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International
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- Venezuela changes its time zone
- EU moves to include airlines in its emissions limits program
- Mexico City inaugurates new terminal
Venezuela changes its time zone
After turning clocks back by a half-hour on December 9, 2007, Venezuela’s time zone is now Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) minus 4 1/2 hours. As previously reported in CWT Traveler, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez originally announced this change over the summer, but then postponed it to allow more time for necessary preparations.
Business travelers with upcoming trips to Venezuela should be aware of the time change and confirm their schedules accordingly.
Sources: Reuters, www.timeanddate.com
EU moves to include airlines in its emissions limits program
The European Parliament recently gave preliminary approval to include airlines in its emissions limits program, which it has imposed on other industries for several years in its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas production. The Parliament says governments are expected to finalize the proposal in the first half of 2008.
This plan would include all airlines flying into or within the 27-nation bloc and would pressure airlines to do more to reduce jet-fuel emissions. Carriers will have until 2011 to join the EU cap-and-trade emissions program whereby they trade pollution allowances—either reduce emissions or buy more credits.
The proposed plan is not without controversy in both Europe and the United States, as well as in the air travel industry at large.
While much depends on particular circumstances, some studies have shown that on average, a typical plane trip for an individual traveler produces approximately an equal amount of greenhouse gas emissions as traveling alone by automobile.
Sources: New York Times, forbes.com
Mexico City inaugurates new terminal
Business travelers to Mexico City will notice a difference at Benito Juarez International Airport. The airport recently opened a new terminal that is expected to greatly increase passenger capacity—by more than 40 percent.
The new Terminal 2, which cost $792 million to construct, will be able to accommodate up 34 million travelers a year, a significant increase from the current capacity of 24 million travelers.
Upon completion, the new terminal will also include a hotel, shops, and a parking garage. Airlines expected to use the new terminal include Aeromar, Aeromexico, Continental Airlines, Lan Chile, and Copa Airlines.
Source: Associated Press
