- Current Events
- Travel Tips
- Supplier News
- Regional
- International
- Government/Legislation
- Technology
- Industry Trends/Innovation
- Supplier Spotlight
- Supplier Promotions
Current Events
-
Delta and Northwest announce agreement to merge
As reported to Carlson Wagonlit Travel and broadly by news media, Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines have announced an agreement to merge their two airlines.
The agreement is subject to regulatory review by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Congress, a process that is likely to take 6 to 8 months, according to the carriers, In the meantime, the carriers stated it will be “business-as-usual” at both airlines as they continue to operate independently. At the same time, during this period, both airlines will be planning for their integration long-term. A message from the carriers stated the “two airlines are joining forces to create America’s premier global airline which, upon closing of the merger, will be called Delta Air Lines.”
Travelers likely will not experience much change when flying on each of these airlines in the immediate future, until the regulatory review process is completed. CWT will provide additional information regarding impact to CWT travelers as available.
Sources: Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Real ID extensions granted to all U.S. states
As of April 2, 2008, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it has granted REAL ID extensions to all 56 U.S. jurisdictions, meaning that driver’s licenses and IDs issued by those jurisdictions will continue to be accepted for official purposes, such as boarding commercial airlines, after May 11, 2008.
As previously reported in CWT Traveler, any state that was not granted an extension would have faced the possibility that its state-issued driver’s licenses would not be an acceptable form of identification for official purposes after May 11, 2008. Residents of those states would have had to ensure they had another acceptable form of identification such as a passport, or be subject to additional security screening at airports.
According to the DHS, “REAL ID extensions are valid until December 31, 2009, when states must upgrade the security of their systems, to include a check for lawful status of all applicants, for their licenses and ID cards to be acceptable for official purposes.”
REAL ID defines requirements in four key areas with which states must comply:- Information and security features to be incorporated into each card
- Proof of identity and U.S. citizenship or legal status of an applicant
- Verification of source documents provided by an applicant
- Security standards for the offices that issue licenses and ID cards
Airlines work to improve mandated wheelchair assistance
The Air Carrier Access Act, a 2l-year-old anti discrimination law, requires airlines to provide timely wheelchair assistance from curb to cabin seat at no charge. A combination of factors is making this a priority issue for airlines.
First, numbers: the population is aging, and advances in medical technology have allowed those who have endured trauma from war or accidents to continue to travel. Both groups consider air travel a quality of life issue. One advocacy group estimates that by 2030 about a quarter of the population will be disabled—about 53 million more than in 1997. They estimate that about a third of these adults travel by air at least once every two years.
Second, there has been an increase in the number of late-arriving flights, reducing the time available for connections and needed services. And third, passenger behavior has been a factor. An able-bodied passenger may take the wheelchair ordered by someone else before they arrive, or another disabled person may access a chair requested by someone else.
The industry is seeking to improve its service through a variety of initiatives. Until now most airlines have hired independent contractors to provide wheelchair services. Some airports are now employing their own staff to help out when contractor or airline staff needs support. Some airports are offering a for-fee wheelchair service whereby an attendant meets the traveler at the gate with a reserved wheelchair and a sign with the traveler’s name. More training for staff on transferring travelers from wheelchair to aircraft seats is being provided by some airlines. Technology is being put to use to better track requests and ensure that the correct traveler receives the requested assistance.
Travelers with special needs can check directly with their airline before booking and flying to acquire information about wheelchair services, allow for realistic connection time, obtain any airport- or carrier-specific information, and make arrangements that will ease travel.
Sources: USA Today, Chicago Tribune
