“He’s in here, in the kitchen every night and he’s smiling. He’s so happy to be doing this,” explains one of the managers of Café Carmellini. He is chef Andrew Carmellini, well known around New York the past 15 years for his respected but more casual restaurants Locanda Verde, Lafayette, The Dutch, Carne Mare and Bar Primi. This restaurant, which opened November 1st in the new Fifth Avenue Hotel, marks his return to fine dining with reinterpretations of French and Italian classics and as his most personal restaurant is the first one that bears his name. It’s been packed since opening night and looking around the Gilded Age style dining room with its oversized bronze and seeded glass chandeliers suspended from double height ceilings, plush blue banquettes and sculpted trees in the middle of the floor, the chef isn’t the only one smiling.
U.S. Will Likely Retaliate Against Amsterdam Flight Cuts
14.11.2023 - 15:09 / skift.com / John F.Kennedy / Willie Walsh / Marjan Rintel / Airlines
U.S. authorities are likely to retaliate against the Dutch government’s decision to cut flights at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, probably limiting slots for Dutch airline KLM at U.S. airports, airline lobby group IATA said on Tuesday.
“This decision is significantly more damaging than people have estimated,” International Air Transport Association (IATA) head Willie Walsh said at an IATA conference in Amsterdam.
“It will mostly affect KLM, tearing apart the fabric of their network.”
The Dutch government aims to cut flights at Schiphol, one of Europe’s main air transport hubs, to 452,500 per year – almost 10% below 2019 levels, mainly to reduce noise pollution.
The move is fiercely contested by flag carrier KLM and industry groups, who claim it is in violation of the EU-U.S. “Open Skies” agreement granting airlines the right to operate in each other’s countries.
The decision has meant that airlines without historic rights have received no Schiphol slots for summer 2024, while others received 3% fewer slots than before.
U.S. carrier JetBlue, one of the newcomers denied slots, last month urged the U.S. Department of Transportation to ban KLM from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport in retaliation for the plans.
European Union and U.S. authorities held discussion behind closed doors on the matter on Monday, the EU’s director for mobility and transport Magda Kopczynska told the conference.
“Certainly it is an important decision which has never been done before. We are really closely following this process,” Kopczynska said without giving further details.
KLM CEO Marjan Rintel said she was hopeful the talks could help to change the government’s mind and to find another solution to cut noise pollution at Schiphol.
“Yesterday the EU and U.S. exchanged ideas and we heard that at least there will be new meetings in the next coming months,” the KLM chief said.
Rintel said the Dutch government had failed to follow the EU-prescribed approach of ruling out all other options to reduce noise before cutting the number of slots for airlines.
It’s Official—Venice Will Start Charging Day-Trippers in 2024
If a Venetian gondola ride under the Bridge of Sighs or an aperitivo at Harry’s Bar is on your travel list for 2024, you might need to fill out some extra paperwork—and pay some extra money. In an effort to shore up against the ravages of overtourism, Venice will start charging certain tourists an entry fee to access the marvels of the delicate floating city.
Amsterdam's 'Stay Away' Ads Didn't Deter Partiers. Now What?
Amsterdam’s “Stay Away“ campaign hasn’t discouraged reckless tourists, according to a letter on Tuesday from the Mayor to the city council.
These US Airports Are the Most (and Least) Likely to Have Holiday Delays
Traveling during the holidays is stressful enough and every little obstacle along the way can feel amplified. While many factors can play a part in flight interruptions and delays, a new study by Upgraded Points takes a look back at nearly a decade of historical data spanning 2014 to 2022 to find out which airports tend to have the best and worst track records for punctuality during the holiday season.
Eurostar to Suspend Amsterdam to London Service for 6 Months
Direct train service from Amsterdam to London on the Eurostar, the sleek, fast train that connects Britain to northwestern Europe, will be suspended for six months next year, the train company said.
New rates in Amsterdam from 1 January 2024 published for Accommodation, Day and VMR taxes
“We will continue to support local stakeholders in building a private sector consensus on what steps might bring about more collaborative approach to tourism strategy in the city. At present, the situation resembles an abusive relationship with money welcome, people not: this is unsustainable.” says EOTA.
Sam Altman Will Return to Run OpenAI As CEO
After the sudden ousting last week, the OpenAI board has now agreed “in principle” for Altman to return as CEO. A new board is being instituted and will include former Secretary of the Treasury Larry Summers, Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo and the former Salesforce CEO Bret Taylor as the chair.
10 U.S. Airports With The Most Holiday Flight Delays—According To New Report
You’re headed home for the holidays—and hopefully, barring any flight delays, you make it before the turkey hits the table or the holiday festivities get underway. A new report from Upgraded Points, a points and miles website, reveals the airports where travelers are most likely to be delayed during the winter holiday season.
Will Airbnb's Brian Chesky Get an OpenAI Board Seat?
From his posts and re-posts on X, it’s clear that Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky is highly supportive of Sam Altman, the ousted CEO of OpenAI, and now-former board Chairman Greg Brockman, and Chesky seems to be in-the-know about some of the maneuverings behind the scenes.
Horse breaks free in plane hold forcing Belgium-bound flight to return to New York
A cargo jet headed to Belgium from New York had to turn around mid-flight after a horse escaped in the hold, according to air traffic control audio.
Leisure Airfares Will Drop, Says WestJet CEO
Airfare to popular international leisure destinations should cost less this winter and next summer than a year ago as carriers add capacity, the CEO of Canada’s WestJet Airlines told Reuters on Wednesday.
JetBlue appears to eye Lisbon as its next European destination
JetBlue appears to be setting its sights on its next international destination: Lisbon.