Corporate Travel Services

02/04/2012 - Travel advice update for Mali
The following advice has been issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The overall level of the travel advice to Mali has changed: we advise against all travel to Mali and you should leave if you have no pressing need to remain. There was an attempted coup d��tat on 21 March 2012. A curfew imposed from 18:00 to 06:00 has now been lifted, but we continue to advise British nationals in Bamako to exercise caution and stay away from crowds and demonstrations when travelling around the city. There have been reports of some shops beginning to run low on supplies and of long queues forming outside some banks. Given ongoing instability in the country, and now that the airport has re-opened, you should leave if you have no pressing need to remain.
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14/02/2012 - 112 - European Emergency services telephone number
New figures released today by the Foreign Office to mark European 112 Day reveal that most people do not know the number to call in the event of an emergency.

14/02/2012 - 112 - European Emergency services telephone number
New figures released today by the Foreign Office to mark European 112 Day reveal that most people do not know the number to call in the event of an emergency. A survey of over 2,000 people across the UK found that only 14% know that dialling 112 will reach the emergency services and only 3% recognised it was the EU emergency number. The European Commission created the European emergency number � 112 � to make it easier for people travelling within the European Union to access emergency services. The number works in all EU Member States and connects the caller to the local emergency services hotline. Previous research carried out by the European Commission shows that the UK is one of three countries in Europe where awareness of the 112 emergency number is lowest*. When asked to state what the number 112 is for, over half of people surveyed by the FCO (51%) admitted they did not know, with 12% believing it connected them to directory enquiries. A range of other interesting definitions were offered with some believing it could be �a brand of perfume or aftershave�, �the number of a bus� or as one person stated, �a pair of Levi jeans�. Lynda St Cooke from the FCO�s Know Before You Go campaign said: �Knowing that you can phone 112 can save you time in critical situations. It is an essential number which we would encourage everyone to carry with them when on holiday in Europe, just as they would carry contact details for their hotel or car rental company. With luck you will never have to use it, but being prepared means you don�t have to worry about the local number to call if you or your family find yourselves in an emergency situation.�
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06/02/2012 - Strike action begins to affect Air France flights
French airports announced some delays and cancellations on the first day of a four-day strike by aviation workers Monday but flight disruptions were initially limited.

06/02/2012 - Strike action begins to affect Air France flights
French airports announced some delays and cancellations on the first day of a four-day strike by aviation workers Monday but flight disruptions were initially limited. At Paris's Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, officials said airlines had on Sunday preventively cancelled 126 of 1,190 flights scheduled for Monday. An AFP reporter at Charles de Gaulle, a global aviation hub, said some flights had also been cancelled on the spot, including Air France flights to Geneva, Naples, Istanbul and Rio. Budget airline easyJet had also cancelled five morning departures. Aviation workers including pilots, flight attendants and ground staff voted on Friday to launch a nationwide strike between February 6 and 9. The unions are protesting a draft law that will require aviation workers to individually give 48 hours notice before taking strike action, saying it limits labour rights. The bill was approved by France's lower house last month and is being studied in the Senate. Leading French carrier Air France insisted the effects of the strike would be limited, promising to run more than 80 percent of its short- and medium-haul flights and more than 85 percent of its long-haul flights. The strike also appeared to be having little impact at other French airports. Transport Minister Thierry Mariani said Monday the government would not drop its plans for the law, which he said was aimed at protecting "passengers' rights". "We will go all the way. This is necessary and that is something the French people understand," he said on RTL radio.
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30/01/2012 - General strike in Belgium
General strike in Belgium disrupts international flights and rail services

30/01/2012 - General strike in Belgium
General strike in Belgium disrupts international flights and rail services Belgium was in chaos Monday, just hours before an EU summit, with transport and other public services halted by a national strike called by unions in protest at EU-ordered austerity measures. It is the first such general strike in Belgium since 2005 and the first since 1993 launched jointly by the country's three main unions, which are angry over public spending cuts of more than 12 billion euros ($15 billion) for 2012. Belgian rail workers began their industrial action late Sunday, with the first trains stopping around 9:00 pm (2000 GMT). High-speed international services on Eurostar and Thalys and inter-city Belgian trains were also all halted on Monday, and no buses, trams or metro trains were running. At Brussels airport, several flights were cancelled and others delayed, while Charleroi airport -- a key low-cost hub in the south of the country -- was closed. Postal workers and staff at the port of Anvers, one of the biggest in Europe, also downed tools. Strikers were also planning blockades on Belgian roads. The Belgian government has had to arrange fallback emergency access via a military airport for European Union leaders arriving for the summit, which opens at 1400 GMT. Staff working in the summit venue in Brussels were warned they might have to turn up before 5:30 am to escape picket lines. Announcing the strike last week, union leaders said it was "inevitable" after tense negotiations with Socialist Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo's government. They said the strike was "patently required to convince the government and employers to take fully into account the social reality for workers and those on benefits". The three union movements which called the strike said negotiations with the government on further likely spending cuts demanded by EU partners to stay within set deficit targets had proved "inconclusive".
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28/11/2011 - Passengers travelling to the UK on November 30th
Update for passengers travelling to the UK on November 30th 2011

28/11/2011 - Passengers travelling to the UK on November 30th
Update for passengers travelling to the UK on November 30th 2011 Planned strike action on Wednesday 30 November may affect those arriving at the UK border on this day. Further information and the latest travel advice can be found on the UK Border Agency website <http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2011/november/51-30-november-strike?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ukborderagency+%28UK+Border+Agency+latest+news%29>
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23/11/2011 - Egypt : FCO Update
The UK Foreign Office have released the following update:

23/11/2011 - Egypt : FCO Update
The UK Foreign Office have released the following update: There are ongoing violent confrontations between security forces and demonstrators in Tahrir Square and the Downtown area of Cairo. The Foreign Office strongly advise that British nationals stay away from Tahrir Square, including the Egyptian Museum and the Downtown area of Cairo including Maspero and the Interior Ministry. British nationals should avoid all crowds and demonstrations. The situation is changing rapidly and we recommend that you follow events on local and international news and seek advice from tour operators. For more information, see our travel advice for Egypt <http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/middle-east-north-africa/egypt/> (link). Since the British Embassy is located in Garden City, which is near Tahrir and Downtown Cairo, if you need to visit the Embassy please call beforehand to check on security. The number to call is 02 2791 6000. Tahrir Square is still occupied by protestors and is not passable to traffic. � In Alexandria the streets around the Northern Military HQ are closed. British nationals should stay away from these areas, avoid crowds and demonstrations, follow events on local and international news and seek advice from their tour operators. There have been reports of sexual assaults on women during some demonstrations in Tahrir Square. There have also been a number of arrests during demonstrations, including British and other foreign nationals. Travellers should carry ID at all times.
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26/10/2011 - Kenya: British Government issues travel warning ov
The British government has issued a travel warning on Tuesday advising that terrorist attacks in Kenya are likely, adding its nationals are advised to avoid travelling near the border with Somalia.

26/10/2011 - Kenya: British Government issues travel warning ov
The British government has issued a travel warning on Tuesday advising that terrorist attacks in Kenya are likely, adding its nationals are advised to avoid travelling near the border with Somalia. The warning from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office read; "In late October we were aware of credible information suggesting the threat of a terrorist attack in Kenya. Kenyan institutions could be targeted as could places where foreigners gather." The decision was said to have been taken to issue the latest travel advice following a weekend warning of an "imminent attack" from the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
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03/10/2011 - Kenya: FCO changes travel warning for UK citizens
The FCO has issued the following statement with regards to travel in Kenya:

03/10/2011 - Kenya: FCO changes travel warning for UK citizens
The FCO has issued the following statement with regards to travel in Kenya: We advise against all but essential travel to coastal areas within 150km of the Somali border, following two attacks by armed gangs in small boats against beach resorts in the Lamu area on 11th September and 1st October 2011. This advice will be kept under review. Both attacks were on beach-front properties, with two Westerners kidnapped and one murdered. Beach-front accommodation in that area and boats off the coast are vulnerable
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09/08/2011 - Foreign Office trials text messaging service in a

Vodafone UK customers who take their mobile phones overseas may now find their phone is more than just a handy way to stay in touch with friends and family. The Foreign Office has launched a trial service with the network provider to deliver emergency text messages to their subscribers as well as to customers of any mobile provider whose service runs on Vodafone�s network. The text will be sent out to customers who are in a country where there has been a major crisis � such as a natural disaster or civil unrest.

09/08/2011 - Foreign Office trials text messaging service in a
Vodafone UK customers who take their mobile phones overseas may now find their phone is more than just a handy way to stay in touch with friends and family. The Foreign Office has launched a trial service with the network provider to deliver emergency text messages to their subscribers as well as to customers of any mobile provider whose service runs on Vodafone�s network. The text will be sent out to customers who are in a country where there has been a major crisis � such as a natural disaster or civil unrest. The service is free to customers of the mobile providers taking part in the trial and will provide essential advice in the event of a crisis. The Foreign Office will pilot this service for a 12 month period. Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne said: �The recent consular crises in Libya and Japan have demonstrated the need to deliver live travel safety messages to as many people as quickly as possible. This new service is part of our vision to deliver better consular services more cost-effectively and we�re delighted to be working with Vodafone UK and a number of partners on the pilot. We hope in the future we will be able to roll out this service with other mobile network operators and mobile providers.� �The pilot is part of the Foreign Office�s commitment to improve consular services. We will soon have the ability to send text messages to all affected British Nationals registered on our crisis database. As well as this we�re also exploring delivering important information through a range of mobile and online tools, including Smartphone apps, a travel advice site for mobile phones and making effective use of social media and digital tools.� The text messaging pilot will not replace any existing services and information provided in the texts will continue to be provided on the Foreign Office website, and the FCO Travel Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/fcotravel> and Twitter <http://twitter.com/fcotravel> channels. Please click on the link to view the article: here <http://tracking.fco.gov.uk/t/13484044/20204198/5443001/0/>
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04/08/2011 - Dawson & Sanderson helps customers affected by ope
Dawson and Sanderson has promised to find alternative holidays for the 2,400 customers affected by the administration of the tour operator, which also traded as Aegean Flights.

04/08/2011 - Dawson & Sanderson helps customers affected by ope
Dawson and Sanderson has promised to find alternative holidays for the 2,400 customers affected by the administration of the tour operator, which also traded as Aegean Flights. The firm plans to use £750,000 of its own funds to pay for new holidays for people who had already planned their summer getaway. Chris Pattison, managing director of Dawson & Sanderson, said: �Holidays4U have always provided good quality value for money holidays to Turkey and the Aegean, so it is sad for all concerned that they have failed. �But as when holiday companies have collapsed in the past, we have always done our utmost to ensure all of our customers are quickly found an alternative holiday.� It has been estimated that 12,000 holidaymakers already overseas will be affected, as well as a further 50,000 people with bookings. Many of these will receive refunds from the Civil Aviation Authority protection scheme. People who have bought holidays from Dawson & Sanderson will be provided with an alternative vacation, instead of the typical procedure, which would require them to wait up to 6 months for a refund. The Air Travel Organiser�s Licensing Scheme will eventually reimburse Dawson & Sanderson. Mr Pattison added: �When a tour operator collapses it�s extremely stressful not only for the customers but for our staff because they know they have to work very hard to find alternatives. �ATOL protects most customers but they have to wait for their refunds. But by booking with Dawson & Sanderson, customers are guaranteed a new holiday.�
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29/07/2011 - ePassport gates
ePassport gates have just been installed at Heathrow and Gatwick. This means that automated border controls are now in place at 15 transport terminals across the UK, including most major airports.

29/07/2011 - ePassport gates
ePassport gates have just been installed at Heathrow and Gatwick. This means that automated border controls are now in place at 15 transport terminals across the UK, including most major airports. Automated border controls ePassport gates work by using facial recognition technology to compare your face to the photograph recorded on the 'chip' in your passport. Traveller details are also checked against the full range of UK Border Agency systems - just as if they were seen by an officer. Once the checks are made, the gates open automatically for the traveller to walk through. With their recent installation at Heathrow and Gatwick, ePassport gates can now be found at most major UK airports. These include; Birmingham Terminals 1&2, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Gatwick North & South, Luton, Manchester Terminals 1&2, Heathrow T1, T3, T4, and T5 and Stansted. So far over 4.5 million people have used the gates since the first gates went live at Manchester Airport in 2008. Who can use the ePassport gates? You don't have to register to use the new ePassport gates. You must however be a UK, European Union or European Economic Area citizen and have a 'chipped' biometric passport. You must also be aged 18 or over, unless otherwise stated on airport signs. For a full description of the ePassport system please visit the Home Office website (<http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/travellingtotheuk/Enteringtheuk/e-passport-gates/>).
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24/05/2011 - Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD)
Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD) For Travel to / from USA

24/05/2011 - Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD)
Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD) For Travel to / from USA To comply with new security regulations being introduced for passengers flying to and from the USA a new programme has been has been developed and has become MANDATORY for all passengers travelling into the USA. This suppliments the ESTA (Automated eligibiluty to travel to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program. which everyone travelling to the USA must comply with) To assist all Airlines and to comply with this new legislation your Travel Agent must collect SFPD on confirmation of all flight bookings. � Full name (as it appears on a valid non-expired travel document (passport) � Date of Birth � Gender � Passport Number This data supplements APIS and ESTA details which are still required. Our agency is liable to the airlines for this information being entered into your reservations and failure to comply may result in your booking being cancelled. THE AIRLINE WILL NOT ALLOW TICKETS TO BE ISSUED WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION To assist Travellers booking with CTS we suggest that everyone who flies with us fill in our online Traveller profile where this data will be captured for every flight you book via CTS. Traveller profile ensures we have all your mandatory data as well as your personal travel preferences ensuring your requests are met each and every time you book your flights. Click on the green tab for Travellers Profile and set up your own profile you only need your email and your CTS account number to complete your details. Should you require any further information on this matter or help with your profile please call 0191 2515000 our staff will be able to assist you
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