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All passengers travelling to the affected regions have been contacted by a Casto representative during the initial alert period.

See more in the Travel Alert Archives

Mexicana Airlines Suspends Operations
8/28/10

Mexicana Airlines has advised that effective noon local time on Saturday, August 28, 2010, it will suspend all operations and cancel all pending flights. It is anticipated that the shutdown will begin effective midnight tonight. This suspension of operations follows Mexicana’s recent filing for bankruptcy. All travelers booked through Casto on Mexicana have been contacted and reaccomadated.

Mexicana has advised that they will process refunds for all travel upon cancellation of the flight. Given the manner in which services are being terminated Casto is uncertain to what degree, if at all, Mexicana will be able to satisfy refund requests for all upcoming travel.

For the latest updates on their status, please visit the Mexicana webpage at: http://www.mexicana.com.

Mexicana Airlines Files for Bankruptcy
8/4/10Dear Client,

Earlier today Mexicana filed for Chapter 15 Bankruptcy protection. This announcement follows the recent advisement by the FAA that international safety standards were properly maintained, as well as the advisement that Mexicana would no longer qualify as a code share partner with American Airlines.

Due to all of the reasons above, Casto strongly advises travelers to avoid traveling on Mexicana and consider utilizing other carriers until recent developments have been rectified.

American Airlines Update on Mexico Codesharing Flights
8/2/10 On Friday, July 30, the FAA announced that Mexico does not meet international safety standards and as a result has downgraded the country's status from a Category 1 to Category 2 rating. A major impact of this ruling is that U.S. carriers must immediately terminate all codesharing with Mexico-based airlines, including American's codeshare flights operated by Mexicana. Passengers booked on an AA*/MX flight will be contacted by AA Reservations and given the option of being rebooked on the same flight, but with a Mexicana (MX) flight number, or receiving a full refund.

American Airlines is currently assessing how this might impact corporate and agency agreements, and will advise us of any required contractual changes.

Please contact your Casto Account Manager if you have additional questions.

French Air Traffic Controllers Set to Strike
7/16/10 Five unions representing French civil aviation workers, which include air traffic controllers, have given notice of a strike from the evening of July 20th through to the morning of July 22nd. The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGCA) will confirm actions on Monday, July 20.

The strikes, if initiated, are expected to affect up to 50% of flights into and out of France.

The unions are calling for a strike in protest against a proposal to cut up to 500 jobs in a streamlining process that is said to be necessary for the merger of European air traffic control.

Please contact your Account Manager if you have additional questions.

New Check In Cut-Off Time for American Airlines at SFO
7/9/10 Casto Travel has been advised by American Airlines that, effective immediately, their passenger check-in cut-off time for domestic travelers departing from the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has been changed from 30 minutes to 40 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. This impacts anyone checking bags or obtaining boarding passes at the airport.

Please contact your designated Casto consultant if you have any questions.

New U.S. Passport Fees Effective July 13, 2010
7/1/10 New passport fees for the U.S. Passport Card, and other U.S. passport services will be in effect on Tuesday, July 13, 2010.

The schedule of new U.S. Department of State fees for passport application services is as follows:

New, Mutilated, Lost/Stolen Replacement, Name Change

Base Expedite Acceptance Agent Fee Total Government Expedited Fee
$110 $60 $25 $195

Renewal

Base Expedite Total Government Expedited Fee
$110 $60 $170

Adding Pages

Base Expedite Total Government Expedited Fee
$82 $60 $142

Children's Passports (Under 16)

Base Expedite Acceptance Agent Fee Total Government Expedited Fee
$80 $60 $25 $165

Please contact Casto Visa Passport Services for assistance by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 408-553-4735.

British Airways Cabin Crew Announce New Strike Dates
5/10/10 The British Airways cabin crew union has announced fresh strike dates in its long-running dispute with the airline. The cabin crew will walk out for four separate five-day strikes in May and June. The first strike will begin on 18 May, ending on 22 May, with the three further strikes beginning on 24 May, 30 May and 5 June. The strikes are as a result of ongoing disputes with management over pay and work conditions.

Please contact your designated Casto consultant if you have any questions.

Volcanic Ash Closes Scottish and Irish Airports
5/5/10 Some airspace over Britain is again closed after a cloud of volcanic ash from Iceland returned to the UK and disrupted passengers' travel plans.

Flights over parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are restricted, with Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dublin and Belfast International among the airports affected.

The Civil Aviation Authority says passengers should contact their airlines to check whether their flight is operating.

Ireland to close airports due to volcanic ash
5/3/10 Ireland's Aviation Authority has advised that it is banning all flights in and out of Ireland on Tuesday morning because of a renewed risk of volcanic ash drifting from Iceland.

All flights to and from Irish airports will be prohibited from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time Tuesday (0600GMT to 1200GMT; 2 a.m to 8 a.m EDT), the authority said in a statement. The restrictions will not affect planes flying over Ireland from Britain and Europe.

Ireland is expected to experience ash concentrations that exceed acceptable engine manufacturer tolerance levels, the authority said. Further disruptions, including into Scotland, are expected.

Letter from Marc Casto regarding volcanic ash situation in Europe
4/21/10 Dear Casto Client

The idea that virtually the entire continent of Europe had been effectively closed to travel is too stunning to believe…and yet it was. Over this last week we were asked by our very valued clients to find every possible mode of transportation in and out of Europe, including flights through Africa and Asia, chartered planes, and even in one instance a private boat. Given this extraordinary challenge I have been awestruck by the incredible teamwork that has been on display within Casto.

I would like to personally thank each of you for the support you have provided us. While our service standards and hold times were impacted during this period, your understanding and words of encouragement have been tremendously uplifting for all members of the Casto team. Furthermore, your feedback has reminded us all of the value of an After Hours service that is owned and operated in-house by Casto, a lesson we wish to share with others in our industry.

At this point nearly all airports and airlines are fully operational. We are presently helping many thousands of people book and rebook options to return to their homes and conduct business. It is our strong recommendation for all travelers who are affected by these events to print out their boarding pass in advance and arrive at the airport well before scheduled departure time as there are large crowds. Any travelers who presently do not have a return ticket issued should not release their hotel room until they have a confirmed travel itinerary.

As always, we encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns.

With gratitude,

Marc Casto
President & COO
Casto Travel

Volcanic Ash Disrupts Europe Travel
4/15/10 Ash from Iceland's spewing Eyjafjallajokull volcano halted air traffic across a wide portion of Europe on Thursday. Thousands of flights are canceled and tens of thousands of passengers are stranded as a result.

Officials and scientists in Iceland said the ejection of volcanic ash - and therefore disruptions in air travel - could continue for days or even weeks.

Authorities stopped all flights over Britain, Ireland and the Nordic countries. The shutdown closed London's five major airports including Heathrow, Europe's busiest, a major trans-Atlantic hub that handles over 1,200 flights and 180,000 passengers per day.

Casto has generated a report and is in process of contacting its affected travelers in the region. For more information, please call your designated Casto contact.

Chile Earthquake
2/27/10 More than 20 aftershocks with magnitudes of up to 6.9 have followed an earthquake measuring 8.8 on the moment magnitude scale that at about 03.34 (local time) on 27 February struck off the coast of the country, around 65 miles (105km) west-south-west of the city of Talca (Region VII) and 70 miles (115km) north-north-east of Concepción (Region VII). More than 120 people have been killed as a result of the earthquake in the Santiago metropolitan region (RM) and Regions V, VI, VII, VIII and IX. The death toll is expected to rise significantly as relief operations gain momentum. Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) in the capital Santiago (RM) is expected to be shut for at least the next 24 hours as the authorities assess the damage; several flights are being diverted to Mendoza (Argentina). Severe infrastructural damage, including to buildings and roads, is being reported in several cities, including Talca, Concepción, Santiago and Maipu (RM); additionally, essential services, including power and telecommunications, have been disrupted in the affected areas. Moreover, there are reports of looting at destroyed stores in Concepción.

The initial earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 21.7 miles (35km), caused a four-foot (1m) tsunami wave in Valparaíso city (Region V); large waves have also been reported in coastal areas of Region I. Severe damage has been reported on the Juan Fernandez islands (Region V); moreover, evacuations are under way on Easter island (Region V). Meanwhile, a tsunami warning issued by the US government is in effect for Chile, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

Casto has generated a report and has verified that there are no Casto booked travelers in the affected region. For more information, please call your designated Casto contact.

Lufthansa Airlines Pilots set to strike
2/18/10 Lufthansa pilots voted yesterday to hold a four day strike starting Monday, February 22 and ending Thursday, February 25. This strike will affect all flights operated by Lufthansa and Germanwings in addition to Lufthansa's air cargo unit.

Negotiations between the airline and the Vereinigung Cockpit Pilots' Union broke off in December after an agreement could not be reached on the unions demands that Lufthansa not lay off any of its cockpit crew.

Casto is in process of contacting all of its affected travelers. If you have any questions, please contact your designated Casto consultant.

TSA Secure Flight Update
2/9/10 The Transportation Security Administration [TSA] has now made it a requirement for all airlines to collect Secure Flight information from all travelers 72 hours prior to the scheduled departure. Specifically, the TSA requires the following data points:

Full name, as displayed on Government issued Identification.
Gender
Date of Birth
TSA Redress number [this is not required but please include if available]

Failure to provide such information in advance can result in additional security checks and possibly denied boarding. In order to best comply with the TSA policy Casto has made the Secure Flight information a mandatory field for all travel profiles.

All travelers are encouraged to visit www.casto.com to update their travel profile with the Secure Flight information. Please know that Casto treats all profile information as strictly confidential; we do not market, sell, or otherwise distribute personal information except for as needed to complete travelers' requests or as required by law.

For more information about Secure Flight, please visit: http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/secureflight/index.shtm.

Carry-On restrictions on flights from Canada to the US eased
1/20/10A customer service bulletin was just issued to advise that effective January 20, 2010, Transport Canada will ease the carry-on baggage restrictions for customers traveling to the United States from Canada.

Those customers will be allowed one standard article, plus 1 or more of the items below.

Standard article:
- Maximum size including wheels and handles: 9" x 15.5" x 21.5"
- Maximum weight 22 lb

Examples: roller bag, backpack, briefcase

Plus, customers may carry with them one or more of the following items:

- Small purse

- Coat or outerwear

- Diaper bag, when travelling with an infant

- Duty-free purchases

- Crutches, canes, walkers

- Medical equipment

- Special needs items for customers

- Musical instruments

- Computer bag with laptop and accessories only

- Camera bag with camera and accessories only
Check In Early For All Travel To The U.S.

Casto Travel advises that all passengers should plan to arrive at the airport at least three (3) hours in advance of their flight departure to allow extra time for check-in and the boarding process.

Another British Airways Strike?
1/18/10 Unite, the union representing the cabin crews for British Airways, plans to ballot their members for an approval to strike. The ballot is scheduled to be held next week unless significant progress occurs in the negotiations between the union and management.

This announcement follows the planned strike by Unite over the Christmas holidays. Shortly before the strike was to begin courts in the U.K. invalidated the strike.

There is no announced date as to when a strike will take place should the measure pass though no action is expected until after February 1.

For more news, please visit: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8465208.stm

Notice on carry-on luggage to the US
1/15/10 New carry –on limits (listed below) have been imposed for all flights from international destinations to the United States, this includes American citizens who are returning home. Please ensure you completely understand these new restrictions and we ask that you print this email for easy resource access and ensure you advise all international travellers to the US of these new restrictions.

Carry-on Limits for Flights from International Destinations to the United States (including American citizens returning home)

Casto Travel reminds travelers that new security measures imposed by U.S. government authorities on flights from international destinations to the U.S. (including American citizens returning home) remain in effect until further notice. As a result of these rules there are strict limits in effect for carry-on articles allowed in the cabin and longer security screening times at airports.

From Canada to The U.S. - UPDATED 01.20.10

A customer service bulletin was effective January 20, 2010: Transport Canada will ease the carry-on baggage restrictions for customers traveling to the United States from Canada.

Those customers will be allowed one standard article, plus 1 or more of the items below.

Standard article:
- Maximum size including wheels and handles: 9" x 15.5" x 21.5"
- Maximum weight 22 lb

Examples: roller bag, backpack, briefcase

Plus, customers may carry with them one or more of the following items:

- Small purse

- Coat or outerwear

- Diaper bag, when travelling with an infant

- Duty-free purchases

- Crutches, canes, walkers

- Medical equipment

- Special needs items for customers

- Musical instruments

- Computer bag with laptop and accessories only

- Camera bag with camera and accessories only


From Europe To The U.S.

Effective immediately, and until further notice, customers traveling from Europe will be limited to one carry-on item. The carry-on item must fit in an overhead compartment or under the seat and cannot exceed 45 dimensional inches/114 cm (length + width + height) and weigh no more than 40 lbs/18 kgs. This limit will apply to customers for flights to the U.S. from Europe.

Check In Early For All Travel To The U.S.

All passengers should plan to arrive at the airport at least three (3) hours in advance of their flight departure to allow extra time for check-in and the boarding process.


US Clarifies International Security Policies
1/4/10 Please be advised that the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) has just released a new security directive to all United States and international carriers providing service into the U.S.

Per the new directive all citizens of the targeted countries--and any person traveling through the targeted countries--will be subject to intensified screening before returning to the United States. Those countries are: Algeria, Cuba, Lebanon, Libya, Iran ,Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen

The intensified security is likely to consist of a full-body pat down search as well as attention given to all carry on bags. Where available, individuals will also be required to pass through “whole body scanners” that are able to look underneath clothing for hidden explosives and weapons.

If you are a citizen of a target country or if you are traveling to or through that country, please expect significant delays at security for your return to the U.S.

For more information please visit the TSA announcement at: http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/010310_statement.shtm


British Airways Crews Strike
12/14/09 Please be advised that the British Airways cabin crew have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike from December 22 through January 2, specifically timed to coincide with the busy Christmas Holidays. The call for a strike is due to a dispute over job cuts and changes to staff contracts. British Airways has advised that travelers booked to travel during the affected period can change their flight to another time within the next 12 months without a penalty.

Casto recommends utilizing a carrier other than British Airways if traveling during the Holiday season.

Severe Weather in San Francisco Bay Area
10/13/09 A powerful storm system is bringing widespread heavy rain and gusty winds across the San Francisco Bay Area this morning. The National Weather Service is predicting that this system will bring between 3 - 5 inches of rain with winds in excess of 75 mph expected.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has reported delays of up 2 hours for some flights which is also affecting the Oakland International Airport (OAK) and the Norman Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC).

Travelers scheduled to fly to or from these airports are advised to contact your Casto Travel consultant or the airline as soon as possible.

Air India Strike Update
9/30/09 State-run Air India has canceled a quarter of its international and domestic flights and will suspend bookings on more flights due to a strike by its pilots over pay, the carrier's spokesman said Tuesday.

Around 250 pilots have refused to work since September 26, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at airports. Air India's spokesman said talks were continuing between the management and the pilots, but as a precaution the carrier had decided to suspend bookings on some flights for the next 15 days. Since the strike began, about 40 flights out of the 200 scheduled were being canceled daily.Flights which have been affected include flights to New York, London, Chicago and Singapore as well as many domestic routes.

Casto has generated a report and is in process of contacting affected travelers and advising on service options. For more information, please call your designated Casto contact.

Indonesian Earthquake
9/30/09 The US Geological Survey (USGS) reports an underwater earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 occurred on 30 September at 17.16 (local time) at a depth of 50 miles (80km), 28 miles (45km) west-north-west of Padang, the capital of the West Sumatra province. An aftershock measuring 5.5 on the moment magnitude scale was recorded seven miles (11km) north of Padang at 18.38. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has cancelled a previously issued regional tsunami watch for Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and India.

In Padang, hundreds of houses and several bridges have reportedly been damaged, broken water pipelines have flooded the streets and telephone lineshave been severely affected. In addition, fires have been reported in the city. Minangkabau Airport (PDG) in Padang has been closed. There are reports of casualties.

Casto has generated a report and has verified that there are no Casto booked travelers in the affected region. For more information, please call your designated Casto contact.

American Samoa Earthquake and Tsunami
9/29/09 An 8.3 magnitude earthquake struck at 6.48 AM (local time) on September 30 approximately 110 miles east of Hihifo, Tonga. Tsunami warnings were issued for American Samoa, Samoa, New Zealand and other nearby Pacific islands. The Alaska Tsunami Warning Center stated that a tsunami wave of 1.57 metres (5.1ft) above normal sea level was subsequently observed at Pago Pago (American Samoa) and another of 0.7 metres (2.3ft) at Apia (Samoa). Unconfirmed reports indicate that the Samoan villages of Siumu and Lotofago were affected by the wave. Media reports indicate that the tsunami resulted in fatalities on both islands; however, the exact number of deaths and the extent of damage remain unclear.

Casto has generated a report and has verified that there are no Casto booked travelers in the affected region. For more information, please call your designated Casto contact.

Aeromexico Flight 576 Hijacked
9/9/09 AeroMexico flight 576, which was hijacked en route from the resort city of Cancún on 9 September, has landed safely at Mexico City's Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX). There is word that at least 104 passengers were on board, though have now been released. The suspected hijackers had demanded to speak with President Felipe Calderón and had threatened to blow up the aircraft if their demand was not met. The aircraft has been moved to an isolated area. Mexican authorities have advised that the hijacking has ended peacefully.

Casto has generated a report and has verified that there are no travelers booked on this flight through Casto. For more information, please call your designated Casto contact.

Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Hits Japan
8/9/09 Sunday, August 09, 2009 at 07:55:56 PM Local Time a magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit aprox 200 miles SSW of Tokyo. The USGS said the quake was felt moderately throughout Narita.

Please be advised that Casto is in the process of contacting all affected travelers. For more information, please call your designated Casto contact.

Injuries Reported in Flight from Brazil
8/3/09 Severe turbulence shook a Continental Airlines flight Monday, injuring dozens of passengers and forcing the aircraft to divert to Miami, Florida,according to the airline. There were 168 passengers and 11 crew members on Flight 128, which was heading from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Houston, Texas, according to a statement from Continental Airlines.

Continental Airlines said seven passengers were transported to nearby hospitals, and approximately 28 other passengers were treated at the scene. The flight is scheduled to depart Miami for Houston later in the morning, according to Continental's Web site. It had originally been scheduled to arrive in Houston at 6 a.m. local time.

We have generated a report and verified that there were no travelers booked on this flight through Casto.

Indonesian Hotel Explosions
7/16/09 At about 7:50 am local time, two bombing occurred at the Ritz Carlton and the J.W. Marriot hotels in the Mega Kuningan area of the capital Jakarta, Indonesia. While details of the attacks are still emerging present reports indicate 6 fatalities and approximately tens of other casualties. Police are at the scene and have cordoned off the area.

There are no further travel reports for Indonesia though all travelers are advised to avoid the area of the bombings until the situation clarifies.

Please be advised that Casto is in the process of contacting all affected travelers to recommend alternative travel options. For more information, please call your designated Casto contact.

CLEAR to Cease Operations
6/22/09 At 11:00 p.m. PST today, CLEAR will cease operations. CLEAR's parent company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc., has been unable to negotiate an agreement with its senior creditor to continue operations.

CLEAR online enrollment is no longer available. All marketing partner landing pages will no longer be active. After today, CLEAR lanes will be unavailable.

Air France Flight 447: Missing
6/1/09 Air France Flight 447, an Airbus A330, is missing after an automatic signal went off indicating electrical problems while going through strong turbulence. The flight left Rio for Paris on Sunday at 7 p.m. localtime (2200 GMT, 6 p.m. EDT) with 216 passengers and 12 crew members on board. Casto has generated a report and has verified that there were no travelers booked on this flight through Casto.

 
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