Jan 18 Travel industry fears damage from a long government shutdown By David Koenig, Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press he travel and tourism industries generate about $1.6 trillion in U.S. economic activity — one-twelfth of the economy — and one in 20 jobs, according to the Commerce Department. Continue reading
Jan 11 Watch 4:57 How the shutdown is affecting the safety of air travel The government shutdown has affected air travel by forcing airport security and air traffic controllers to work without pay and eliminating some routine safety inspections. TSA workers earn relatively low pay, so they are more likely than other federal employees… Continue watching
Jun 28 Homeland demands more security on international flights to U.S. By Alicia A. Caldwell, Associated Press The Homeland Security Department is demanding that airlines around the world step up security measures for international flights bound for the United States or face the possibility of a total electronics ban for planes. Continue reading
Jun 21 Watch 6:07 Why planes can’t fly when it’s too hot, and other ways our civilization can’t take the heat By PBS News Hour An extreme heat wave is baking the West and Southwest, with temperatures well above 100 degrees. More than 40 flights were cancelled or delayed because some planes can't safely lift off in that heat. Science correspondent Miles O’Brien joins Hari… Continue watching
Sep 28 Air rage is taking off around the world, say airlines By Joan Lowy, Associated Press Incidents of unruly passengers on planes are increasing, and more effective deterrents are needed to tackle the problem, a global airline trade group said Wednesday. Continue reading
May 31 U.S. warns summer’s Europe-bound Americans about terror risks By Bradley Klapper, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The State Department is warning Americans visiting Europe this summer about the potential for terrorist attacks. Continue reading
May 25 TSA chief: Hundreds of new scanners will help ease long airport lines By Alicia A. Caldwell and Matthew Daly, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The head of the Transportation Security Administration said the agency will add 768 new screeners by mid-June to deal with increasingly long airport security lines. Continue reading
May 24 Watch 5:55 What firing of TSA security chief means for summer travel By PBS News Hour Security wait times at airports across the nation are soaring, leading to criticism of the TSA, which claims that budget cuts have left it understaffed. Now, with the number of airline passengers expected to soon reach all-time highs, embattled TSA… Continue watching
Mar 13 Poll: Are ‘ridiculous’ airline fees grounding your travel plans? By Andrew Mach The Forbidding Airlines from Imposing Ridiculous Fees Act — yes, that’s really what it’s called — aims to limit the fees airlines can charge for checked baggage, ticket changes and cancellations. Continue reading
Jan 21 Record number of guns seized at U.S. airports in 2015 By Joan Lowy, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Federal officials say a record number of airline passengers were caught last year trying to take guns on planes, and most of the weapons were loaded. Continue reading