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All passengers travelling to the affected regions have been contacted by a Casto representative during the initial alert period.
Back to the Latest Travel Alerts
American Airlines Cuts Domestic Fleet Capacity
05/21/2008 - In response to the dramatic increase in fuel costs, American Airlines today announced a reduction of 11% - 12% of total domestic fleet capacity by the forth quarter of this year, the retiring of old aircraft (primarily the embattled MD-80's), and significant workforce reductions. American has not advised which routes will be cut though it is likely that most reductions in the San Francisco Bay Area will be in frequency and less in destinations served.
Furthermore, American Airlines also advised that beginning mid-June it will charge a $15 fee for most passengers' first checked bag. This fee will likely be waived for international flights, some frequent travelers, or those traveling on full-fare tickets. This fee increase was announced in conjunction with other fees, particularly for oversized bags, pet handling, and other services.
Casto is strongly of the opinion that other carriers will match this announcement in both cost and in timing. While we fully expect further announcements on route and capacity reduction by all carriers, it is still too early to determine how much and by whom.
United Airlines Fuel Surcharge Error
05/15/2008 - As has been very recently reported in the press, United Airlines accidentaly lowered the fuel surcharges normally applied to tickets. The discount from this error varies from market to market but total savings have been reported up to $130 in certain round trip markets.
United is currently updating all fares in all systems though all tickets issued prior to the update will reflect the discounted fuel surcharge level. Please note that this only applies to issued tickets: any reservations that have been made but not issued will revert to the correct fuel surcharge level by later this evening.
Magnitude 7.9 Earthquake Hits China
05/12/2008 - A magnitude 7.9 earthquake hit Wenchuan County in China earlier today. The quake was reportedly felt as far away as Beijing, which is 930 miles away. Thousands of people were evacuated from Beijing high-rises immediately after the earthquake. At least seven more earthquakes -- measuring between 4.0 and 6.0 magnitudes -- happened nearby over the three hours after the initial quake at 2:28 p.m. local time, the USGS reported. The earthquake was also felt in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taiwan, and as far away as Hanoi, Vietnam, and Bangkok, Thailand. Thousands of people were killed in the initial quake, with more being uncovered as rescuers attempt to reach victims in buried cities and buildings.
Storm Causes Midwest Airport Delays
05/02/2008 - A severe storm has hit the midwest and is resulting in airport delays and closures due to high winds and thunderstorms. Airports in the northeast are also experiencing delays. Midwest airports currently affected include St. Louis, Cleveland, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Rapid City. Other airports experiencing delays include Denver, Newark, and New York.
Due to blizzard conditions, Casto's Rapid City office has been closed for the remainder of the day. As a result, we are experiencing an increase in call volume and appreciate your patience as we work to assist travelers.
American, Continental, and US Airways Policy Changes
04/29/2008 - American Airlines announced revisions to its baggage policy yesterday citing "rising costs associated with the transportation of baggage, including the price of fuel." Travelers who purchase domestic economy class tickets on or after Monday, May 12, will be able to check one bag for free and pay $25 for a second checked bag. Exceptions to this include AAdvantage Gold, Platinum and Executive Platinum members, holders of full-fare tickets in Economy, Business and First Class, and those with international itineraries (excluding Canada, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands).
Continental Airlines is raising some of its change fees across all entities. Most domestic change fees will increase from $100 to $150 and international fees will vary depending on the fare. The increase will go into effect for tickets issued on or after April 24, 2008.
In addition, Continental Airlines has changed its checked baggage policy. Customers who purchase economy class tickets with certain fare types, and are not Elite members of Continental's OnePass frequent flyer program, may check one bag at no charge and a second bag for a $25 service fee. Continental's premium travelers in economy class - Elite OnePass members, SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members, Presidential Plus credit card holders and non-Elite customers who purchase certain fare types may check two bags at no charge.
US Airways also cited the "rising cost of fuel" announcing the increase of their change fee on non-refundable fares by $50 per ticket. The increase is effective for all tickets issued on or after Tuesday, April 29. The new change fee will be $150 for US Airways flights between the US (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, Mexico, Caribbean and Latin America. The fee will be $250 for transatlantic/transpacific flights originating from the US, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean or Latin America unless otherwise specified in the fare rule. The change fee for transatlantic/transpacific flights originating from any other location will remain unchanged.
United Increases Change/Cancel Fees
04/21/2008 - Citing recent increases in fuel prices, United Airlines has announced an increase in its itinerary change and cancellation fees for tickets purchased in the US and Canada. Effective immediately, the domestic itinerary change/cancel fee has increased from $100 USD to $150 USD. The international itinerary change/cancel fee varies by destination and Casto agents will advise travelers of the fare rules for appropriate fees. Tickets issued prior to this policy change will not be affected by the increase and are subject to the change/cancel fees stated in the fare rules at the time of ticketing. We expect other airline carriers to follow suit in the coming weeks and months.
New Requirements for China Visa
04/17/2008 - Effective immediately, China has updated their visa requirements for US and Non-US Passport holders requesting visas in the US.
US Passport Holders
US Passport holders applying for a visa in the US shall be required to provide supporting documents with their application. Some applicants may be asked to come to the Visa Office in person for an interview.
- If you are a tourist, shall provide a copy of your confirmed itinerary indicating a round trip air ticket and hotel reservation.
- If you are to visit friends or family, you shall provide a copy of your confirmed itinerary indicating a round trip air ticket, and certificate of kinship which can be waived if you are of Chinese origin and born in China.
- If you are on business, you shall provide visa notification issued by authorized Chinese units and a copy of your confirmed itinerary indicating a round trip air ticket and hotel reservation.
Non-US Passport Holders
Non-US Passport holders applying for a visa in the US shall be required to provide supporting documents with their application. Some applicants may be asked to come to the Visa Office in person for an interview. You will be limited to a single entry visa valid for 30 days. Casto’s turnaround time is 24 hours to 5 business days.
- Based on the purpose of your visit, you shall provide supporting documents listed above, and
- Previous Chinese visa issued by any Chinese foreign mission, and
- A copy of your Green Card
Non-US Passport holders requesting a single or double entry visa who are not holding a Green Card or a previous China Visa will be:
- Issued a visa (if approved) through the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC
- Limited to single or double entries
- Required to hold a valid US visa
- Subject to a 4 to 8 business day turnaround
Additional Information
Anyone applying for a China visa in Hong Kong will be limited to a single entry visa valid for 30 days.
For further information, please contact Casto Visa | Passport at 408.553.4735 or click here for the application procedures.
Delta & Northwest Announce Merger
04/14/2008 - Delta Air Lines says it has reached an agreement with Northwest Airlines to take over Northwest and create the world’s biggest carrier. The boards of both companies gave the deal the go-ahead this evening. The combined airline will have a value of approximately $17.7 billion and will be based in Atlanta where Delta CEO Richard Anderson will head the combined company.
The deal could lead to less competition and higher fares on some routes where the two carriers now compete, but there is relatively little overlap between the current Delta and Northwest systems. We do not believe that the merger will adversely affect mileage programs, frequent traveler status programs, or existing itineraries, though there remains the possibility of future labor activity depending upon agreed upon terms.
As other industry officials have predicted, Casto also feels this merger could lead to a series of other airline mergers to reshape the US airline industry, including the likely combination of United and Continental. The merger still requires antitrust approval and Casto will keep you updated as the situation and details affecting travelers unfold.
More MD-80 Flight Cancellations
04/10/2008 - American Airlines has cancelled another 900 flights today, Thursday April 10, due to inspections on their MD-80 planes. According to Casto’s American Airlines representative, “as of last night, all 3 days (through Saturday) our schedules should be locked in. By 4:00pm today, we should be back to 40% of the MD-80’s schedule. By 6:00pm on Friday, it should be up to 60%; by Saturday a.m. 75% and by mid-day Saturday, back to 100%”
Midwest Airlines has also grounded 13 of its airplanes today to re-inspect a wiring harness on their MD-80 planes, the same reason that caused American Airlines to cancel flights. They have voluntarily cancelled all of their flights involving the Boeing MD-80 aircraft to ensure they were in compliance with the strict FAA directive.
Alaska Airlines says it has canceled 14 flights today to conduct further wiring inspections on its 9 MD-80 planes. Alaska says it’s putting passengers on other flights.
Again, we recommend all travelers check their flight status on their respective airlines (American Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines) or contact Casto prior to departure. Other carriers flying MD-80’s are expected to follow suit shortly. Casto will advise as we learn more.
American Airlines Cancels Another 850 Flights
04/09/2008 - American Airlines canceled 850 flights today, Wednesday April 9 – more than one-third of its schedule – due to wiring inspections on some of its jets. A spokesman for AA said cancellations could continue beyond Wednesday as the airline works on its MD-80 jets. The airline said it would put displaced travelers on other American flights or those operated by competitors. And because the delays were “within their control” and not weather-related, American is offering meals, lodging and ground transportation to stranded travelers.
In the event that AA re-accommodates a traveler on a different aircraft type, or on another airline altogether, it is likely that previously assigned seats will be changed to accommodate the plane layout. Should this occur it is possible, though not likely, that this may also result in a change of service class. Due to the sheer number of cancellations, Casto suspects other airlines will be affected due to attempts to re-accommodate travelers. We recommend all travelers check their flight status at AA.com Gates & Times or contact Casto prior to departure.
American Airlines Cancels Hundreds of Flights
04/08/2008 - American Airlines is cancelling several hundred flights starting on April 8 to conduct additional inspections of its MD-80 fleet. These inspections are to ensure precise and complete compliance with the FAA's directive related to wiring in the aircraft's wheel wells. The airline is actively working to re-accommodate affected passengers on other American flights or on flights operated by airlines in the same market. In the event that AA re-accommodates a traveler on a different aircraft type, or on another airline altogether, it is likely that previously assigned seats will be changed to accommodate the plane layout. Should this occur it is possible, though not likely, that this may also result in a change of service class.
It is not known at this time how many cancellations will result, but it could be as many as 500 today with additional cancellations tomorrow. Customers may be automatically notified of flight changes, but should check AA.com Gates & Times or contact a Casto Travel representative.
ATA Ceases Operations
04/03/2008 - After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 2, 2008, ATA Airlines has discontinued all operations and cancelled all current and future flights. Following the loss of a key contract for their military charter business, it became impossible for ATA to continue operations.
On their website, ATA.com, they apologize for the disruption caused by the sudden shutdown and ask that customers seek alternative arrangements for current and future travel. A list of other airlines serving ATA’s destinations is available here.
Customers who purchased tickets using a credit card should contact their credit card company or Casto agent directly for information about how to obtain a refund for unused tickets. Customers who purchased tickets from Southwest Airlines for flights operated by ATA under the code share agreement should contact Southwest Airlines directly at (800) 308-5037. Southwest has implemented a plan to take care of all customers who purchased a ticket on Southwest and are scheduled to travel on ATA service by rebooking them on a new itinerary, or offering a full refund for any unused portion of a ticket.
United Grounds 777 Fleet
04/02/2008 - United Airlines is informing customers traveling on April 2, 2008 on United's Boeing 777 aircraft that they may experience flight delays or cancellations as a result of a functional check being performed on the aircraft.
As part of a regular review of maintenance records, the company discovered that the functional test that checks the firing system on one of the five bottles in the cargo fire suppression system on the Boeing 777 was not performed, and this was voluntarily disclosed to the FAA. United is in the process of checking this part of the system. This system is regularly tested as part of the pre-flight safety checks.
These checks are related to compliance. United will not operate these aircraft until the tests are complete. United will conduct the check on all 52 Boeing 777 aircraft in the company's fleet.
Casto highly advises that travelers check their flight status on United.com before leaving for the airport. United is currently working to provide additional aircraft where available and is accommodating customers on other flights and other airlines. Travelers can check which aircraft they are scheduled to fly on at United.com.
Aloha Airlines Ceases Operations
03/31/2008 - Please be advised that this morning Aloha Airlines announced that it is fully suspending operations and will discontinue all flights after today, March 31. A number of flights originally scheduled for today have also been canceled. For a list of affected flights today, as well as advise on how to proceed in the event of planned future travel on Aloha, please see the Aloha page at: http://www.alohaairlines.com/landing_pages/aloha_oe_faq.php.
United Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have announced that they will attempt to accommodate affected passengers. As both United Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines frequently operate at peak capacity for travel to, from and within Hawaii, we expect significant delays for re-accommodated travelers. Casto is presently contacting affected travelers and advising on options for reaccommodation, where possible. Passengers who purchased their tickets with a credit card are advised to contact their credit card company for a possible refund.
American Airlines and Delta Cancel Many Flights Over Safety Concerns
03/27/2008 - Delta and American Airlines have now both announced that they will cancel hundreds of flights so the companies can conduct inspections on some of their jets. The cancellations are expected to affect travel through Friday. Delta is expected to cancel 325 flights on Thursday. American Airlines canceled 318 flights on Wednesday and anticipates another 132 flights on Thursday, representing about 6 percent of the daily schedule. Delta is inspecting the wiring of 117 MD-88 aircraft. The airline said the checks are voluntary and are expected to be completed by week's end. American Airlines, meanwhile, is examining wiring secured to the MD-80 aircraft.
This latest round of inspections was prompted by questions raised by the Federal Aviation Administration and American safety officials about how a certain bundle of wires is secured to the MD-80 aircraft. We strongly recommend you reconfirm flights prior to departure if scheduled on American Airlines or Delta.
American Airlines Cancels Many Flights Over Safety Concen
03/26/2008 - Approximately 200 American Airlines flights across the country were canceled over safety concerns on the morning of March 26. At least 29 flights scheduled to depart before 10:00AM local time were canceled from Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The airline has canceled two-thirds of its flights using Boeing MD-80 aircrafts, following an airworthiness directive. American Airlines operates approximately 2,200 flights daily. Travelers using the airline are likely to face travel disruptions. We strongly recommend you reconfirm flights prior to departure if scheduled on American Airlines.
Southwest Grounds 41 Planes Due to Missed Inspections
03/12/2008 - Please be advised that Southwest Airlines grounded 41 planes overnight — about 8 percent of its fleet — in the wake of its recent admission that it had missed required inspections of some planes for structural cracks. Southwest spokeswoman Christi Day said today that the move to ground 41 planes resulted in some flights being canceled, although she didn’t have a precise figure. Casto is continually monitoring the situation for additional flight cancellations and/or delays.
US Airways Increases Baggage Fees
02/26/2008 - Please be advised that US Airways announced today its plan to charge some passengers a fee to check more than one bag. US Airway’s new fee of USD $25.00 will be charged to all customers with the exception of those who are Dividend Miles Preferred members, confirmed First Class or Envoy passengers at the time of check in, Star Alliance Silver or Gold status members, active military personnel, unaccompanied minors, and people checking assistive devices. The carrier will not charge passengers to check one bag. The 3rd through 9th checked baggage fee will be USD $100 and bags weighing over 50 pounds will be assessed between USD $50 - $100, depending on the size.
The fee only applies to tickets purchased on or after February 26, 2008 for travel on or after May 5, 2008. Customers may pay this service fee at an airport kiosk with a credit card or at the check-in counter with a credit card, check or cash. Customers who already purchased tickets for travel after May 5th are exempt from the new service fee on their current itinerary.
Casto believes that other the other major carriers will, in short order, implement a policy similar to this one. As the fees will be waived for travelers who are part of a frequent flyer program, we encourage all travelers to update their profiles at www.casto.com so that we may minimize the cost from this announcement.
London Heathrow Baggage Failure
02/20/2008 - At Terminal 4 in London Heathrow airport a major baggage system failure occurred on Tuesday, February 19, 2008. The Terminal 4 baggage system is temporarily experiencing a reduction in capacity caused by a software problem. The airport states that “while every effort is being made to rectify the problem, you may experience some delays when departing today.”
Casto strongly recommends, if possible, to only bring carry-on luggage should travel transit through the London Heathrow airport, as additional delays and complications are expected. Please check with your airline before leaving for the airport and consider minimizing the amount of luggage you check in for your journey.
All Greek Public Transportation Halted
02/12/2008 - Please be advised that as of Wednesday February 13, 2008 all Greek city transportation will be halted – flights will be grounded and public services will shut down. Public transport employees plan to walk off the job, leaving the country’s urban centers without buses, trains, and other forms of public transport. Hospital doctors will only treat emergencies, while banks and other government services will also be affected. Air traffic controllers said no planes would take off or land at Athens’ International airport, except military, medical and government aircraft. Greek labor unions have pledged to continue with the strikes until a resolution has been met, making significant further disruptions expected.
Paris Air Traffic Controller Union Strike Causing Delays
02/11/2008 - Please be advised that over half of all flights to the Paris Orly airport [ORY] were cancelled on Monday due to a strike by the Air Traffic Controllers Union. Significant delays are also being experienced at the Charles de’ Gaulle airport [CDG]. The union is said to be protesting plans to reorganize air-traffic control around Paris. The union plans up to five days of strikes and significant further disruptions are expected.
Significant Increase In United Baggage Fees
02/04/2008 - Please be advised that United Airlines announced today its plan to charge some passengers a fee to check more than one bag. United's new fee of USD $25.00 will be charged to customers who purchase non-refundable domestic economy tickets and do not have status in frequent flyer programs at United or one of its partners in the Star Alliance. The carrier will not charge passengers to check one bag. The cost to check items that require special handling -- large, overweight or fragile items -- will now be either USD $100 or USD $200, depending on the item.
This new checked bag policy applies for travel beginning on May 5, 2008, within the U.S. and to/from Canada, San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, and the service fee to check a second bag only applies to tickets purchased on or after February 4, 2008. Customers may pay this service fee at an airport Easy Check-In kiosk with a credit card or at the check-in counter with a credit card, check or cash.
Casto believes that other the other major carriers will, in short order, implement a policy similar to this one. As the fees will be waived for travelers who are part of a frequent flyer program, we encourage all travelers to update their profiles at www.casto.com so that we may minimize the cost from this announcement.
San Jose International Airport Construction Update
02/04/2008 - 2008 will be very busy with Construction for the new airport
over the next 12 months as SJC will be upgrading most of their terminal facilities throughout Mineta San Jose International Airport.
Rental Car Garage Construction Underway
A seven-deck structure is being built and will follow with a 3,400 space rental car and public parking garage that should be in service in 2010. Preliminary pile driving for the consolidated rental car garage across from Terminal C will begin in early February 2008.
North End of Terminal C Comes Down in February, New Terminal B to Start
Demolition of the north end of Terminal C will occur in early February to clear the site for the start of construction on the foundation for new Terminal B by April. Structural steel erection for Terminal B is scheduled to begin this fall.
All the modifications at Terminal C last year made this step possible, including the relocation of aircraft gates, consolidation of security checkpoints, and installation of “shared use” airline ticket counters that give them more flexibility and efficiency to serve passengers at Terminal C.
Terminal B will provide the ticketing, security, and baggage claim support for the gates in the new North Concourse, which is on schedule for completion by the end of the year. Once Terminal B is in service in two and a half years, they will tear down the rest of Terminal C by the end of 2010, allowing them to complete the last piece of the new roadway through the terminal area.
Upgrade of Terminal A Advances
Also in February SJC will start the expansion of Terminal A on the “air side” of the terminal. This additional space, which will accommodate new concessions and much more comfortable passenger hold rooms, is scheduled to be in service during the first half of 2009.
This March they start work on new ground-level ticketing lobbies that are scheduled to be operational next January. Once the new lobbies are in service they will start expanding and renovating the security checkpoint that will replace the old ticketing area on the second level. They are doubling the capacity of the TSA checkpoints, which will mean better service and shorter waits upon completion in spring 2009.
The upgrades at Terminal A over the next 18 months will require frequent changes that will affect passengers. They recognize that construction at times will create some unavoidable inconvenience for travelers, but are working hard to minimize it as much as possible.
Construction Schedules Are Subject to Change
Because the $1.3 billion project to replace and upgrade the SJC terminal area is complex and moving very fast, construction schedules are subject to continuing revision.
Flights Grounded at San Jose Due to Fog
01/15/2008 - Please be advised that due to heavy fog all flights departing from and arriving to San Jose - Mineta Airport have been grounded. Winds are expected to pick up around 10 a.m. to facilitate the clearing of the fog layer. The San Francisco International Airport has also experienced delays due to fog, Tuesday, with arriving flights landing about an hour late. The fog has not affected any departures at SFO.
Delays at Bay Area Airports due to Winter Storm
01/04/2008 - The second in a series of three winter storms have descended upon the Greater San Francisco Bay Area and are resulting in significant delays for air travel, particularly at San Francisco International Airport. Due to very strong wind many flights have been delayed and/or cancelled with the average delays in excess of 90 minutes. Delays are expected to continue through the entirety of the day.
Major Earthquake Hits Chile
11/14/2007 - A magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit northern Chile today at 7:40 am PST. The quake rattled buildings and local media reports indicate electricity and telecommunication lines were out in some areas. It was centered 780 miles north of Santiago and occurred about 37.3 miles underground - relatively deep - which diminishes the destructive capability of quakes according to the U.S. Geological Survey. A tsunami warning was issued after the quake, but then later recalled within the hour.
German Rail Strike to Begin this Week
11/13/2007 - A 3-day rail strike is expected to begin in Germany on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 local time. It will affect both passenger and freight service throughout the country. The strike is set to end on Saturday, November 17, 2007. Air travel will not be affected.
Open-Ended French Strike Due to Hit Rail and Public Transit
11/12/2007 - A strike of rail, public transit, and energy sector employees will begin on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 local time. All travel within France, and Paris in particular, will be suspended. It is expected to stop most domestic rail service, public transportation (like the Paris Metro), and other crucial sectors. A lot of domestic and European connecting flights into Paris are likely to be cancelled. The strike will not directly impact international air travel; however, travelers are advised to expect ancillary effects due to the congestion caused by the strike.
Air France European Flights Disrupted
10/25/2007 - A 5-day Air France strike began today and was expected to cause the cancellation of 30 percent of their flights. The strike, scheduled to end Monday night, has been called by flight attendants over issues of working conditions and pay. Since the protest has begun, Air France said more flights were affected than had been expected. A spokeswoman said some long-haul flights had also been cancelled. Air France said it would allow clients to postpone flights during the strike with no penalty. Travelers unable to find a suitable alternative to their travel will be entitled to a reimbursement.
India Visa Processing Delays Reported
10/23/2007 - On October 1st, the Indian government elected to outsource their fulfillment of visa processing to a private firm. As a result of the revised processing rules delays through the San Francisco jurisdictional region approximate at least one business week. Other India Consulate jurisdictional regions (Houston, Chicago, Washington D.C, and New York) may have longer delays depending upon the volume of requests. In order to avoid delays, requests for emergency or last minute service support should be directed to the appropriate regional Indian consulate.
Until further notice Casto’s Visa | Passport team is unable to provide expedited service for visas to India. Please note that this only applies to India as all services continue uninterrupted. As always, should you have any specific questions or require assistance with your visa please contact Casto’s Visa | Passport team directly at 408.553.4735.
Oakland Airport Terminal Evacuated for Bomb Scare Investigation
10/8/2007 - Terminals at the Oakland Airport were evacuated this morning due to a bomb threat. Terminal 2 was evacuated at about 12:40pm with help from the Oakland Police Department and closed for 2 hours. All flights leaving from Terminal 2 were held at the airport. The threat involved Southwest flight 337 and specific parts of the terminal. All passengers aboard were taken off the plane and safely evacuated. Terminal 1 was also briefly closed for 1 hour. All terminals at the Oakland Airport are now open, but security delays are to be expected.
Largest Earthquake of 2007 Hits Sumatra, Indonesia Measuring 8.2
9/12/2007 - The US Geological Survey reports that an earthquake hit Sumatra, Indonesia at 4:10am PST on Wednesday, September 12, 2007. The magnitude 8.2 earthquake was the largest of four magnitude 8 earthquakes that have occurred worldwide since January. It is also the largest earthquake in Indonesia since the magnitude 8.6 "Nias" earthquake of March 2005.
The initial quake prompted authorities to issue tsunami warnings in the Indian Ocean, but it was lifted just 2 hours after the quake hit. However, a second tremor in the same area measuring 6.6 led Indonesian authorities to release a second tsunami warning.
There has only been one reported death at this time. Emergency rescue teams have mobilized and the president has ordered the military to help the rescue effort, according to the Indonesian Presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng.
6.6 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Taiwan
9/6/2007 - The US Geological Survey reported the initial quake at a magnitude 6.6, hitting just 70 miles southeast of the capital city of Taipei around 10:51am PST. There are no immediate reports of injuries or casualties, but the quake was felt for at least 30 seconds.
China Airlines Passenger Plane Explodes at Naha Airport; No One Is Injured
8/20/2007 - A passenger plane operated by Taiwan’s China Airlines bursts into flames Monday morning shortly after landing at Naha airport. All 165 passengers and crew on board escaped safely, the Construction and Transport Ministry said.
A ground mechanic said he saw jet fuel leaking from the engine. The ministry’s Aircraft and Railway Accident Investigation Commission, which sent four investigators to the scene, suspects a pipe connecting a fuel tank to the engine was damaged. According to Taipei-based China Airlines, the explosion occurred when leaked jet fuel caught fire due to the right engine overheating after the plane touched down.
A search of the US Federal Aviation Administration’s accident/incident database found four similar cases involving fires with similar Boeing planes or engines between July 1998 and July 2005. Three of the incidents involved Boeing 737-800’s and the other was on a 737-700, but with a similar engine. None of the other incidents resulted in the dramatic fireball of the China Airlines flight, but some did require emergency reroutes and evacuations after the fires started, according to the FAA records.
Typhoon Threatens Northern Philippines, Taiwan, and China
8/16/2007 - The powerful typhoon Sepat is heading for Taiwan after causing major disruptions to businesses in Manila, Philippines. The weather bureau said Sepat was not expected to make landfall in the Philippines, as it moves westward towards Taiwan and China. The storm brought winds of 100 mph. Officials say there are no reports of casualties or serious damage, but over 200 people were evacuated in Manila. Sepat is expected to slam into Taiwan on Thursday as a Category 4 typhoon.
Hurricane Dean Poses Threat to the Caribbean
8/16/2007 - Hurricane Dean is passing through the Caribbean islands and has sustained winds that have reached 100 mph. It has been classified as a Category 2 hurricane, but is expected to become an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm as it passes just south of Jamaica early next week. The National Weather Service alerts that “preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.”
Magnitude 8.0 Earthquake Hits Central Peru
8/16/2007 - An earthquake on Thursday hit central Peru, with the epicenter approximately 95 miles southeast of Lima. The quake measured a magnitude of 8.0 and hit at 4:40pm PST on August 15, according to the US Geological Survey. Officials say the death toll has now surpassed 350 individuals and more than 1,500 injured, with the number expected to rise as the recovery efforts continue.
Earthquake Hits Hurricane-Braced Hawaii
8/13/2007 - An earthquake on Monday hit the Big Island of Hawaii, which is already under a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning. The quake measured a magnitude of 5.4 and hit at 7:38pm PST on August 13, according to the US Geological Survey. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu issued a hurricane advisory this morning at 6:00am PST. Hurricane Flossie is located approximately 200 miles southeast of South Point, the southernmost tip of the Big Island of Hawaii. They also advised that no tropical cyclones are expected elsewhere.
Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake Hits Indonesia
8/7/2007 - A powerful earthquake under the Java Sea hit Indonesia's capital of Jakarta early Thursday at 12:04 am (10:04 pm PST). The preliminary magnitude was measured at 7.5 and was centered approximately 65 miles east of Jakarta at a depth of 180 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
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