Plus, four more travel news stories you might have missed.
This week in travel, we’ve uncovered five stories that might have flown under your radar. Among them: The United Kingdom issues a travel warning for Thailand; an American Airlines flight from Texas returned to its point of departure after nine hours without explanation; and a tourist visiting a private farm threw a chicken into an alligator enclosure.
Dive into these and more as we explore the week’s most intriguing travel news.
NO.1
FINLAND ZOO IS RETURNING PANDAS TO CHINA
A private Finnish zoo is sending giant pandas back to China due to inflation and maintenance costs. Pyry and Lumi have been in Finland since 2018 and were expected to stay for 15 years, but the two pandas will soon be placed in isolation before returning home, Ähtäri Zoo announced.
The zoo had hoped to attract more visitors with the two new residents but has accrued debts following the pandemic. The zoo invested €8 million ($8.9 million) in the facility and then spent €1.5 million ($1.67 million) annually on their upkeep. The Finnish government refused funding, and the zoo negotiated the return with China after friendly consultations. China owns most of the iconic black-and-white animals globally and uses them for diplomatic purposes.
NO.2
UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT AVOIDS MID-AIR COLLISION
Pilots of a United Airlines flight avoided a potential mid-air collision this month. The flight from Newark to San Francisco was landing when pilots responded to another aircraft at a lower altitude and abruptly slowed their descent. They were alerted to the aircraft and avoided a potential mid-air collision, now under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.
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Two passengers reported injuries and were taken to the hospital. United stated that the seatbelt sign was on during the incident, but one injured passenger was out of their seat.
NO.3
TOURIST PLEADS GUILTY TO THROWING A CHICKEN INTO AN ALLIGATOR POND
In a bizarre and cruel incident, a man visiting Oakvale Farm and Fauna World in New South Wales, Australia, threw a chicken into a pond with alligators.
Peter Smith reached over to steal the chicken named Betty White and hid it under his shirt before tossing it into the alligator pond. The reptiles quickly made their way to the chicken and killed it instantly, shocking other guests who reported him to the authorities. He later told the police that he wanted to feed the alligators and had good intentions.
Smith faces a trial and, if found guilty, could spend up to two years in prison for aggravated animal cruelty.
NO.4
AMERICAN AIRLINES TURNS AROUND AFTER FIVE HOURS WITHOUT EXPLANATION
American Airlines left its passengers befuddled when it turned around mid-flight without explanation and landed where it began its journey.
The flight was en route to Seoul, South Korea, from Dallas but turned around after five hours. It was back in Texas after nine hours of flying to nowhere.
According to The New York Post, the pilot briefly mentioned that the bathroom wasn’t working. The airline explained that the flight returned due to a maintenance issue. “We never want to disrupt our customers’ travel plans, and we apologize for the inconvenience.”
NO.5
U.K. FOREIGN OFFICE WARNS AGAINST TRAVEL TO THAILAND
Thailand is currently experiencing severe flooding, and the U.K. Foreign Office updated its travel advice last week to inform people about the situation in the northern part of the country. “Local authorities have issued warnings related to areas near the Ping River, including in central Chiang Mai. Remain vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities.”
Earlier this September, super typhoon Yagi tore through China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, killing hundreds of people and destroying homes and bridges. Communities are still reeling from its effects, and if you’re visiting Chiang Mai in the coming days, be sure to check local reports for floods.
The U.K. additionally warns against all but essential travel to Thailand’s southern provinces that border Malaysia due to the potential for terrorist attacks. The advisory states, “Martial law is in place in most areas in these provinces, which means security forces have greater security enforcement and investigative powers.”
The Foreign Office further warns that “terrorist attacks could take place anywhere in Thailand. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.”
The United States lists Thailand at a Level 1, its lowest level, though similarly advises against travel to the four southern provinces that border Malaysia due to civil unrest.
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