Brazil Students Win AirBus Fly Your Ideas Challenge

I always love it when students do good, and a team of students from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil just won 30,000 Euros in the third annual Fly Your Ideas Challenge by Airbus. The team Paulistas took on the challenge of designing a new, eco-friendly and sustainable sustainable technology for airplanes an aviation. For the Paulistas it was a way to find a new use for an old technology - Air Hockey?
Yeah, air hockey, at least the cushion of air provided by the air hockey table. The Paulistas designed a way to use a system using a similar cushion of air that loads and unloads baggage from planes. It promises to be faster, easier and less energy demanding than the current system of moving belts.
Okay, that is so cool.
See the details at the Airbus Fly Your Ideas challenge website.

Review: Tocumen International Airport in Panama City

Both Lisa and I have traveled separately through Panama City the last couple of months. Price-wise, Copa Air is quickly becoming an important low cost airline between North and South America. That means their hub airport in Panama City, Tocumen International Airport, is seeing more of us Gringos heading down to Latin America and back. Here are our impressions, and a few tips, on getting around Tocumen.

First of all. it is located in the north-east outskirts of Panama City about 15 miles (24 Km) out of town, and it is identified by the international symbol PTY. Copa Airlines operates the most flights in and out of Tocumen with connections throughout South America, but KLM, Iberia, Delta, Air Panama, Avianca and American Airlines all have some service to Tocumen Airport as well. Seasonal flights from Canada on Air Transat are also now available.

The airport was last renovated in 2006/2007 with some major expansions and modernizations, and it now has two runways and an updated passenger terminal. All the standard services can be found: ATM machines, several shopping outlets and places to buy a little food if you are waiting for your flight. Prices are considered high by both every day Panamanian and Americans standards, particularly the food, lthough less compared to many major US airports like LAX, O'Hara or others. Prices are mostly listed in the Balboa, but the shops do take US dollars.

High-end shops like La Riviera, Lascoste and Tommy Hilfiger will give you interesting places to browse while you're killing time on your layover. Some of the shops seem a little impractical for most Americans at an airport, such as one store selling large electronics. But a lot of South Americans pass through here, and they are going back home where electronics are harder to get and much more expensive. In any case, browsing does help the time pass when you have a longer layover. There are also duty-free options if you prefer to shop for some luxury items without the added taxes.

The big tip I'll throw out is how to find the food. At Tocumen the food court areas are all on the 2nd floor, which may not be that clear if you don't know to look. There are signs, but they are all a bit small. Many people complain that there is no food, when in fact there is an entire floor of it that they've missed.

Even with the expansions, the terminals are a little small. During busy times, it can get pretty crowded and you'll find long lines at food services and other shops. The waiting areas at the gates tend to the small side too and one big problem both Lisa and I noticed were flights from Panama City to the US require extra security screenings. The Panamanian security staff do these extra screenings at the gate waiting area. First they clear out the whole area, then set up a security checkpoint. Passengers can go back into the area after they and their baggage have gone through the extra screening. So if you are heading back to the States and have a few hours to wait, don't get too comfortable at the gate. Most likely you will have to move you and all of yours out for screening as the time for boarding approaches.

Another downside to the Tocumen Airport is the lack of smoking areas. Those who have to have a smoke after being on a plane for 8 hours. You actually have to go through immigration and customs to get off the premises to smoke. Then go through both areas again to return. Not an ideal arrangement to put it mildly.

Some of the staff speak a little English but you would do better if you spoke enough Spanish to do some basic communication. Additional perks like free wireless Internet are a nice touch as well.

If you are going to be spending any time in Panama, because of a longer layover or simply because that's your destination, you will need either a taxi or a shuttle bus to get to the rest of the city. There really aren't any public bus options.

Don't expect a 5-star resort when you travel to Tocumen Airport, but you can expect a clean airport that is easy to get around with decent services at hand. It should make your trip through Panama a convenient one.

Travel Alert! Ecuador Volcano Tungurahua Erupts!

This has just been sent out by the US embassy in Quito:

Security Message for U.S. Citizens - U.S. Mission, Ecuador

Volcano Tungurahua Erupts, Caution Advised when Traveling in the Area

July 15, 2013

The U.S. Mission in Ecuador advises U.S. citizens living or traveling in Ecuador that the Tungurahua volcano, located near the tourist community of Banos in central Ecuador, reactivated on Sunday, July 14, 2013 with a period of high activity that included emissions of ash and pyroclastic flows (fast-moving currents of hot gas and rock).

Ecuador's National Secretary of Risk Management has imposed an Orange level of alert (the second highest level) for the provinces of Tungurahua and Chimborazo (including the town of Banos). In some communities immediately adjacent to the volcano, voluntary evacuations have been implemented. Ecuador's Geophysical Institute reports ash discharge has been registered in the provinces of Tungurahua, Chimborazo, Bolivar, Los Rios, Manabi and Guayas.

A thin layer of coarse black ash affected the city of Ambato in Tungurahua province. The most affected areas were the central and southern part of the city.

Past eruptions have affected air travel in Ecuador. U.S. citizens planning to fly to, from, or within Ecuador should monitor news outlets and have a plan in the event of flight cancellations. Some airlines have already canceled individual flights as a precautionary measure.

Because Ecuador is in a region of frequent volcano eruptions and earthquakes, U.S. citizens residing in Ecuador should keep extra food and water at home and consider purchasing dust masks and heavy gloves to protect hands during ash clean-up.

For more information on current activity, visit the website of the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute, which monitors volcanoes and earthquakes.

Americans living or traveling in Ecuador are encouraged to enroll with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in order to obtain updated information on travel and security within Ecuador through the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

U.S. citizens should consult the Country Specific Information for Ecuador and the latest Travel Alerts and Warnings and Worldwide Caution at the Department's website. Updated information on travel and security in Ecuador may also be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States or by calling 1-202-501-4444 outside the United States.

The U.S. Embassy in Quito is located at Avigiras E12-170 y Eloy Alfaro. The telephone number for American Citizen Service (ACS) inquiries is (011 593-2) 398-5000. Within the same city use the last seven digits. Add the city code for intercity telephone calls.

Public call-in hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. and Friday 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

For after-hours emergencies, contact the Embassy at (011 593-2) 398-5200. Appointments for ACS are available through our website.

The U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil is located at the corner of Avenida 9 de Octubre and Garcia Moreno (near the Hotel Oro Verde). The telephone number for ACS inquiries is (011-593-4) 232-3570 during business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or 232-1152 for after-hours emergencies.

Ticket Change Fees Driving Airline Profits

Airlines are getting more income from ticket change fees and it is going straight to profits. At least, that is what some new information from the US Department of Transportation shows in reporting Change Reservation Revenue for the first quarter of 2013. Make a reservation and then need to change your flight? It  is costing more:

Change Reservation Revenue in 1 Q

Rank	Airline	1Q (in millions)
1	Delta	$198.5
2	United	$176.9
3	American	$132.0
4	US Airways	$83.5
5	JetBlue	$36.7
6	Alaska	$21.8
7	Southwest	$9.2
8	Spirit	$7.9
9	Virgin America	$7.7
10	Hawaiian	$4.6
11	Frontier	$3.0
12	Allegiant	$2.2
13	Sun Country	$.46
	All	$685.176

Source: U.S. Department Of Transportation

Charges are becoming more common because domestic airlines have been reducing flights so that planes are fuller. This is a good thing for airlines since they are getting more revenue from their seats. However fewer seats in the air means it is tougher for passengers to find a seat, tickets for those seats are getting pricier. But now it is also getting pricier and more common for travelers to pay fees when they have to change their tickets.

Of course, the big money maker for airlines still are those horrible bag fees. The same report stated airlines captured $2 billion off those fees.

Anyway, the lesson here: when you travel, make sure you are getting the right ticket. Changing circumstances or just changing your mind will cost you in more airline fees.

Quito Tababela Airport - Not Much of an Improvement

Quito now has a modern international airport, with the new Tababela replacing the old and cramped Mariscal Sucre. True, Tababela is new, modern and gorgeous to look at. I have to say that there is a lot more bad then good. Flying into and out of Quito is now a lot tougher.

The main hassle is just getting to the airport in the first place. They planned for future expansions of Quito, which was probably a smart move, except that it means the airport is more than an hour outside of the city if you're getting there by taxi. In fact, you'd be wise to plan on a 2-hour trip to be on the safe side. That can mean a price tag of nearly $30 on top of your wasted time.

You might wonder about all this when you realize that the Tababela airport is really just 14km away from Quito.  How can that mean so much extra travel time? You have to understand that the traffic between the airport and the city is extremely busy, the roads are not very direct and there is a particularly nasty bottle-neck at a narrow 30-year old bridge along the way. 

There are plans for a cheaper shuttle that will take travelers between Quito and the new Mariscal Sucre International Airport, which can save you a little money but won't help the waste of time on the roads. In fact, it will probably take longer than a regular taxi would.

Now, this isn't just a problem for the usual international traveller who is coming to Quito. It is starting to effect domestic travel around the city as well. Considering how far it is to drive to the new airport, people are choosing to just drive to their destinations instead of taking any short domestic flights. The Guayaquil Airport is becoming a more convenient arrival point for some routes and people are just avoiding Quito completely. Apparently, there has been a 30% drop in domestic travel through Mariscal Sucre International Airport, and it's only been in operation for less than a year. Not a good sign.

The location for the new Tababela Airport has led to other problems besides transportation. The low-lying site is prone to foggy weather, and you can imagine what that does to a major international airport. Delays are becoming more and more common, though this is usually only an impact during the December to May time frame. It might be a good idea to avoid this time of the year if you like knowing when your plane is going to land. At least plan with lots of extra time in hand in case of delays.

And even though this airport handles a large majority of all international flights to Ecuador, they decided to make the terminal smaller with the new airport. Not only is it smaller and has fewer seats for waiting passengers, there are fewer check-in counters too. I can't figure out the sense of actually shrinking an airport when dealing with such an international scale, but that seems to have been the case. Major airlines like KLM, Delta Air, United Airlines and Iberia all serve the new Tababela airport so you can imagine the crowds.

To be fair, they are trying to fix the transportation problems by improving the roadways between Quito and the airport, and construction is already underway to add new seats within the terminal. Perhaps in a little more time, the new Mariscal Sucre International Airport will actually live up to its potential. Until then, expect more than a few snags when travelling through Quito and plan for some extra transit time.