North America

In Duay v. Continental Airlines, Inc. (S.D. Tex. Dec. 21, 2010) the plaintiff, a Swiss citizen, when arriving in Texas on a Continental flight from Switzerland on December 2, 2007 discovered that his custom-fitted wheelchair had been damaged. He was provided with a replacement wheelchair which he claims did not fit his body properly and caused him skin irritation. On December 17, 2007, after having returned to Switzerland, the plaintiff attended a doctor’s appointment.

Rep. Congressman Mike Thompson, D-California, announced to introduce an "Air Passenger Bill of Rights of 2011" which would require all airlines to provide water, food, working toilets, ventilation and the option for passengers to deplane if there is an extended delay. The bill would not be limited to domestic flights but also apply to all carriers flying in or out of the country, including non-U.S.-based airlines. This is the third time Thompson has introduced this legislation. The previous two bills failed to get off the ground.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) sued the federal government over the body scanner images taken at security checkpoints in airports. The center wanted the government to release images which were created to give officials at the Transportation Security Administration an idea of the effectiveness of its detection technology. The center thus wanted to determine how the technology would impact privacy and civil liberty concerns.

The Obama administration last Friday eased restrictions on travel to Cuba. The changes allow Americans to travel to Cuba by academic, religious and cultural groups and also allow charter flights from more American airports. Moreover, the new measures permit Americans to send money to Cuban citizens. However, the embargo against the communist government will remain.

Source: The New York Times; find article here>>.