This article from NYTimes.com has been sent to you by psa188@juno.com. Airport Problems Seem to Be on the Wane December 3, 2002 By JOE SHARKEY The so-called airport hassle factor, which airlines claim significantly cut into their revenues this year as some business travelers took fewer flights to avoid it, appears to be waning. The latest indication of the improving experience comes from Airport Interviewing and Research, a company that does passenger polls and focus group interviews for airports. In face-to-face interviews with 3,500 travelers in mid-November, the company says it found significant improvements in satisfaction scores for check-in time, courtesy and professionalism at security checkpoints, which are all now staffed by federal employees. Different Views of Green in Europe Which way does air travel in Europe go? The airline industry there is being careful to factor environmental concerns into policy positions. Last week, for example, the International Air Transport Association said it backed building new runways at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports in London because "provision of adequate air space and airport capacity is a prerequisite for achieving significant reductions in congestion, delays and greenhouse gas emissions." That's not the way the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution sees things. In a report (available at www.rcep.org.uk/avreport.html) last week, the British board called for "significant constraints on the growth of air traffic" throughout Britain and the European Union as a way to counter aircraft emissions as a factor in global warming. The board said it would recommend a "climate protection" surcharge of $54.50 on all airline tickets. Meanwhile, as fractional-ownership jet companies work to expand their business in Europe, the board also denounced the "development and promotion of business jets" as "grossly irresponsible." Travel Specials Coming This Spring Starting April 1, Northwest Airlines WorldPerks members will be able to redeem miles to fly domestically to nearly any destination within Japan on Japan Airlines. It will take 15,000 miles for a round-class economy ticket. A swanky Le Meridien hotel opens in March in Minneapolis with a six-month introductory rate of $209 for rooms, with amenities that include 42-inch plasma TV screens and entertainment systems with thousands of on-demand video and music selections. After the six-month shakedown cruise, the standard room rate goes to $349. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/03/business/03MEMO.html?ex=1039932331&ei=1&en=ef04dfb93b675df3 HOW TO ADVERTISE --------------------------------- For information on advertising in e-mail newsletters or other creative advertising opportunities with The New York Times on the Web, please contact onlinesales@nytimes.com or visit our online media kit at http://www.nytimes.com/adinfo For general information about NYTimes.com, write to help@nytimes.com. Copyright 2002 The New York Times Company