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Government Affairs

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Throwing a demand curve
Since 1978, airlines have tried one failing scheme after another in their quest for elusive profits. Finally, through consolidation and discipline, they've found the secret ingredient: capacity cuts. More»

Travel agency fined for breaking DOT codeshare-disclosure rule
The Transportation Department’s enforcement office assessed a $60,000 penalty on Japan Travel Bureau USA for failing to disclose the identity of airlines involved in codeshare flights to callers on its telephone reservations line. More»
CLIA adopts cruise passenger bill of rights
CLIA said its members have adopted a Cruise Passenger Bill of Rights with many of the provisions outlined in a Congressional proposal for the same thing. More»
New York senator says change fee is too high
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is calling on four major U.S. airlines to reverse a recent increase in their change fees to $200 per ticket. More»
Customs official: Global Entry security kiosks earning raves
Global Entry, the program that enables expedited clearance for low-risk, pre-approved travelers arriving in the U.S., appears to be a government success story. More»
Southwest gets slot for Reagan-Hobby
The Transportation Department awarded a pair of slots at Washington’s Reagan National Airport to Southwest that the carrier intends to use for a daily roundtrip to Houston Hobby. More»
Six executives appointed to travel advisory board
Deputy Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank appointed six new members to the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, a 32-member body of industry executives who advise the department on travel and tourism issues. More»
Sen. Rockefeller keeps heat on cruise lines
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) has sent letters to the three largest cruise companies (Carnival Corp., Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings) requesting information about their passenger safety, security and health practices. More»
TSA expands PreCheck program to international travel
Certain members of TSA's PreCheck program on May 7 will become eligible for expedited screening on "select international travel itineraries" operated by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines and US Airways, according to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. More»
Filings with DOT on IATA’s NDC reveal deep airlines/agents split
Comments to the Transportation Department on IATA's Resolution 787 revealed a deep split within the industry, with the airlines solidly united in their support of IATA and the retail travel chain all but unanimous in its opposition. More»
FAA budget issue might obscure more weighty air industry factors
Last month’s agreement by Congress to reverse FAA staff furloughs stemming from the federal budget sequester might have done far more to allay political constituents than to make things better for U.S. airline passengers as the country enters the peak summer travel season. More»
Corrected: IATA spin ignores conditions in Amadeus' NDC support
As the deadline for filing comments with the Department of Transportation about IATA Resolution 787 came to a close, IATA sought to put a positive spin on one GDS filing that in fact criticized much of Resolution 787. More»
Hyatt heiress nominated to head Department of Commerce
President Obama has nominated Hyatt Hotels heiress and Chicago businesswoman Penny Pritzker for commerce secretary. More»
DOT fines Southwest for errors in handling consumer complaints
The Department of Transportation said it has penalized Southwest Airlines for failing to respond in a timely manner to “a large number” of disability- and consumer-related complaints from June 2011 to January 2012. More»
Parts of Smithsonian closed, sequester blamed
The Smithsonian Institution in Washington said it is feeling the impact of the sequester budget cuts, and has closed sections of exhibit areas. No major exhibitions will be closed. More»
Charlotte mayor nominated for DOT secretary
U.S. President Barack Obama nominated Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx to serve as Transportation Secretary. The nomination requires Senate confirmation. More»
Guesswork used to determine furlough-related flight delays
This week, the industry got its first taste of flight delays caused by furloughing FAA employees to meet sequester budget cuts. But it turned out that despite a lot of finger-pointing and politicking, gauging the exact impact of the cuts came down to a bit of guesswork. More»
House passes Senate measure to end furloughs of air traffic controllers
The House of Representatives on Friday passed a bill that would end sequester-related furloughs of air traffic controllers that have been blamed for airport delays across the U.S. since last Sunday. More»
Senate passes bill to end FAA furloughs
The Senate on Thursday approved a bill that would end sequester-related furloughs of air traffic controllers, and thus end the furlough-related flight delays that have occurred throughout the U.S. since Sunday. More»
United CEO denounces FAA for 'irresponsible actions'
United Airlines CEO Jeff Smisek criticized the FAA furloughs of air traffic controllers during a conference call about United's first-quarter results. More»
U.S. Travel warns that furlough-related delays could cost billions
Flight delays resulting from FAA furloughs of air traffic controllers could cost the U.S. $9.3 billion in lost economic output for the fiscal year, according to an analysis by the U.S. Travel Association. More»

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5/29/2013
Africa Travel Association Annual Congress
Buea, Cameroon
5/30/2013
Tourism Cares for New York City volunteer event
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6/1/2013
Africa Travel Association Annual Congress
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6/2/2013
NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference
New York Marriott Marquis
6/3/2013
ILTM Asia
Shanghai Exhibition Centre
7/10/2013
Travel Weekly Chats on Twitter
Online, #twchats

7/24/2013
Travel Weekly's Global Travel Marketplace
Westin Diplomat, Fort Lauderdale
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Travel Weekly Chats on Twitter
Online, #twchats
8/20/2013
Travel Media Showcase 2013
Rockford, Ill.
9/2/2013
Luxperience
Sydney
9/5/2013
LGBT Business Expo
Guadalajara, Mexico
9/10/2013
WTTC Asia Summit
Seoul, South Korea

10/1/2013
SKAL International World Congress
Aboard the Carnival Glory
10/5/2013
Global Spa & Wellness Summit
The Oberoi, Gurgaon in New Delhi. India
10/8/2013
Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific
Singapore

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