Tropical Storm Arthur is expected to intensify into a hurricane as of July 3, affecting the U.S. East Coast states of North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. High winds, heavy rain, rough seas, flooding and sporadic tornadoes are possible.
Road blockades in Bolivia are expected to increase throughout the country in anticipation of national elections on October 12. Public transportation may be disrupted, and travelers are advised to take care when traveling and only travel via registered taxi companies.
A widespread power outage in Venezuela affected at least 14 of the country's 23 states, forcing suspension of subway and train services around the country.
A U.S. District Court Judge has ruled the no-fly list is unconstitutional. The ruling will allow individuals' lawyers with the correct clearance to learn if and why an individual was placed on the list.
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Santiago de Chile |
New Airline Routes and Route Changes
South America
Aerolineas Argentinas will add a second daily flight on its Buenos Aires - Ezeiza - Lima route as of August 1.
Beginning August 17 LAN Airlines will add four weekly flights to its Santiago de Chile - Bogota service.
As of August 15, LANColombia will move departures (other than on Wednesdays) from morning to afternoon on its Bogota - Miami route.
LAN Airlines will replace its current Boeing 767 service on its Santiago de Chile - Cancun - Miami route with Boeing 787 service, operating once a week.
Mexico
On August 10, Southwest Airlines will begin daily nonstop international flights between Cancun and the U.S. cities of Atlanta (Georgia) and Baltimore/Washington D.C. It will also fly Saturday-only flights between Cancun and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Southwest will also begin daily nonstop flights between San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos and Santa Ana/Orange County, California on August 10.
Caribbean
Vacation Express will run direct service from Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania, U.S.) to Grand Bahama Island from August 12 through October 26.
Southwest Airlines will begin Saturday flights between Nassau, Bahamas and Atlanta (Georgia, U.S.) on August 10.
International Connections
Iberia resumed daily flights between Madrid and Istanbul, Turkey, and expects to also resume service to Amsterdam, Athens, Stockholm, Montevideo and Santo Domingo in September.
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Air India |
American Airlines will add a second daily flight from Dallas/Ft. Worth to London Heathrow as of August 1.
Airline Alliance News
Air India will join the Star Alliance as of July 11.
Other Airline News
Air France will extend its cabin revamps to its long-haul Airbus A330s and A380s as part of a $1.36 billion investment in upgrading its product. Among the changes will be business class cabins that can have 24 lie-flat seats removed and replaced with 60 coach seats to adjust to passenger load fluctuations.
Hotel News
Hilton Worldwide opened the Embassy Suites by Hilton Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. The 150 all-suite hotel includes two-room suites, a 24-hour business center, more than 22,000 square feet of indoor meeting space and more than 4,000 square feet of outdoor events space.
Sports and nature resort Campo Bahia opened near Santo Andre in Bahia, Brazil. The resort, built according to sustainable and ecological construction standards, includes 14 four- and seven-bedroom villas facing the beach.
Intercontinental Hotels Group opened the 94-room Holiday Inn Express Cabo San Lucas. The hotel includes a 24-hour fitness center, free high-speed Internet access and a business center in addition to a complimentary breakfast bar.
The Matali Hotel opened near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, north of Nuevo Vallarta. The resort offers 40 one-to-three-bedroom villa-style accommodations fully equipped with Wi-Fi, kitchen, washer/dryer and sun terrace.
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Priceline- Fun Rides
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Hersha Hospitality Trust opened the 81-room Hampton inn Manhattan/Downtown-Financial District in Manhattan (New York), near Battery Park. The hotel offers free sit-down or to-go breakfast, as well as fitness and business centers.
Hotel Pipeline
Hampton by Hilton will expand into Chile and Peru, with four hotels planned in each country. The first two, in Lima and Santiago, are expected to open in early 2018.
Ground Transportation Services
Priceline.com launched Fun Rides, a new rental car lineup of luxury sedans, muscle cars, sportsters, convertibles, hybrids and minis. Fun Rides is available at airport locations in 63 markets in the U.S., from suppliers including Avis, Budget and Hertz.