The Federal Appeals Court of Pasadena, California has ruled that laptops or other electronic media arriving at a US Customs port of entry can be searched by border agents without having to demonstrate “reasonable suspicion”. This may present a problem for business travelers or individuals arriving with sensitive data on electronic medium. Encryption of the data may be a reasonable alternative, however it would seem that the electronic medium can be seized, refused entry or the owner may be asked to un-encrypt.
The Association of Travel Executives (ACTE) noted that government has no guidelines on what may trigger an inspection or seizure of an electronic device.

Frontier Airlines filed today for bankruptcy protection. The Airline maintains that all financial obligations will be met and flights will operate as scheduled. According to Frontier the move was brought about because the principal credit card processor is going to withhold larger amounts of the proceeds from ticket sales as of April 11.
“This change in established practices would have represented a material change to our cash forecasts and business plan. Unchecked, it would have put severe restraints on Frontier’s liquidity and would have made it impossible for us to continue normal operations.” Frontier CEO Sean Menke said.
As all US Airlines, Frontier has struggled amid rising fuel prices and aggressive competition at Denver International Airport. It blamed a 16.3 per cent jump in fuel costs for a third-quarter loss that more than doubled from the previous year.

Another carrier has been hit by the high cost of fuel and stiff competition. Asian low cost carrier, Oasis Airlines, flying the Vancouver Hong Kong and London Hong Kong routes has halted operations after just 17 months in operation. The Hong Kong Economic Times suggested that Oasis had been loosing money on virtually every flight it flew.

Many passengers are holding tickets for future flights since they were being sold until the end of March. Executives for the Oasis said they were looking for a way to help customers affected by the shutdown. A government official on Wednesday told reporters it is negotiating with other airlines that fly Oasis’ routes to get them to provide low-cost tickets to its customers.

“We sympathize with the many passengers…who have been stranded by the Oasis’ decision, and we will do our very best to help them through this difficult and stressful period,” Cathay Chief Executive Tony Tyler said in a statement. Cathay has established a help site for ticket holders offering a special one way fare of $320 on the Vancouver HongKong route.  More information can be found at  http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_CA/offerspromotions/offerdetails?refID=277c9cdd60d29110VgnVCM10000010d21c39____
The Oasis website http://www.oasishongkong.com

As of May 5, 2008 Continental airlines will fall in line with other US Carriers and restrict baggage allowance for coach passengers to one bag with a charge of $25  applying to a second bag. Presidential class card holders and non elite customers purchasing full-fare and premium class tickets are also exempt.

For Customers with Economy Class tickest traveling exclusively to the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, US. Virgin Islands and Canada.
“Customers purchasing any domestic Economy ticket and who do not have premium status in Mileage Plus or Star Alliance may check one bag for free and a second bag for $25.00. Customers who have attained Premier Associate status or higher in Mileage Plus or Silver status and above with a Star Alliance partner are exempt from this policy change. This new policy applies to tickets purchased on or after February 4, 2008 for travel on or after May 5, 2008.
The number of free bags allowed per customer will vary according to your Mileage Plus status and/or the type of ticket purchased.”

UPDATE – “On April 4, 2008, United revised its domestic checked baggage fees to include customers traveling on refundable fares, government fares and Standard Award tickets in Economy class in the policy charging a service fee for checking a second bag. Customers who purchased these types of fares on or after February 4, 2008 and prior to April 4, 2008 for travel on or after May 5, 2008 may request a waiver of the second bag service fee upon check-in with a Customer Service Representative at the airport. Alternatively, those customers may request reimbursement from United’s refund department”
For more information and tables of new rules consult http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52481,00.html

A ruling by the Canadian Transport Agency (No. 155-C-A-2008) declares that the small animal tariff policy announced by Air Canada June 1 2007 is unreasonable. The Agency found that the discontinuation of treating the shipment of small pets and kennels weighing less than 70lbs as checked baggage is unreasonable.

Alitalia, the Italian Airline which is loosing $1,600,000 US a day, edged closer to bankruptcy protection as the Air France/KLM consortium broke off talks with the troubled airline on Wednesday evening April 2/08.
However for now the Italian government has stepped in to keep Alitalia’s planes flying, despite the prospect of bankruptcy looming over the airline.
Air France withdrew a Eu139 million, or 10 cents-a-share, bid on Wednesday night. Jean-Cyril Spinetta, the head of Air France-KLM, blamed Alitalia’s nine unions as having pushed him “back up against the wall” and that he could no longer negotiate with them.

Air Canada Passengers affected by flight delays or cancellations can now contact a specially trained Air Canada representative to arrange for alternate travel or accomodation if required. The service is called “On My Way” and will cost $25 for short haul flights and $35 for long haul flights each way. The service is available for Air Canada and Jazz flights within Canada and to the USA including Hawaii and Alaska.

ATA airlines filed for Chapter 11 on April 2, 2008. Passengers holding unused tickets on ATA are advised to contact their travel agent or credit card company on how to obtain a refund. ATA states that they are in no position to refund a ticket from available cash. Southwest Airlines which was a codeshare partner with ATA is rebooking travelers to the closest departure available.

Passengers stranded by the sudden demise of Aloha Airlines on March 31, 2008 should visit the website created by the Hawaii Visitor and Convention Bureau at http://www.gohawaii.com/AlohaAirlines . The website publishes information and procedures on how to secure seats on other airlines with your Aloha Ticket. Those Holidayers who have booked packages through Pleasant Holiday should contact the travel agent through whom they purchased the package. But they are advised to avoid a credit card chargeback since it will make it difficult for Pleasant Holiday to rebook their departure.
 

AIG Travel Guard has announced that it will provide emergency travel assistance services* free to all travelers affected by Aloha Airlines’ announcement. Travel Guard is offering to help travelers rebook flights on other air carriers, arrange for extended hotel accommodations for those currently stranded at their destinations and help with other emergency travel needs. AIG Travel Guard has already begun fielding calls for assistance on rebooking on airlines such as United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and go!, who have said they would honor Aloha’s tickets and try to accommodate Aloha passengers with existing reservations.

Travelers wishing to take advantage of these complimentary emergency travel assistance services can call AIG Travel Guard’s 24-hour emergency hotline at 1-888-637-1739*.

Happy Vacations
Happy Vacations has made immediate arrangements for clients with Aloha Airlines tickets; clients do not need to contact the airline directly. For clients in travel now, Happy Vacations asks that they contact their dedicated management staff directly at 800-903-7666, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If a client’s trip has not yet commenced, email Happy Vacations at Alohahelp@happyvacations.com, and include the reservation number and any additional information that will help re-accommodate the client, or call 800-877-4277.

For passengers without waiver, Happy Vacations will credit the full value of the ticket with no change fee. Clients who included the Price Protection option will be accommodated without additional cost. Complete cancellations will be refunded in full less waiver, or applicable cancellation fees.