A July 7 earthquake, of magnitude 6.9, was felt from southern Mexico through central Guatemala, all the way to El Salvador. The quake killed at least three people and damaged buildings, infrastructure and travel routes in Guatemala, particularly in the San Marcos region.
Heavy rainfall and flooding in Paraguay led the nation to declare an environmental emergency and evacuate some 300,000 people. The capital of Asución has been hardest hit: The rising Paraguay River has flooded downtown, as well as low-lying neighborhoods.
Passengers on U.S.-bound flights or flights from the U.S. may have to demonstrate that portable electronic devices can be switched on as part of newly enhanced security measures.
New Airline Routes and Route Changes
South America
TAM Airlines introduced seven new weekly overnight flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and São Paulo's Guarulhos International Airport. The flights replace two existing daytime flights to São Paulo, and double TAM's total overnight flights to the Brazilian business capital.
TAM Paraguay increased weekly flights between Asunción, Paraguay and Santiago de Chile from three to five.
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| Mexico City |
LAN increased its service between Santiago de Chile and Lima from seven to nine daily flights, operated by LANPeru.
VivaColombia will begin international round-trip service from Bogota and Medellin to Panama Pacific International Airport in Balboa, Panama on August 1.
Mexico
Aeromexico cancelled its plans to increase capacity on flights from Mexico City to Bogota.
Caribbean
U.S.-based Dynamic Airways began four weekly flights between Georgetown, Guyana and New York-JFK.
International Connections
Qatar Airways launched daily non-stop service between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport.
Norwegian Long Haul launched service from London's Gatwick Airport to three U.S. airports: New York-JFK, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (Miami, Florida area) and Los Angeles International Airport.
Air Canada has begun flying daily round-trips between Toronto and Tokyo-Haneda airport; it offers the only non-stop service between Toronto and Haneda, which is less than 30 minutes from downtown Tokyo.
Airline Alliance News
India-based Jet Airways and Italy-based Alitalia have expanded their code sharing partnership to include flights between India and Italy. Jet will place its code on seven Alitalia-operated flights within Italy; Alitalia will place its code on 11 Jet flights within India.
South African Airways and JetBlue have begun code sharing operations on South African flights between Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport in the U.S. capital and Dakar, Senegal.
Other Airline News
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines now offers vegetarian soup on its World Business Class menu, as well as in WBC Express Service.
Airport News
Puerto Rico's Luis Munoz Marin airport in San Juan is scheduled to reopen two terminals at the end of 2014 as part of a $200 million renovation and security upgrade. Spirit, Delta, United and Southwest airlines are scheduled to move into the first terminal in February.
New York's JFK, LaGuardia and Newark, New Jersey airports now offer complimentary Wi-Fi for passengers, but free usage is limited to 30 minutes per user.
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| Frankfurt Airport |
Qantas Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways and British Airways unveiled a new first-class lounge in Los Angeles International Airport's Tom Bradley terminal. The lounge includes showers, a cocktail and coffee bar and a taco stand.
Minute Suites, which offers travelers a place to nap, relax or work in private suites, is expanding its presence at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (Georgia, U.S.), adding a total of 23 new deluxe suites in Concourses E and F.
Frankfurt Airport now offers 24-hour unlimited free Wi-Fi to passengers.
Hotel News
Atlantis Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas will join Marriott International's Autograph Collection this fall, making it available for booking through Marriott's channels and giving guests access to Marriott Rewards.
Hilton Worldwide's Homewood Suites New York/Midtown Manhattan Time Square-South opened five blocks from Times Square. The hotel includes a rooftop deck and fitness center.
Tryp by Wyndham's Tryp Panama Allbrook Mall is scheduled to open next month in Latin America's largest shopping center. The hotel has 14,000 square feet of meeting space in 13 rooms and ballroom with a capacity of 600. It also has a restaurant, coffee shop, lounge, fitness center and rooftop pool.
Travel Services
A new "I'm Stuck" app is now available for American travelers dealing with delays and frustrations. The app allows users to send a direct message to the US representative or senator when stuck on a highway, bus, train or plane.
