Blockades in and around Uyuni, Bolivia are causing significant transportation disruption; foreign ministries are advising travelers to seek local advice before traveling to those areas.
Public transportation strikes at São Paulo's underground rail during recent day shave left up to half of all stations closed, resulting in traffic chaos throughout the city.
The mosquito-borne chikungunya virus is causing concern in the Caribbean as it continues to spread since arriving in the hemisphere in December. Travelers with existing medical conditions should be especially cautious.
New Airline Routes and Route Changes
South America
Brazilian carrier Azul began flying six weekly round-trip flights between two cities in Brazil's Minas Gerais state: its capital, Belo Horizonte, and Governador Valadares.
On July 14, Gol Transportes Aereos will begin flights between São Paulo Viracopos airport and Rio de Janeiro's Santos Dumont airport. It will fly six daily round-trips on the route.
Gol will add flights to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and Miami (Florida, U.S.) beginning July 14, upping their Rio de Janerio - Santo Domingo - Miami route to four times per week and adding three weekly Sao Paulo Viracopos - Santo Domingo - Miami flights.
Gol will also begin 12 flights per day between Campinas and Rio de Janeiro and three flights per week between Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil and Miami. The Campinas - Miami route will connect in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where travelers will also have the option to fly to Orlando. The flights will begin July 18.
Beginning August 14, TAM will no longer offer daytime departures on its São Paulo - New York-JFK route, moving both daily flights to the evening.
TAM has increased operations between São Paulo and Miami from 14 flights to 17 flights weekly.
Colombia-based Avianca begins a Bogota-London route this July, with flights four times a week between Bogota Eldorado International and London Heathrow.
TAP Portugal will begin service from Lisbon, Portugal to Bogota and Panama City, with flights operating between the three cities on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flights begin July 1.
Mexico
Low-cost Mexican carrier Volaris will add nonstop flights between Denver, Colorado (U.S.) and Guadalajara, Mexico on July 7. It will begin Denver - Chihuahua, Mexico flights on July 12.
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| Las Vegas, Nevada |
International Connections
On June 5, United Airlines began daily non-stop service between Washington Dulles International Airport and Madrid-Barajas Airport. The summer-season service will run through September 4.
American Airlines begins two-class flights from Los Angeles later this summer, adding Dallas/Fort Worth on August 1, Las Vegas on September 3 and Miami on August 19.
Airline Alliance News
Delta Air Lines and Garuda Indonesia announced a codeshare agreement on Delta-operated flights from Tokyo International Airport to Los Angeles and Seattle-Tacoma International Airports, beginning in July.
US Airways launched a codeshare agreement with Airberlin, placing the US Airways code on Airberlin flights from Chicago, Miami and New York (JFK) to Berlin and from Fort Myers, Los Angeles, Miami and New York (JFK) to Dusseldorf.
Air France will launch a codeshare agreement with Winair on June 14, covering five routes via St. Maarten. Planned routes include Saba, St. Barthelemy, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts - Nevis and Tortola.
Other Airline News
LATAM Airlines is facing possible flight delays and cancellations in South America as maintenance workers threaten to disrupt schedules in support of a strike by Peruvian colleagues.
Avianca announced that eight flight routes at Bogota, Colombia's El Dorado International Airport will move to the newly-renovated terminal #1. Flights serving the Colombian cities of Barranquila, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cartagena, Medellin, Pasto, Pereira and San Andres will be among the 65% of the airline's domestic flights that move to the new terminal.
Canada's WestJet announced the immediate allowance of full access to personal electronic devices during all phases of flight, including taxi, takeoff and landing.
Airport News
Be Relax spa opened in Terminal 5 of New York-JFK Airport. The spa offers massage chairs, Swedish and hot stone massages, manicures and pedicures, as well as a hair salon and blow-dry bar.
The 40/40 Club, a sports bar-style club owned by musician Jay-Z and partners, opened at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Georgia, U.S.), in Concourse D. Also in the news for Hartsfield-Jackson is the announcement of free Wi-Fi throughout the airport as well as an infrastructure upgrade.
Travelers looking for a quick pick-me-up at Miami International Airport can get a taste of a local favorite at Café Versailles's locations in the D, E and F terminals.
London Heathrow's new Terminal 2 opened June 4, with United Airlines moving all 17 of its daily flights to Heathrow to the terminal. All 22 Star Alliance members with Heathrow operations (plus Aer Lingus, Germanwings and Little Red) will move to Terminal 2 within the next six months.
Loyalty Program News
Several airline loyalty programs are offering bonus miles or points to new members of their dining miles programs, including American Airlines' AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, Southwest's Rapid Rewards, United's MileagePlus and US Airway's Dividend Miles.
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| Southwest Airlines |
Southwest Airlines is currently offering an increased bonus for signing up for its Rapid Rewards credit card: 50,000 bonus points after a new cardholder charges $2,000 within three months.
Choice Hotels is offering a bonus of 8,000 Choice Privileges points after two stays at its properties through August 20. The promotion requires registration.
Best Western is offering a free one-night voucher to rewards program members who complete three separate stays at participating hotels, through September 1.
New applicants for the Starwood Preferred Guest credit card from American Express can earn up to 30,000 bonus points if they apply before June 30.
Hyatt has added Southwest's Rapid Rewards program to its summer triple points promotion on second and subsequent stays through August.
Southwest Rapid Rewards members can earn a 50-point bonus on one-way airport travel in a SuperShuttle or ExecuCar town car.
Hotel News
The ibis Porto Alegre Assis Brazil opens this month in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul state. It has 150 rooms, a full-service restaurant, a meeting room that can seat up to 40 and indoor parking.
The Sheraton Reserva do Paiva Hotel & Convention Center opens on June 16 in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Pernambuco, Brazil. Located 30 minutes from Recife's city center and 14 kilometers fromRecife/Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport, the hotel has 298 rooms and suites and more than 2,700 square meters of function space. It also has pool, beach, spa and fitness centers and lounges and restaurants.
Other News
Egypt has levied an airport tax on tourists leaving the country, applying a roughly $25 fee on ticket purchases.
Cuba's Washington diplomatic mission has resumed consular services, issuing visas and handling other consular matters, after suspending services on February 14.
