Unfortunate failure of flyGlobspan

An operation is under way to fly the thousands of people back to the UK left stranded after Flyglobespan, Scotland's biggest airline, collapsed.
About 800 jobs are under threat and unions have expressed anger at the plight of employees.
About 4,500 passengers were stranded by the airline's collapse, mostly in Spain, Portugal, Cyprus and Egypt.
Finance Secretary John Swinney has said that collapsed Scottish airline was "badly let down" by a company handling its credit bookings. Flyglobespan was owed £34m by E-Clear, the company which processed its credit card payments, £20m of this was for passengers who had already flown.
The finance secretary said it was "beyond dispute" the money should have been in Flyglobespan's bank account.
He added the company would have had "a better chance of survival" if the money had been passed on to Globespan.

Earlier this week, Globespan's chief executive, founder and chief shareholder, Tom Dalrymple, issued a couple of statements saying the airline management continued to be in discussion with a company called Halcyon Investments, about an injection of capital.
Halcyon had been in discussions with flyGlobespan going back at least as far as September, which was around the point when others who were interested in investing in the airline pulled out.

Travel Guard Insurance Unluckiest Traveler Contest

Travel Guard travel insurance company is inviting holidaymakers to share their own worst experiences as it bids to find the world’s “unluckiest traveller”.
Travelers can tell Travel Guard their stories by logging onto www.travelguard.com and uploading a video - or a series of photos - in which the traveller relates his or her travel tale.
“If you have ever experienced a one-of-a-kind travel travail, been the victim of a startling vacation mishap, or simply been an unwilling participant in a downright strange occurrence during your travels, Travel Guard wants to hear your story,”
According to the company, the contest takes a whimsical look at the very real problems travellers face daily, emphasising that preparation is the best remedy for unanticipated travel difficulties.
Consumers who share their travel tales in this special promotion will be automatically entered into a year-long contest. At the end of the year, each of the monthly winners will be posted for a final round of voting to decide the winner of the $10,000 dream vacation. EuropebyAir offers and encourages clients to buy travel insurance..You can get more information on travel insurance and great savings on your next European journey by calling 1-888-321-4737. Phones are answered promptly by a live representative.

Holiday Luggage Fees

Just in time for the holidays, new fees that airlines charge for your luggage have clocked consumers on the head like a giant nutcracker doll falling out of the overhead bin. If you’re not seeing stars yet, try making sense of each airline’s baggage-fees policy. You’ll need a complex decision tree, and perhaps a calculator. Robin Dalmas, Bing Travel sums it all up for you in his Guide to Luggage Fees

To save some bucks on European Travel you may want to ck out sites like EuropebyAir

Continuing its tradition of breaking the mold, Royal Caribbean International is teaming up with USA TODAY to launch the "Reporter at Sea" contest in search of a talented citizen journalist to help cover the unveiling of Oasis of the Seas. Starting today through October 9, 2009, aspiring journalists are invited to enter to win the coveted job of special field correspondent onboard Oasis of the Seas' preview sailing alongside USA TODAY'S own cruise editor, Gene Sloan. Once onboard the ship, the lucky winner will receive behind-the-scenes access to file reports that will appear at USA TODAY's Cruise Log. In addition to the United States, the "Reporter at Sea" contest is searching for journalists in Canada, Germany, Mexico, and the United Kingdom with one winner from each country. Eager reporters-to-be can audition for the assignment of a lifetime by submitting a creative video no longer than 45 seconds at reporteratsea.usatoday.com. The video should showcase his/her best reporting skills and tout why Royal Caribbean should select him/her to serve as a citizen journalist onboard Oasis of the Seas. Videos will be judged based on creativity and quality, as well as the entrant's ability to entertain, effectively bring to life and clearly explain travel or cruising concepts, and articulate why he/she should be chosen to represent their country.

Dine LA Restaurant Week starts October 04. 2009

Culinary, geographical and ethnic diversity will take center stage when dineLA Restaurant Week returns for the first-ever fall run October 4-9, 2009 and October 11-16, 2009. Following the immense success of last winter’s event, foodies of every sort have spoken with their forks and dineLA Restaurant Week is ready to showcase the great chefs and restaurants throughout Los Angeles for a two-week run this fall. Presented by LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau in partnership with American Express, dineLA Restaurant Week presents the diverse and extraordinary talent that exists in Los Angeles. From local neighborhood family-owned eateries to upscale celebrity chef restaurants, dineLA Restaurant Week unites cafes, restaurants and bistros from all corners of the county. This unique gastronomic celebration provides local Angelenos and visitors alike the opportunity to treat themselves to a selection of specially priced three-course menus from a variety of LA’s best establishments.

American Airlines $88 fare sale

American's latest sale offers many popular destinations, including Las Vegas, Miami, New York City, and Orlando. Fares start at $88 round-trip, and travel is valid through late January. Other carriers such as AirTran, Continental, and Spirit, are competing with or actually beating some of American's prices on key routes, so shop around.

Lufthansa buys remaining BMI stock

Lufthansa has agreed to buy the 20 percent of bmi it does not yet own from Scandinavia's SAS, boosting its holding in the British carrier to 100 percent. Germany's flagship carrier had previously said it was in talks to buy the stake and had said it aimed to come to an agreement with SAS by the end of this year. Lufthansa said on Thursday it agreed to pay about GBP19 million pounds (USD$30.6 million) for the stake, plus another GBP19 million to cancel a 1999 shareholder agreement relating to bmi. If Lufthansa decides to sell bmi, as a whole or in parts, it will pay a further unspecified sum to SAS within the next two years, Lufthansa said. It has said it is considering all options for bmi, ranging from keeping the company to a complete sale. Media reports have said that bmi has attracted the interest of 12 potential buyers. British Airways' CEO Willie Walsh confirmed in a newspaper interview this month that he would be interested in bmi if Lufthansa decided to sell the carrier.

Roy Lowey on WTMY Sunday 5PM August 30

Tune in today to WTMY 1280 Sarasota at 5pm. My guests will be Carol Margolis smartwomentravelers.com. Vijay Singh, GM Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Flight Caster co-founder Evan Konwiser. And Lisa Codianne Fowler, who appears in the photo will chat with us about her trip to the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The show also streams live on the web from WTMY

Will Ryan Air end up with Irish Airlines

Irish airline Aer Lingus toned down its opposition to a deal with rival Ryanair, saying today that tripling of losses, rapid cash burn and difficulties in raising funds threatened its independence. The former state airline has twice rejected bids from Europe's biggest low-cost carrier, but Sean Coyle, Aer Lingus' chief financial officer, a former Ryanair executive, said he had "no idea" if Aer Lingus would resist a third approach. "Ryanair will always come back with a bid, Ryanair from the point of view of having a (near) 30 percent shareholding will continue to pursue the company," Coyle told reporters. A Ryanair spokesman had no immediate comment. A new chief executive, Christoph Mueller, takes over at Aer Lingus next week after the previous incumbent resigned in April saying the airline needed fresh ideas.

My guests this week on WTMY 1280 Sarasota. Elie Seidman CEO of Oyster Hotel Group, Lisa Simmons Director, Mass. CVB, April Merenda Pres. Gutsy Women.net, Nadir Syed, CheapOstay.com....So, get your insider info while I'm Talking Travel 5-6pm ET every Sunday

Fall can be the best time to visit Europe

Now that the bulk of summer is behind us, think Europe. Fall can be one of the best times to visit Europe. Fewer tourists mean less waiting times in the most popular restaurants, attractions and cheaper. Weather is great this time of year. Another big plus is hotel rooms and air fares are at an all time low. So, why not think Europe this fall.

For easy access to cheap fares check out EuropebyAir Red Tag sales and their Flight Pass to hop scotch around Europe.

Europe by Air Offers Free Rome Reservations Change Fees

In addition to their low fares, EuropebyAir Travelers can now make a FREE reservation change for New York - Rome flights with EuropebyAir Partner Airline Eurofly. Additionally, EBA also offers FREE reservation change within Europe through their EuropebyAir Partner Airlines.

For more information you can reach a live person by calling 1 888 321 4737 or go to the EuropebyAir website

Frontier Airlines to be bought by Republic Airways

Republic. based in Indianapolis, has been one of three companies financing Frontier’s emergence from bankruptcy. A subsidiary, Republic Airlines, also is one of Frontier’s major unsecured creditors, having filed a $260 million damage claim for Frontier’s breaking an agreement with Republic to operate regional jet service after Frontier filed for bankruptcy protection in April 2008. Under terms of the deal, Frontier will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings after the company serves as the equity sponsor for Frontier’s reorganization plan and buys 100 percent of the equity in the reorganized company. The cost to Republic will be $108.75 million. Frontier filed its proposed reorganization plan with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York Monday. Frontier will seek court approval of the investment agreement at a July 13 hearing and then conduct a roughly month-long auction process where other companies will have the chance to outbid Republic, Frontier spokeswoman Lindsey Purves said.

Southwest Airlines Celebrates Its 38th Birthday With $38 Fares

DALLAS - It's Southwest Airlines' birthday, but YOU get the gift! In celebration of the airline's 38th birthday, Southwest announced today special DING! fares as low as $38 one-way in select markets. These fares are customized for DING! subscribers and will only be available from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm CDT on June 18, 2009. In order to have your cake and eat it too, download DING! here.DING! is Southwest Airlines' downloadable desktop application that delivers discounted fares to a variety of Southwest Airlines destinations. The following are examples of city pairs included in this special $38 one-way fare offer (see Fare Rules below):-- Between New York LaGuardia and Baltimore/Washington for travel July 7 through August 31, 2009-- Between Los Angeles and the Bay Area (San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose) for travel July 7 through August 31, 2009-- Between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh for travel July 7 through August 31, 2009FARE RULESThe fares are available for purchase through the DING! application only. Travel dates for DING! fares other than those listed above will vary and are included in the specific DING! offers. Fares are available one-way. Seats are limited. Fares do not include a federal segment tax of $3.60 per takeoff and landing. Fares do not include airport-assessed passenger facility charges (PFC) of up to $9.00 and U.S. government-imposed September 11th Security Fee of up to $5.00 one-way. Fares are subject to change until ticketed. Tickets are nonrefundable but may be applied toward the purchase of future travel on Southwest Airlines. Fares are valid on Southwest-operated published, scheduled service only and are not available through the Group Desk. Any change in itinerary may result in an increase in fare.

'Travel Promotion Act' Introduced

The U.S. Travel Association today praised Representatives William Delahunt (D-MA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) for introducing the "Travel Promotion Act of 2009" - much-needed legislation to create thousands of new jobs and boost economic growth nationwide by attracting millions of new international travelers to the United States.

The "Travel Promotion Act" establishes a public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier international travel destination and communicate U.S. security and entry policies. The legislation specifies that travel promotion would be paid for by private sector contributions and a $10 fee on foreign travelers from countries that do not pay $131 for a visa to enter the United States. Nearly every developed nation in the world charges entry and exit fees and spends millions of dollars to attract visitors. Overseas visitors spend an average of $4,500 per person, per trip in the United States. However, since 9/11 international travelers have found ever-changing security policies and negative foreign press coverage to be a deterrent to visiting the United States. Oxford Economics estimates that a well executed promotion program, as outlined in the "Travel Promotion Act," would attract 1.6 million new international visitors annually, create $4 billion in new spending and drive $321 million in new federal tax revenue. An analysis by the U.S. Travel Association reveals that this program would create nearly 40,000 new American jobs.

Europe by Air Adds Low Israel fares

In a conversation with Bill Wolf, President of Europe by Air, Bill explained his unique approach to finding new low fares for his clients. "Europe by Air has been working with European tour operators to purchase excess seat capacity on their charter flights, allowing EBA the ability to offer them at an extreamly discounted rate to our clients. In these challanging times one has to think on their feet and be a bit more creative in their approach to marketing our products. For the past 12 years EuropebyAir Flight Pass has made hopping around Europe and beyond fun, cheap and easier. Adding Israel to our inventory of select fares is an exciting break through because these low one way fares are not available any where else. We were getting so many requests for Israel I have worked long and hard to obtain these exclusive contracts so they would be availble this season. EBA is pleased to welcome Israel as our new destination for hopping around Europe and beyond this summer" For more information go to NEW "INSIDER" FLIGHTS TO ISRAEL or call 1 888 321 4737

Air France Crash Sparks Black Box Debate

While search teams search the Atlantic ocean for the black boxes of Air France flight AF447 before their signals die out, aviation experts are considering satellite data streaming to collect vital flight data in future. An airliner's black box -- which is made up of a flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder -- is designed to withstand a crash and emit a signal for about 30 days afterwards. If it is not found by then, the data is unlikely to be recovered. Many military aircraft already use data streaming, sending flight information real-time via satellite to ground stations. But the massive bandwidth and sophisticated infrastructure needed to manage and process data from tens of thousands of commercial flights per day could make it prohibitively expensive.

"Data streaming is currently technologically possible, but technologically impractical," Dan Elwell, Vice President Civil Aviation of the US-based Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) industry group, said at the Paris Air Show.

Bruce Coffey, President of the Aviation Recorders division of L-3 Communications -- the world's largest supplier of crash-survivable recording units -- said the use of data streaming in conjunction with traditional recording units could provide a "belt and suspenders" approach. However, only one of L-3's black boxes has ever been lost after a crash -- from the American Airlines flight that crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11 2001.

Richard Hayden, President of Canada's Aeromechanical Services, thinks he has an answer to the question of cost. The company's automated flight information recording system compresses data, allowing it to send 10 times more from an aircraft in the same bandwidth than with a standard satellite communication, dramatically cutting the cost to the operator. Hayden said the system can be programmed to start transmitting data non-stop as soon as there's a problem on board, and that this could have sent crucial information about the June 1 Air France crash that killed all 228 people on board. "Today we have a situation where there's a possibility, if not a probability, that the FDR won't be recovered. All we have left is a very small set of messages," Hayden said, referring to the automated maintenance messages the A330-200 sent in its final moments, charting problems in all onboard systems. Data streaming may be able to supplement black boxes, but not replace them, L-3's Coffey said. "If you're not able to recover the black boxes, there are going to be a lot of questions that remain unanswered, that should be answered." But industry specialists want guarantees that the highly sensitive data -- in particular the cockpit conversations -- will be properly protected, and pilots' privacy preserved. "There is a huge sensitivity among pilots at the thought of every utterance being recorded and transmitted to some faraway place

British Airways Asks Staff To Work For Nothing

British Airways, which reported a record annual loss last month, said on Tuesday it had asked its staff to work for nothing as part of the company's battle for "survival" in tough market conditions. The appeal to its British-based employees, which featured in the company's staff magazine, asks workers to volunteer for between a week and a month in unpaid leave or in unpaid work. Chief executive Willie Walsh, who along with the chief financial officer Keith Williams has promised to work for nothing in July, said the idea was part of BA's across the board cost-cutting measures. "Many of you from across the airline are stepping up to help the company," Walsh said. "I am looking for every single part of the company to take part in some way in this cash-effective way of helping the company's survival plan. It really counts."

Alaska Airlines board to buy back millions in stock

A plan to repurchase $50 million worth of Alaska Air Group stock was approved by the airline holding group’s board, the company announced Friday. Alaska Air Group is the SeaTac-based holding company for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. The repurchases will come from cash on hand. Bill Ayer, the airline’s chairman, said the program will reward stockholders without threatening the airline’s cash situation. Stock buyback programs are designed to enhance stock prices by reducing the number of public shares outstanding

400 Years of History on Lake Champlain

2009 marks the 400th anniversary of French explorer Samuel de Champlain’s first visit to the lake that now bears his name. The celebration will include exploration tours of over 300 shipwrecks at the bottom of the lake, a 13-day international waterfront festival, Heritage Days to celebrate French ancestry and much more. For more information on Summer-Fall Events Celebrate 400 Years of Culture, Beauty And History on Lake Champlain http://www.champlain400.com/

Finland Summer Fun For Families

Finland thrives in the summer as the days get light and long. Several theme parks and zoos open their gates, and there are hundreds of festivals of song, dance and theater to keep the whole family entertained. And in a land of thousands of lakes and a beautiful seacoast with many islands, a summer cruise is a must. For more information http://www.muumimaailma.fi/

EuropebyAir Adds Israel Special Fares

Europe by Air known for their Flight Pass to hop around Europe, has recently added fares beyond Europe. Israel is their lastest addition and if your travel arrangements are flexible you can find considerable savings. One example is TEL AVIV - Barcelona/Munich $199 one way which includes all taxes and fees. This and other destinations are available on the EuropebyAir website.

Travel Perks ?

This was recently posted by Jill K Robinson and felt it was worth sharing.

Have you ever gotten excited about a travel “perk,” only to realize later that it isn’t all that? Here are a few we’ve come up with at TravelMuse that bug us: Swim-up bars. It may sound nice to luxuriate in a swimming pool and not have to get out and drip at the bar just to order a drink. But when you look at the people sitting at the swim-up bars and see how long they stay there (hours) while drinking, you just have to wonder: How do they not need to use the bathroom? First class on domestic flights. We all appreciate the larger seats, free beverages and silverware, but first-class seats and service on domestic routes are never quite as special as those on international ones. Sure, it’s probably about the money you spend. Isn’t everything? Airline clubs. Some are better (Continental—free alcoholic beverages) than others (American—no free booze), and sitting in a cushy seat while you’re waiting for your flight certainly is better than the waiting areas at the gate. Usually, when we spend money on a membership, we expect a little more than a nice seat and free Wi-Fi, like free (or inexpensive) drinks and more than nuts to chew on. Don’t you? Wireless Internet in hotels. Why is it that it often seems cheaper hotels offer free Wi-Fi and more expensive ones charge you a fee? Shouldn’t that be covered in the rate you’re paying already? And if you’re paying a fee, shouldn’t the Wi-Fi work? Complimentary breakfasts. Yum! We always appreciate eating, especially when a hotel throws it in for free. Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but a soggy croissant and warm orange juice isn’t worth advertising as “complimentary breakfast.” And is it really necessary to tack on that tacky supplement for lukewarm eggs and meat with your “free” meal?

Adventure Canada Announces Its New Innovative Approach

Mississauga, ON — Hobnob with artists, musicians, photographers and writers while taking in the landscape and culture of Northern Quebec, Labrador, Newfoundland & Nova Scotia on this 11-day floating workshop.Award-winning tour company Adventure Canada is delighted to bring passengers this new innovative concept in expedition cruising. In partnership with the Walrus Magazine, special guests including author Alistair McLeod, CBC Host Shelagh Rogers and publisher of the Walrus Magazine, Shelley Ambrose, will host passengers onboard the 118-passenger Clipper Adventurer. The Atlantic Arts Float will have a multi-disciplinary focus, with the goal of creating new art, music and mixed media among its participants. Traveling through breathtaking landscapes and enriched by a world-class resource team, passengers will draw inspiration from the riches of Atlantic Canada. Guided expeditionary stops and Zodiac cruises along Labrador’s coast will allow time for wildlife viewing, spectacular tundra hikes, sketching, painting and photography. On this journey passengers will visit the region of Nunatsiavut, home of the Labrador Inuit, where they will visit both natural and cultural sites of importance. Further south travellers will examine the merchant and Maritime Archaic histories enroute through the Strait of Belle Isle. After stopping in Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and spending a few days along Newfoundland’s remote south shore, passengers will make their way down the east coast of Nova Scotia. The voyage ends in Halifax, where travellers will have the opportunity to exhibit their works in a mixed-media show that the whole world is invited to. For more informaion 888-888-2682 or www.advedturecanada.com .

Freddie Awards

This year's winners will be announced at the Freddie Awards ceremony on April 23, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Airport in conjunction with the FTMA 2009 Spring Conference.

Frontier Airlines to Provide Travelers With Storm Flexibility

In response to a forecast for significant snow in the Denver Metro area on Thursday, March 26, 2009, Frontier Airlines has put the following travel policy guidelines into place for all customers scheduled to travel on March 25-27, 2009, who purchased tickets on or before March 24, 2009:Customers scheduled on the above dates may elect to stand-by free of charge on an earlier date or time. Origin and destination cities must remain the same.For customers who have already started their travel, rules and restrictions regarding standard change fees, advance purchase, day or time applications, blackouts and minimum or maximum stay requirements have been waived. Origin and destination cities must remain the same. Changes must be made by midnight, March 27, 2009 and travel completed by April 8, 2009. For customers who have not begun travel, they may make one change to their travel plans without a change fee. All rescheduled travel may be subject to higher fares if it does not meet the original rule or booking class. For more information, please visit FrontierAirlines.com.

WTMY 1280 Talking Travel with Roy Lowey

Roy Lowey and Travel Journalist, Kay Fernandez talk about her new web site http://www.chocolate-travel.com/, Bob Fisher some of the best Travelosophy 2008, Brian Moore and Lisa Codianne Fowler chat about Ireland. Broadcasting from Florida's SunCoast Radio WTMY Sarasota and on the web...Sunday Travel Radio 5pm ET

Daylight saving time begins March 8th in the U.S.

In the United States Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 a.m. local time on the second Sunday in March. On the first Sunday in November areas on Daylight Saving Time return to Standard Time at 2:00 a.m. When Daylight Saving Time begins turn your clocks ahead one hour. When Daylight Saving Time ends turn your clocks back one hour. The names in each time zone change along with Daylight Saving Time. Eastern Standard Time (EST) becomes Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), and so forth. Arizona, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa do not observe Daylight Saving Time. In the United States, Under the Uniform Time Act, the Department of Transportation is in charge of time zones in the United States and ensuring that jurisdictions observing Daylight Saving Time begin and end on the same date.On Monday August 8, 2005 President Bush signed into law a broad energy bill that will extend Daylight Saving Time by four weeks beginning in 2007. Since 1986 the United States had observed Daylight Saving Time from the first Sunday in April through the last Sunday in October. The provisions of the bill call for Daylight Saving Time to begin three weeks earlier on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday in November.

For information on other states and countries ck out this list...http://www.timeanddate.com/time/dstevents.html

Richard Branson launches new airline V Australia

A new airline started by flamboyant British billionaire Richard Branson inaugurated service between Los Angeles and Australia on Friday, is the latest volley in a transpacific fare war that has already cut the price of a round-trip ticket by half.

The first flight of V Australia, carrying about 300 passengers from Sydney, landed at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday morning, greeted on the tarmac by firetrucks with water guns and then at the gate by Disney characters Mickey Mouse and Goofy.

Branson, in a telephone interview after a welcome ceremony at LAX, said he was confident that his new airline could weather the economic turbulence."There are plenty of people who've still got to fly, and the market across the Pacific is still very big," Branson said. "I wouldn't necessarily say every airline in the Pacific will survive, but if you make sure you've got the best carrier flying, the chances are you'll do well." The new airline can "afford to be price competitive," Branson said, because it flies newer planes that are more fuel-efficient and less expensive to maintain than those flown by competitors. The planes also have amenities that include two bars, a restroom for women only and mood lighting.

CAYMAN ISLANDS

Just back from Grand Cayman...will have an update on the island and the airline tomorrow...stay tuned ...

This weeks guests on WTMY 1280 Talking Travel

Roy Lowey will interview Tom Jung, GM of the new Courtyard by Marriott Bradenton/Sarasota Riverfront,Liz Dahl, Boomer Opia, Adam Burke, Senior Vice President Hilton Rewards, Dave Hunter, Broadcaster/Author of Along Interstate 75..Shows air Sunday from 5-6PM Eastern Time on WTMY 1280 Florida's Sun Coast Talk Radio and streams worldwide on the web.

Sunshine Skyway Bridge Sarasota Bay