Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for August 2021.

Turkey Strikes Deal For Control Of The Kabul Airport

by Gary Leff

Aug 28 2021

To show just how complicated things are, though, the previous government of Afghanistan had negotiated a deal with a UAE-based group to operate the airport and “[t]he Taliban will need to cut a separate deal with them.”

The deal gets Turkish President Erdogan a bargaining chip with the West, and also helps avoid Turkey being the recipient of refugees (as they are from Syria) and gives them control of the drug trade out of Afghanistan. Put another way, Turkish control over the airport probably makes continued expatriation of Afghans possible while also being a bad result in greater Turkish influence in the region as well as inside NATO.

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Here’s The Future Of The American Airlines Philadelphia Hub

by Gary Leff

Aug 28 2021

Brian Znotins, American’s Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, laid out the airline’s vision for Philadelphia – which is many ways is what is was before the pandemic. Even though American will be able to support more transatlantic flying from New York JFK with their JetBlue partnership, Philadelphia will remain their primary connecting gateway to Europe.

And with smaller and more fuel efficient Airbus A321XLRs coming into the fleet they’ll be able to serve summer seasonal Europe destinations year-round – and more destinations than they’ve served in Europe as well.

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After Being Kicked Off American Airlines Over A Mask Slip, This Couple Wound Up On A Private Jet

by Gary Leff

Aug 27 2021

On Thursday a husband and wife were booted off of American Airlines flight 3996 from Miami to Cincinnati, a regional jet operated by American’s wholly-owned regional subsidiary Envoy Air.

Apparently the woman’s mask slipped off her nose as she boarded the aircraft. It slipped off a second time while the plane was still on the ground. So a flight attendant insisted that she wear an airline-provided mask instead. Since she refused, the flight attendant said the only other option was to get off the plane. They wouldn’t do that – so all of the passengers on board were deplaned.

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American Airlines Orders Pizza For Hundreds Of Afghan Refugees Stuck On Plane

by Gary Leff

Aug 27 2021

From Kabul, refugees were sent to military bases in Qatar and Germany, and from there they’re being flown to Washington Dulles on U.S. airlines paid for charter flights under the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program. Each person is vetted prior to boarding a flight, and then goes through immigration formalities again in the U.S.

But without documents, there’s been huge bureaucratic delays at Washington Dulles with people waiting 8-12 hours to get off of planes. Flight attendants have been told to pack their own water and anticipate harrowing conditions.

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European Union Expected To Recommend Restrictions On Many American Travelers On Monday

by Gary Leff

passport getting stamped
Aug 27 2021

The European Union has begun the process to re-impose restrictions (quarantine, testing) for unvaccinated Americans. The U.S. will be removed from a list of countries whose citizens are allowed to travel freely in Europe without Covid restrictions.

A key consideration for whether and when countries re-impose restrictions is the extent to which their economies rely on tourism. It’s no coincidence that Greece, France, and Spain were among the first Schengen countries to announce they’d welcome Americans before Europe had taken broader action.

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Kabul Hotels Advertising They’re Open For Banquets, Safe Lodging

by Gary Leff

Aug 27 2021

An explosion at Kabul airport led to U.S. and civilian casualties. There was another explosion close to the nearby Baron Hotel which is currently advertising “safe, secure housing” for guests.

The Baron may not be as secure as advertised, but the Intercontinental Kabul is promoting in social media that they’re open to guests – not just for lodging but for all of your catering and banquet needs.

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