In travel news for August 10, 2023 we talk about devastating wild fires ravage Maui, Hawaii; Greece limiting the number of travelers allowed to visit the Acropolis; and the Federal Aviation Administration encourages airlines to decrease flights out of New York City airports.
Hawaii Wildfires Highlight Importance of Travel Insurance and Readiness
Devastating wildfires have affected parts of the Hawaiian Islands, particularly in the historic town of Lahaina on Maui. The town, a major tourist destination, had to be evacuated as fires consumed significant landmarks including the Banyan tree. Communication networks have been disrupted, complicating rescue and evacuation efforts. To aid stranded tourists, state officials are coordinating with hotels and airlines. Maui's Kahului Airport remains operational, with additional flights being scheduled by Hawaiian Airlines. Other major airlines are adjusting their inbound and outbound flights. The Hawaii Tourism Authority is advising nonessential travelers to leave Maui and those planning imminent trips to reconsider, as the infrastructure struggles to cope with the disaster.
The Acropolis of Athens to Limit Visitor Numbers
The Acropolis of Athens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Greece's most frequented archaeological attraction, will soon have a daily visitor cap of 20,000. The decision aims to tackle overcrowding, with the site recently recording up to 23,000 visitors in a single day, mainly during the morning hours. The Culture Minister emphasized the importance of protecting the monument while maintaining a quality experience for visitors. This new restriction will start as a trial on September 4, before being permanently established by April 1, 2024. Half of the daily visitors are from organized Tours or Cruise ships, with an average visit duration of 45 minutes. The move comes after discussions with tour operators and follows measures such as midday site closures during heatwaves.
Air Traffic Controller Shortages to Affect East Coast Travel
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has decided to ease penalties on airlines that reduce flight schedules from the New York City area due to an ongoing air traffic controller shortage. Rules concerning the utilization of takeoff and landing rights, or "slots", at New York airports will be relaxed through October 28. This also applies to some flights at Reagan Washington National Airport. Major carriers, including American, Delta, JetBlue, and United, have consented to reduce flights at major NYC airports. Despite a 6% reduction in New York flights this summer, airlines have increased seating by using larger aircraft. This strategy has resulted in a 40% drop in flight cancellations year-over-year at New York airports.