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And other news you may have missed.
This week in travel, we have several stories that may have flown under your radar. Among them: British budget airline Jet2 has banned two fliers for life after their mid-flight brawl caused a diversion; TSA workers are once again working without pay due to a partial government shutdown; and has issued travel advisories for three countries after a Chikungunya outbreak.
Dive into these and more as we examine the latest in travel news.
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Pilot Saves Lives by Crash-Landing After Technical Failure
In Mogadishu, Somalia, a passenger plane with 55 people on board overshot the runway after an emergency landing and came to rest on a beach. No injuries were reported. The pilot is being praised for quick thinking that saved lives.
The Starsky Aviation plane, traveling from the capital to the city of Gaalkacyo, experienced a problem shortly after takeoff. The pilot requested to return, and while landing, the plane veered off the tarmac and ended up on the beach. The airline spokesperson Hassan Mohamed Aden said they are investigating the issue and praised the pilot. “The pilot’s swift and calm decision-making played a decisive role in ensuring the safety of everyone on board, and we commend him for how he handled the situation.”
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CDC Issues Warning for Chikungunya
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued travel advisories for the Seychelles, Bolivia, and Suriname after Chikungunya outbreaks. All three destinations are at Level 2: Practice Enhanced Precautions, and travelers are advised to prevent mosquito bites.
Chikungunya is caused by a virus that spreads through mosquito bites. Symptoms include fever, joint pain, and rashes. Most people recover within a week. Death from Chikungunya is rare, but the CDC advises pregnant women to avoid traveling to affected countries because they may pass the infection on to their babies.
You can prevent mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves, using mosquito repellent, and staying in accommodations with air conditioning. You can also get a vaccine before you travel.
Cuba and Sri Lanka are also high-risk areas with travel health notices due to Chikungunya outbreaks.
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Partial Government Shutdown Affects Travelers, Again
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired over the weekend, resulting in a partial government shutdown. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers are working without pay since they are considered essential personnel. The air traffic control function will not be impacted this time because the Department of Transportation remains funded. However, travelers may experience long lines at airports if the shutdown continues.
Last year, a federal government funding lapse caused a 43-day shutdown, the longest in history. Travel cancellations increased as air traffic controllers and TSA workers called in sick. Airlines trimmed schedules, and disruptions were felt across the country.
This time, it is unclear when travelers will begin to see effects as delays build over time. If you’re traveling during spring break, arrive at the airport early—especially when flying out of small airports—and double-check your packing list to avoid unnecessary delays at security lines.
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Italy Airport Workers Postpone Strikes
Nationwide strikes in Italy by aviation workers have been called off. The industrial action was planned for Monday but has been postponed to February 26. The Deputy Prime Minister blocked the strikes to avoid disruptions during the Winter Olympics and acknowledged that mobility must be guaranteed during this global event.
Staff at Italy’s carrier ITA had planned a 24-hour walkout on February 16, which would have severely affected Winter Olympics travelers. Flight attendants working with Vueling and easyJet, along with airport ground staff, were also part of the industrial action. Flights across Italian cities, including Rome and Milan, are likely to be affected.
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Airline Bans Passengers for Life After Mid-Flight Brawl
British budget airline Jet2 announced a lifetime ban for two fliers for causing a flight diversion. The passengers started a brawl on a flight bound for Manchester, England, from Antalya, Turkey, last week, causing the plane to divert to Brussels.
The airline, calling their behavior appalling, said the passengers were escorted off the plane by police, and the flight continued after the stop. It also stated, “We can confirm that the two disruptive passengers will be banned from flying with us for life, and we will also vigorously pursue them to recover the costs that we incurred as a result of this diversion.”
Jet2, which gained attention on TikTok last year after its jingle “Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday,” describes itself as a family-friendly airline with a zero-tolerance approach to unruly behavior.