The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun installing the first of 150 additional full-body security scanners planned for U.S. airports. The screening units are already in place at 19 airports across the country, but additional deployment had been slowed by objections from privacy advocates. Officials expect that all 150 scanners will be in place by the end of June. The TSA also announced that it is now randomly roving through airports taking chemical swabs from passengers and their bags to check for explosives. The program, which was tested at five airports after a failed bomb plot on Christmas Day, is being implemented nationwide. Microwave oven-size Explosive Trace Detectors (ETDs) have been placed on carts so TSA officials can move around airport gates and checkpoint lines to randomly screen passengers’ hands and carry-on bags. In response to concerns from travelers who routinely work with chemicals and munitions, the TSA notes that screeners are aware of the many professions and hobbies that might cause people to be around accelerates and explosive materials. ETDs have been in use for years. The only new element is the mobility of the screeners.

The U.S. State Department issued public notice that it plans to increase passport fees. Revenue generated from a passport purchase not only covers the cost of issuing the document but is used to provide emergency services for American citizens overseas in crisis situations. Under the proposal, adult first-time passport books will go up to $135 while a renewal will cost $110. Fees for other documents and services will also rise. Citizens have until March 11 to file a comment on the proposal. More information and a link for comment can be found on the State Department’s Web site at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fees/fees_4734.html.

• Alaska Air Group said that it would join other airlines in offering Wi-Fi service. Once the carrier receives certification from the FAA it will begin outfitting its entire fleet starting with 737-800 aircraft. Alaska will charge passengers $4.95 and up depending on the device being used and the duration of the flight.
• All Nippon Airways of Japan announced that it would begin converting one toilet on each of its international aircraft to a female-only facility. The airline is also planning to install “washlets”, electronic toilet seats with water sprays for washing. These new offerings are the result of a recent survey in which respondents indicated that they desired such amenities.
• American Airlines announced that its regional carrier, American Eagle, will begin offering first-class service on its largest regional jets. Each Bombardier CRJ-700 jet will be equipped with nine first-class custom leather seats that feature an ergonomically contoured back and seat cushion. Complimentary dining service will be provided. First-class service will begin July 2 on flights from Dallas to Cleveland, Little Rock, Milwaukee, and Northwest Arkansas, and from Chicago to Atlanta, Houston, Minneapolis, Newark, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, and Washington’s Regan National Airport.
• Continental Airlines is expanding its paperless boarding pass service to included nonstop flights to the United States from London’s Heathrow airport. Passengers can check-in online and then have their boarding passes sent electronically to their mobile phones or personal digital assistants (PDA.)
• Qantas Airways said it will eliminate first-class cabins on most routes. The carrier will reconfigure its aircraft to create a larger business-class section.
• Republic Airways, parent company of Midwest and Frontier, said it will unveil its plan for a “unified brand” this spring. Republic officials declined to say if they would be keeping one carrier name over the other, but instead said the focus of the unification plan was to provide a more consistent product across both brands. As a step toward achieving this goal, Republic is moving Midwest’s operations at the Kansas City International airport from Terminal A to Terminal C to be closer to Frontier. The change will take place March 5.

• Detroit’s Metro Airport received top honors for customer satisfaction in a new J.D. Power and Associates survey. The airport scored the highest in the terminal facilities category including seating comfort, cleanliness, signage, and use of baggage claim. New York area airports LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International had the lowest scores among the 66 facilities ranked in the survey. Results were based on responses from more than 12,100 people who took round-trip flights in 2009.
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) broke ground on a mammoth renovation project. The Bradley West Terminal will be gutted in two phases with a new concourse to be built along with new customs and immigration facilities and security screening areas. In a different project, the airport will be installing more runway lights to improve runway safety.
• Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is renaming the Lindberg terminal to Terminal 1. Signage on the highway is scheduled to be updated on March 8. Because the airport’s two terminals are accessed via separate roadways, it is important that travelers know which terminal they need before arriving at the airport.
• New York’s JFK has now closed its main runway for repairs. As previously reported, airport officials are implementing plans designed to minimize the disruption during the four-month closure. However, travelers should be prepared for delays that could ripple across the country. Airlines servicing JFK have cut their schedules 10 to 19 percent in response to the reduced take-off and landing capacity. Fewer flights means higher fares as travelers vie for a smaller supply of seats. Airlines have also padded their schedules to compensate for the extra time needed for aircraft to take-off, land and taxi around the airport. Officials note that a four-month total shutdown was chosen over a construction schedule that would have lasted 2 to 3 years, believing it was better to inconvenience travelers for a short period rather than dragging the project out for two years or more. Once completed the improved runway is expected to reduce delays which have plagued the airport for years.
• Philadelphia International Airport opened its new extension to Terminal E. The expansion, which includes seven new gates and retail space, is part of a renovation project for both Terminals D and E. Besides the additional concourse area, the expansion includes a new D-E baggage claim building that connects the two terminals.

The U.S. government’s security mandate that requires visa-exempt foreign visitors to register electronically prior to boarding flights bound for this country became a requirement on January 20, 2010. Dubbed ESTA, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization collects the data that previously had been obtained on the old paper I-94W form that travelers completed en route to the United States. To aid in the transition, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection granted a 60-day grace period that is set to expire on March 20. Statistics show that six percent of all travelers who should be using ESTA are not. Millions of foreign travelers visit the United States each year. Thus a six percent non-compliance rate translates into a large number of travelers who may be denied boarding when the ESTA grace period expires. ESTA registration only takes a few minutes, is available in multiple languages and is typically valid for up to two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Visit www.cbp.gov/esta for more information or to complete the ESTA registration process.

Avis Car Rental entered into a new partnership with French automaker Renault that will allow it to offer electric vehicles as part of their green fleet. Starting in 2011, Renault will progressively introduce four electric vehicles that will be available to Avis renters. Avis officials note that their green fleet is becoming a more integral part of their offerings as consumers are more aware of climate issues and want products that can make a difference.