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Archive Category: Terrorism

Technology will enable safer air travel

By Charles Sander | Unisys Corporation

Airports, airlines, passengers, communities and governments worldwide have felt the effects of the financial decompression of the aviation sector as a result of terrorist attacks, SARS, and airline failures. Failing or bankrupt airlines, loss of industry and support-service jobs -- even tourism and entertainment communities have been hit -- contributed to global financial losses.

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Despite security issues, Americans plan to travel

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Despite continuing economic uncertainty and ongoing national security issues, a new independent phone poll of Americans commissioned by Travelocity indicates that an overwhelming majority of consumers are planning to travel in 2003 for business and leisure. Many of them will venture further from home than they did in 2002. Of those who have made some decision about their travel plans in 2003, 85 percent plan to travel and nearly half would still travel regardless of heightened homeland security levels.

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China ISP introduces wireless broadband

BEIJING -- CBCom Inc., a fast growing privately owned Internet service provider in China, has introduced wireless broadband access and control to provide a turnkey solution to companies as well as large public forums such as airports, hotels and hospitals. CBCom has already signed up a hospital, a number of hotels and a club in Beijing.

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Harris system matches passenger with luggage

WASHINGTON -- Harris Corporation, a leading integrator of communications and information systems for the government, today unveiled the Passenger Authentication and Security System (PASS), an integrated airline passenger identification and luggage matching system. 

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Survey finds increasing travel demand

WASHINGTON -- The 2002 National Travel Monitor released today indicates that the travel industry is shaking off the aftershocks of the September 11 terrorist attacks and both business and leisure travelers expect to hit the road more in the months ahead. Lingering concerns about the economy, however, still represent a potential drag on travel demand. 

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The need for biometrics in airport security

By Ken Smith | Editor, SmartTravelNews.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- While there are some legitimate concerns about civil liberties with overly intrusive airport security systems, it is only a matter of time before new personal identification technology is as common as a paper boarding pass. You don't have to look too far over the horizon to see the boarding pass being replaced by something like a wireless smart card transmitting real-time authentication data at the boarding gate.

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Rosenbluth offers business travel security suite

PHILADELPHIA -- Rosenbluth International, a business-to-business travel management company, has announced the launch of what the company is calling "the travel industry's first ever suite of interactive global security products." A major component of the Web-based system includes e-mail notices sent to a traveler's wireless device.

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Mobile device could be key to travel security

By Darryll Adler

LONDON -- As the news last week reached London's World Travel Market that there had been yet another plane crash in New York, Michael Carter, Continental Airlines, senior director for the UK and Ireland, commented that if a similar act of terrorism had occurred today "it would be very strange."

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Alaska Airlines passengers get flight information

SEATTLE -- As airlines scrambled to resume flying after the September 11 terrorist attacks, thousands of passengers searched for information, unsure whether their flights would operate, or if they would proceed with their current travel plans. Behind the scenes, Alaska Airlines and Par3 Communications worked around the clock to implement an automated flight confirmation and notification system -- two months ahead of schedule, the two companies are reporting.

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Growth seen in number of US wireless subscribers

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- Despite the economic downturn following the terrorist attacks and the resulting drop in travel and consumer spending, the wireless Internet is expected to have great growth. According to IDC, the number of wireless Internet subscribers in the United States will increase at a whopping compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 73%, from approximately 5 million in 2000 to more than 84 million in 2005. 

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Despite airline difficulties, in-flight Internet will grow

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Despite current financial difficulties facing the airline and travel industries, long-term growth prospects for in-flight Internet to airline service remain viable, according to a market research report from Northern Sky Research. The report, entitled Internet Service to Airlines: Will the Service Take Off?, forecasts Internet to airline usage and subscriber revenues via an in-depth bottom-up top down methodology, assesses chances of success for the industry as a whole and for individual Internet to airline service providers, and examines service providers and technologies. 

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US travelers want better airport security, ID cards

FORT WORTH, Texas -- In what Travelocity is calling perhaps the most thorough poll of those who have traveled since the terrorist attacks September 11, almost all travelers have experienced inconsistent airport security, and most frequent travelers say they would use a travel ID card program if it were implemented.

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Delta Air Lines to resume Virtual Check-In

ATLANTA -- Delta Air Lines will resume its SkyMiles Virtual Check-In product for customers traveling on its U.S. route system, effective Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2001. The product, temporarily suspended because of recent heightened security measures, enables Medallion members to complete flight check-in via delta.com, a toll-free telephone line, wireless Palm Powered handhelds or Web-enabled phones. Additionally, curbside check-in and automated kiosks have resumed for Delta customers in most airport locations.

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Airfone drops price for in-flight call after terrorism

OAK BROOK, Ill. -- Following a sharp decrease in business after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, GTE Airfone is temporarily discounting its air to ground phone service. 

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NBTA calls for increased aviation passenger safety

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The security of the US aviation system is vital to the central core of the ability to travel safely and freely, according to the National Business Travel Association. The group today gave federal government agencies a list of suggestions for better aviation security.

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Terrorism: Impact on travel and hospitality

By Max Starkov | Hospitality eBusiness Strategies

Though it is too early to assess the extent of the impact of the terrorist attacks on the travel industry and to foresee the ripple effects across various travel markets, there are some indications of what lies ahead. After a four-day trading pause, the markets hammered airline and travel-related stocks. It is impossible to predict what will be the long-term implications, but one thing is for sure: during such trying times the travel industry is especially vulnerable. 

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DOT forms response teams for air travel security

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. government is asking two teams of airline executives to quickly develop detailed recommendations to make air travel safer. It seems likely that some of the security improvements will include smart card technology such as that studied for the past six years by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

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