Ovation's weekly client e-newsletter, the Informed Traveler, keeps readers updated on travel industry news and trends.
Following is a recap of February's top 5 (most clicked by Ovation clients) e-newsletter stories.
1. TRAVELERS WILL SOON NEED TO OBTAIN OFFICIAL PERMISSION TO ENTER THE UK
In conjunction with its goal of fully digitizing border systems by 2025, the UK has announced that it will soon require inbound international travelers to obtain a British entry permit document, reports Travel Pulse. Called the Electronic Travel Authorization UK (ETA UK), approval will be mandatory for all foreign travelers looking to enter or transit the UK, including those who are nationals of visa-free countries, such as the United States. Additionally, the requirement will apply to all types of visitors, including, “those traveling to the UK for tourism, business, short-term education and medical reasons.” The ETA system is intended to optimize the UK’s entry and exit processes, as part of a wider “permission to travel” policy. Inbound travelers will be able to apply from home and the application form should take only a few minutes to fill out; individuals will need to provide valid passport data, some personal information, travel plans, and a debit or credit card. Applications will be processed automatically, and most people are expected to receive authorization within 48-72 hours. As of now, the UK government has yet to announce a release date for the online application process, but officials expect the ETA system to be fully implemented by the end of 2023.
2. REFUNDS, FLIGHTS IN US LAWMAKER PROPOSALS TO PROTECT AIR TRAVELERS
US air travelers would be offered refunds for delayed flights and transportation on rival carriers under new consumer protections proposed on Tuesday, reports Reuters. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Edward Markey have introduced the measures under the "Passengers’ Bill of Rights and the Forbidding Airlines from Imposing Ridiculous Fees (FAIR) Act." Lawmakers said the measures would require airlines to pay at least $1,350 to travelers that are denied boarding as a result of an oversold flight, prohibit airlines from further reducing seat sizes pending regulatory changes, and give travelers new rights to sue airlines for unfair practices. A group of House of Representatives lawmakers also introduced the FAIR act which they said would "prohibit airlines from charging unreasonable fees... not proportional to the costs of the service actually provided."
3. BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO REPORTEDLY BLOCK SPIRIT AIRLINES, JETBLUE MERGER
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is likely to block the Spirit Airlines and JetBlue merger, putting the proposed $3.8 billion merger in jeopardy, reports Travel Pulse. The two carriers agreed to form what would be the nation's fifth-largest airline last summer after a months-long bidding war that began when Frontier Airlines announced plans to purchase Spirit. The DOJ could file suit as soon as March, though individuals in the DOJ’s antitrust division have competing opinions about whether to bring a case. The deal is further complicated by an ongoing lawsuit against JetBlue's Northeast Alliance deal with American Airlines. JetBlue has stated that the merger would benefit travelers, creating a "long overdue national low-fare challenger" to the Big Four airlines in American, Delta, United, and Southwest.
4. 5G UPGRADE DELAYS COULD DISRUPT US AIRLINE SUMMER SCHEDULES
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is concerned that many airlines won't be able to retrofit their planes to handle new 5G wireless technology in time for the peak summer travel season, reports Reuters. In a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, IATA Director General Willie Walsh said, “many operators will not make the proposed July 2023 (and in some cases the March 2023) retrofit deadline owing to supply chain issues, certification delays, and unavoidable logistical challenges.” The letter also stated, “It is critical that we acknowledge and accept that fact and move collectively to change our approach to this issue now, before many carriers are unable to continue to serve the US market during the peak summer travel season." Last June, Verizon and AT&T voluntarily agreed to delay some C-Band 5G usage until July 1, 2023, as air carriers work to retrofit airplanes to ensure that they will not face interference. The proposed directive is similar to one that took effect in December 2021, prohibiting passenger and cargo flight operations in the vicinity of 5G C-Band wireless transmitters unless the FAA specifically approved them. The FAA, Verizon, and AT&T are now negotiating to reach a new agreement that seeks to extend some voluntary mitigations beyond July 1.
5. UNITED LAUNCHES $100 MILLION SUSTAINABLE FLIGHT FUND
United Airlines has announced that it has launched a $100 million investment fund to support start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel by accelerating the research, production, and technologies associated with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The fund has investments from United and its inaugural partners such as Air Canada, Boeing, General Electric, JPMorgan Chase, and Honeywell. Through the fund, these and potentially additional corporate participants will invest alongside United in SAF technology and production start-ups identified by United. The carrier also stated that anyone who buys a ticket on the United website or app now has the option to contribute to supplement United's investment in the fund. The first 10,000 people who choose to contribute will each receive 500 MileagePlus Miles as a thank you. Additionally, United announced it will start displaying emissions estimates when purchasing tickets through the airline's website.
