News

Solar Eclipse 2024: Will it impact air travel and should you worry?

This year, an upcoming total solar eclipse is scheduled to grace the sky on April 8. If we go by what the Federal Aviation Administration has to say, this could potentially cause inconvenience for certain air travellers and pilots due to potential flight delays. As such it has also issued a cautionary notice with regard to this, and asked people not to panic. Anticipated to traverse Mexico, Canada, and the United States, the eclipse will likely affect air traffic and airports along its trajectory from April 7 to April 10, as stated by the FAA in a notice outlining special air traffic procedures. This situation may result in delays for air travellers, particularly as the eclipse coincides with spring break travel, as mentioned by the agency. The FAA has projected that any disruptions in air travel caused by the eclipse would be experienced from April 7 at 6 AM until April 10 at midnight. The FAA stated while most travellers are heading to their preferred vacation destinations, a significant number are travelling to various states to witness 'The Great North American Eclipse' on Monday, April 8, as such those flying along the eclipse path may encounter limited parking and potential delays at airports due to the high volume of aircraft and drones seeking to witness the total solar eclipse. A total solar eclipse, occurring when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely obstructing the sun's face, is an attraction for many due to its rarity. The last total solar eclipse visible in the US occurred in 2017, according to NASA. The FAA noted that numerous travellers are planning to fly to states where the eclipse is expected to be most visible, spanning from Texas to New England, with airports in these states likely to be most affected.

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Romania and Bulgaria are the newest entrants to Europe’s Schengen travel zone

As per the latest development, Romania and Bulgaria took a significant step towards integration with the European Union as they partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone. This move will allow travellers free access to arrive by air or sea from both countries. However, land border checks will continue due to opposition, primarily from Austria, which has raised concerns about illegal migration. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed this development as a ‘huge success for both countries’ and a ‘historic moment’ for what is the world’s largest free travel zone. The Schengen Area, established in 1985, previously comprised 23 of the 27 EU member countries, along with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Approximately 3.5 million people cross internal borders within this zone each day. Austria vetoed Romania and Bulgaria admission into the Schengen zone at the end of 2022 but allowed Croatia full accession. Both Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU in 2007, while Croatia joined in 2013. Siegfried Muresan, a Romanian Member of the European Parliament, described this as ‘an important first step’ that will benefit a lot of travellers annually. He stressed that Bulgaria and Romania have fulfilled all criteria for joining the Schengen area for years and expressed hope that it would lead to full accession. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu welcomed this development, calling it a ‘well-deserved achievement’ that will facilitate easier travel for citizens and bolster the economy. He also outlined the government's plan for full accession to the Schengen Area by the end of the year.

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American Airlines eases its flying with pets policy; it gets cheaper and hassle-free

In a recent update, American Airlines has eased its pet policy which will now allow pet owners to bring their furry friends with their full-size carry-on bag inside the cabin! Till now, travellers with pets had to pay a fee of $150 (INR 12,507) to carry them into the cabin. With that amount, only a small item that would fit under the seat was allowed. For any other bigger luggage, a $35 (INR 2918) fee was taken from the passengers. But with the revised policy, now passengers could bring their pet in the cabin along with their regular carry-on bag or any other personal item (but not both bags). The old policy was causing a lot of pain to passengers as it was unfair as they were already paying a pet fee. Sill the pets were not allowed into the cabin, and even after paying pet fee passengers wanting to take their pets with them were still needed to pay some amount. The new change took effect on Thursday. A travel blogger, Gary Leff was the first one to write about the new pet policy, where he mentioned his travel experience years ago with a Yorkshire terrier. He wrote, "It was always frustrating that the dog counted as the carry-on even though I was paying the extra (pet) fee that was sometimes more than the ticket for me". He further mentioned that he thinks this changed policy will also minimise the urge for travellers to wrongly claim that their pet is a service animal that flies for free, allowing them to bring a carry-on as well.

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Soaring travel fares spoil Malayalis festive plans

The waitlist for major trains heading to Kerala has now reached 100, with Malayalis residing in Bengaluru being the most affected. Between April 10-17, the sleeper class waitlist for Yeshwantpur-Kannur Express (16527) has surpassed 258. Similarly, the waitlist stands at 149 for Bengaluru-Kannur Express (16511) and 146 for Chennai-Mangaluru Mail in sleeper class (12601). Travelers who depend on premium tatkal services are likely to face disappointment, as families may end up paying more than three times the normal fare. During the last Onam, the cost of sleeper classes in Kannur-Bengaluru Express was escalated from Rs 370 to Rs 1,155, while the fare for the third AC ticket rose from Rs 1000 to Rs 3,350. Furthermore, bus fares have seen a significant hike as well. Passengers may now have to shell out nearly Rs 2,200 during festive seasons to travel in a Kannur-Bengaluru AC sleeper, compared to the previous fare. Similarly, the Bengaluru-Kozhikode trip now costs Rs 2,990, up from Rs 900. The journey from Bengaluru to Kochi, which previously cost Rs 1,999, now demands up to Rs 4,000. Sleeper buses are priced individually based on berths, and it's observed that private bus companies often suspend online booking systems, resorting to manual booking processes. This transition may potentially lead to unfair fees being imposed on passengers.

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Travel news: Singapore brand Lloyd’s Inn opens in Kuala Lumpur, rooms from $79

SINGAPORE – Nature-inspired boutique hotel Lloyd’s Inn, which operates in Singapore and Bali, will open its third property in Kuala Lumpur on April 1. It was slated for a pre-pandemic opening, but the home-grown brand’s expansion to KL was delayed due to Covid-19. Lloyd’s Inn KL will be located in the Imbi neighbourhood near the Bukit Bintang shopping strip, around 200m from the newly opened Exchange 106 @ TRX mall. In 1990, Lloyd’s Inn began as a 34-room hotel in Lloyd’s Road, owned by Mr Herman Chang, founder of property developer firm Macly Group. His daughter Joan Chang later transformed the property, reopening it in 2014 with modern, minimalist decor steeped in greenery. Room rates range from $150 to $330 a night at Lloyd’s Inn Singapore, based on checks by The Straits Times. In 2018, Lloyd’s Inn debuted in Bali with a 101-room hotel with a similar concept. It is located 300m from the popular Double Six Beach in Seminyak and houses a spa, along with in-house restaurant Opeum Bistro. The bistro will also be part of the KL property. Ms Chang, co-founder of Lloyd’s Inn, says the Malaysian capital was a natural choice due to its reputation as a bustling metropolis. She adds: “KL is a hub for tourism – a city where work, leisure and good food converge in Asia. Geographically, it’s close to Singapore and plays host to many Singaporeans and their families. Being a local brand, we felt that it’s a natural progression to expand there.” Lloyd’s Inn KL is the first of the brand’s three properties to be located in a 15-storey high-rise building, and retains design elements such as cement walls, floors and raw finishes. Rooms range from 17 to 50 sq m. Entry-level standard rooms with king-size or twin-bed options start at $79 a night. Patio rooms, located on the highest floors, come with a separate living room and bedroom with a king bed, and start at $170 a night.

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Futuristic Hydrogen-Powered Air Taxis Elevate Bali’s Tourism Travel Scene

A landmark deal brings air taxis to Bali, revolutionizing travel with eco-friendly VTOL jets and promoting sustainable tourism in Indonesia. A groundbreaking pact has been forged to usher in the era of air taxis for visitors in Bali, heralding a transformative approach to mobility within the locale. This venture, a synergy between Sirius Aviation AG and PARQ Development, aims to redefine the contours of travel by inaugurating five vertiports alongside five hydrogen production facilities. This initiative is poised to streamline vertical take-offs and landings, thereby enhancing accessibility and championing sustainable tourism practices across Indonesia. With a valuation of $50 million, the deal includes the provision of ten avant-garde hydrogen-fueled vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, along with bespoke support services. In a move to pioneer eco-conscious travel initiatives in Bali, PARQ Development is set to acquire an array of Sirius aircraft, including five Sirius Millennium Jets and five Sirius Business Jets. Alexey Popov, the Chief Executive Officer of Sirius Aviation AG, remarked on the partnership, “This alliance marks a transformative chapter for Bali and its neighboring archipelagos, spotlighting the importance of zero-emission travel, sustainable growth, and the stimulation of local economies.” Andre Frey, the visionary founder of PARQ Development, reciprocated the enthusiasm, underscoring the pivotal role of their collaboration in sculpting the trajectory of Bali’s tourism sector. The focus remains squarely on diminishing aerial carbon emissions and curating unparalleled travel experiences that leave a lasting impression on travelers.

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