Tag Archives: COVID-19

Etihad Airways is introducing Etihad credit to give guests the freedom to delay their travel plans by permitting a free cancellation and is offering the original value of their booking to be used as credit towards their next trip. As the situation around COVID-19 continues to evolve, these new measures will provide maximum flexibility and ensures guests that need to travel, do so safely and conveniently. Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “Now, more than ever, there is a global effort to care for one another and halt the spread of COVID-19 and under these challenging circumstances. Etihad Credit is our way of helping to relieve some of the unnecessary burden many of our customers are facing.” Etihad Credit is available for all guests who have booked to travel before June 30, 2020. Guests have until September 30, 2020 to rebook their trip, for travel until December 31, 2020 – any ticket, any fare type, any Etihad destination. Any fare difference from the original ticket price will be charged. Additionally, Etihad Guest Members will be gifted monthly bonus Tier Miles from March 31 for three months to help them maintain their Tier Status. Eligible Members will receive further information directly. For guests with essential travel requirements, Etihad is working closely with the World Health Organisation, the Ministry of Health and Prevention of the United Arab Emirates, and IATA, as well as other organisations, to ensure a healthy flying experience. 

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) implemented an emirate-wide awareness campaign designed to support local hotel establishments in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The move falls in line with the nation’s continuing efforts to raise the level of precautionary and preventive measures against COVID-19, in response to recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO). The SCTDA also confirmed that a series of inspections will be conducted across hotel establishments in the emirate to ensure compliance and adherence to set standards and methods to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The inspections will ensure that hygiene measures, disinfection and sterilisation are all completed in a correct manner. Hotels are also being advised on documentation of their sterilisation measures. H.E Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, said, “We are dedicated to making the most pertinent decisions that ensure continuity and minimum disruption, while also minimising the risk of disease transmission in the UAE. The UAE remains in the lead when it comes to  harnessing its energies and capabilities to face this global crisis with full efficiency, in line with the sense of responsibility rooted in the vision of our wise leadership, which calls on strengthening international and humanitarian solidarity to maintain security and stability.” The SCTDA’s Tourism Standards Department is in charge of following up on the disinfection and sterilisation process in hotel establishments in Sharjah, thus ensuring that the precautionary measures are carefully observed and the level of health awareness is raised in order to preserve the safety of all. The Authority has also started to circulate awareness brochures online to all hotel establishments and the authority’s employees. These brochures include key information on how to avoid spreading the virus, …

In response to the latest developments in the COVID-19 outbreak around the world, Emirates airline is taking extra steps that go above and beyond industry and regulatory requirements to ensure its customers’ health and comfort. On all aircraft departing from its hub in Dubai, Emirates has implemented enhanced cleaning and complete disinfection of all cabins as a precaution. In line with the latest expert medical finding that the COVID-19 virus is primarily transmitted by touch, Emirates has placed its greatest focus on surface cleaning. The airline uses an approved chemical that is proven to kill viruses and germs, leaves a long-lasting protective coating against new contamination of viruses, bacteria and fungi on surfaces, and is eco-friendly. The cleaning process includes a comprehensive wipe down of all surfaces – from windows, tray tables, seatback screens, armrests, seats, in-seat controls, panels, air vents and overhead lockers in the cabin, to lavatories, galleys and crew rest areas. All of this is done in addition to other normal procedures such as changing head rest covers on all seats, replacement of reading materials, vacuuming, and more. To complete this thorough cleaning process within an hour while the aircraft is preparing for its next mission, requires a team of 18 trained cleaners on a Boeing 777, and a team of 36 for an A380. In a 24-hour period on an average day, some 248 aircraft go through this process. On any aircraft that were found to have transported a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case, Emirates would go even further, and implement deep cleaning and disinfection in a process that takes between six to eight hours to complete. This includes the defogging of cabin interiors and misting …

oneworld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance are jointly calling on governments and stakeholders to take action to alleviate the unprecedented challenges faced by the global airline industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The three global alliances, which represent almost 60 airlines around the world that contribute more than half of global airline capacity, are strongly supporting a request by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for regulators to suspend slot usage rules for the northern summer 2020 season as the airline industry suffers from extraordinary reductions in passenger demand. Rob Gurney, CEO, oneworld, said, “During such times of difficulty and uncertainty, it is important that the airline industry works even closer with stakeholders to mitigate adverse impacts from the virus and collaborate in areas within our control. Governments must implement the measures they consider necessary to contain the spread of COVID-19, and must be prepared for the widescale economic implications that will result from those measures.” Kristin Colvile, CEO and Managing Director, SkyTeam, said, “The human and financial impact that the COVID-19 outbreak is having on the aviation industry is unprecedented. We are urging all involved institutions and industry stakeholders to face these extraordinary times with exceptional measures. This includes action such as slot relief, airport and overflight fees reduction. Jeffrey Goh, CEO, Star Alliance, said, “The unprecedented circumstances triggered by the coronavirus outbreak pose an existential threat not only to the airline industry but more generally to global trade and commerce, and social connectivity. As airlines stretch their limits to manage the crisis, it is equally critical for governments and stakeholders to avoid further burdens and step up with measures, as some have, that will ensure the future of the travel …

Etihad Airways has implemented a series of consolidated network changes, due to the spread of the COVID-19 and its continuing impact on air travel services globally. This is also being carried out for the safety and convenience of its customers and staff, and to minimise operational disruption during this period. The following services from Abu Dhabi have been temporarily adjusted; Milan (MXP)-all flights suspended until 30 April; Rome (FCO)-EY85/86 suspended until April 30 and EY83/84 suspended until June 30; Beirut (BEY)-all flights suspended from March 16 until March 31; Istanbul (IST)-all flights suspended from March 16 until March 31; Casablanca (CMN) and Rabat (RBA)-all flights suspended from March 16 until March 31; Amman (AMM)-all flights suspended from March 17 until March 31; Madrid (MAD) and Barcelona (BCN)-all flights suspended from March 17 until March 31; Jakarta (CGK)-reduced from double-daily to daily (suspension of EY472/471) from March 18 until June 30; Seoul (ICN)-reduced from daily to four weekly (operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays) from March 30 to April 30; Hong Kong (HKG)-all flights suspended until June 30; Bangkok (BKK)-reduced from triple-daily to double-daily (suspension of EY406/405) from March 21 to May 02. The following previously announced network changes remain in place; Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah (JED), Dammam (DMM), Medina (MED)-all flights suspended from March 16 until March 31; Kuwait (KWI)-all flights suspended until March 31; Bahrain (BAH)-reduced from triple-daily to double-daily until March 31; Muscat (MCT)-reduced from triple-daily to double-daily until March 31; Shanghai (PVG)-all flights suspended until March 28; Chengdu (CTU)-all flights suspended until further notice; Nagoya (NGO)-all flights suspended until June 30.

Cebu Pacific will continue to operate flights from Dubai to Manila. However, all their domestic flights will be cancelled to and from Manila from March 15 until April 14, in line with Philippine government’s directive for a community quarantine over Metro Manila to contain the spread of the COVID-19. Cebu Pacific is in the process of completing the cancellation of domestic flights from their system. Once done, they will enable its passengers to manage their bookings online to avail of either a full refund, rebooking with waived change fees or booking conversion to travel fund. Notifications will immediately be sent to affected passengers via email addresses provided to CEB upon booking. Bookings can be managed online so passengers need not go to the ticket offices.

Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has announced the cancellation of the second period of the Bahrain Food Festival, which was scheduled to be held between March 12 and March 23, 2020. This decision was taken as a result of the recent developments and necessary health precautions undertaken by the Government of Bahrain in accordance with international standards to contain the COVID-19 and to prevent its spread. The Kingdom has been praised by the World Health Organization for its approach in tackling the spread of the virus. BTEA extends its sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the first period of the festival, including participants, attendees and organisers.

Following an intense week of consultation with key stakeholders in its Dubai event, scheduled for April 7, WiT has decided to move its Middle East edition to November 24, 2020. The uncertainty over the developing COVID-19 situation in the region has made it hard to plan for the one-day event. “Our partners were telling us that with the situation so fluid and changing everyday, it would be challenging to put on the event in a month’s time,” said Yeoh Siew Hoon, Founder, WiT. “With the industry in damage control mode, and uncertainty over travel advisories and bans by countries and companies, everyone is currently too distracted and we felt we wouldn’t be able to focus on delivering a quality event. The good news is, we are staying in the same venue, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, and we thank our partners for accommodating this change in plans, and we promise we will return stronger. By then, things will be back in full swing and everyone will have great stories and lessons to share,” he added. Ross Veitch, CEO and co-founder of Wego, one of the event’s two Foundation Sponsors, said, “Things are in a state of flux right now but knowing the Middle East  market as we do, we know it will be resilient, and the fundamentals are there for a strong recovery.” Stuart Crighton, CEO and founder of Cleartrip, Foundation Sponsor of WiT Middle East, echoed his disappointment, saying, “It’s a tough call – it would have been hard to get 100 per cent attention and attendance because of the evolving nature of the problem. We look forward to the return of a stronger WiT on November 24.”

Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) 2020 has been postponed to September 21 and 22 due to the spread of COVID-19. However, while the UAE remains safe to travel and continues to adhere to the highest medical and hygiene measures to reduce the risk of transmissions, it has become increasingly clear that the event will inevitably be impacted by speakers, delegates, sponsors and partners unable to attend due to global travel restrictions. The event will be held at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai on the new dates. The new dates also coincide with the final countdown to the year’s most highly anticipated global event – Expo 2020 Dubai.

Etihad Airways has temporarily suspended all flights between Abu Dhabi and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in response to a directive from the General Authority for Civil Aviation, Saudi Arabia, to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The airline operates up to 12 flights per day between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia. It has cancelled a total of seven flights today between Abu Dhabi and the Saudi cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Medina, and is now advising passengers who were booked to travel today. Another four flights which were en-route to Saudi Arabia at the time of the directive were permitted to land. When flights arrived in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, nationals of Saudi Arabi were permitted to disembark but all other passengers remained on the aircraft, which will return to Abu Dhabi. The fourth flight operated to Medina to repatriate Umrah passengers. In addition to the flight suspensions to and from the UAE, Saudi Arabia has also banned Saudi nationals and Saudi residents from travelling to countries including the UAE and on passengers travelling from or transiting through Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria, Italy, Egypt and Korea. Etihad Airways is working closely with regulatory authorities in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia and is continuing to monitor this situation closely. For passengers impacted by the flight cancellations, procedures are in place for fare refunds or for flight changes when services resume.