May 9, 2003

Featured Articles In This Issue

Lufthansa News
US Airways Introduces New Service
Continental Airlines Introduces "Continental Currency"
SARS Update
2003 Travel Industry Spending Forecast
Local Hotel Celebrating 5 Year Anniversary
Travel Matrix Charts for your Convenience


 

1.  Lufthansa News  -       

Lufthansa launched a joint service with Frankfurt Airport operator Fraport AG and German's rail line Deutsche Bahn AG.  Lufthansa customers are now allowed to check in for flights at the Cologne train station and then take a high-speed train to the Frankfurt Airport without having to worry about their luggage until they reach their final destination.  The trains, which take 57 minutes and will run 16 times a day, will use Lufthansa flight numbers along with the train numbers.

 2.  US Airways Introduces New Service 

On May 6, 2003 US Airways introduced new non-stop service between Boston and Bermuda.  The service operates daily using a 120-seat Airbus A319 aircraft.  Flights depart Boston at 8:15am and arrive in Bermuda at 11:22am.  Return flights depart Bermuda at 3:00pm arriving in Boston at 4:17pm.  On May 5, 2003 US Airways Express introduced new regional jet service between Wilmington, NC and New York and also between Chattanooga, TN and New York.  Both flights are serviced by a 50-seat Embraer-145 Regional Jet to New York's LaGuardia Airport.  The service between Chattanooga and New York operates Sunday through Friday.  Service between Wilmington, NC and New York operates 7 days a week. 

3.  Continental Airlines Introduces "Continental Currency" 

Continental passengers now have the option to purchase "Continental Currency" redeemable in-flight for beer, wine, cocktails, and audio headsets.  Continental Currency is available at Continental's network of over 700 eService Center kiosks in 117 U.S. Airports.  eService Centers will dispense Continental Currency in increments of one, two, three or six coupons, each worth $5.  The three-coupon and six-coupon purchases are discounted at $13 and $25 respectively, saving up to 16 percent.  On board, alcoholic beverages and headsets can be exchanged for one coupon each.  Continental customers are welcome to retain headsets for use on future flights or use their own headsets for in-flight entertainment.  Continental Currency coupons may be used on any Continental, Continental Express or Continental Micronesia flight for up to one year form the date of purchase.

4.  SARS Update

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is removing the SARS-related travel advisory to Singapore and downgrading it to a travel alert.  The downgrade was issued because of the limited transmissions area in Singapore and the last reported case for onset of symptoms was April 14.  The CDC continues to recommend that U.S. travelers to Singapore observe precautions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) gave Hong Kong official's three conditions necessary to remove the travel advisory.  1.) The advisory will remain in place until daily new SARS infections have averaged three or less at the end of the 20-day trend of declining infections.  2.) The disease has stopped spreading in the community.  3.) The disease is no longer exported from Hong Kong to other parts of the world.
As a precaution against SARS, Canada plans to install temperature sensors that can scan for fevers at major airports.  The body fever technology can detect fevers to 0.12 degrees.  The scanners will be installed by June. 
US Airlines flying routes to Asia are following guidelines from the CDC and WHO for cleaning their aircraft.  For example, American says it cleans areas touched by SARS-infected people with germicide, while United Airlines cleans jets daily and deep cleans them every 15 days. 

5.  2003 Travel Industry Spending Forecast

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives and Runzheimer International recently released their 2003 Travel Industry Spending Forecast, finding that although the majority of travel budgets since last year have remained flat or decreased, only 19 percent of respondents foresee a budget decrease in the next year.  The survey suggest that the downturn in travel may have bottomed out as timely travel hindrances, such as the war with Iraq are beginning to wane.  Meanwhile SARS has replaced terrorism and war-related issues as the number-one threat to business travel.  Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich stated the industry's recession should rebound in the next 6 to 18 months.

 Local Hotel Celebrating 5 Year Anniversary

The Hampton Inn Great Valley is celebrating their 5 year anniversary on May 13, 14 and 15.  Please visit the hotel from 11:30am to 1:30pm on May 13 and 15 and between 4:30pm to 6:30pm on May 14, 2003.  Food and beverage will be served.  Please RSVP to Patti Shores, Director of Sales Hampton Inn 610-699-1300. 

7.  Travel Matrix Charts for your Convenience

The following matrix charts have been created to assist you with helpful travel information.  The information found within these charts is current however is subject to change without notice.

• Non-refundable

• SARS

• Airline Policies During Iraq Military Conflict

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 clients. 800-341-2014 - Douglassville / 800-874-6700 - Malvern /

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