Florida's Tampa International Airport is increasing its contract with Audio Visual Innovations Inc. from its current level of $3.75 million to $7.95 million. The increase in funds will be used to upgrade information displays, modernize ticket counters and replace baggage belt displays.
About 50 tourists -- the majority from Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas cruise ship -- were visiting New Zealand's White Island today when its volcano erupted for the first time since 2001. At least five people are dead, nearly 20 wounded, and about 24 are missing and presumed dead, with one visitor saying he was at the volcano's crater just minutes before it erupted.
UPS has confirmed plans for a $110 million expansion of its facilities at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, including a new, 190,000-square-foot operations building that will be twice as large as the current one. The expansion will support the carrier's growing fleet of 747 jumbo jets and "accommodate future growth and efficiency," a spokesman says.
Nearly all high-speed trains into and out of France, 20% of flights at six airports and nine metro lines are not operating due to the country's largest mass strike in more than 20 years, now in its fifth day. About 800,000 people are protesting a planned government shakeup of the country's retirement system.
American Airlines this week reduced the level of service on a transcontinental leg between Miami and Los Angeles on all narrow-body aircrafts but the 32T. Standard Domestic LH service, which provides fewer amenities and a different menu, will take the place of Transcom service on these flights.
At its annual sales conference last week, Signature Travel Network unveiled a niche sales training program for experienced and new-to-segment travel advisors that will cover expedition cruising, family, LGBTQ+, wellness and many other travel categories. "Differentiating yourself from the competition with a specialty/niche is the key to sales success," the company says.
FedEx Freight drivers Chuck and Sarah Fiske spread holiday cheer through dressing up as Santa and Mrs. Claus as they make Trees for Troops deliveries to military bases across the US. FedEx has delivered more than a quarter million farm-grown Christmas trees to military bases across the country for more than 15 years.
Raising the passenger facility charge will "burden budget-conscious consumers and families who rely on less expensive tickets," writes John Breyault, a vice president at the National Consumers League. He says a PFC hike would disproportionately affect rural residents when airports already have funding sources in place and airport improvements are underway across the country.
For the last 22 years, Southwest pilots have been adopted by classrooms where they've shared aviation-themed curriculums with students through its Adopt-A-Pilot program. During the 2018-19 school year, First Officer Ricardo "Ricky" Gonzalez, who grew up in Puerto Rico, brought the program to students in the MAS Integrated School in Anasco, Puerto Rico.
American Airlines will expand its Caribbean service significantly in December, adding flights and opening routes from New York, Dallas, Chicago and North Carolina. Destinations include Guyana and Grenada.