And other travel news you may have missed.
This week in travel, we’ve uncovered several stories that might have flown under your radar. Among them: An Irish restaurant charges the Ryanair CEO for “priority seating”; a United pilot forgets his passport; and Japan prepares for a volcanic eruption.
Dive into these and more as we examine the latest in travel news.
NO.1
JAPAN ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR MOUNT FUJI ERUPTION
The sacred Mount Fuji near Tokyo is an active volcano, and Japan has recently announced guidelines in case it erupts. Officials recommend maintaining two weeks’ worth of essentials and staying at home or in shelters. A large-scale eruption could darken the skies, disrupt power supplies, and halt traffic and trains. The economic loss could reach as much as $16.6 billion.
There are no immediate warnings of an eruption, but the possibility always exists. At a press conference, Professor Toshitsugu Fujii from the University of Tokyo said, “We have been discussing countermeasures in light of the possibility that a large-scale, explosive eruption, similar to the Hoei eruption about 300 years ago, could cause widespread volcanic ashfall across a broad area, including the capital region, resulting in severe impacts.”
In other news, climbing Mount Fuji will cost more this year. The mountain will be limited to 4,000 visitors per day, and climbers must apply for an online slot and pay 4,000 yen ($27) for a permit. Last year, the fee was half the price when the tourist tax was introduced. Another new rule is that the mountain will be closed to those not staying in a hut from 2 p.m. to 3 a.m. to curb one-day climbers.
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NO.2
PLANE TURNS AROUND AFTER PILOT FORGETS PASSPORT
In an embarrassing incident, a United Airlines plane had to return to the U.S. after the pilot discovered he had forgotten his passport two hours after takeoff. The flight was bound for Shanghai, China, with 257 passengers and 13 crew members on board. The plane was redirected to San Francisco, and the airline arranged for a new crew. Passengers were compensated with meal vouchers. Apart from causing disruptions for travelers on the outbound flight, the returning flight was also delayed by about six hours.
NO.3
RESTAURANT CHARGES RYANAIR CEO FOR ‘PRIORITY SEATING’
An Irish restaurant jokingly charged the top boss of budget airline Ryanair extra for legroom and priority booth seating. A restaurant called Luvida in County Meath posted two pictures on Facebook: one of the bill and one of the staff posing with airline CEO Michael O’Leary. The invoice included charges for Extra Leg Space (€7.95), Priority Booth Seating (€9.95), and Quiet Area Reservation (€19.95) on top of his food and drinks.
Restaurant management confirmed it was a joke, and the airline executive didn’t pay the extra €37.85 for his meal. However, he did leave a generous tip. The Dublin-based carrier is notorious for its extra charges and bare-bones tickets. It also routinely comes under scrutiny for arbitrarily implementing baggage fees at the gate.
Related: Ryanair Charged Passenger $62 for Carrying Water Bottle; Says It Counts as ‘Second Bag’
NO.4
EARTHQUAKE DEVASTATES THAILAND AND MYANMAR
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake shook Myanmar and Thailand last Friday. At least 2,000 people have died in Myanmar, and rescue operations are ongoing. The epicenter was near Mandalay in central Myanmar, just 6.2 miles below the surface, so the impact was severe. Aftershocks have continued, including a strong 5.1 tremor on Sunday, causing several buildings to collapse. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that hospitals are completely overwhelmed. However, the full scale of destruction in the war-torn country remains unclear. The military junta continued bombing the country even after the earthquake.
In Bangkok, the death toll has reached 18, with 33 injured. An unfinished 30-story skyscraper collapsed in the capital, trapping 76 workers in the rubble. A terrifying video circulated on social media showed pool water from a skyscraper in Bangkok splashing down as the building swayed.
NO.5
TOURIST NABS SUSPECT WHO STABBED MULTIPLE IN AMSTERDAM
Tragedy struck Amsterdam when a man armed with a knife stabbed five people in the busy Dam Square. The suspect was overpowered by a tourist who restrained him until police arrived. The mayor has hailed the tourist as a hero, awarding him a hero’s badge to honor his actions. The British tourist, however, did not seek attention and expressed concern for the survivors.
The survivors of the attack are stable, and the suspect has been arrested. The motive for the attack remains unclear.
