Yes, we admit it, we’re one day late with our weekly airport round-up. So without further ado, let’s get right into it: This week, dozens of airport construction projects across the USA have been put on hold as the government failed to pass legislation to keep the Federal Aviation Administration running, wrote Passenger Terminal Today. According to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the FAA’s operating authority expired, forcing a partial shutdown of the agency. This has meant dozens of stop-work orders were issued last weekend on projects throughout the country.

Then there were good and bad news coming from airlines this week: good news was the JetBlue announcement of their new “all you can fly offer” out of Boston (IATA: BOS) and Long Beach, California (IATA: LGB). Bloomberg wrote that the so-called BluePass covers trips [from the two airports] to certain markets from Aug. 22 through Nov. 22 with no blackout dates. Prices range from $1,299 to $1,999 for three service options based on origination and destination airports.

Bad news came for Continental passengers flying out of Newark, New Jersey (IATA: EWR) when CBS News reported that the airline canceled 24 flights on Wednesday, most of them out of Newark Liberty International Airport, after too many pilots called in sick.

And finally, the slightly odd news of the week or should we say, smelly news? USA Today reported that a United Airlines jetliner carrying 135 passengers from Washington Dulles Airport (IATA: IAD) to Cancun, a Mexican beach resort made an unplanned landing in Cuba on Sunday after a strange odor was detected on board. And no, apparently it wasn’t the smell of an unfamiliar perfume of a fellow traveller. Oh and the old “cold war” between the US and Cuba didn’t play a role here either as the news report concluded that there are frequent charter flights back and forth between the two countries and a terminal in Havana (IATA: HAV) is dedicated to receiving planes from the United States

Have a great, nice smelling and delay-free new week everyone! And a happy Swiss National day today 🙂

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