Cheap fares luring travelers to fly despite pandemic
Airlines are seeing bookings plummet and cancellations soar as fear of infection causes many Americans to avoid flying. That’s leading to drastically reduced ticket prices.
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United Airlines to cut capacity by 50%, warns cuts could last until summer
United said Sunday night it expects planes to be only 20% to 30% full at best, down from nearly 90% before the virus hit. The airline said the cuts could extend into the peak summer travel season.
Virus screenings jam US airports; ‘atrocious,’ a flyer says
The dense crowds Saturday at some of the 13 airports where travelers from Europe are being funneled—among the busiest across the country—formed even as public health officials called for “social distancing” to stem the spread of the pandemic.
Holcomb suspends commercial driver rule, acts to help low-income Hoosiers keep services
Holcomb signed an executive order meant to speed up deliveries to retailers, which are running short of supplies, by lifting regulations on the number of hours that commercial drivers can work.
Indiana House kills bill that would have jeopardized IndyGo funding
After the Indiana Senate passed a compromise on the IndyGo funding feud Wednesday night, the Indiana House killed the measure by not voting on it before adjourning for the year.
UPDATE: Trump suspends travel between U.S., Europe for 30 days
President Donald Trump said he is suspending all travel between the United States and Europe beginning Friday as he seeks to combat the viral pandemic. The move was one of several executive actions he announced to the nation Wednesday night.
Distracted driving legislation approved by both chambers, heads to Holcomb
Legislation that bans drivers from holding or using cell phones while operating a motor vehicle passed the Indiana House and Senate on Tuesday and awaits Gov. Eric Holcomb’s signature.
Airlines slash flights, freeze hiring as virus cuts travel
Delta, the world’s biggest airline, said it will cut international flights by 20% to 25% and reduce U.S. flying by 10% to 15%, roughly matching cuts previously announced by United Airlines.
City considers building $72M road in Decatur Township
The city of Indianapolis is looking at whether it can secure $72 million in funding for a long-planned Decatur Township road project that supporters say would spark economic activity along one of the county’s least-developed corridors.
Indianapolis schools cancel bus routes after drivers call in sick
Indianapolis Public Schools said schools remained open, but students who are unable to get to them because of no buses would not be marked absent.
Former Celadon affiliate 19th Capital to close, terminate 199 workers
The Indianapolis-based asset financing and fleet management company notified state officials this week that it will permanently close its operations late next month, eliminating all of its employees.
Indianapolis Yellow Cab acquired by zTrip, ending seven-decade run
zTrip, a five-year-old company based in Kansas City, has been buying taxi businesses at a fast clip, and now has more than 5,000 cabs in 21 cities.
Indiana Senate passes ban on holding cell phones while driving
House Bill 1070, authored by Rep. Holli Sullivan, R-Evansville, would prohibit individuals from using a mobile device while driving unless using hands-free or voice-operated technology.
Q&A with Pete Bitar, creator of a personal flying machine
Bitar is a finalist for the GoFly Prize, a $2 million competition in Mountain View, California, sponsored by Boeing for creating an aircraft that can carry a 200-pound person 20 miles without refueling or recharging.
Airlines foresee first global traffic drop since 2003
The airline industry expects the first annual decline in global passenger demand in 17 years, after tallying up the initial impact of the thousands of flights canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak in China.
Indiana panel backs ban on drivers using handheld phones
A state Senate committee voted 8-1 Tuesday to endorse the bill that only permits cellphone use with hands-free or voice-operated technology, except in emergencies.
Celadon alleges North Carolina company is holding its vehicles for ‘ransom’
The trucking firm won a temporary restraining order against the repo company on Thursday.
Lilly Endowment to fund study of reconstruction options for inner loop
The $475,000 grant will fund a study of reconstruction options for the inner loop except for the north split, the first phase of the project, which has already begun. The Indy Chamber Foundation said the study will “inform implementation efforts” in the year 2030 and beyond.
Switch in IPS bus providers to cost jobs of drivers, attendants
Indianapolis Public Schools will part ways with its current student transportation provider in June to work with a new contractor in a move affecting more than 500 drivers and attendants.
Indianapolis Cultural Trail announces $30 million expansion
The expansion will add two miles to the trail’s existing eight-mile network. It’s the first expansion since the trail opened in 2013.