Category Archives: Aviation

Air Astana will resume direct flights from Kazakhstan’s capital Nur-Sultan to Frankfurt on 18th August 2020, with services initially being operated four-times a week, increasing to a daily frequency by September. Flights will be operated using the latest Airbus A321LR aircraft, with flight times being 6h 20m outbound to Frankfurt and 5h 45m on the return to Nur-Sultan. Almaty to Dubai and Atyrau to Amsterdam services will be added on 17th August, together with Almaty to Kyiv on August 19. The flight schedule has also been updated to a morning arrival in Frankfurt, enabling maximum connectivity with partner airlines across Europe and North America. Air Astana’s fleet of A321LR aircraft boast 16 flat-bed Business Class seats and 150 economy class seats furnished with personalised inflight entertainment screens. The flight between Nur-Sultan and Frankfurt is operated in a codeshare partnership with Lufthansa. Basic Economy class fares departing Kazakhstan start from KZT 215,191 (Euro 440) and from KZT 1,065,418 (Euro 2,172) in Business Class return (inclusive of governmental taxes, airport fees and charges). Passengers with tickets for flights that had been cancelled owing to the earlier flight suspension can be re-booked onto flights from 18th August, without penalty. In accordance with German health regulations, all passengers (except those in transit) travelling to Germany from Kazakhstan must undertake a COVID-19 test at the point of departure within 48 hours of departure, or within 72 hours of entering Germany. Passengers will also be required to fill out two copies of a ‘passenger locator card’ during the flight. Passengers arriving to Kazakhstan should familiarise themselves with government health and quarantine regulations. Air Astana resumed its domestic network in May. Services to several international destinations recommenced …

As of early August, 45 airlines already connect Munich with 140 destinations, including 13 destinations in Germany, 18 destinations in Greece, 15 in Spain, 13 in Italy, 9 in Turkey, 7 in France, 5 in Croatia, 4 in Portugal, and 3 in Bulgaria. The North African destinations of Cairo (Egyptair) and Tunis (Tunis Air) are once again in Munich’s flight plan, along with two destinations in Canada, six in the USA, three in the Arabian Gulf, and three in the Far East. Air Canada, Emirates, Etihad, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines have once again included Munich in their intercontinental route networks. This brings the non-European route network back to 14 destinations. The number of weekly departures in August has now reached 1,100 take-offs. Since the relaxation of travel restrictions throughout Europe, traffic at Munich Airport has been picking up again. This clearly shows peoples’ desire to travel again after the lock-down. In this context, the safety of passengers and employees is Munich Airport’s top priority. In addition to the mask mandate in effect in the passenger buildings, many measures contribute to enforcing social distancing and hygiene rules for extensive infection protection. With Lufthansa ramping up their hub operation step by step, hub traffic is also increasing again – already one in three passengers currently use Munich as a transfer airport again.

Travelport signed a new multi-year content agreement with Air New Zealand. The agreement also includes the continued use of Travelport Rich Content and Branding, the company’s leading airline merchandising tool.Under the agreement, Travelport will continue to support Air New Zealand by providing more than 68,000 Travelport-connected agencies around the world with real-time access to search, sell and book the airline’s content and inventory. With Travelport’s Rich Content and Branding solution, worldwide agencies will also be enjoying greater access and a graphically rich experience when searching and booking the branded fares and ancillary products of Air New Zealand.Commenting on the new agreement, Andrew Dale, Regional General Manager Sales & Alliances said, “We are looking to the future with this new agreement. Putting Air New Zealand’s award-winning and innovative products in front of the world’s travel agents, in a manner which does them full justice, will play a crucial role in the recovery of travel. Travelport has been a trusted partner with a proven track record for years, and we are happy to extend our partnership.” Sue Carter, Head of Asia Pacific, Air Partners at Travelport, commented: “In 2015, Air New Zealand was the 100th carrier to launch Travelport Rich Content and Branding, which is now being used by more than 300 airlines globally to differentiate their branded fares and increase upselling. Retailing excellence is more important now than it has ever been, and we are delighted to build on our partnership with Air New Zealand.”

Emirates A380 will begin serving travellers on flights to Toronto starting August 16, 2020. The airline has so far resumed A380 operations to Amsterdam, Cairo, Paris, London Heathrow and Guangzhou (August 8) – taking its A380 network to six cities. The Emirates A380 experience remains a favourite amongst travellers for its spacious and comfortable cabins and the airline will continue to gradually expand its deployment in line with market demand and operational approvals.Customers can fly the Emirates A380 from Dubai to Toronto five times a week. Emirates flight EK 241 will depart Dubai at 9:10 and arrive in Toronto at 15:05 local time. The return flight, EK 242 will depart Toronto at 21:45 and arrive in Dubai at 18:30 local time, the following day. With safety as a priority, Emirates is gradually expanding its passenger services to 70 cities in August, returning to over 50% of its pre-pandemic destination network. Passengers travelling between the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia Pacific can enjoy safe and convenient connections via Dubai. Customers from Emirates’ network can stop over or travel to Dubai as the city has re-opened for international business and leisure visitors. COVID-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving to Dubai (and the UAE), including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from. Customers can now travel with confidence, as Emirates has committed to cover COVID-19 related medical expenses, free of cost, should they be diagnosed with COVID-19 during their travel while they are away from home. This cover is immediately effective for customers flying on Emirates until 31 October 2020 (first flight to be completed on or before 31 …

Emirates announced it will resume passenger services to Kuwait City (August 5) and Lisbon (August 16). This will take Emirates’ passenger network to 70 destinations in August, over 50% of its pre-pandemic destination network, as the airline gradually resumes operations with the safety of its customers, crew and communities as its top priority. Flights from Dubai to Kuwait City will operate as a daily service and flights from Dubai to Lisbon will operate three times a week. The flights will be operated with the Emirates Boeing 777-300ER and can be booked on emirates.com or via travel agents. Destination Dubai: From sun-soaked beaches and heritage activities to world class hospitality and leisure facilities, Dubai is one of the most popular global destinations. In 2019, the city welcomed 16.7 million visitors and hosted over hundreds of global meetings and exhibitions, as well as sports and entertainment events. Free, global cover for COVID-19 related costs: Customers can now travel with confidence, as Emirates has committed to cover COVID-19 related medical expenses, free of cost, should they be diagnosed with COVID-19 during their travel while they are away from home. This cover is immediately effective for customers flying on Emirates until October 31, 2020 (first flight to be completed on or before 31 October 2020), and is valid for 31 days from the moment they fly the first sector of their journey. Health and safety: Emirates has implemented a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the customer journey to ensure the safety of its customers and employees on the ground and in the air, including the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes to all customers.

Etihad Airways has launched innovative new protective wear for First and Business class guests. As part of its new health and hygiene programme, Etihad Wellness, premium passengers will receive a snood style facemask for use throughout their journey and beyond. The soft reusable snood has been treated with MicrobeBARRIER fabric treatment, a broad spectrum antimicrobial treatment, laboratory tested and proven to reduce the presence of germs in fabrics. With this long-lasting protective layer, the snoods are washable and reusable, making them environmentally friendly. Travellers can choose to wear the snood around their neck like a scarf and when in close proximity to others, pull it up over their mouth and nose to protect themselves and those around them. Made out of lightweight, breathable and stretchy jersey fabric, the snood is comfortable and ideal for travel because it can be easily slipped on and off as needed. The safety, health, and wellbeing of Etihad’s guests is the airlines top priority, during and beyond the flight. The MicrobeBARRIER treated snood is one of the many initiatives the airline has introduced to create a healthier and cleaner environment.

IATA has called on governments in the Middle East to harmonise biosafety measures for passengers across the region as aviation restarts. A global framework for restarting aviation while protecting public health has been agreed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and published in the Take-Off guidance. However, inconsistent application of these biosafety measures along with unnecessary border constraints are deterring passengers and suppressing the resumption of air travel in the Middle East. “We are starting to see some governments in the Middle East open their borders to regional and international air travel. This is good news but those flying for the first time since the lifting of restrictions face an array of different types of biosafety measures and procedures – which is causing confusion among passengers and delaying the recovery,” said Muhammad Albakri, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East. “An effective COVID-19 test has the potential to be a useful risk mitigation measure. However, tests that neither meet the criteria of speed, scalability and reliability nor are offered at reasonable cost, as we are seeing in some countries in the region, have unintended consequences, causing more problems than they solve and will most likely limit the recovery in air travel demand,” said Albakri. “Imposing quarantine measures on arriving passengers keeps countries in isolation and the travel and tourism sector in lockdown. Fortunately, there are policy alternatives that can reduce the risk of importing COVID-19 infections while still allowing for the resumption of travel and tourism that are vital to jump starting national economies. We are proposing a framework with layers of protection to keep sick people from travelling and to mitigate the risk of transmission …

Effective August 1, all travellers flying Etihad Airways from around the world to Abu Dhabi, and those transferring via Abu Dhabi onto other flights, will be required to show a negative COVID-19 PCR test result from a list of approved testing facilities listed on their website, alongside their ICA approval if Abu Dhabi is their end destination. The PCR test must be carried out within 96 hours prior to arrival in Abu Dhabi and a negative COVID-19 PCR test result certificate from one of the approved clinics listed must be shown for approval to board. Children under the age of 12 and people with mild to severe disabilities are currently exempt from this PCR test requirement. Travellers leaving the UAE from Abu Dhabi to any country in the European Union, the United Kingdom, or to any country where it is mandatory by the authorities at the destination, a negative COVID-19 PCR test result will be required within 96 hours prior to departure. To help facilitate this process, Etihad Airways is collaborating with Mediclinic Middle East to offer departing travellers the option of convenient PRC testing, for a fee, at their home, or at Mediclinic facilities in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Dubai prior to their travel. The gradual return to more international flying to, from, and via Abu Dhabi is being greatly supported by the Etihad Wellness sanitisation and safety programme, which ensures the highest standards of hygiene are maintained at every stage of the customer journey. This includes specially trained Wellness Ambassadors, a first in the industry, who have been introduced by the airline to provide essential travel health information and care on the ground and on every flight, …

Emirates airline announced that it will resume passenger services to Seychelles from 01 August, coinciding with the country’s re-opening to international tourists. Operating flights to Seychelles five times a week with a Boeing 777-300ER, Emirates offers travellers convenient access to this popular Indian Ocean holiday destination. In addition, Emirates will increase its services to the Maldives from the current five a week, to six times a week from 04 August to meet customer demand. For travellers in the UAE, Emirates Holidays offers great holiday packages with a selection of choice resorts in the Seychelles and the Maldives. Emirates Holidays has also relaxed its booking policy to offer customers a chance to book a holiday package in advance with only a deposit of AED 199, as well as introduced video appointments, enabling customers to plan ahead and enjoy a stress-free and personalised booking process from the comfort of their own home. With the gradual re-opening of borders over the summer, Emirates has revised its booking policies to offer customers more flexibility and confidence to plan their travel. Customers whose travel plans are disrupted by COVID-19 related flight or travel restrictions, can simply hold on to their ticket which will be valid for 24 months and rebook to fly at a later time; request travel vouchers to offset against future Emirates purchases, or request refunds via an online form on Emirates’ website or via their travel booking agent.Emirates currently serves over 60 destinations in its network, facilitating travel between the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific through a convenient connection in Dubai for customers across the world.

Emirates airline rolled out a brand new, state-of-the-art online gateway to serve its travel trade partners around the world. Tailored for each market, and personalised for each partner to cater to their unique business environment and needs, the Emirates Partners Portal is a one-stop shop for travel industry partners to quickly and securely access the full range of information on Emirates’ latest products, services and policies, and obtain technical support. This dynamic platform reshapes the way Emirates delivers information to their trade partner community. The portal also offers a range of functions including self-service tools and support, and in-built automation of business processes, all aimed at delivering efficiency for travel partners, as well as providing transparency and clarity on the status of transactions. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said: “This is a bespoke platform which is unique in the industry, and it allows us to offer a truly personalised experience based on our partners’ profiles and needs. We invested in listening to our agents and partners, and then we built the Emirates Partner Portal to address their needs whether for information, training or technical support. We are grateful for our partnership with trade communities around the world and are excited to engage and support them through this new platform. “Through the Emirates Partner Portal, backed by the expert support of our commercial teams around the world, we aim to offer unmatched flexibility and empower our travel partners so that they can confidently provide even better services to their customers, and help them to fly better with Emirates. This launch comes at an especially critical in our industry, where the need for the most up-to-date travel information is an essential …