Women are 14 percent more likely to be victims of airport crime than men, according to new research by Options Travel Insurance. The finding was part of Options´ Airport Crime Survey examining the travel experiences of more than 2,000 people. Italian airports are the worst in Europe for crime with a shocking 53 percent more incidents recorded than second-placed Spain. Albania is the capital of pickpockets, with Spain and Italy again making the top three.

An eight-year, $5.25 billion plan to double the Panama Canal´s capacity was recommended by Panama´s President Martin Torrijos earlier this week. The nation´s voters must approve such a project in a referendum. A press release said that the construction of a new lane and set of locks would be funded by canal tolls. The proposed lock chambers would be 180 feet wide and 60 feet deep, large enough to accommodate the largest of cruise ships.

Amadeus is rolling out a new technology solution which will revolutionize the low cost airline market by providing comprehensive access for the first time, to sales through travel agents and corporate customers. Amadeus Ticketless Access enables up-to-the-minute fare and flight information from ticketless carriers to be displayed alongside those of full service airlines through the Global Distribution System (GDS).

Paul Pennicook, Jamaica´s director of tourism, completed his three-year term at the Jamaica Tourist Board and has been named senior vice president of sales and marketing for Air Jamaica, effective June 1. Dennis Morrison, JTB chairman, credited Pennicook with having much to do with Jamaica´s tourism growth over the past three years and especially the record winter season 2005-2006.

The Bush administration is facing a rebellion by northern border-state lawmakers who want to push back deadlines requiring passports or tamperproof ID cards from all who enter the United States. In a bow to lawmakers whose states neighbor Canada, the Homeland Security Department is considering easing some of the rules for infrequent border crossers. But many in Congress, backed by Canadians, say the compromise isn´t enough, and are pushing to delay the restrictions, set to take effect in 2008, by 18 months.

A freighter carrying more than 300,000 barrels of oil ran aground Thursday south of the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, but there were no immediate signs of spillage, the U.S. Coast Guard said. The 748-foot “Margara” set sail from Cartagena, Colombia and ran aground south of the city of Penuelas, the guard said.