May 16, 2003

Featured Articles In This Issue

IMPORTANT  -  Airlines Reporting Corporation Implements New Airline Ticket Void Policy
World Travel Symposium
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Raises Standard Weight Limits for Passengers and Baggage
United Airlines Adds Leg Room
US Airways Places Record Regional Jet Order
SARS has Severe Impacts on Travel


 

1.  Airlines Reporting Corporation Implements New Airline Ticket Void Policy   -       

The Airline Reporting Corporation will be implementing the Business Process Improvement plan, which will limit the timeframe in which transactions may be modified or voided.  Effective for tickets issued on or after June 2, airline customers will have 24 hours after purchasing a ticket to decide if in fact she/he wants the ticket.  The ticket may be voided up to 24 hours after the reservation has been made, however, after that time the ticket may no longer be voided.  Please make certain all travelers within your organization are aware of this new policy.  

 2.  World Travel Symposium 

World Travel is reinstating the June Travel Symposium, holding the event at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern instead of New York City.  Please mark your calendar and join us on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 from 8:30am to 11:00am.  Topics of discussion will include:  1.) "Passenger Safety the Number One Priority" Learn about the latest airline safety measures currently in place.   2.)"The New ANC Corporation - National and Alamo Car Rental, Bigger and Better" After the reorganization, improving the corporate program.   3.) "Meetings & Incentives At Sea; Making Your Money Work for You" Receive a return on your investment through incentive programs and meetings at sea.  Please RSVP to Victoria Finaldi at 800-341-2014 ext. 1043 or vfinaldi@worldtravelinc.com by June 5, 2003.

3. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Raises Standard Weight Limits for Passengers and Baggage  

US Airlines have been told to raise weight estimates for both passengers and checked baggage amid safety concerns following the crash of a commuter plane earlier this year.  The FAA has notified carriers who operate aircraft with more than 19 seats to add 10 pounds to the assumed weight of each passenger and 5 pounds to carry-on bags.  Airlines will now assume a weight of 190 pounds for each passenger and checked bags will be estimated as weighing 30 pounds.  The FAA move is an interim measure while the weight problem is studied in depth.  Meanwhile, airlines have been given 90 days to either introduce the new weight rules or carry out their own surveys.  The old weight standards have been unchanged for eight years. 

4.  United Airlines Adds Leg Room

United Airlines is giving business-class passengers more legroom by adding six inches between the rows of seats.  The legroom will be added on all 38 planes in its Boeing 777 fleet.  In order to accomplish the changes, the airline is eliminating four seats from the business class section.

5.  US Airways Places Record Regional Jet Order

US Airways has set into motion another key element of its business recovery plan with an agreement to purchase 170 Embraer regional jets and an option to purchase 380 more aircraft.  The new regional jest will enable US Airways to generate additional revenue by growing their route network and compete more vigorously in short-to-medium-length haul markets.  The regional jets also enable US Airways to increase hub feed by adding new markets that were to distant for turboprop aircraft.

 SARS has Severe Impact on Travel

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said the effects of SARS on the world's airline industry have caused more harm than September 11, the Iraq war and foot-and-mouth disease in Britain combined.  "This is a crisis of major proportions," said Thomas Andrew Drysdale, regional director for IATA.  Airlines throughout the world have lost more than $10 billion this year.  (CNN)