TOP 10 U.S. AIRPORTS FROM TRAVEL LEADERS

Atlanta ranks as the top preferred domestic airport if clients have a connecting flight, while Chicago O’Hare ranks as the top domestic airport to avoid if making a connection, a new survey by Travel Leaders reports.

Atlanta's Hartsfield–Jackson also was identified as the top airport for amenities, dining and providing the best services for business travelers; Minneapolis/St. Paul ranked second in amenities, dining, and for helping to keep kids entertained and occupied. Conducted November 19 - December 16, 2012, the findings are based on responses from 930 Travel Leaders Group owners, managers and frontline agents.

Best U.S. Airports for Connecting Flights:

Travel Leaders Group owners, managers and agents were asked, “If your clients are flying and need to connect through a hub airport, which hub do they prefer?” Respondents were allowed to choose up to three airports. The following list displays the Top 10 domestic airports: Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston Intercontinental,Detroit,Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago O’Hare, Phoenix, Denver, New York (JFK), Salt Lake City

Top U.S. Airports for Business Travel Services:

When asked, “Which airport(s) would you and your clients say offers the best services for business travelers?” nearly 700 agents responded with the following list of Top 10 airports: Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York (JFK).

Top U.S. Airports for Amenities:

Airport amenities can range from spas and yoga rooms to art exhibits and putting greens. When asked, “What do you and your clients consider the top airport for amenities?” Travel Leaders Group agents named (1) Atlanta, (2) Minneapolis/St. Paul, (3) Chicago O’Hare, (4)Dallas/ Ft.Worth, and (5) Las Vegas as their Top 5 U.S. airports for amenities.

Top U.S. Airports for Dining:

Some of the most significant upgrades at airport have been to the dining options available to air travelers. When asked, “What do you and your clients consider the top airports for dining?” Travel Leaders Group agents identified (1) Atlanta, (2) Minneapolis/St. Paul, (3) Chicago O’Hare, 4) Dallas/Ft. Worth, and (5) San Francisco as their Top 5. Based on responses from 526 agents.

Top U.S. Airports for Families with Kids:

Traveling with kids poses additional challenges, particularly when trying to keep kids entertained while spending time in airports. When asked, “Which airport(s) would you and your clients say are the best for helping to keep kids entertained and occupied?” Travel Leaders Group agents listed their Top 5 U.S. airports as: (1) Orlando, (2) Minneapolis/St. Paul, (3) Atlanta, (4) Chicago O’Hare and (5) Dallas/Ft. Worth.

Reprinted from YYZ Travel Group Business First March 2013

UPDATE - Florida requirement for International Drivers License

Well with all the social media frenzy today over this issue it appears that the Florida law violates the Geneva Convention of which the United States is a signor.    Here is the official response from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Department

Click on link      http://www.flhsmv.gov/IDP.htm

INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT NOW REQUIRED IN FLORIDA

Silvana Aceto, CAA, says company is urging Florida officials to amend the law & exclude Canadians

Zachary-Cy Vanasse

As of this past Jan. 1, all Canadians renting a vehicle or driving their own vehicle in the state of Florida are required to have an International Driving Permit (IDP). The requirements are a result of a new law passed by the Florida senate in 2012 that came into law for 2013.

CAA, the sole provider of IDPs in Canada, said it was made aware of the situation just a few days ago and is opposed to the legislation.

According to Silvana Aceto, media relations and PR specialist, CAA South Central Ontario, the company is "urging the Florida officials to amend the law and to exclude Canadians from this."

"The intent of the Florida law in regards to the IDP was to help law enforcement in Florida with drivers who have a license in a foreign language," she told TRAVELHotNews.com. "My understanding is that the state is going to try and clarify the law in the upcoming legislative session, which is not until next month and clear up exactly whether or not a license written in English will also be acceptable."

That said, even if changes are made, it could potentially still affect travellers from Quebec.

An IDP is a special driver's license that allows motorists to drive in other countries without further tests or applications. It provides proof that the holder possesses a valid driver's license, issued by a competent authority, in his or her country of residence.

The IDP also provides travellers with additional photo identification and includes a multilingual translation of the traveller's valid Canadian driver's license. IDPs are valid in all countries. Canadians IDPs are only valid outside of Canada and are valid for one year from the date of issue.

They cost $25 and those requesting and IDP must provide two passport size photos and their official drivers license. CAA is the only organization in Canada authorized to issue IDPs.

IDPs can be obtained by printing the application - available from the CAA website in the Travel Documents section - and submitting it to a CAA Club. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

The CAA National Office in Ottawa has requested a meeting with senior officials for the State of Florida in order to raise awareness of the negative impact that this legislation will have on substantial number of Canadians who travel to Florida for vacation every year.

In Q1-Q3 of 2012, 2.7 million Canadians travelled to Florida, of which 48.7 per cent - or 1,184,000 - did not travel by air, according to Visit Florida.

CAA is advising travel agents with affected clients to contact a CAA store and have their clients acquire and IDP.

"At this point, it's better safe than sorry and any drivers who will be travelling to Florida are prepared just in case," said Aceto.

Reprinted from  TRAVELHotNews.com

AIRLINE NEWS

CANADIANS LAUNCH NEW CARRIER IN GREECE:    SKYGREECE

A new air carrier connecting Toronto and Montreal to Athens is set to launch this spring, TRAVELHotNews.com has learned. Founded this past September, the Athens-based airline is called SkyGreece and will operate with the Airbus A340-300 aircraft.Beyond Toronto and Montreal, the carrier will also serve New York and, at a later date, is expected to add connections to Chicago and South Africa. According to multiple sources, beginning in May, two weekly flights are scheduled from the Athens hub to Toronto, once-weekly flights to Montreal and three to New York.

The airline's three founders are Bill Alefantis, co-owner of Voyages Funtastique Rex in Laval, Quebec and wholesaler HI Tours, as well as Paniatis (Peter) Chilakos and Nicholas Alexandris, all of whom are Canadians of Greek origin. Chilakos was educated at the University of Quebec in Montreal and is a shareholder in HI Tours and Voyages Alcyon. Alexandris is a cleric who was educated at the University of Ottawa and lives in Toronto, where he is the director of the Metropolitan Centre of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto.

The A340-300 is a long-range four-engine plane with a 295 passenger capacity in standard configuration (three service classes). The planes will be registered under the Greek flag and will have Greek crews.

The company's mission is to offer affordable flights to the Greek diaspora returning to visit family in Greece. Since the collapse of Olympic Airlines in 2009, no Greek carrier has served North America.

Reprinted from YYZ Travel Group Business First Newsletter -  February 2013