COMING AND GOING

Kenya: Should You Go?

SECURITY WATCH

Kenya: Should You Go?

Contested presidential elections have fomented violence, demonstrations and looting in Kenya , but different sources offer different impressions about how much the problem affects travelers.

The U.S. State Department, as of press time, continued to say that U.S. citizens should " strongly consider the risks" of travel there and warned that travelers "can expect airport closures; a large police presence; food shortages; cash shortages at banks and ATMs; sporadic telephone, cellphone and Internet service; and possible news blackouts." The announcement comes after earlier warnings about terrorist threats and increasing incidents of violent crime.

The Kenya Tourist Board , however, paints a brighter picture and says some information given by U.S. sources is outdated. International and domestic flights are operating normally, it reports, and main thoroughfares to and from the airport are open. No "tourism incidents" have been reported, fuel and food supplies have been replenished, and banks and shops have reopened. Problems in Nairobi and Mombasa have been quelled and, in any case, "took place in areas not normally visited by tourists." U.S. tour operators, according to the board, "co ntinue to operate normally, and normal booking terms and conditions apply"-- meaning penalties for canceling remain in effect.

If you've got a trip in the works and wish to cancel or postpone , ask your tour operator whether you can do so without penalty. One major tour operator, African Travel, issued a statement saying that although "the company does not feel it is necessary to cancel any tours" and "game lodges and resorts have not been impacted," it is allowing clients to cancel this month. The company is not accepting new bookings to Kenya "until we are confident that everything has returned to normal."

Bottom line: CoGo would try to postpone travel to Kenya. Faced with a large loss of cash, however, we would monitor the situation; if it continues to improve, CoGo would probably feel the risk was within a reasonable comfort zone. For updates: U.S. Department of State, http://www.travel.state.gov; Kenya Tourist Board, 866-44-KENYA, http://www.magicalkenya.com; African Travel, http://www.africantravelinc.com.

UPRIGHT AND LOCKED

Strikes Are in the Air

The first of three strikes planned at seven airports in the United Kingdom has been averted, according to airport operator BAA.

Union leaders had announced that workers at the BAA-owned airports, including London's Heathrow and Gatwick, would stop work for 24 hours on Jan. 7 and 14, and again for 48 hours beginning Jan. 17, in a dispute concerning the company's pension plan. Tomorrow's action was called off after a "productive discussion," according to a BAA statement. Whether the union carries out its threats of strikes next week depends on negotiations, which were to resume Friday. The other five airports at risk of work stoppages: Stansted, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton. Updates at http://www.baa.com.

Meanwhile, Qantas engineers are threatening to walk off the job Wednesday over a pay dispute, in a strike that would severely disrupt flights. An airline spokesman said info will be available at http://www.qantas.com if negotiations fail to avert the action.

WEB WORLD

Speedier SideStepping

Consumers who use the travel aggregator site SideStep.com should notice in coming weeks that their searches for flights, hotels and other travel services are faster. That's the first change consumers will see after the $198 million purchase of SideStep by Kayak.com , which already claimed to be the world's largest travel search engine. Both companies will keep their names and their current looks but by early spring will be sharing information, so that consumers will find more comprehensive results, particularly about overseas options. Each site already shows flights on all major U.S. airlines. When it comes to small overseas carriers or small hotels, however, each site has unique listings that soon will be shared.

TRAVEL TICKER

If you're stuck for more than three hours on a plane sitting on the tarmac in New York s tate, your airline must provide "adequate" food, water and refreshments; fresh air and lights; and waste removal services. The new "passenger bill of rights" took effect last week . . . Lithium batteries may no longer be in checked baggage unless they are installed in electronic devices, under new FAA rules. The batteries can be carried on board if installed in devices or if contained in plastic bags or their original packaging, a precaution intended to prevent short-circuiting and fires. . . . New high- speed rail service has reduced the travel time between Madrid and Segovia from two hours to 30 minutes, and from Madrid to Malaga from four to 2 1/2 hours. Buy tickets at http://www.renfe.es (instructions for choosing English are at the bottom of the page, in Spanish); in coming days, info also should be available at http://www.raileurope.com.

BARGAIN OF THE WEEK

United is holding a New Year sale to destinations around the globe. For example, nonstop flights from Washington Dulles to Aruba start at $336, including $87 taxes; fare typically starts at more than $700. For domestic air, travel Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday through March 6; for international destinations, complete travel by March 13 or 14, depending on the city. Other restrictions, including blackout dates, vary by destination. Purchase by Jan. 10. Info: 800-864-8331, www.united.com.

Reporting: Cindy Loose

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