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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 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 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 French Air Traffic Controllers Set to Strike 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 Please contact your designated Casto consultant if you have any questions. New U.S. Passport Fees Effective 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
Renewal
Adding Pages
Children's Passports (Under 16)
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or by phone at 408-553-4735. British Airways Cabin Crew Announce New Strike Dates Please contact your designated Casto consultant if you have any questions. Volcanic Ash Closes Scottish and Irish Airports 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 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 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 Volcanic Ash Disrupts Europe Travel Chile Earthquake 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 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 Full name, as displayed on Government issued Identification. 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 Those customers will be allowed one standard article, plus 1 or more of the items below. Standard article: 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 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? Notice on carry-on luggage to the US 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: 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
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 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 Casto recommends utilizing a carrier other than British Airways if traveling during the Holiday season. Severe Weather in San Francisco Bay Area 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 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 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
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
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
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
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
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 Air France Flight 447: Missing |
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