New amenities at Richmond International Airport

Travelers using Richmond International Airport can expect to see a number of new food, beverage, and gift shop stores.

Near the start of 2006, Applebees, Caribou Coffee, and Cheeburger Cheeburger are expected to open stores at the Virginia capital's airport.

The proposed 10-year concessions contract was approved yesterday by the Capital Region Airport Commission. The contract will also bring new management to the airport's stores.

Last year nearly 2.5 million travelers passed through the airport and bought around $6.5 million worth of food, beverages, and news and gift shop items at Richmond International.

Seven major carriers serve Richmond International with non-stop flights to 21 destinations and connecting flights to destinations around the world.

Frontier to serve Dayton

Discount carrier Frontier Airlines will begin direct-light service between Dayton, Ohio and its hub in Denver, Colorado tonight.

Previously, the closest Frontier came to Dayton was Gary, Indiana and Akron, Ohio Now travelers can fly to Dayton from Denver in three hours non-stop.

The airline is promoting the new route with a $99 one-way introductory airfare, though reservations should be booked early in order to obtain the discount.

Delta adds Atlanta-Barbados route

Delta Airlines has announced the launch of a new route from its hub at Atlanta's Hartsfield Jackson International Airport.

Starting December 8, 2005 travelers will have the option of a direct flight on Delta from Atlanta to Barbados' Grantley Adams International Airport.

The four-hour trip will fly both ways three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

AeroMexico offers package deals from Miami

AeroMexico, Mexico's largest airline, has announced it is offering discount airfares on flights between Miami, Florida and two of Mexico's most popular tourist destinations, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco.

Through its AeroMexico Vacations program, the airline is offering package deals that include roundtrip airfares, hotel, meals, drinks, and entertainment.

Travelers who book for more than three nights can expect more benefits, such as a free car rental.

Three-night vacation packages for Acapulco start at $499 for each person, while rates for the more distant Puerto Vallarta start at $615. At least two people must book together to obtain the deal.

Boeing aims to reduce fuel costs

Rising fuel prices have caused airlines across the country to raise airfares, but a solution may be on the horizon from Boeing.

The jet maker has created an electric motor in the nose of the airplane. It would be used for taxiing the plane to the runway and gate instead of using the engines, which use up a large amount of fuel.

Preliminary test have been positive and now it is just a matter of the airlines saying they want it on jets that they purchase. However, in the current market it's highly likely that most airlines will scramble to put the fuel saving device on their planes.

Bill McCoskey, the lead engineer on the project said: "Up to 44 per cent of an airline's total operating costs are incurred on the ground, not in flight."

In addition, the device is environmentally friendly, another aspect that should encourage airlines to adopt the new technology.

Mexicana and JAL enter code-sharing agreement

The Mexican and Japanese airline network just got bigger and cheaper.

Mexicana Airlines, Mexico's second largest carrier, and JAL, Asia's largest carrier, have just reached a code-share agreement based on connections in Los Angeles, a major hub for both airlines.

The agreement will expand JAL's Mexican network to four cities and will give Mexicana access to Tokyo and Osaka.

Hurricane Katrina cancels some Continental flights

With heavy winds and rains devastating the South-east American coast, Continental Airlines has been forced to cancel some of its flights to the region.

Starting today, all flights to and from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Mobile, Gulfport/Biloxi, Pensacola, and Fort Walton Beach have been cancelled.

Passengers with journeys involving any of these airports or those in the affected areas are advised to check with Continental regarding the status of their flight.

United adds two San Antonio flights

Chicago-based United Airlines has announced that two new flights will be added to its service at San Antonio International Airport.

Starting on October 31 of this year, there will be one more direct flight to and from both Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.

Currently United offers three direct flights every day to both cities, along with numerous others that require a transfer in Chicago or Denver.

Las Vegas, more tempting than ever

It is America's playground, and gambling is now bigger business than baseball. Las Vegas' growth is incomparable, as is the city itself.

Discount carrier Southwest Airlines was one of the first airlines to offer airfares to the city that were as cheap as $75 round-trip. Many airlines have followed Southwest's success, and today discount airline Allegiant Air has increased its presence for the lucrative route.

Allegiant Air, with its main hub in Las Vegas, could be the best discount option for getting to Sin City. Allegiant connects the city to a number of smaller market Midwestern airports.

Today it has added flights to its existing Las Vegas South Bend, Indiana route. South Bend is only ninety miles from Chicago, meaning that the new flights could make Las Vegas more accessible than ever for Americans living in rural Midwest.

Fly AA to Costa Rica for Independence Day

American Airlines is currently offering discount airfares to Costa Rica in time for the Independence Day.

The Central American nation comes alive on September 15 every year, with events, processions and fiestas lighting up towns and cities across Costa Rica.

Most travelers head to Costa Rica for the beaches and all resorts will be hosting wild parties and celebrations into the early hours to celebrate the nation's independence from Spain, won in 1821.

However, the capital, San José, is where the real action is, with the arrival of the Freedom Torch, carried by a relay team of runners all the way from neighboring Guatemala, sparking an evening of festivities.

The torch arrives in the centre of San José at 6pm, when tens of thousands will throng the city's crowded streets to join hands and sing the national anthem.