Travel Safety And Security News
Iceland closes main airports as volcano eruption looms
Iceland has closed its two main airports in preparation for a more powerful volcano after an eruption at the weekend shot lava high into the sky. Transatlantic flights have been re-routed to avoid the risk of ash blocking visibility and destroying engines following the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which lies 120km southeast of Reykjavik.
Americans seek air travel Security
According to new America THINKS survey results from HNTB Corporation, Americans are clamoring most for aviation infrastructure improvements that will make them feel safer.
Giant wave kills two on Med cruise
Two passengers were killed and six injured when a giant wave crashed into a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, smashing its glass windshields. The Cypriot-owned Louis Majesty was sailing from Barcelona to Genoa with 1,350 passengers and 580 crew members on board.
Chile earthquake death toll passes 700
The death toll in the Chilean earthquake rose to more than 700 last night as rescue workers struggled to find survivors trapped in the wreckage and powerful aftershocks battered the country. About 350 deaths were in the holiday resort of Constitución, and scores of tourists remain unaccounted for.
Belgium head-on train crash leaves 25 dead
At least 25 were feared dead and dozens more injured after two commuter trains collided during the rush hour in the worst rail accident in Belgium for 30 years today.
Hundreds of tourists stranded by Machu Picchu mudslide
Hundreds of tourists are to spend a fourth day stranded without food or shelter on Peru’s Inca trail to Machu Picchu following mudslides in which a tourist and a local guide were killed. The only way out of the ancient citadel is via a railway, which has been blocked by the mudslides and could take three days to repair.
Big freezes brings UK to standstill
A number of UK airports have closed and rail services delayed as the big freeze continues to bring the UK to a standstill. Leeds/Bradford, Liverpool and Manchester airports closed earlier, and easyJet has been among the many airlines forced to cancel dozens of flights from both UK and European airports.
Heathrow to deploy full body scanner
Heathrow is to become the first of BAA’s six UK airports to install full body scanner. The airport operator said the scanners would be in place “as soon as practically possible”.
Drugs company offers free holidays to Mexico to test holiday tummy remedy
A US pharmaceutical company has come up with a novel way to get people to participate in trials for a remedy for “holiday tummy”. Intercell is offering up to 900 volunteers free holidays to Mexico or Guatemala - and all they need to do is eat, drink and see if they get sick.
Eurostar “confident” of travel for all before Christmas
Long queues at London St Pancras are continuing today as passengers scramble to travel on Eurostar before Christmas. The usually high-speed operator issued a statement saying it “remains confident” that there will be sufficient seats for everyone who wants to travel before the holiday.
Mexico state tourism minister murdered by gunmen
The tourism secretary for the Mexican state of Culiacan has been murdered by gunmen. Antonio Ibarra Salgado and his driver died in an ambush while travelling in the secretary’s official vehicle on the streets of the state capital.
Ryanair plane skids off runway
A Ryanair plane has skidded off the runway at Glasgow’s Prestwick Airport after hitting a patch of ice this morning, but no one was injured.