Air France May Renew Paris to Libya Flights

Air France may resume flights between Paris and the Libyan capital Tripoli after more than two decades. Flights between the two capitals were stopped following the 1989 crash of UTA Flight 772 in the Sahara Desert. Crash investigators found traces of explosives on the wreckage, and French officials blamed Libya's intelligence service for ordering the bombing of the aircraft.

Source: Planet Data

PT comment:

Passenger Plane Crashes in China with 96 Aboard

A passenger plane carrying 96 people crashed in the northeastern Chinese city of Yichun, Heilongjiang Province on Tuesday night. China's Xinhua news agency reports the aircraft belongs to Henan Airlines.

Source: Planet Data

PT comment:

14 Dead in Nepal Plane Crash

Three crewmembers and eleven tourists died Tuesday when their small plane crashed in Nepal. The aircraft had been flying to Lukla, the main airport for Mount Everest base camp, when it was forced to turn around due to bad weather. It crashed while trying to return to the capital Kathmandu.

Source: Planet Data

PT comment:

Malware-Infected Computer May Have Played Role in Spanair Crash

Several anonymous readers have pointed us to the news that Spanish authorities are investigating whether malware may have played a role in the crash of Spanair Flight JK 5002 in 2008 that killed 154 of its 172 passengers and crew. It seems that a computer system residing in Spanair's HQ that records aircraft faults was infected with multiple Trojans.

Source: Planet Data

PT comment:

Hoax Threat Grounds American Airlines Flight in San Francisco

Someone made a hoax hijacking threat against an American Airlines flight leaving San Francisco on Thursday morning. The plane was getting ready to takeoff for New York when the TSA ordered it to a remote part of the runway so that law enforcement could sweep the plane and interview all the passengers. While authorities have deemed the threat "non-credible" an investigation is underway to find the person responsible for the hoax.

Source: Planet Data

PT comment:

Business traveller return boosts InterContinental

* Says recovery gathering pace as room rates rise

* TUI Travel warns on profits as holidaymakers cut back

* Hit by volcanic ash and UK budget, shares down 9.1 pct

* InterCon shares down 4.8 pct, house broker cautious

(Adds InterContinental CEO comments, Lufthansa, shares)

By David Jones and Matthew Scuffham

LONDON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Business travellers flocked back to boost profit at upmarket InterContinental Hotels (IHG.L) while Europe's top holiday firm TUI Travel (TT.L) said profit will be hit as Britons cut back vacation spending.

The world's biggest hotelier said trading strengthened through the first half, driven by Asia and especially China, as its guests took more of its 650,000-plus rooms and started to pay higher rates in July in signs of a growing recovery.

But package holiday group TUI Travel was hit first by a volcanic ash cloud closing airspace and then June's emergency British budget which heralded public spending and job cuts, forcing many into rethinking their summer plans. [ID:nLDE6720PZ]

InterContinental was upbeat after room occupancy levels rose through the first half and room rates turned positive in July, reflecting the strong results from hotel rivals Marriott (MAR.N) and Starwood (HOT.N) in the United Sates.

The British group, which operates the InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn brands and earns two-thirds of its profits in the United States, said it had opened 148 hotels and signed up 130 hotels despite the tough financing environment.

The hotelier, which is heavily reliant on its mid-market Holiday Inn, said that 2,600 Holiday Inns have been relaunched out of its 3,400 worldwide outlets in a $1 billion programme.

"We have a positive trading outlook, the high end corporate traveller is driving this and is not going to disappear even if the economies of Europe are difficult," Chief Executive Andrew Cosslett told Reuters in an interview.

Shares in InterContinental lost 4.8 percent to 10.70 pounds by 1353 GMT after nearly tripling from a low of 434 pence in March 2009, while TUI Travel fell 9.1 percent to 205p.

Analyst Ian Rennardson at house broker Bank of America Merrill Lynch said the hotelier had seen a good quarter but kept his underperform recommendation due to pressures ahead, while other analysts said InterContinental looked overvalued and was hit by the fall in TUI Travel.

"H1 results show a mainly occupancy-led recovery is gaining momentum. We leave our forecasts unchanged as we are nervous about macro economic conditions, now forecast fewer rooms on average and expect staff costs to rise as recovery continues," Rennardson said.

The group, which runs over 4,500 hotels worldwide, posted operating profit of $219 million for the first half of 2010 beating a $209 million consensus from a Reuters survey of 10 analysts, while the half-year dividend rose 5 percent to 12.8 US cents a share.

The group said revenue per available room (RevPAR), a key industry measure, rose 3.4 percent in the half-year and by 7.4 percent in the second quarter, and July was ahead 8.1 percent with occupancy levels and room rates both positive.

In a sign of more international travel, German airliner Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) reported July passenger traffic rose 16.4 percent in terms of revenue per seat per kilometre flown.

However, TUI Travel, in which Germany's TUI AG (TUIGn.DE) holds a controlling stake of 57.5 percent, said airspace closures hit bookings and cost it 105 million pounds and warned full-year profits will be at the lower end of expectations.

"The strong booking trends experienced up until the volcanic ash disruption in mid-April and the subsequent rebound in early May were not sustained throughout the early summer period," said Chief Executive Peter Long.

"This was particularly marked in the UK source market, where trading was affected by further airspace closures, good weather and post election uncertainty regarding the emergency budget," he added.

Analysts forecast for full-year EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) range between 439 million and 495 million pounds, according to a Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S poll of 18 analysts.

InterContinental's Cosslett said financing for new hotels in North America for its hotel owners was still tough, but the hotelier has the largest pipeline in the industry which rose to 1,302 hotels, with China leading the way with 148 in the pipeline in addition to 130 already opened. [nLDE679197] (Editing by Louise Heavens and David Cowell).

Source information: http://www.intercontinental.com

PT Comment:

Ryanair about to make Cyprus landing

AFTER MORE than three years of on-off discussions, and several weeks of hard negotiating, low-cost airline Ryanair is finally set to start operating routes out of Cyprus from November, using the island as part of its strategy to offer flights to Israel and the Middle East.
The official announcement will be made today, following the clinching of the deal on Monday evening.
Both Hermes Airports and Dublin-based Ryanair remained tight-lipped yesterday on details but a well-placed source in the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) told the Cyprus Mail yesterday that the decision was based on three main factors.
Firstly, Ryanair managed to reach an agreement with Hermes Airports on an acceptable level of landing charges, in combination with the government’s continuing emergency subsidy of all airlines to the tune of 25 per cent of landing charges plus an additional payment of €4 per traveller.
High landing charges at the new Larnaca and Paphos airports – passed on to travellers in the form of “airport taxes” – formed the main sticking-point in past negotiations between Ryanair and the Cypriot authorities, and were also criticised publicly by the International Air Carriers Association (IACA).
Secondly, the CTO has agreed to provide a “significant” marketing spend targeted on the two routes – which will only be identified at the news conference today – which “currently are not being serviced by existing operators”. Such spending does not contravene EU competition rules.
Thirdly, the source said that Ryanair’s idea of using Cyprus as a hub for routes to and from various shorter-range European destinations, such as Stockholm, Milan, Pisa, Marseille, Barcelona and Dusseldorf – but also Israel and the Middle East – “had matured”.
“My own view is that the gap between our positions narrowed because Ryanair decided that it could not wait any longer to implement its strategy for the Middle East”, the source said.
Two years ago, Ryanair’s Director of Route Development told a hoteliers’ conference in Nicosia that the airline could initially bring in 60,000 to 70,000 new tourists a year, and after a few years this could increase to as much as 750,000 a year.
Yesterday, Hermes Airports issued a statement welcoming what it described as a “very important development”, and said that the airline itself will announce the full details of its new operations in Cyprus today.
Asked about the Hermes Airports announcement, Ryanair told the Mail: “We didn’t announce anything regarding our operations, and nobody else would be entitled to say whatever about our operations, so we understand that there are rumours and speculation on which we do not want to comment.” However, they confirmed that a Ryanair representative will be present at the press conference.
Ryanair is Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, the third largest airline in Europe in terms of passenger numbers and the largest in the world in terms of international passenger numbers – almost 59 million in 2008, with a target of over 73 million in the current fiscal year. The airline has 44 bases operating 1,100-plus low fare routes across 26 countries, connecting 157 destinations.
The news of Ryanair’s arrival in Cyprus will be welcomed by many here, especially those involved in the mass tourism market, which has seen a sharp drop in arrivals in the last two years as travellers opted for cheaper destinations.
As an indication of the big difference in prices offered by low-cost airlines compared to national carriers, an internet search yesterday on travel website www.ebookers.com showed that a flight from London to Larnaca on November 3, returning a week later, would cost £132.57 all-in on EasyJet, £135.14 on Monarch, £273.47 on British Airways and £273.47 on Cyprus Airways.
Travellers will be very interested to see whether famously-competitive Ryanair chooses to improve on these existing “half-price” low-cost deals.
Although the low-cost airline model is much admired by budget travellers, it also has its fair share of critics, often centred on instances of poor customer service. There is also a regular debate about what exactly constitutes “frills” – such as complimentary food and drink – that can reasonably be excluded from the headline ticket price.
For example, a lot of ancillary revenues are generated for some airlines by the quantity and weight of luggage that holiday travellers need to take with them, beyond the maximum allowed on a “no-frills” basis.


Source: Cyprus Mail


Perpetual Traveller Comment
Ryanair have been in talks for years with the Cypriot authorities and the general sentiment amongst the locals is that they will believe it when they see it! 


Of course Ryanair is expected to bring lower fares to the Island of Cyprus, which should further increase traffic. However, the most expensive busy route being Larnaca - Athens is unlikely to be addressed, as Cyprus Airways, Aegean and Olympic have collectively maintained a Monopoly for years with high prices considering the distance. 


The other major issue is the expense to get anywhere on and off the Island during the various high seasons over the Summer, Christmas and Easter periods etc. So far all other Low Cost Carriers serving Cyprus such as Monarch, Easy jet, Blueair etc have hiked prices during the peak season, often selling at similar prices to the scheduled carriers. 


The most interesting aspect of the Rynair deal is the potential for new economic routes and barcelona in particular is sure to be a hit with Cypriots!

Philippine Airlines Flight Attendants Threaten Strike

The union representing Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight crews said on Tuesday that it plans to file the appropriate paperwork with the government so that its members can go on strike in the next two weeks.

Source: Planet Data

PT comment:

Union Calls Off Strike at Six UK Airports

Unite, the union representing aviation workers at six BAA-operated airports in the UK, called off its threatened strike after the two groups reached a new wage agreement Monday. Unite describes the BAA offer as "the standard for pay deals in the industry."

Source: Planet Data

PT comment:

Colombia Passenger Plane Crash, 1 Dead

An Aires airline Boeing 737-700 broke up into at least two pieces upon landing Monday morning on the Colombian island of San Andres. At least one person is dead and dozens of others are injured. Reports say the plane was hit by lightening as it landed.

Source: Planet Data

PT comment:

Martha's Vineyard Flight Restrictions For Obama Visit

The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday (8/11), issued a Flight Advisory notification about the VIP Temporary Flight Restriction over Martha's Vineyard for August 19-29, 2010. The TFR was issued because President Obama and the first family are scheduled to be vacationing there. The FAA says, "The times for this TFR have not yet been determined. Check published NOTAM for latest information."

Source: Planet Data

PT comment:

Suspect in 3-State Stabbing Spree Arrested at Atlanta Airport

Authorities at Atlanta's Hartsfield - Jackson International Airport arrested a male suspect wanted in nearly 2 dozen stabbings in three states as he attempted to board a flight out of the country Wednesday night. Since mid-May of this year, 20 people in Michigan, Ohio and Virginia have been stabbed. Five of the Michigan attacks were fatal.

Source: Planet Data

PT comment:

The Chinese warm to Cruising

NOT long ago, most Chinese wouldn’t consider a holiday cruise, calling it expensive, boring and pointless. Today well-off families are coming aboard and getting into life on the sea. 

Michelle Zhang reports. Luna Xu is planning a summer vacation to Japan and South Korea with her boyfriend. The 26-year-old public relations manager at a French company travels extensively and has been to both countries. But this time, she’s going to try something new - and different - a six-day cruise. “I so much look forward to it,” she says, with excitement. “I’d like to watch the sunset with my boyfriend on the deck - just like the scenes from the film ‘Titanic.’ It would be so romantic, I can’t wait.” The trip costs around 6,000 yuan (US$882) per person. Xu’s boyfriend, Jimmy Jin, hopes to meet new friends. “I’d love to meet more friends who share the same taste and interest with us, and try the various fun activities available on the ship.” Nowadays, more and more singles, families, couples, honeymooners and groups of friends are sailing away on vacations. While traveling by ship has been popular in Western countries for many years, most Chinese people have just started in recent years. 

In 2003, Hong Kong-based Star Cruises opened a representative office in Shanghai. Since then, international cruise companies such as Costa and Royal Caribbean have launched businesses on the Chinese mainland. Xu and her boyfriend will board “Romantica,” a cruise ship recently introduced by Costa especially for the Chinese market. In six days, the young couple will visit Fukuoka and Kumamoto in Japan and Jeju Island in South Korea. They will depart from Shanghai. “More and more cruise companies have chosen Shanghai as their home port,” says Bao Xia, marketing manager of the cruise department at Shanghai Jinjiang Tours Co Ltd. “You no longer have to fly somewhere first, and take a ship, which explains the growing popularity of cruise trips among Shanghai residents.” In July 2006, Costa Allegra became the first vessel to dock at the Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal. That year the Shanghai Port received 59 international ships and about 80,000 passengers. Last year, there were 188 ships and 180,000 passengers. This year it’s estimated that more than 260,000 passengers will travel through Shanghai Port. An estimated 66 international passenger lines will depart from Shanghai as their home port this year, as compared with 32 last year. According to Bao, Japan and South Korea are so far the most popular cruising destinations for Shanghai travelers. Taiwan will become the next hot spot, he says, once the application procedure for Taiwan entry permits becomes easier. He says most customers prefer short cruises of up to eight days. Cruises are available for any budget, starting from 3,000 yuan. However, most prefer plans at around 6,000 to 7,000 yuan. 

“Before, people tended to choose cheaper plans, but nowadays many of them have come to realize the concept of cruising - it’s not about saving money but spending a happy, memorable time on the sea,” he explains. “It’s all about enjoyment. More and more customers are choosing more spacious rooms, such as those come with a balcony.” 

Star Cruises CEO William Ng describes the group of Chinese people who cruise as “middle-class with a higher income, and they like to travel with the family. For example, young couples will take their kids and grandparents all together at once.” As for travel destinations, Ng points out that most Chinese people prefer places where famous tourist attractions are near the port, and more important, they want time for shopping. Most Chinese choose to travel during public holidays or school holidays. Song Qing, 57, took a cruise trip with her husband to Vietnam from Hong Kong during the 2009 Chinese New Year.

 The retired Shanghai native says that she’s addicted to the new mode of travel.

Source: shanghaidaily.com

PT comment:

Avis launches iPhone app

Car hire customers can now book rentals directly from their iPhone using the new Avis app, with the added benefit of using GPS to locate the nearest Avis location.

The new app enables iPhone users to search for vehicles, obtain quotes, book rentals, store user preferences, and locate nearest Avis locations.

Other rental companies to have released iPhone apps in the last few months include Europcar, Budget, Sixt and Hertz.

For more information visit avis.co.uk/iphone_help, and for a list of car hire companies offering iPhone apps, visit the iTunes store.

Source: http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/avis-launches-iphone-app

PT Comment:

House Committee Votes to End Cuba Travel Ban

Travel to Cuba, restricted for decades, may be getting a boost in the near future. The House Agriculture Committee voted on Wednesday to reverse a ban on U.S. citizens traveling to Cuba and to ease trade restrictions with the country.

The bill was approved 25 to 20 with solid support from Democrats, but only four Republicans supporting the bill.

The vote is the first step in the long journey toward Congressional approval, but supporters are optimistic that it will lead to an end of the decades-long ban on travel between the two countries.

The bill, called the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act, would also allow American goods to be sold directly to Cuba, which would be a boon to American businesses and farming groups. Unsurprisingly, the bill is supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Farmers Union.

Though proponents of the bill are touting the positive economic effects of eased trade restriction, opponents are critical of the bill’s provisions that open Cuba to tourism. Opponents argue that lifting the ban would only place tourism dollars in the hands of the country’s Communist regime.

Proponents, however, counter that the financial gains for every day Cubans would be even greater than the benefits to the Cuban government. Revenues from the tourism industry would bring money to the impoverished populace and spread democracy, proponents say.

The bill still needs to travel the Foreign Affairs and Financial Services Committees before it reaches the House and then the Senate floor.

Wednesday’s vote was one of several attempts in to ease travel restrictions to Cuba in the last decade. During the Bush administration, bills in both the House and the Senate attempted to ease travel bans, but were threatened by presidential veto.

In April of last year, however, the Obama administration was successful in passing a bill that allowed Cuban-Americans to visit family in Cuba without time restrictions.

Source:  petergreenberg.com

PT comment:

Avis launches iPhone app

Car hire customers can now book rentals directly from their iPhone using the new Avis app, with the added benefit of using GPS to locate the nearest Avis location.

The new app enables iPhone users to search for vehicles, obtain quotes, book rentals, store user preferences, and locate nearest Avis locations.

Other rental companies to have released iPhone apps in the last few months include Europcar, Budget, Sixt and Hertz.

For more information visit avis.co.uk/iphone_help, and for a list of car hire companies offering iPhone apps, visit the iTunes store.

Source:businesstraveller.com

PT comment:

The worlds worst Airports

A mere 3 digit code like LHR, LAX, or CDG can strike fear into the heart of the best Perpetual Traveller and there is nothing worse than queuing up at the check-in, security or the gate of an unfriendly airport somewhere on the planet.


Airports are a necessary evil in the capacity of gateways to travel, as some of them, particularly the worlds major hubs are considered by the travelling public to offer an unpleasant experience. Recent security procedures have added to the pain, however its the temporary network of add-on terminals with little or no services that really gets our back up.


With flight routes scheduled as they are, the worlds major hubs are becoming increasingly unavoidable. Repetitive challenges like unfriendly airport staff, unnecessarily long check-in, security and immigration queues, concourses that feel longer than runways, badly announced gate changes, delays to take-off, land and even find a parking spot, male the whole experience nauseating.


According to more than 2000 participants from over 80 countries who took the "World's Worst Travel Survey," conducted by the Titanic Awards here below is the ranked list of top offenders.

1. LHR - London Heathrow 19,1%
2. LAX - Los Angeles 14.6%
3. CDG - Charles de Gaulle, Parnkis 9.1%
4. JFK - New York 5.9%
5. O'hare, Chigago 4.9%
6. Kingsford Smith, Sydney 4.9%
7. Miami International 4.8%
8. Frankfurt Airport 3.8%
9. Hartsfield-Jackson, Atlanta 

So yet another worst Airport report comes up with London Heathrow in pole position. In fairness Heathrow handles the largest number of internationally bound passengers in the world and it is the busiest airport in Europe, so sheer numbers play a part in the end result. Heathrow operates with no less than 90 airlines, which serve 170 destinations and 67 million passengers each year. Trouble is in the eyes of many passengers and the queues especially security take on truly legendary proportions. It must be said however that Terminal 5 is a revelation and we hope that Terminals 1-4 are upgraded to similar standards.

The second spot was reserved for LAX in Los Angeles, which is the worlds 6th most busy airport. Interestingly there is a "I Hate LAX" Facebook group and according to them, the airport's weak spots are as follows... 

• Pan handlers
• Long queues
• Overcrowded terminals
• Difficulty of getting from one terminal to another
• Bus gates
• General grime

The 3rd spot is equally unsurprising in Charles de Gaulle CDG, the airport notorious for lost baggage. CDG features 7 satellites, a Atar Trek-like 70s-design, which is a navigational challenge for many of its elderly and disabled passengers. Clearly CDG has been on the worst Airport hit list for a while, as the SF Chronicle readers rated it the worst airport in the world in 2005, and in 2007 the The International Air Transport Association said it was "one of the worst," largely due to poor public service.

Of the remaining list, our PT editorial team feel that JFK was lucky not to be in the Top 3, otherwise the list brings no surprises. In some respects the volume of passengers passing through these worst Airports played a significant role in their selection, however it is high time that each of the above-mentioned Airports takes corrective action, although the past 10 years shows few signs of promise with the exception of LHR Terminal 5.

Alaska Plane Crash

The small private plane that crashed near Dillingham, Alaska last night (8/9) was carrying 9 people, not 8 as a previously mentioned. Defense contractor EADS has confirmed that former NASA Administrator and EADS North America CEO Sean O'Keefe was on board when the plane went down. It is also still believed that former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens was aboard. But it is not clear if they are among the five reported fatalities.

Source: Planet Data

PT comment:

Flight Attendant Has Meltdown Escapes Plane on Emergency Slide

After a JetBlue flight landed at JFK International Airport on Monday a male flight attendant, identified as Steven Slater, told a passenger trying to get to his overhead luggage to sit down until the plane stopped. The passenger refused and allegedly struck Slater with a bag. Slater then supposedly had a meltdown and cursed at passengers over the plane's address system. And then once the plane stopped Slater opened the plane's rear door, deployed the emergency slide, grabbed some beer, slide down the slide and ran across the tarmac. Slater was then able to make his way to his car and drive home to Queens where NY/NJ Port Authority Police arrested him later in the day.

Source: Planet Data

PT comment:

TSA and U.S. Marshals Clarify Body Scanner Information

Last week the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) obtained documents that shows that body-scanning technology deployed at some federal courthouses can store and record the images of those scanned with the devices, and how EPIC's release of this information is tied to another lawsuit aimed at getting DHS to suspend the deployment of body scanners at U.S. airports.

While it did not mention either the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) or the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), both agencies have posted information on their websites (USMS,TSA) clarifying details the media seems to have misconstrued, including the fact USMS and TSA are separate agencies under different administrations. USMS falls under the Department of Justice, and TSA falls under the Department of Homeland Security.

Source: Planet Data

PT comment:

Alaska Airlines Jet Aborts Takeoff After Hitting Eagle

A Seattle-bound Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-400 had to abort takeoff at Sitka on Sunday after one of the jet's engines sucked in an eagle. The pilot was able to return the aircraft safely to the terminal and no one onboard was injured.

Source: Planet Data

PT comment:

Bomb Explodes at Philippines Airport, Two Dead

An explosion, believed caused by a suicide bomber, rocked the Philippines' Zamboanga City International Airport on Thursday evening. At least 2 people are dead, including the suspected bomber, and 22 more were wounded, including the governor of Sulu province.

Source: Planet Data

PT comment:

Killer smog blankets Moscow

Moscow health authorities announced Monday that the number of deaths per day in the Russian capital had nearly doubled to 700 as the city and most of central Russia entered the seventh week of a heat wave.

Young American tourists brave Moscow's smog during a visit to Red Square. In the distance, St. Basil's Cathedral was barely visible.

Moscow health authorities announced Monday that the number of deaths per day in the Russian capital had nearly doubled to 700 as the city and most of central Russia entered the seventh week of a heat wave. High temperatures, hovering around 100 degrees on some days, have destroyed 30 percent of the nation's grain crops and triggered massive fires in forests and peat bogs that alone have killed more than 50 people and devastated dozens of villages.

Andrei Seltsovsky, chief of the Moscow health department, told a news conference that morgues were filled almost to capacity, with 1,300 of 1,500 slots occupied. He suggested that residents deviate from a Russian Orthodox tradition of holding burials on the third day after death, burying loved ones on the first or second day instead.

"We have no right to insist, as it is a sacred thing," Seltsovsky added.

Boris Revich, head of the Moscow-based Laboratory for Environmental Health, an academic research institute, was sharply critical of how Moscow officials have handled the twin crises of high temperatures and fire.

"The civilized world has already long ago formulated a list of urgent and obligatory measures to reduce heat waves' influence on people's health," he said, "from increasing the number of ambulances on duty equipped with all necessary things like bottles of mineral water, for instance, to getting lists of elderly people living alone from social organizations and checking these people out.

"None of it was done," Revich said.

He said the heat and smog were hardest on elderly people and those suffering from lung disorders. "Even after the heat is gone," he added, "these people will be suffering from the consequences, and we will see more and more deaths in the coming weeks."

As the Rosgidromet state weather agency said Monday that air pollution exceeded its normal levels by 1.4 to 2.2 times in the capital, residents continued to flee the city. All passenger flights and long-distance trains were booked, although dozens of flights were indefinitely delayed due to the smog.

Some foreign missions were closing their consular offices and evacuating staff members. The U.S. Embassy said Monday that work hours were being cut and that time devoted to issuing visas for travel to the United States had been reduced.

Many incoming foreign tourists already had canceled tours and hotel reservations. But low- and medium-priced hotel rooms don't stay empty for long; they're quickly booked by Muscovites willing to pay between $100 and $200 a day for the cool comfort of air-conditioned rooms.

Vyacheslav Kopylov, a 32-year-old programmer, said he was lucky to book a $120 hotel room for his pregnant wife, daughter and mother-in-law before they leave for a two-week Turkey vacation Friday.

"I can't risk the health of my family, and I am ready to pay the price," Kopylov said. "Our apartment is in downtown Moscow, but it is so hot inside that it is impossible to sleep.

"I hope the smog will go away by the time we are back from vacation and life will get back to normal," he said.

Source: Los Angeles Times

BlackBerry services will be suspended in October in the UAE

 

We bring concerning news for travellers that the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has officially stated that BlackBerry Messenger, BlackBerry E-mail and BlackBerry Web-browsing services in the UAE will be suspended as from October 11, 2010.

The TSA claim that the suspension is a result of the failure of ongoing attempts, (which pre-date 2007), to bring BlackBerry services in the UAE in line with UAE telecommunications regulations.

Clearly this suspension is set to have a significant impact on residents and visitors alike, as there are an estimated 500,000 BlackBerry users in the UAE (mostly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Technically speaking the rationale behind the suspension is that the TRA believes certain BlackBerry services enable users to act without any legal accountability, causing judicial, social and national security concerns for the UAE. In essence BlackBerry data is immediately exported off-shore, where it is managed by a foreign, commercial organization. TRA also claim that it's a final decision, although dialogue with BlackBerry continues.

Both telecommunications operators in the U.A.E. being Etisalat and du were both officially informed of the decision.

Officials at BlackBerry's manufacturer "Research In Motion" in Canada have been cautious not to comment.

Clearly the U.A.E. is tightening security due to recent events and in some respects its understandable, however this will concern many foreign residents and visitors alike, as its another perceived freedom will be taken away, such as the blocking of certain Internet sites. In a country which featured headline news last week like "Tourist arrested for stripping down to bikini" and the ongoing case of a British couple facing a Prison sentence for kissing in public, one wonders what is next?

We can also report that Saudi Arabia has quickly moved to follow suit. Bahrain and Indonesia were quick to state that they will not follow the UAE, so perhaps the Domino effect in the Gulf will not occur after all.

Question is how much will Tourism and Business be impacted in Dubai and Abu Dhabi? PT will keep an eye on this one, because we feel there are more developments to come. One thing is for certain, BlackBerry might be more secure than we thought, which may paradoxically make it even more attractive to Business users.

Sizzling Summer Events Worldwide in August

 

Greetings from a 40 degrees plus Cyprus, where many Islanders feel we may actually break the a temperature record this year. The highest temperature ever recorded in Cyrpus is 45.6 °C (114.08 °F). The record for the hottest temperature ever recorded in Europe goes to the city of Athens at 48.0 °C (118.4 °F). If you think this is hot, the highest temperature ever recorded o planet earth (since records began) occurred at Al 'Aziziyah (Close to Tripoli) in Libya at a staggering 57.8 °C (136 °F). 

Whatever the case we are all going to Burn Baby Burn this August across the Northern Hemisphere. For our Russian friends reading this article congratulations of enduring the passing of an all-time record high temperature in Moscow last Thursday when the mercury hit 38.3 C (101 F) in what has been a grueling and persistent heat wave for the city. Incidentally the previous record high of 37.8 C was tied twice in the previous week. 

Well, here we are in mid-summer and August is a truly hot month for Festivals around the world from the colors of the Notting Hill Carnival in London to the crazy Tomato throwing of Tomatina Festival in Buñol. We can also look forward to cooler summer activities in Scotland with the Highland Games on the Island of Skye and the Edinburgh International Festival. Here are the worlds Top Ten according to PT... 

WINE FESTIVAL in Limassol from 27^th August to 5^th September 2010

Limassol is the wine-growing capital of Cyprus, which celebrates the country's rich viticulture with the annual grape harvest festival. the local community and visitors alike celebrate the island's best wineries and vineyards and converge on the town's stately Municipal Gardens to share some of the fruits of their labors.

Wine Tasters rejoice in the opportunity to sample some of the island's gastronomic specialties featuring Muscats, pine-flavoured Retsinas in addition to some of the island's renowned dessert wine, Commanderia. The Festival occurs withing am exciting ambiance of music and dancing at the Gardens' open-air theatre.

The Island of Cyprus has been making wine for around 6000 years (from 4500-3900 BC), subsequently Cypriots have had generations of experience and considerable practice with the harvest celebrations. 

One of the highlights of this annual event is to witness the traditional pressing of the grapes that signals the beginning of the festivities.

For more information visit: http://www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy/wine/

Notting Hill Carnival, London England 29 - 30^th August 2010

Held each August Bank Holiday since 1966, Notting Hill Carnival is the largest celebration of its kind in Europe.

Started as a local festival set up by the West Indian immigrants of the area it has now become a full-blooded Caribbean carnival, attracting millions of visitors from around the world.  With scores of massive sound systems, many spectacular floats and, of course, the traditional steel drum bands, plus hundreds of stalls lining the streets this is probably London’s most exciting annual event!

Further information: www.mynottinghill.co.uk

Edinburgh International Festival – Scotland 13^th August - 5^th September 2010

Get ready for an explosion of sound and color in Edinburgh in summer 2010. Reaching far across the globe Festival 2010 brings a whole host of international talent to Edinburgh for an intoxicating three weeks.

As Europe explored remote horizons 300 years ago the pioneers called their discoveries the New World. Now Scotland’s finest performers join artists and companies from the Americas and Australasia who bring a unique flavour to the Edinburgh International Festival in 2010.

Choose from a wide variety of concerts performed by the very best international and home-grown singers and musicians; enjoy cutting-edge theatre from North, South and Central America and spectacular dance from the Pacific Rim; and delight in exciting opera from Australia and Central America.

You can discover the unfamiliar and revisit favourite masterpieces in a Festival that puts new worlds of the imagination at its very heart.

Further information: www.edfringe.com

Tomatina Festival - Buñol Spain 24^th - 26^th August 2009

The sunny Mediterranean city of Valencia in Spain is world-renowned for its tasty and succulent oranges. And just thirty miles away is Buñol, another town just as famous for its produce. But its notoriety comes from the locals' habit of wearing the produce as well as tasting it: every year, Buñol hosts La Tomatina, the world's largest vegetable fight. Situated only 30 kilometers inland from the Mediterranean Sea, and well-connected by motorway and rail to Madrid and Valencia, this charming town erupts into a fiery blaze of tomato-hurling on the last Wednesday of every August.

The "batalla" takes place during a week-long celebration filled with on-going festivities and with even greater anticipation for the monstrous tomato battle that serves as the culmination of the week's events.

Further information: www.spanish-fiestas.com

V Festival – Hylands Park Chelmsford. Weston Park Staffordshire England 21^st – 22^nd August 2010

V Festival is a two-day music festival that is held simultaneously in Chelmsford and Staffordshire. Although predominantly rock music, the festival books a wide range of acts and is probably the most likely amongst UK festivals to book more mainstream pop acts each year. Festival goers can take their pick from the V stage, Channel 4 stage and JJB arena throughout the day. The line up for 2010 includes Florence and the machine, Groove Armada, Pet Shop Boys, The Charlatans, Doves, Paul Weller and more besides.

Further information: www.vfestival.com

 

 

Fiesta of the Virgin of Copacabana, Bolivia 5th August 2009

The Fiesta of the Virgin of Copacabana in August resembles Christmas elsewhere in the Christian world. The town is an important pilgrimage site for the Virgen de La Candalaria, Bolivia's patron saint, and thousands come to pay penitence.

Other visitors come in the hope the Virgin will grant their wishes. In order for the Virgin to realise what they are wishing for, many followers wear trinkets that represent the things they want. Spot tiny cows, cars or bicycles being sold on every corner. Another means of ensuring that the Virgin will grant a wish is to hire a blindman or a beggar, since they are believed to carry certain powers when they chant over incense.

Further information: www.sacred-destinations.com/

Tuscan Sun Festival 31st July – 5th August 2010

Cortona, near Arezzo, hosts the annual Tuscan Sun Festival, one of Europe's most prestigious cultural events. From classical music to food, art exhibitions and alternative medicine, the festival offers an unmissable spectrum of artistic programming that explores the five senses.

 

Some of the world's finest musicians, scholars, authors, Academy Award-winners, artists, critics, historians and others are all drawn to the festival, which also incorporates side events ranging from food and wine tastings to traditional Chinese medicine and fresco-making workshops.

 

Further Information: www.tuscansunfestival.com/

Isle of Skye Highland Games – 4^th Aug 2010

Inaugurated in 1877, the Isle of Skye Highland gathering takes place on The Lump (Meall na h-Acairseid), a natural amphitheatre over the harbour. The nearby Gathering Hall is the venue for the piping competition.

The Games incorporates all the traditional events, which are open to both locals and professionals from further afield. With roots deep in local history, the games are some of the biggest in the Highlands and showcase the Scottish culture and way of life with athletics, field events, piping and Highland dancing.

Piping is especially important at Skye: the island is the famous home of piping family the MacCrimmons. Pipers from all over the world make their way to the Gathering Hall on the day before the main Games to compete for substantial cash prizes.

Further Information: www.skye-highland-games.co.uk/

Cultural August Pano Platres, Cyprus 1^st - 31^st August 2010

August is a time of celebrations and festivals throughout the island and Cultural August is a series of events, guided tours, exhibitions and entertainment which takes place throughout the month in this spectacular wine-producing region of the Troodos Mountains.

 

Further information: www.visitcyprus.com

 

 

Birthday of Kwan Tai – 4th Aug 2010

Kwan Tai is the God of War, patron god of the Hong Kong police and, interestingly, gangsters. The Birthday of Kwan Tai festival at the Man Mo Temple takes place on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month.

Tai lived during the Three Kingdoms period (AD220-AD265) and was later deified as a Taoist symbol of integrity and loyalty. An ever-burning lamp stands before his statue in the colourful mid-19th-century temple on Hong Kong Island's Hollywood Road. Meaning "Civil and Martial", Man Mo is dedicated jointly to Kwan Tai and to the God of Literature.

During this festival, supplicants bring offerings and give prayers up for his protection and blessing. Local people don't need much excuse to celebrate and festivals in honour of their gods are always cause for a large street party. Expect processions, live music, dancing and, of course, many street vendors selling all manner of Cantonese delicacies.

Further information: http://www.hktramways.com/en/home.html