In response to the failed Dec. 25 terrorist attack aboard an aircraft headed from Amsterdam to Detroit, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority have enacted stricter guidelines for airport and in-flight security.

TSA said it may strengthen its use of detection canine teams, law enforcement officers, gate screening, behavior detection and other measures seen and unseen. At this time, security checkpoint requirements for passengers departing U.S. airports remain the same. Passengers do not need to do anything differently, but they should allow extra time to check in and proceed through the security checkpoint before their flight.

Many airlines are recommending passengers arrive at the airport three hours before their flight’s scheduled departure if traveling to the U.S. from abroad in order to allow additional time for heightened security measures. TSA has asked airlines to modify the way they do pat downs for flights headed to the United States. Citing security concerns, the new comprehensive request asks airlines, internationally, to do a “full body pat down,” which will require more time at the security lines.

In Canada, CATSA has implemented temporary emergency measures at security checkpoints under the direction of Transport Canada. U.S.-bound passengers are permitted no carry-on bags. Passengers will still be allowed one personal item, such as a purse or briefcase, to carry on board the aircraft. Passengers traveling within Canada are still permitted two carry-on bags. The measures affect all flights from Canada to the United States.

According to CATSA, a “carry-on bag” is defined as an item to which a passenger has access during a flight, but does NOT include personal items such as small purses, cameras, coats, items for care of infants, laptop computers, diplomatic or consular bags, crutches, canes, walkers, containers carrying life sustaining items, medication or medical devices, musical instruments or any special needs items.

In addition, nine Canadian airports will install full-body scanners in response to requests from officials in the U.S. who want to boost security on flights from Canada to the U.S.

The U.S. ordered increased scrutiny of passengers arriving in the U.S. from 14 countries designated “state sponsors of terrorism” or “countries of interest.” The intensified screening may include body searches by hand, hand searching of luggage, full-body scanning and searches for explosives. The countries on the list include Cuba, Iran, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria, Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Algeria, Lebanon, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Somalia.

BCD Travel has reached out to the Canadian Transport Ministry and the Association of Canadian Travel Agents in an effort to learn more about the strict security regulations that have been placed on flights from Canada to the U.S. We will continue to monitor the evolving situation closely and will alert our clients of any critical updates. For the latest official information from the TSA and CATSA, please visit www.tsa.gov, www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca or visit the Transport Canada Web site.

Global giant, Eastman Kodak Co., has taken its corporate travel program global in recent years and has now consolidated with the world’s third largest corporate travel management company, BCD Travel.

Globally, approximately 10,000 staff undertake corporate travel every year at a cost of about $30M for airfares alone. This includes corporate travel in Australia, with Kodak’s Australia-based corporate travel needs managed centrally by BCD Travel’s Sydney business travel office.

According to BCD Travel’s Juan Perez, Kodak’s global account manager, the overall approach to Kodak’s corporate travel consolidation includes aligning corporate travel management with global purchasing and streamlining existing business travel processes and policies, including new online technology solutions.

According to BCD Travel, the use of a call centre and online self-booking travel tools saw agency corporate travel costs fall by 27%.

Australian airline carriers have lifted their game with on time performance improving across all domestic routes in 2009, according to Australian Federal Government figures.

Business travellers have enjoyed departing on time 85% of the time compared to 79% in 2008. Arrivals have also improved for corporate travellers, up from 77% in 2008 to 84% in 2009.

Corporate travel agency, BCD Travel, says this is fantastic news for corporate travellers, who rely on airlines to get them to their destinations on time for meetings incentives conferences exhibitions.

BCD Travel signs with online technology solutions partner, Sabre Pacific - Newsletter
Leading travel management company, BCD Travel, has signed a fresh long term contract with online technology solutions partner, Sabre Pacific.
Sabre Pacific CEO, Gai Tyrrell, says both Sabre and BCD Travel are very excited about their continued partnership.

“By re-signing with us, BCD Travel has confirmed the success of our partnership and their belief that a strong technology partner is the key to growth,” says Gai.

BCD Travel Managing Director, David Sumich, says that culturally and philosophically, Sabre is a perfect match for BCD Travel.

“Sabre Pacific has a dedicated team of people with excellent online technology solutions. Our decision was made on the basis that when you choose a business partner, it’s for the long term. Having the right technology partner will add tremendous value to BCD Travel’s corporate travel customers.”

Read the BCD Sabre online technology solutions press release

BCD Travel signs global deal with GetThere

Corporate travel management company, BCD Travel, has signed a global distribution deal with GetThere, the company behind the leading online booking engine of the same name.

Used by more than 3,000 corporate travel clients in 76 countries to book more than $9 billion in business travel in 2009, GetThere is already popular with many of BCD Travel’s largest corporate travel clients, including Fortune 200 companies in the US.

As a formal re-seller of the GetThere program, BCD Travel will help influence future product enhancements and will have access to a wide range of GetThere customer service resources aimed at delivering significant value to business travel programs.

“GetThere’s track record of serving multi-national firms is undeniable and their pace of innovation has clearly ramped up in the past 18 months,” said Tom Kallas, general manager of North America for BCD Travel.

GetThere President, Chris Kroeger, said BCD Travel had an excellent track record for creating customer value through innovative online technology solutions including cutting edge online booking engines and self-booking travel tools to deliver bottom line corporate travel procurement savings.