Diocese flies around World Youth Day airfare raises
Jim Myers
Nov 2, 2007 5:00 PM

COLORADO SPRINGS. Travel plans for World Youth Day 2008 next July 15-20 in Sydney, Australia, have changed for Catholics in the Diocese of Colorado Springs and beyond.

The diocese originally had airfare to Australia quoted for the pilgrimage that will unite hundreds of

thousands of Catholics to see Pope Benedict XVI, but airlines serving the continent nation changed their policies in midstream.

United Airlines and Qantas Airlines have formed an effective cartel on travel between the United States and Australia, as those are the only two airlines that fly directly between the U.S. and Australia, according to several sources. The Diocese of Colorado Springs originally had a trip reserved with United through Aurora-based Catholics for Pilgrimages and had placed a deposit on travel. But the airline cancelled the existing itinerary and offered a new rate at nearly double the original price.

"With World Youth Day, I feel it’s an attack on the Catholic faith," said Michelle Maher, diocesan director of Total Catholic Education. "Hotels in Sydney have also changed their rates. What does that say?"

This was not unique to pilgrims coming from Colorado, as travelers from around the country received similar treatment, including from hotels in the Sydney area that changed rates.

A Sept. 3 e-mail from the United Airlines International Group Desk to Jorge de la Paz, owner of Catholics for Pilgrimages, a Catholic travel consulting agency, notified him of the change.

"Unfortunately due to high demand and our limited availability, we are unable to fulfill your request for travel to Australia for World Youth Day," the e-mail said.

The e-mail then encouraged De la Paz to keep United Airlines in mind for future travel. No mention of the ticket price raise is made in the e-mail.

In an Oct. 12 letter to diocesan pilgrims, Maher addressed the issue: "In researching all of our options and honoring our commitment to maintain the price as low as it is now, we have had to alter our itinerary."

The overall cost of the diocese’s pilgrimage remains approximately $4,000.

The itinerary now includes a two-night stay in Seoul, Korea, before heading to World Youth Day. De la Paz said his company relied on God’s grace for a solution, one that comes at no extra cost to travelers.

"We were praying, and God was helping us so much," said De la Paz, who noted that Catholics for Pilgrimages tries to defend Catholics in these kinds of situations. "We did not do anything special. God gave us this surprise."

Pilgrims from the Southwest United States, Spain and the United Kingdom will now have chance to get to know the Catholic identity of Korea. De la Paz contacted Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-Suk, Archbishop of Seoul, to inquire about the group traveling to the archdiocese. According to De la Paz, the cardinal expressed excitement about having the pilgrims visit his archdiocese and will offer special Masses for the pilgrims.

"Because of the support of the Archbishop of Seoul, we decided to propose this option," said De la Paz. "We have already started organizing activities in Seoul that will teach us the Catholic history of this country, which is very, very interesting."

While itinerary dates have not been finalized, Maher said the feedback she has received from travelers has been positive.

"This gives us a better opportunity for our pilgrims to see a different country, a different lifestyle — even moreso than going to Australia," said Maher, who noted pilgrims traveling with the Colorado Springs Diocese were unaffected by hotel rate changes in Sydney since those rooms are already paid in full.

The United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has a message on its Web site about travel for World Youth Day. USCCB has booked a charter for World Youth Day at a cost of $2,600 per person (flight only) leaving from New York and stopping in Los Angeles. The trip is scheduled to leave on July 8 and return July 23.

"It’s sad that pilgrims are made to suffer because companies want to make more money," said Maher.

Jeff Kovick, spokesman for United Airlines, told The Colorado Catholic Herald during phone conversations Oct. 29-30 that United Airlines would look into the matter. He had no specifics from his investigation as of press time.