United Kingdom Travel Policy

Due to the possibility of a U.K. public sector strike that may affect the U.K. Border Agency, American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia offer customers the convenience to change their plans as there could be significant risk of severe delays in London airports.  Customers ticketed to arrive on an international flight into a London airport on November 30, 2011 may change flights as shown below.

If you are traveling to/from/through:

·        London (Gatwick), United Kingdom (LGW)

·        London (Heathrow), United Kingdom (LHR)

·        London City, United Kingdom (LCY)

·        Manchester, United Kingdom (MAN)

On the following dates: November 29 – 30, 2011

And your ticket was issued no later than: November 25, 2011

You may begin travel as late as: November 26 – December 7, 2011

Original inventory required? No

HURRICANE IRENE

While Hurricane Irene continues lashing the Bahamas this morning, officials along Central Florida’s beaches are taking precautions as stormy conditions slowly develop. Reports show the cyclone could strengthen into aCategory 4 hurricane by the time it reaches the Central Florida coast at 2 a.m. Friday. Once it passes the Central Florida region, Irene is forecast to weaken slightly and either brush or hit the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Saturday as a major hurricane. From there it would veer near New York on Sunday and arrive in Massachusetts on Monday. FROSCH is monitoring the situation closely and encourages all travelers to do the same.

FIRST TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS
Members of the ASLEF union working for First TransPennine Express are taking industrial action on Friday 26 August 2011. First TransPennineExpress will run the following services. A two-hourly train service between Sheffield and Manchester Piccadilly, an hourly service between Leeds or York and Manchester Piccadilly, four trains in each direction between Manchester Airport
and Edinburgh and additional train services each evening between Edinburgh / Glasgow Central and
Carlisle for alternative connections. Buses will run on the following routes. Windermere – Oxenholme, York – Scarborough and Cleethorpes – Scunthorpe. TYPHOON NANMADOL Typhoon Nanmadol intensified from a tropical cyclone on Thursday and is threatening northern Luzon in the Philippines with the possibility of flash flooding and landslides. Typhoon Nanmadol is expected to bring some rain to northern and eastern areas of Taiwan from Saturday. Of greater concern is the formation of Tropical Storm Talas which appears to be converging with Typhoon Nanmadol at present, casting uncertainty over their predicted strengths and trajectories of the Typhoon. Forecasters expect to have a clearer idea of the potential impact of both storms by theweekend. FROSCH will
monitor the situation closely.

EUROTUNNEL STRIKE ACTION
French unions are threatening a strike which could affect Eurotunnel services this coming weekend as part of a demand for a wage increase. Eurotunnel has taken the decision to suspend further bookings. Negotiations are continuing and Eurotunnel expects to issue a further statement later today regarding the potential strike action. The strike would affect shuttle services between Calais and Folkestone on the 27 and 28 August. Eurostar services willremain unaffected.

AMERICA’S & CARIBBEAN
AGGIE / FROSH TRAVEL a local Travel agency in Ft. Collins offering Luxury Cruises, tours and vacation planning can be reached at 970-482-1235.

USA – Weather: Heat alerts& high chances of storms continue during this
unpredictable period of weather in many US States. ASIA India – Anti-corruption protests are likely to continue across India’s major urban centers in the coming days and weeks. Such events should be avoided as they carry a heightened risk of violent civil unrest. India – Most of India’s major airports were placed on a terror alert ahead of the country’s Independence Day on 15 August 2011. At least 12 airports have implemented additional security measures, including establishing extra checkpoints on access roads outside of airport facilities. Security officials have
advised passengers to expect additional delays due to the increased
security measures, which are expected to last through 20 August. China – Over the next few days, thousands of young athletes and spectators from around the world will travel to Shenzhen for the summer edition of the multisport tournament. Despite scattered reports of public discontent with the security operation, there is little evidence to suggest that any large scale civil unrest will erupt in the city amid the extensive security measures currently in place. Travelers to the city should expect to encounter a visible security presence throughout Shenzhen for the duration of the 2011 World University Games. Japan – An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 struck 61 miles southeast of Sendai today at 2.36pm local time. Its depth was 24.3 miles. A tsunami warning was initially issued for Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures but was cancelled around 30 minutes later. There have been no reports of any damage or injuries. AUSTRALASIA New Zealand – Heavy snowfall has been affecting roads and flight operations in New Zealand. Australia – Qantas is to shed about 1,000 jobsas part of its wide-ranging five-year plan to revive its international business,which will include handing over some of its flights to British Airways. The airline will drop its London to Bangkok and London to Hong Kong flights, which are to be taken over by its partner BA from early next year. At the same time, BA will withdraw from the Bangkok to Sydney sector. Areas affected include management positions, pilots, cabin crew and engineering. Australia’s aircraft engineers are considering taking legal action against Qantas over the new international strategy, which includes plans to launch a premium airline based in Asia and a new budget airline in Japan.

AFRICA, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST
Israel – On 18 August in southern Israel near Eilat, several attacks occurred over a two-hour period leaving at least 7 people dead, and dozens wounded. The Israeli authorities have confirmed that this was a terrorist attack, although as yet there has been no claim of responsibility. Travelers are advised to maintain a high level of vigilance.
RAMADAN – 01 – 31 August.

UMRAH Flights – As per Saudi immigration regulations, certain flights can carry only Umrah visa holders. All other passengers holding normal visas to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will have to be booked and travel on the regular scheduled operations. Non conformity with this regulation will result in passengers being offloaded at departure. Syria – There are reports of heavy shooting on a big demonstration in Damascus. There are also raids and arrests being made in the Qaboun area, and tanks have entered a Homs neighbourhood amid shooting. In Aleppo, a military operation is being reported in the city of Tal Rafa’at, where security forces and regime thugs have erected barriers at all city entrances and are driving through the city making arrests. No further information is available at this time. UK & EUROPE Germany – Severe storms whichhit North Rhine- Westphalia last night and into this morning have caused flooded roads and downed trees. The emergency services received over 300 calls for help during the
storms. Flights were delayed at Dusseldorf airport, and some incoming flights had to be diverted although flights now appear to be back to normal.

The storms are now clearing the area. Italy – Ten cities are at risk of muggy weather today: a ‘level 2′
alert (high temperatures and weather conditions that could have negative health effects on vulnerable people) is out for 12 cities on Saturday, and two cities, Brescia and Turin have been issued with a ‘level 3′ red alert, which means that preventative measures must be adopted by people at risk, primarily the elderly and sick. UK – Heathrow Airport – Transport for London are upgrading traffic lights at the junction between A4 Bath Rd & Newport Rd on the northern perimeter of LHR. Passengers using this route should allow additional traveling time. SPAIN – Threatened industrial
action on the Metro may lead to disruption for travelers to Madrid on 18, 20 and 21 August. There will be an increase in demand for taxis. Travelers should organize their ground transportation in advance to avoid inconvenience.
UNITED KINGDOM; 2012 OLYMPICS – LOOKING AHEAD TO 2012! The Olympic Games committee has 65% of London’s total available hotel bedrooms. This may leave as little as 12,000 rooms available for general sale -
business travelers could be struggling to find rooms.Areas outside London could be a solution as Rail operators are ensuring 2,000 extra train services during the games. FROSCH advises travelers to think about their London requirements in 2012 in advance so we will be in the strongest possible position next summer to
accommodate everyone’s needs .