Travel News You Can Use
By Judy Newell August 29, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

International News

London: A huge new rail system is on the way

A US$32 billion rail system for London has received funding and been approved by the British government. The routes will bisect London from west to east, becoming the largest addition to the city's public transport system in more than 50 years.

Crossrail will start 22 miles west of London near Slough. It will continue east just beyond the town of Brentwood, connecting with the Tube at points along the way. It will also connect Heathrow airport with central London. The project will likely make it easier for travelers to stay in outlying suburbs as an alternative to London's pricey hotels.

Construction could begin as early as 2010 and the train is expected to begin service in 2017. The system is expected to carry 200 million passengers a year. Cars could reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour on the surface and up to 60 miles per hour in tunnels. Trains will run every two and a half minutes at peak hours, connecting both new and existing stations. Bonus: The Crossrail cars will be roomier than those of the Tube.


Airline News

Mexican airlines ups and downs

While eliminating routes is a main activity for many airlines these days, Aeromexico is inaugurating twice-a-week flights between Mexico City and Rome via Monterrey.

The airline will also be flying from Querétaro to Monterrey. Continental and Delta are among the other airlines flying out of Querétaro, now an industrialized city still noted for its regal historic center.

But, Aeromexico has canceled its flights from Mexico City to Austin, Guadalajara to Phoenix, and Los Angeles to Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) in an effort to concentrate on more profitable routes.

Less than two weeks after inaugurating service from Mexico City to Dallas via Zacatecas, the new, low-tariff line Nova Air suspended all of its flights in response to a government order. With half of Zacatecas native sons and daughters living in the United States, the route had showed signs of promise.

Delta is pulling out of Zacatecas as well as half-a-dozen other destinations in Mexico.

Meanwhile, Aerocalifornia, one of the original low-fare airlines, has been ordered to suspend operations until it can cover millions of dollars owed in unpaid landing fees. Based in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Aerocalifornia provided service to many cities in western Mexico. The airline has closed its Mexico City offices and its future remains uncertain.

Up in the air, meanwhile, is Interjet, which had announced the purchase of Aerocalifornia’s slots at Mexico City International. Interjet, another of the new low-fares, had been flying out of Toluca, an alternative Mexico City airport. This week, however, management at Mexico City International said that it, not the airlines, owned slots and those these would be sold by auction.

While Internet will continue using Toluca, the transaction—if approved by Federal authorities—will allow it to commence flights from Mexico City to Guadalajara, Monterrey, Chihuahua and Ciudad Juarez.

The government also ordered the Avolar to suspend services. The low-fare airline is apparently unable to pay back bills for navigation services and landing fees.


Sources: Mexican Tourism News, Luxury Travel Advisor, Travel Agent Central, Budget Travel, Travel Agent Daily


Judy Newell, a writer and travel industry executive, heads the custom tour company Perfect Journeys that specializes in luxury and adventure travel. Contact her with comments or suggestions at JudyNewell_03@msn.com  or go to her website www.PerfectJourneys.net. 

Travel Tips
By Jim Johnston

Starting next month, live broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City will be shown on the big screen of the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City. The opening night gala, featuring soprano Renee Fleming and Mexican tenor Ramón Vargas in scenes from three different operas, is Monday, September 22. All other operas are broadcast on Saturdays through May 2009. The complete schedule and tickets, which range from 40 to 160 pesos, are available through www.ticketmaster.com.mx.