largest 652-cabin floatel with a game room and buffet. BI

 

How Buttigieg plans to better protect consumers from “deceptive” airline practices
Flying snafus — such as dayslong delays, surprise cancellations and pricey rebookings — will now face more scrutiny under a new federal partnership with state attorneys general. Why it matters: This is a fresh attempt to rein in airlines, which have often sought to dodge penalties tied to during major service disruptions.  Axios

 

Airlines may get rid of reclining economy class seats for good, expert Says
The controversial debate of reclining your seat on the plane may soon come to an end thanks to airline companies wanting to cut back on costs. With airlines like Southwest debuting a more streamlined seat design for 2025, it’s only a matter of time before reclining seats disappear completely, aviation and travel expert William McGee told Condé Nast Traveler during an interview published on Monday, April 15. People

 

Man jailed after shining laser at passenger plane
A man has been jailed after shining a laser at a plane that was carrying almost 200 passengers. Andrew Wilson, 53, from Martock, Somerset, directed a laser at an Airbus A320, which was flying over Yeovil on its descent to Bristol Airport, at 23:55 BST on 14 August 2022. He also admitted shining a laser beam at a helicopter, which was flying over Yeovil at 23:20 BST on 3 August 2022. BBC

 

Airline employee among 9 charged in $14.5M gold heist from Toronto airport
Police said nine people are facing charges in what authorities are calling the biggest gold theft in Canadian history from Toronto’s Pearson International airport a year ago. Peel Regional Police said Wednesday that 6,600 gold bars worth more than 20 million Canadian dollars ($14.5 million), and CA$2.5 million ($1.8 million) in foreign currencies were stolen. The gold was melted down and used to purchase illegal firearms, police said. NBC News

 

Chilean report into LATAM Airlines flight plunge finds ‘involuntary movement forward’ from pilot’s seat
A preliminary report from Chile’s aviation authority on the LATAM Airlines plane that plunged mid-air on March 11 says that the captain’s seat experienced an “involuntary movement forward” midflight. LATAM Flight 800 was flying from Australia to New Zealand when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner descended 400 feet, and the cause of the sudden plunge is yet to be determined, according to the report. CNN