| Time to say adios to Mexico travel? and Lightning strike diverts flight in Illinois |
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The Wall Street Journal wrote that several tour operators and hotel chains have seen a decline in the number of Americans visiting Mexico. Travel Impressions, tour operator for American Express, told the paper that it sent 100,000 passengers to Mexico in 2010, but has seen its bookings for non-group travelers drop by 15 percent. Smith Travel Research, a firm that monitors hotel occupancy rates, says that stays in Mexico's mid-range chains are either flat or decreasing. Even the cruise industry has been affected: Disney Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruises all canceled their service to Acapulco after two recent violent incidents involving foreigners.In March, Texas state officials warned college students about traveling to the increasingly violent hotspots of Cancun and Acapulco, a move that frustrated tourism officials in Mexico. [Read the full article] The Air New Zealand Boeing 767 had just left for Perth, Australia, carrying more than 200 passengers, when it turned back to the Auckland International Airport on Thursday afternoon.Passenger Denise Ferris told a local news website it was "really scary" and she and her mother prayed as the aircraft turned back to land. Another passenger, Judith Grieg, said the pilot and cabin crew had "shaky" voices.Air New Zealand said the captain told passengers he was shutting down an engine and that it wouldn't be unusual for them to see flames. The company says a bird strike was possible.Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Federal transportation officials order a tour company based in northern Michigan shut after six people were found traveling in the luggage compartment of a bus in Ohio. [Read the full article] A day after Delta faced criticism for charging U.S. active military members more than $3,000 in baggage fees, United, Continental and American Airlines raised the number of bags service members can check for free from three to five. NBC's Lester Holt reports.After Delta Air Lines was taken to the woodshed by current and former soldiers, politicians and the general public for charging bag fees to active-duty soldiers, it and many of its competitors have changed policies.American Airlines said it will offer five free checked bags for members of the military. "Our previous policy allowed three checked bags immediately free, with full government reimbursement to military personnel on any bags above that number," spokesperson Tim Smith said in a press release. "We think it just makes good sense and eliminates possible confusion."United-Continental will also allow five free checked bags for military personnel and their dependents. [Read the full article] 
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