christmas travel disruption

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Christmas getaway travel disruption likely to continue through weekend

Weather warnings issued for drivers and London’s King’s Cross and Paddington stations will be closed

Christmas getaway travel disruption is expected to continue throughout the weekend, with millions of car journeys under way and major London railway stations due to close on Sunday.

The AA estimated that 16.4m car journeys will take place on Saturday and warned of “lengthy jams”.

Rail disruption is likely on Christmas Eve as two of London’s railway stations, King’s Cross and Paddington, will be shut due to engineering works.

The closure of London Paddington will continue until Wednesday, meaning no mainline trains will serve Heathrow Airport.

Travellers crossing the Channel at the Port of Dover faced waiting times of 90 minutes at border control on Saturday morning, but the queues have since cleared.

An unscheduled strike by French Eurotunnel workers in a row over bonuses on Thursday led to the cancellation of about 30 Eurostar trains – leaving tens of thousands of travellers scrambling to replan their journeys.

P&O Ferries apologised for the delays, telling customers : “There are currently large queues at border control. Please allow additional time for your journey. Rest assured, if you miss your crossing, we’ll get you on ASAP.”

On the rail network, disruption continued after the chaos caused by Storm Pia on Thursday. The Elizabeth line on the underground had severe delays on Friday afternoon between London Paddington, Reading and Heathrow airport stations after two trains broke down.

Network Rail said disruption was expected between Mansfield and Worksop until the end of the day, as well as between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley, caused by damage to the overhead electric wires in the Aston area of Birmingham.

The Met Office said there could be more weather-related travel issues in parts of the UK this weekend. Winds of up to 70mph were expected to hit much of Scotland, as well as northern and central areas of England on Sunday, before a rainy Christmas Day. Yellow wind warnings had been issued for those regions, advising people to expect travel disruption and damage to buildings and power cuts.

A yellow warning for rain covered much of Wales on Sunday, with forecasters warning flooding and travel disruption was possible. Showers may fall across the rest of the country.

Meteorologist Liam Eslick said: “People should make sure to leave more time, especially in exposed areas, it could affect rail networks and ferries.

“People travelling on roads should take care and stay away from high-sided vehicles, and for people who are at home and are going for walks, stay away from coasts.”

Network Rail said severe weather was likely to affect some ScotRail routes on Saturday.

A very damp start in the north during Saturday morning, with snow in the far northeast of Scotland 🌨️ Elsewhere, largely dry with some upslope rain and drizzle in the west ☁️ Another windy start and feeling mild away from northeast Scotland 🌬️ pic.twitter.com/sUfvbGAQI3 — Met Office (@metoffice) December 22, 2023

Rod Dennis, an RAC spokesperson, said: “With this latest weather warning affecting a large area of Scotland and parts of northern England, there is the chance travellers’ last-minute getaway trips could be disrupted.”

Eurostar, which operates passenger services to and from London St Pancras, is operating two extra services a day between London and Paris up to and including Christmas Eve to help people whose trains were cancelled on Thursday.

Eurotunnel is running its usual timetable but is only accepting customers who have pre-booked.

Network Rail advised travellers to check timetables before they embarked on their journeys as “some train services will be affected while we work to improve the railway”.

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Christmas travel chaos: Millions face disruption amid Border Force and rail strikes

• Thursday 22 December 2022 at 9:03pm

Millions of journeys are expected in the lead up to Christmas, but travellers are being warned of strike disruption on roads, railways and air travel.

Travellers are being warned to prepare for disruption as millions of people embark on journeys to spend Christmas with friends and family, amid Border Force and rail strike action .

The AA said Friday will be the busiest day on the roads this week, with an estimated 16.9 million journeys being made across the UK.

A further 16.6 million journeys are expected to be made on Christmas Eve.

Congestion will be increased due to a strike by thousands of members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Network Rail causing train services to finish at around 3pm on Saturday.

National Highways began industrial action in London and the South East on Thursday, a day after thousands of ambulance workers walked out in England and Wales.

On Friday, Border Force staff at London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and Glasgow will be on strike for eight of the next nine days.

Civil servants and members of the military have been receiving training to take their place, meaning in theory the airports should still be open and moving.

But the government has warned passengers that there will be delays.

Elsewhere, Go North East bus strikes were called off as around 150 engineers accepted pay rises of up to 13.1%.

ITV News' Geraint Vincent and Ian Woods speak to Mary Nightingale about how border force and rail strikes will impact journeys over Christmas.

The RAC said roads will be busiest on Friday – the last working day before Christmas – between 10am and 7pm.

Transport analytics company Inrix expects journey times to be around 14% longer compared with the same period last year.

Roads likely to be hit by congestion include the M25, the M60 near Manchester, the M6 in north-west England and the M40 in Oxfordshire.

National Highways said almost 98% of England’s motorways and major A-roads will be fully open until the end of January 2 due to it completing and lifting roadworks.

AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said: “We are advising those heading out in their cars to be prepared for some congestion, especially on popular routes heading out of London.

“The rail strikes have convinced more people to travel by car this year, and while hundreds of miles of roadworks have been removed to ease the pain, it might not be enough to keep the queues away.”

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said there will be “two frantic days of travelling just before Christmas”.

Inrix transportation analyst Bob Pishue said: “With pre-pandemic levels of travellers hitting the road this holiday, drivers must be prepared for delays – especially in and around major cities.”

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.

COVID-19: Christmas travel disruption as Omicron hits rail and airline staffing

LNER, Greater Anglia, Northern Rail, Avanti West Coast, ScotRail, and TransPennine Express have each reported staffing-related disruption. East Midlands Railway has been hit by industrial action, while London's Tube network is also not running at its normal capacity.

News reporter @samuelosborne93

Monday 27 December 2021 16:00, UK

Staff shortages caused by COVID are contributing to severe travel disruption over the Christmas period.

Several rail services have been disrupted due to staff going down ill with coronavirus , while planned closures and industrial action are also having an impact.

LNER, Greater Anglia, Northern Rail, Avanti West Coast, ScotRail, and TransPennine Express have reported staffing-related disruption.

East Midlands Railway services have been by industrial action by the RMT union, and a number of routes by planned engineering works.

London's Tube network is also not running at its normal capacity, with the Piccadilly line shut down between Heathrow and Acton Town until 30 December.

Hundreds of flights cancelled

Those who are heading to Heathrow may notice some flights suffering cancellations or delays .

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• Coronavirus

Nearly 2,300 flights were cancelled on Monday, with most airports affected being in China or the US, according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware.com.

There were also 45 cancellations for British Airways, having called off 50 flights at Heathrow on Sunday due to "operational constraints".

Gatwick said it had only three cancellations out of 215 flights on Sunday, and none on Monday.

Around 8,000 flights were cancelled worldwide between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day - approximately 3,000 of which were due to go to or from the US.

The Christmas holidays are typically the peak period for travel, but the past two years have been heavily impacted by COVID-19 around the world.

Last year, the UK was under heavy restrictions. This year, people have been able to travel freely, but many have been forced into isolation - or have been acting more cautiously - due to the rise of the Omicron variant.

Despite that, National Rail said 95% of Britain's rail network would remain open over the festive period. It said 370 engineering projects being carried out over Christmas were planned "months, and in some cases years, in advance".

Latest COVID updates from the UK and around the world

Staff absences

More staff absences could be on the cards in the coming days and weeks due to the potential impact of families and friends mixing.

In the NHS, the chair of health care and workforce modelling at London Southbank University said as much as 40% of the capital's workforce could be absent under her "worst-case scenario" workings.

Professor Alison Leary told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme: "The NHS is in a fairly fragile state in terms of workforce anyway - that's fairly well documented - and the increased absence rate due to Covid and Omicron in particular are putting a lot more strain on the system.

"Christmas Eve is the last data we have, there is more data due out today, but, essentially, London's absence rate is up by about 30%, depending on the organisation.

"That's not just people off sick with COVID, but also people isolating because of positive tests."

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Christmas travel disruption as motorways close and rail travellers face delays

The port of dover in kent said it is taking about 90 minutes to process cars with pre-booked tickets., article bookmarked.

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Christmas getaway disruption is continuing with long queues for cross-Channel journeys, motorway closures and train cancellations.

The Port of Dover in Kent said it is taking about 90 minutes to process cars.

It attributed the delay to a surge in demand for ferries after the Channel Tunnel rail link was closed on Thursday due to unscheduled industrial action by French workers, which ruined the travel plans of tens of thousands of people.

Eurostar , which operates passenger services to and from London St Pancras , is operating two extra services per day between London and Paris up to and including Christmas Eve to help people whose trains were cancelled on Thursday.

Vehicle-carrying train service Eurotunnel is running its usual timetable but is only accepting customers who have pre-booked.

The M20 motorway in Kent remains closed in the coastbound direction between junctions 8 and 9 due to Operation Brock , which involves organising a queue for freight traffic during disruption to cross-Channel services.

National Highways said this was causing 45-minute delays, with tourist traffic diverted on to local roads.

The Government-owned company said a moveable concrete barrier – installed at a cost of tens of millions of pounds – has not been used to create a contraflow system to keep the motorway open in both directions because putting it in position involves closing the road overnight, and Operation Brock is expected to be lifted on Saturday morning at the latest.

Some Eurostar passengers at London St Pancras on Friday were due to travel on Thursday but had their journeys cancelled.

Valentin Walch and Pauline Cerceau, both 26, stayed at a friend’s home overnight after rebooking.

Mr Walch, a handball trainer from Chartres, France, said they were “stressed and a little bit angry” when they were told they could not travel on Thursday.

He said: “We know some people who slept in the train station, we’re lucky we stayed at a friend’s.”

The M62 motorway was closed from around 11pm on Thursday until shortly before 9am on Friday between junctions 21 (near Rochdale, Greater Manchester) and 22 (near Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire) because of a police investigation following a crash in which a 19-year-old, male car passenger was killed.

This caused long delays to journeys.

Greater Manchester Police said it arrested the 19-year-old driver of the car – which crossed from the westbound carriage on to the eastbound section – on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

On the domestic railway, disruption from strong winds remained following chaos caused by Storm Pia on Thursday.

No LNER trains served Inverness on Friday morning.

ScotRail services were suspended between Inverness and Wick, Tain, Ardgay and Lairg.

Meanwhile, Southeastern said it was forced to cancel a number of trains due to “a shortage of available train crew”.

Services on the Sheerness line were suspended at 10am for the rest of the day, and there are cancellations on the high-speed line to and from London St Pancras throughout the day.

The RAC estimated 13.5 million leisure journeys by car would take place across the UK between Friday and Sunday, up 20% on the three days before Christmas Day last year.

Road congestion was likely to peak on Friday as drivers embarking on leisure trips competed for road space with commuters and business traffic.

Motorists were advised to travel before 11am or after 6pm if possible to reduce the chance of being stuck in long queues.

Location technology company TomTom said road congestion in cities across Britain was above normal levels at 3pm.

The time taken to cover 10km (6.2 miles) in London was 20 minutes and 15 seconds, some one minute and 51 seconds longer than usual at that time.

Other cities that saw an increase in journey times over the same distance include Birmingham (two minutes and 11 seconds), Manchester (two minutes and 33 seconds), Glasgow (two minutes and 24 seconds) and Cardiff (four minutes and eight seconds).

Likely traffic hotspots on the M25 identified by transport analysis company Inrix include: clockwise between junction 7 (for the M23/Gatwick Airport) and junction 16 (for the M40/Birmingham); and anti-clockwise between junction 17 (Rickmansworth) and junction 12 (for the M3).

Other motorway stretches expected to see long queues included the M1 north from Woburn, Bedfordshire, to Daventry, Northamptonshire, and the M6 south from Wigan, Greater Manchester, to Stafford, Staffordshire.

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The Floating Traffic Jam That Freaked Us All Out

The coronavirus pandemic schooled the world in the essential role of global supply chains. Have we learned anything from it?

Anchored container ships waiting to enter the Port of Los Angeles in October 2021. Credit... Erin Schaff/The New York Times

Supported by

By Peter S. Goodman

Peter Goodman is the author of the forthcoming book “How the World Ran Out of Everything: Inside the Global Supply Chain,” from which this article is adapted.

• Published June 2, 2024 Updated June 3, 2024

Southern California appeared to be under siege from a blockade.

More than 50 enormous vessels bobbed in the frigid waters of the Pacific Ocean, marooned off the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach , Calif. As days stretched into weeks, they waited their turn to pull up to the docks and disgorge their cargo. Rubberneckers flocked to the water’s edge with binoculars, trying to count the ships that stretched to the inky horizon.

This was no act of war. This was what it looked like when the global economy came shuddering to a halt.

It was October 2021, and the planet had been seized by the worst pandemic in a century. International commerce was rife with bewildering dysfunction . Basic geography itself seemed reconfigured, as if the oceans had stretched wider, adding to the distance separating the factories of China from the superstores of the United States.

Given the scale of container ships — the largest were longer than four times the height of the Statue of Liberty — any single vessel held at anchor indicated that enormous volumes of orders were not reaching their intended destinations. The decks of the ships were stacked to the skies with containers loaded with the components of contemporary life — from clothing and electronics to drums full of chemicals used to concoct other products like paint and pharmaceuticals.

Among the ships held in the queue was the CSCL Spring, a Hong Kong-flagged vessel that was carrying a whopping 138 containers from Yihai Kerry International, a major Chinese agricultural conglomerate. Together, they held 7.3 million pounds of canola meal pellets — enough animal feed to sustain 20,000 cows for a week. Their delay was exacerbating shortages of feed afflicting livestock producers in the United States.

Five ships in this waylaid flotilla were collectively hauling 13 million pounds of Fiji bottled water. More than 17 million pounds of Heineken beer was held up. The Singaporean-flagged Wan Hai 625 was carrying almost three million pounds of polyethylene terephthalate resin, a key element for manufacturing synthetic fabrics and plastic bottles used to package soft drinks — another commodity in short supply. The same ship held 5.2 million pounds of solar panels and 1.6 million pounds of material for chain-link fencing.

By one estimate, the ships waiting off Southern California’s two largest ports were collectively loaded with more than $25 billion worth of goods. And this was a fraction of the wares stranded by a global breakdown that had reached staggering proportions. Nearly 13 percent of the world’s container shipping fleet was floating off ports from China to North America to Europe. Upward of $1 trillion worth of product was caught in the congestion.

All of this stuff was supposed to be somewhere else.

But the docks were overwhelmed by an influx of containers as Americans stuck in quarantine outfitted themselves for the apocalypse, filling their basements with exercise bikes, their bedrooms with office furniture and their kitchens with baking equipment. Most of these goods were manufactured in Asia. The trucking industry complained that it could not hire enough drivers to move this tsunami of product. Warehouses were stuffed to the rafters and short of workers. The railroads — hollowed out by years of corporate cost cutting — were buckling in the face of a surge of demand.

For decades, the world had seemed compressed, the continents bridged by container ships, internet links and exuberant faith in globalization . Now, the earth again felt vast.

In the center of the pileup off Long Beach lay the Maersk Emden, a Danish-flagged container ship that stretched 1,200 feet long and 158 feet wide. Freshly arrived from the Chinese port of Ningbo, it was carrying roughly 12,000 containers.

Hagan Walker had only one box on board the Maersk Emden — a 40-foot container logged in the shipping manifest as MSMU8771295. But it held the most important order in the brief history of his start-up.

Mr. Walker’s company, Glo, was based in a small town in Mississippi. It made plastic novelty cubes that lit up when plunked in water. He had recently secured a breakthrough deal — a contract to make bath toys for Sesame Street, including a figurine version of the iconic Elmo . He had planned to debut them during the pivotal holiday season, now only two months away.

Like millions of companies, Mr. Walker’s operation depended on two crucial elements: factories in China to make its products and gigantic container ships to carry them to American shores. For decades, this had proved a cheap and reliable way to do business, the means by which major brands and niche players alike had kept the world’s largest economy stocked with everything from oven cleaner to aircraft parts.

But that equation was unraveling, and Mr. Walker found himself confronting the mother of all traffic jams off the coast of Southern California.

As the calendar continued its relentless march toward the holiday season, his Elmo dolls were floating out on the water, castaways during the Great Supply Chain Disruption .

By the time the Maersk Emden joined the floating queue off Long Beach bearing Mr. Walker’s shipment, people from Europe to Africa to North and South America had endured a terrifying scarcity of personal protective gear like face masks and medical gowns. This had forced frontline medical workers to attend to patients with Covid-19 absent adequate protection.

Society had experienced the disappearance of toilet paper from store shelves amid panicked hoarding. Women’s sanitary products had become difficult to find, along with medicines like antibiotics and even aspirin. Meat display cases at supermarkets sat empty. For a time, Grape-Nuts, the popular breakfast cereal, all but vanished, along with the tapioca beads used to make boba tea.

Factories in Asia that manufactured computer chips could not keep pace with a substantial increase in demand, an emergency in an age in which chips had become the brains for all manner of devices. Auto factories from Japan to the United States to Brazil halted production, citing a lack of chips. American car dealers typically held two to three times as many vehicles as they sold in a month. By the end of 2021, their inventory had plunged to a record low — less than half their volume of sales. And as new cars became scarce, the prices of used vehicles exploded.

Medical device manufacturers embarked on a largely futile campaign to shame chip companies into prioritizing their orders over those from smartphone companies like Apple and Google. Major electronics companies began covertly buying old toys and video gaming consoles, breaking apart ancient PlayStations and Barbie accessories to harvest the chips within.

For consumers who never previously had reason to contemplate the intricacies of the global supply chain , all of this was cosmically disconcerting. The shortages of goods conveyed a gut-level affirmation that contemporary life itself had gone haywire, exposing a dark and unsettling truth: No one was in control.

In wealthy countries, society had been steeped in the idea that the internet had transcended the traditional constraints of time and space. You could go online at any hour, on any day, no matter the weather, click here, and then wait for the truck to arrive with your order.

In a world full of grave uncertainty, here was a sure thing.

The supply chain was not just the circulatory system for goods, but also the source of a sense of authority over human circumstance, and a rare unifying aspect of modern existence. In a time of flagging faith in government, skepticism about news media and suspicion of corporate motives, everyone could at least believe in the unseen forces that brought the UPS guy to the door. The links connecting farms, factories and distribution centers to households and businesses had seemed inviolate.

As the supply chain began fraying, urban reality from Minneapolis to Milan was dominated by the ceaseless wailing of ambulances hauling those stricken with Covid-19 to hospitals, where people were dying on gurneys stashed in corridors, the rooms overflowing, the supply of ventilators exhausted. From San Francisco to Stockholm, people were taking their last breaths alone in nursing homes, without saying goodbye to their children and grandchildren. Every day brought grim reports of a rising tide of death that eventually took the lives of nearly seven million people worldwide.

Over recent decades, multinational companies from North America to Europe to Japan had placed their fate in a ruthless sort of efficiency. They had steadily entrusted production to factories around the globe, and especially to plants in China, chasing lower costs and fatter profits.

And they had behaved as if this strategy was devoid of risk, as if China’s industrial parks might as well have been extensions of Ohio and Bavaria. They either did not know or did not care that the shipping industry was basically a cartel, operating largely beyond the oversight of any government watchdog.

Once their products reached American shores, companies relied on transportation networks that depended on millions of workers who submitted to dangerous and lonely jobs, even as their pay and working conditions were downgraded. In constructing a supply chain governed by the relentless pursuit of efficiency, trucking and railroad businesses treated their workers as if their own time was both limitless and without value, deserving of no compensation for hours stuck waiting for the next load.

From the railroads to trucking firms to warehouses, major companies in the supply chain had long treated their workers as costs to be contained rather than human beings with families, medical challenges and other demands. Employers assumed that they did not have to worry about running out of laborers, even as they engaged in wanton exploitation. At the same time, decades of zealous reverence for deregulation as the solution to nearly every problem served to cede economic fate to a handful of companies that dominated key industries.

In Washington, both major political parties had long placed faith in the fantastical notion that gigantic companies left to seize commanding holds over their markets would yield greater efficiency.

The pandemic laid bare the consequences of relying on faraway factories and container ships to keep humanity supplied with goods.

It exposed as reckless the world’s heavy dependence on a single country — China — for critical products like protective gear and medicine, especially as Washington and Beijing were locked in a trade war.

It revealed the risks of leaning on transportation systems staffed by people whose wages and working conditions had been decimated by cost cutting.

Unregulated behemoths left to dominate markets in the name of efficiency turned out to yield results that were efficient only on Wall Street.

And then broad chaos in the global supply chain helped deliver another economic affliction: inflation.

By early 2022, in the name of snuffing out price increases, central banks around the world would begin lifting interest rates. This would foist higher borrowing costs on homeowners and credit card holders. It would threaten ordinary workers with joblessness while depressing stock prices. Though economists debated the causes of inflation, part of the blame clearly fell on the reality that astonishing quantities of goods were stuck floating off ports.

By early 2023, the worst disruptions of the pandemic years had subsided. The floating traffic jams had all but disappeared, shipping rates had plunged and product shortages had eased. Yet the same foundational perils remained, awaiting an inevitable future disturbance.

The global economy has entered a new era of enduring volatility. As climate change alters the natural realm, the global supply chain will be subject to new rules and a constant reassessment of risks. Russia’s assault on Ukraine has enhanced the prospect of the world’s splintering into rival camps, complicating the geography of international trade. China and the United States appear locked in a cold war whose consequences are playing out around the globe, reshaping alliances, trade pacts and fundamental understandings about the nature of international engagement.

To meet the challenge of the next disturbance, which we can be certain is coming, we need to grapple with how we got here. We need to understand how the supply chain became so complex, extended and centered on a single country. And we must reconfigure the supply chain to safeguard society through greater resilience.

The globalization to which we have become accustomed was propelled by an especially intoxicating form of efficiency, a concept known as Just in Time, or lean manufacturing.

But the shortages of the pandemic have prompted some companies to recalibrate, building up inventories as they pivot from Just in Time to Just in Case.

As the United States and China treat each other like rival powers, multinational companies have shifted some factory production to other countries like Vietnam. American businesses are setting up factories in Mexico and Central America to retain low-cost manufacturing without having to contend with the vagaries of the Pacific Ocean. And some companies are embracing so-called reshoring, bringing factory production back to the United States.

At the end of the harrowing journey of the past four years lies one singular truth: Humanity has come to depend on a disorganized and rickety global supply chain for access to the products of our age, from lifesaving drugs and computer chips to toys and games. The system relies on myriad forms of labor exploitation, which has made it perpetually vulnerable to breakdown. And it has been constructed as a means of rewarding the investor class, often at the expense of reliability.

The Great Supply Chain Disruption is not some curious piece of recent history. It is a preview of the dysfunction that surely lies ahead if we fail to get the machine in order.

Peter S. Goodman is a reporter who covers the global economy. He writes about the intersection of economics and geopolitics, with particular emphasis on the consequences for people and their lives and livelihoods. More about Peter S. Goodman

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According to the DOT's consumer dashboard , if Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue or United cancel a flight for controllable reasons, they're committed to:

• rebooking passengers on the same airline or a partner airline, at no extra cost
• providing a meal or cash or voucher for a meal when the cancellation results in a passenger waiting at least 3 hours for a new flight
• providing complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight cancellation 
• providing complimentary ground transportation to and from a hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight cancellation

Alaska and JetBlue passengers are also eligible for additional compensation.

Allegiant, Frontier, Southwest and Spirit do not book passengers on partner airlines. Additionally, Frontier does not offer hotel accommodations and related transport.

Cruising Altitude: Progress is not coming fast enough for disabled travelers

What happens if a flight is delayed?

"There are no federal laws requiring airlines to provide passengers with money or other compensation when their flights are delayed," according to the Department of Transportation.

However, U.S. carriers have committed to various levels of compensation for significant delays within their control. Each airline, however, defines significant delays differently.

If a flight is significantly delayed for reasons within their control, Alaska, American, Delta, Jet Blue and United offer:

• providing a meal or cash or voucher for a meal when the delay results in a passenger waiting for at least 3 hours for departure
• providing complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight delay
• providing complimentary ground transportation to and from a hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight delay

Alaska and JetBlue also offer extra compensation when the flight is delayed by 3 or more hours.

Allegiant, Frontier, Hawaiian, Southwest and Spirit do not rebook travelers on partner airlines. Frontier doesn't offer hotel accommodations or related transport either.

USA TODAY broke it down by airline: If your flight is delayed, you may be eligible for compensation from your airline

What should I do if my flight is delayed?

If your flight is experiencing a long delay, the DOT suggests asking airline staff if they will pay for meals or a hotel room.

The DOT dashboard reflects airlines' official policies, but many carriers handle compensation for delays on a case-by-case basis and may provide vouchers or other benefits in some situations that are not formally covered.

For example, according to Delta's Customer Commitment , "Delta representatives are empowered with the flexibility and discretion to issue the following forms of compensation for passenger inconvenience when individual circumstances warrant doing so: cash equivalents (e.g., gift cards), travel credits/vouchers, and/or miles for SkyMiles members."

Travel insurance can also help with cancellations and delays. Some credit card companies will also reimburse cardholders for expenses related to travel disruptions, when travel is booked on their cards.

My flight was canceled: How I got most of my costs covered (after 3 months)

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Trains Disrupted in Russia's Samara Region After Blast Rocks Rail Bridge

Trains Disrupted in Russia's Samara Region After Blast Rocks Rail Bridge

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia's state railway company said on Monday it had been forced to cancel and re-route some trains in the Samara region after an explosion at a rail bridge, which Ukrainian military intelligence claimed was used by trains carrying ammunition.

An explosion rocked the bridge, which spans the River Chapayevka near the Russian city of Samara, around 530 miles (850 km) southeast of Moscow, early on Monday morning, Russian news agencies reported, citing emergency services.

Located on the Volga river, the Samara region is one of Russia's heavy industry hubs.

Ukrainian military intelligence issued a statement in which it "confirmed" but did not take responsibility for the blast. It said the rail line was used by Russia to transport military cargo, including ammunition made at a factory nearby.

It forecast the bridge would be out of use for some time.

Reuters could not confirm the Ukrainian assertion. Russia regards the location of its military factories as a state secret. Russia and Ukraine have targeted each other's infrastructure in the course of the two-year war that Moscow calls a "special military operation".

Traffic over the bridge was suspended due to what local rail authorities called "illegal interference." One image posted on social media and verified by Reuters showed some damage to the metal structure of the bridge on one side but the concrete support appeared intact.

Local media in Samara said sappers and Russia's National Guard were on the scene. Unverified images posted on social media showed what looked like at least one homemade bomb on the scene which had not gone off.

Nobody was reported to have been hurt in the incident.

(Reporting by Reuters Moscow buroAdditional reporting by Dan Peleschuk in Kyiv, Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Sharon Singleton)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

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Exploring the Charms of Samara Oblast: A Comprehensive Travel Guide

Samara Oblast, a region nestled in the heart of Russia, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by travelers seeking a unique blend of culture, nature, and history. Encompassing picturesque landscapes, vibrant cities, and a rich cultural heritage, Samara Oblast offers an array of experiences for all types of adventurers. In this comprehensive travel guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Samara Oblast, including the best time to visit, must-see places, exciting activities, transportation options, dining experiences, accommodation choices, famous street markets, and essential travel tips to make your journey truly unforgettable.

About Samara Oblast: Geography: Samara Oblast is located in the southeastern part of European Russia. It boasts diverse landscapes, including the Volga River, dense forests, rolling hills, and vast steppes.

Culture: The region’s culture is a fusion of Russian traditions and the heritage of the many ethnic groups residing there. Samara is known for its distinct folklore, music, and festivals.

Best Time to Visit Samara Oblast: Summer (June to August): Summer is the ideal time to visit Samara Oblast. The weather is warm, nature is in full bloom, and outdoor activities are at their peak.

Spring (May and early June) and Autumn (September): Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather, making it an excellent time to explore the region with fewer crowds.

Winter (December to February): Winter in Samara Oblast is perfect for those who enjoy snow activities like skiing and ice skating. The snow-covered landscapes are enchanting.

Places to Visit in Samara Oblast: Samara: The city of Samara, the regional capital, is known for its vibrant cultural scene. Don’t miss the Samara Art Museum, the beautiful embankment along the Volga River, and the historic center.

Zhigulevsk: This charming town is famous for its namesake Zhigulev beer. Visit the Zhigulevskye Hills and explore the local brewery to learn about the beer-making process.

Tolyatti: Tolyatti is one of Russia’s major industrial cities and offers a glimpse into modern urban life. Explore the city’s parks and the impressive Tolyatti Avtovaz automobile factory.

Volga River: The Volga River, one of Russia’s most famous waterways, flows through Samara Oblast. Enjoy a river cruise to appreciate the scenic beauty and historical sites along its banks.

Things to Do in Samara Oblast: Outdoor Adventures: Explore the region’s diverse natural landscapes through activities like hiking, camping, fishing, and birdwatching.

Cultural Festivals: Samara Oblast hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, celebrating music, dance, and local traditions. Check the event calendar to plan your visit accordingly.

Volga River Activities: Enjoy boat tours, fishing, and water sports on the Volga River, a central part of Samara Oblast’s identity.

Hot Air Ballooning: Get a unique perspective of the region’s landscapes by taking a hot air balloon ride, offering breathtaking views.

How to Get Around Samara Oblast: Domestic Flights: Samara’s Kurumoch International Airport connects the region to other Russian cities. Domestic flights are the most efficient way to travel.

Trains and Buses: Samara Oblast is well-connected by train and bus networks, making it easy to travel to cities and towns within the region.

Rental Cars: Renting a car is a convenient option for exploring Samara Oblast, especially if you plan to visit remote areas. Ensure you have the necessary documentation and insurance.

Local Transport: Cities like Samara and Tolyatti have public transportation systems, including trams, buses, and trolleybuses, making it easy to get around.

Where to Eat in Samara Oblast: Russian Cuisine: Sample traditional Russian dishes like borscht, pelmeni, and shashlik at local restaurants.

Local Specialties: Try regional dishes such as Samara-style kholodets (jellied meat) and the famous “Zhigulevskoe” beer.

International Cuisine: Samara Oblast also offers a variety of international cuisine, including Italian, Chinese, and European restaurants.

Famous Street Stalls in Samara Oblast: While street food culture may not be as prevalent in Samara Oblast as in larger cities, you can find local stalls offering traditional Russian and street food snacks in some areas.

Where to Stay in Samara Oblast: Hotels: Samara Oblast offers a range of hotels, from luxury to budget-friendly. Some popular options include the Renaissance Samara Hotel and the Hotel Ibis Samara.

Guesthouses and Homestays: For a more immersive and personal experience, consider staying in guesthouses or homestays in smaller towns and villages.

Camping and Eco-Lodges: If you prefer a more adventurous and nature-focused experience, consider camping or staying in eco-lodges near national parks and outdoor destinations.

Travel Tips for Samara Oblast: Visa Requirements: Ensure you have the necessary visa to enter Russia. Visa regulations can be strict, so check well in advance of your trip.

Language Barrier: English may not be widely spoken, so it’s helpful to learn some basic Russian phrases or have a translation app handy.

Weather Preparation: Depending on the season of your visit, pack accordingly. Winters can be very cold, so bring warm clothing.

Respect Local Customs: Russian culture values politeness and respect. Be courteous to the locals and follow cultural norms.

Wildlife Awareness: When exploring nature, be aware of the local wildlife, including bears. Take precautions and follow local advice to ensure your safety.

Conclusion: Samara Oblast, with its diverse landscapes, rich culture, and unique experiences, promises an unforgettable journey for travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure in Russia. Whether you’re captivated by the natural beauty, cultural festivals, or outdoor activities, Samara Oblast has something for every type of traveler. By following the travel tips provided in this guide, you can make the most of your visit to this enchanting region, whether you come in the summer, winter, or any other season. Samara Oblast is a destination where lasting memories are waiting to be created.

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Explosion at Railway Bridge in Samara Oblast Disrupts Traffic

R ecent reports have surfaced about the disruption of railway services following the destruction of a bridge over the Chapayevka River in Samara Oblast, Russia. Ukraine’s military intelligence service confirmed on March 4 the collapse of the bridge, although no party has assumed responsibility for the explosion at present.

According to HUR, the destroyed bridge and its surrounding railway network were pivotal routes for Russia’s military supplies, including the transportation of explosives from JSC Polimer based in Chapayevsk. The military intelligence source mentions the strategic importance of the railway for military logistics support.

Russian Telegram channels relayed the initial news of the bridge collapse, accompanied by images corroborating the event. Military intelligence sources indicate that the bridge suffered significant damage around 6 a.m., implicating severe disruptions to its use in military operations.

The nature of the damage is said to render the bridge inoperable for an extended period, as relayed by the intelligence agency on Telegram.

This marks yet another incident within a series of disruptions in Russia’s logistic pathways in recent times.

In late January, there were reports of sabotage initiated by guerrillas that resulted in the destruction of relay cabinets on railroads and other logistic facilities across three Russian regions, actions claimed by the military intelligence to hinder Russian military support routes.

Q: What happened in Samara Oblast?

A: A railway bridge over the Chapayevka River in Russia’s Samara Oblast was blown up, causing significant interruption in railway traffic.

Q: Who is responsible for blowing up the railway bridge?

A: Currently, no party has claimed responsibility for the explosion.

Q: What is the significance of the damaged bridge?

A: The bridge was a key route used by Russia to transport military equipment and supplies.

Q: Will the bridge be operational soon?

A: It is reported that the bridge has sustained extensive damage and will be out of commission for a considerable amount of time.

Conclusion:

The destruction of the railway bridge in Russia’s Samara Oblast signifies a substantial setback in Russia’s military logistics, particularly in transporting essential military cargo. With ongoing tensions and conflicts, such incidents underscore the fragile nature of infrastructure in war-torn regions. The bridge’s explosion, whether an act of sabotage or other causes, reflects the continuing challenges faced by Russia in its military transport and logistic operations. As the situation develops, the re-establishment of full railway functionality in the affected area remains uncertain, with potential implications for regional security dynamics.

Note: TheUBJ provides this extensive news update derived from various online sources and through AI technology. While we endeavor to deliver accurate news information, we do not claim any authorship or ownership of the articles. Please refer to the original link here https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-railway-bridge-blown-up-in-russias-samara-oblast/ for the source article.