Today I am heading on a 15-day business trip and flying out of Jacksonville, Florida to NYC. Turns out this couldn’t have been a crappier time to head to New York City, considering the government is shutdown and the Statue of Liberty is closed. I know, it sounds trivial.

The good news is that air traffic controllers and TSA are working, through some outlets are reporting that non-essential TSA employees could be sent home and to expect delays.

To be safe I booked a hotel on Hotwire at the airport to get to here early just to give myself plenty of time – but so far, so good!

Arrival

I checked with the hotel shuttle driver when I got into the van and asked if she heard of any issues this morning. “Just another day in paradise,” she said. The hotel shuttle dropped me off at the front of airline counter and I went straight to check-in. There wasn’t any issues or problems getting to check-in counter.

Check-in

Check-in was flawless. I was one of three people checking in for my flight. Now granted, this is Jacksonville and not New York City, but it was still easy. I’ve been at this airport at 7am were they’ve had amusement park-like lines.

Security (TSA)

Believe it or not, I was the only person in the TSA security line this morning. I’ve flown out of Jacksonville over two dozen times over the past couple years and I have never been the only person in line. There was chatter of the TSA people saying they weren’t sure if they were getting paid and they were worried. One said “everyone keeps asking me if we’re working.” I tell them yeah, I’m working, I just don’t know if I’m getting paid.”

Tuesday has always been a slow travel day so I am chalking it up to that.

Take-off

The flight is on time and we are scheduled to take off at 9a. If anything anything out of the ordinary happens I’ll update.

I can’t speak for the other airports around the country but as of now it’s business as usual. I did come out of pocket for the hotel last night but I live about 30-minutes from JAX so it let me sleep a little bit longer this morning.That alone was worth it.

Ryanair is cutting flights to some of its Greek Island destinations a month early, in protest against Greek officials not honoring a joint marketing campaign. The no-frills airline will axe 13 routes to Rhodes, and 11 routes to Kos a month before the usual end of the summer season, costing Greek tourism a projected €18 millon in lost revenue, after the Association of Development and Progress Of The Dodecanese (DETAP) and the Mayor of Kos reneged on an agreement with Ryanair to promote flights to their regaion internationally.

Stephen McNamara from Ryanair said: “Ryanair originally intended to operate 11 Kos routes and 13 Rhodes routes to the end of the summer and these would have delivered over 23,000 passengers during October, providing increased tourism spending and sustaining local jobs.

However, DETAP and the Mayor of Kos have reneged on an agreement with Ryanair to jointly promote our flights and we have now been forced to cancel flights from October 2.
DETAP and the Mayor of Kos should now explain to Rhodes and Kos residents, why they have now refused to partner with the only airline interested in bringing new passengers, new jobs and millions in tourism revenues to the region.”

Reports from Greece have stated that the local government had not signed any contract with any low-cost airline. Ryanair has previously dismissed rumours of early route cancellations as “speculation”.

Ryanair passengers are reminded that the Ryanair.com website will be closed for business from 10.00pm (GMT) Friday 18th May, until midnight Saturday 19th May. All passengers travelling with the airline should have already been remined by the airline, to check-in before 1600hrs Friday 18th May.

After yesterday’s fanfares about the Boeing 787 Dreamliner arriving in the UK, the first holidays using the 787Dreamliner will go on sale later this week with TUI’s Thomson Airways.
Passengers from both Gatwick and Manchester Airports will be able to holiday in Cancun and Florida using the 787 Dreamliner when flights begin during the summer 2013 season.
TUI has also launched it’s new dark blue ‘dynamic wave’ livery as well as new cabin crew uniforms as the 787 Dreamliner stops in Manchester.

The chief executive of TUI, Peter Long said to reporters, ” Both our new livery design and the new 787 Dreamliner aircraft reinforce our commitment to modern mainstream and this is a really exciting step for us.

‘Our new dynamic wave and uniform designs will enhance our group-wide brand recognition by establishing one distinctive ‘look’ across these airlines and I look forward to seeing it in place.

The 787 Dreamliner has been paraded at London’s Heathrow , Manchester and will also be stopping at Gatwick as part of a world tour to showcase the aircraft.
With a capacity to hold upto 290 passengers, the 787 Dreamliner is the first mid sized aircraft with a capability of flying long range routes, with manufacturer’s Boeing claiming it is 20% more fuel efficient due to the use of lighter composite materials and the promise of a smoother ride for it’s passengers.

About 10,000 plane enthusiasts turned up at Manchester Airport’s Runway Viewing Park to see the arrival of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Both British Airways and Virgin have placed orders with Boeing for the Dreamliner 787, with expected delivery dates in 2013 for British Airways and 2014 for Virgin.

EasyJet, which is now Northern Ireland’s largest airline, has announced a new all year route from Belfast International Airport to Birmingham Airport. This new route will bring the amount of destinations easyJet operates from Belfast to twenty three.
The new easyJet route will start on 22nd October 2012 as a once a day service, increasing to a twice daily on weekdays and once daily at the weekend the following week, 29th October.
This new route will confirm easyJet’s commitment to Birmingham, and will be the first time that easyJet will have a year around operation from the airport.

Flights to Birmingham will go on sale from Monday 23rd April at easyJet.com with prices starting at £22.99 for a one way service and £45.98 for a return journey (including taxes). It is hoped that this will help see a rise and both leisure and business travel between the two regions.
Ali Gayward, the easyJet commercial manager, said:

“We are delighted to be starting this new route which demonstrates easyJet’s commitment to the Northern Ireland travelling public, and reflects the growing demand for business travel to and from Belfast. Our schedule, with flights operating at peak morning and evening times, also reflects our continued focus on meeting the needs of the business traveller, as well as offering leisure travellers affordable access to the Midlands.

“In the past year alone easyJet has also launched services to Manchester and, most recently, London Southend. Additionally, we will, for the first time, be flying an Airbus 320 aircraft (180 seats) from Belfast to leading holiday sun spots during the peak summer period. This route represents a major milestone in our network growth which sees easyJet operating year round from Birmingham for the first time ever.”

Access from Birmingham Airport to Birmingham International railway station takes less than two minutes, using the SkyRail train service that operates betwen the two hubs every two minutes. Birmingham International station offers direct access to business centres throughout the region. Travellers wishing to access the centre of Birmingham can do this easily with a 10-15 minute rail journey to Birmingham New Street station.

Birmingham also offers the leisure traveller easy access to some of the regions finest attractions, from Shakespere’s Stratford-upon-Avon, to the National Exhibition Centre, The National Motorcycle Museum and some well known football clubs.

Holidays Your Way’ the Gwent based online travel retailer and an online name of traveldaddy.co.uk, has ceased trading.

Holidays sold by the company were both ATOL and ABTA protected and as Holidays Your Way were acting as an agent for the tour operators, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)advises that all passengers who have booked with Holidays Your Way or www.traveldaddy.co.uk should contact the actual tour operator, as they are responsible for the booking. The tour operator’s contact details will be included on the booking confirmation or invoice issued in respect of the booking. Help for making a claim can be found on the CAA website here .

The Holidays Your Way homepage was displaying no content today, but had previously stated that it had over 30 years experience within the travel industry and sold a wide variety of holidays including sun, ski, long haul and cruises.

The UK Foreign Office has issued the following statement on the strikes in Greece next week.

Strikes in Greece – Information on upcoming strikes and demonstrations

Information and travel advice during likely disruption on 24th, 28th and 29th June.
Industrial action by dock workers has been announced for 24th June. All port services are likely to be affected, including ferry services throughout Greece. Passengers are advised to contact the company they are travelling with for further information.
There is a possibility of a 48 hour general strike on 28 and 29 June. Further details will be confirmed as they become available.
Power supplies may also be disrupted due to industrial action (which began 19 June). More information is available on www.dei.gr and from the telephone information line: 0030 210 9298100.
According to the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) and an umbrella federation of civil servants, ADEDY, the 48-hour strikes in Greece will be an escalation of their recent industrial action comprising 24-hour nationwide strikes in protest of the Medium-Term austerity programme.

A main demonstration will be held on Tuesday, June 28th, at the Pedion tou Areos park in central Athens at 11:00 in the morning, while on Wednesday another demonstration will be held in downtown Klafthmonos Square.

Please check with the Foreign Office Website to keep up to date with any changes to the strikes in Greece.

Are you still looking for that last minute holiday bargain? Why not have a look at these incredible deals from Olympic Holidays:

Olympic Holidays are offering these modern and attractive apartments that are divided into two blocks across three floors offering comfortable, well furnished accommodation. The apartments are just 10 minutes’ walk from one of the liveliest areas of Marmaris, but are situated in the peaceful area of Armutalan.

The apartments are in a great location for experiencing Turkish nightlife, and the property remains ideal for both families and couples seeking relaxation and lazy days by the pool. There is a well-stocked pool bar offering a good selection of snacks and drinks for those in need of refreshment. Close by there is a local dolmus (bus) stop, a great and cheap way for those wishing to explore the surrounding area. The beach is only 800 metres away – just a few minutes’ walk.

Olympic Holidays Package Price start from only £275

To book this, or any other holiday from Olympic Holidays, click here

Polyusi Hotel, Sunny Beach, Bulgaria – Self Catering – Rated 3 stars by Olympic Holidays

Olympic Holidays are offering The Polyusi Hotel, which is situated in a quiet location on the main road. The hotel is close to banks, shops and transportation. The resort centre is close by and it is ideal for families and couples with its spacious pool and garden areas.

Twin bedded rooms sleep 2/3 and have satellite TV, mini fridge, telephone, private bathroom and a balcony and inland view. One bedroom suites sleep 2/4 with inland view, studios sleep 2/2 with inland view, one bedroom apartments sleep 2/4 with inland view, two bedroom family rooms sleep 4/6 with inland view and single rooms with inland view are also available at a supplement from Olympic Holidays.

The Polyusi Hotel from Olympic Holidays has an outdoor swimming pool, gym, massages available, video games and a sauna. Entertainment is provided with karaoke 3 times a week, bingo, live entertainment at the restaurant 3 times a week, show cooking and a Barbeque.

Olympic Holidays Package Prices start at only £378

To book this, or any other holiday from Olympic Holidays, click here

Elounda Residence, Elounda, Crete, Self Catering, Rated 4 stars by Olympic Holidays

Olympic Holidays brings you the Elounda Residence in East Hereklion, Crete. The hotel is situated on a hill, 800 meters from the resort centre, opposite the picturesque harbour of Elounda and its beach. Elounda Residence offers guests a personal service in a quiet and cosy atmosphere, and is recommeneded for couples who would enjoy a quiet holiday in elegant surroundings.

One bedroom apartments within the Elounda Residence with Olympic Holidays, sleep 2/2 with air conditioning (payable locally), safety deposit box (payable locally), telephone, radio, private bathroom shower or bath with a balcony or terrace and garden view. Please note extra bed is a sofa bed. One bedroom apartments sleep 2/3 with garden view, one bedrooms apartments sleep 2/4 with garden or sea view, two bedrooms apartments sleep 4/6 with garden view and two bedroom villas sleep 4/6 with private pool are also available at a supplement.

The hotel has a souvenir shop, restaurant, mini market, bars and an internet cafe (payable locally).Some of the leisure facilities this hotel boast are a swimming pool, jacuzzi, table tennis, table football, billiards, mini golf and a tennis court.