• Middle East

          AVANI HOTELS & RESORTS: AvaniSHIELD health and safety measures updated

          Avani have published updated information on the measures they're taking to prepare for post-COVID-19 travel, as more of their hotels globally begin to re-open. Their protocols, introduced under the name 'AvaniSHIELD', include initiatives such as digital check-in/out, a digital concierge app and a trusted partner program for local transport.
          Australia
          Middle East
          South Africa
          Thailand
          Hotel
          Avani Hotels
          Business
          Leisure

          VIRGIN ATLANTIC: Flights to 17 additional destinations to resume from August 2020

          The airline has today announced that they are set to resume flights to an additional 17 destinations across their global network from August; this follows the previous news of passenger flights being set to resume from 20 July. Flights to the additional destinations will resume from 1 August through to early October, and include cities across the Unites States, India, South Africa and the Caribbean.
          India
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          South Africa
          United Kingdom
          United States of America
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          EMIRATES: Flights to 10 new cities announced throughout June and July 2020

          The airline has today announced that it will expand its schedule to offer scheduled flights for travellers to 10 additional cities. This includes Colombo from 20 June, Sialkot from 24 June and Istanbul from 25 June; this is to be followed by Auckland, Beirut, Brussels, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from 1 July and finally Barcelona and Washington DC from 15 July. However, flights from Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Pakistan will only carry passengers one-way into Dubai and onward connections.
          Middle East
          South Africa
          Airline
          Emirates
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          JORDAN: Border restrictions extended until at least 4 July 2020

          The country's government announced yesterday that the current suspension of international commercial flights, plus the closure of land and sea borders, will remain in place until at least 4 July; there is, however, an indication that the measures are likely to extend beyond this. Despite the extension, Royal Jordanian Airlines and Qatar Airways may be offering limited special repatriation flights during this period.
          Middle East
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          ETIHAD: Updates announced to Etihad Wellness initiative

          The Abu Dhabi-based airline has released further updates to its industry-leading wellness program, including a video highlighting what they describe as a transformation to the passenger airport experience. Among other measures introduced by Etihad is a dedicated wellness ambassador on board each flight.
          Middle East
          South Africa
          Airline
          Etihad Airways
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          Leisure

          QATAR AIRWAYS: Airline to operate 39 weekly flights to six U.S cities by July 2020

          Qatar's national airline has today announced the resumption of flights to New York (JFK) from 19 June, as well as Boston, Los Angeles and Washington Dulles from 1 July. This will see the airline’s U.S. network rebuild to 39 weekly flights to six U.S. cities by mid-July, including existing services to Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth which have remained in operation.
          Middle East
          South Africa
          United States of America
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          Qatar Airways
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          Leisure

          UAE: Dubai-based Emirates plans possible air-bridges with European countries

          Dubai-based Emirates is planning to open ‘air bridges’ with European countries, according to local media reports. Air bridges, also referred to as ‘travel corridors’, would allow tourists to travel between two countries during the current COVID-19 pandemic, without needing to quarantine.
          Middle East
          South Africa
          Airline
          Borders
          Emirates
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          Leisure

          SAUDIA AIRLINES: Domestic tax revision announced

          The airline has announced a revision of VAT tax (K7) which has increased from 5% to 15% for domestic tickets. These taxes do not apply for international tickets.
          Middle East
          Airline
          Saudia Airlines
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          UAE: Citizens and residents permitted to travel from 23 June 2020

          The UAE government announced today that citizens and residents are to be allowed to travel to specific destinations as of 23 June. A list of the destinations, the groups authorized to travel and the procedures that must be adhered to will be announced shortly, according to state news agency WAM.
          Middle East
          Borders
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          JUMEIRAH: Four Dubai hotels awarded prestigious safeguard label

          Four of the group's hotels have received the prestigious Bureau Veritas Safeguard label - the Jumeirah Al Naseem, Jumeirah Al Qasr, Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf and Jumeirah Creekside. The label is awarded to businesses who impose extensive health and safety measures which support the mitigation of the spread of COVID-19.
          Middle East
          Hotel
          Jumeirah
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          Leisure

          UZBEKISTAN: International flights to resume from 15 June 2020

          The country's government announced today that Uzbekistan will re-open its borders to some international flights from 15 June, with quarantine measures imposed depending on the passenger's country of origin.
          Middle East
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          LEBANON: International flights to Beirut to resume from 1 July 2020

          The country will re-open Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport for scheduled flights from 1 July, but will keep air traffic at 10% of capacity from a year ago, the prime minister's office announced today. Passengers will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival and instructed to practice home quarantine if testing positive.
          Middle East
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          EMIRATES: Flights to an additional 16 destinations due to resume from 15 June 2020

          Emirates has announced today that from 15 June, flights and transit services will be resumed between Dubai International Airport and a further 16 cities. Flights will shortly be available to Bahrain, Manchester, Zurich, Vienna, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Dublin, New York JFK, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Taipei, Hong Kong, Perth and Brisbane.
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          Hong Kong
          Indonesia
          Middle East
          South Korea
          United Kingdom
          United States of America
          Airline
          Emirates
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          Leisure

          QATAR AIRWAYS: Airline expands network to over 40 destinations

          In the past seven days Qatar Airways' network has expanded to over 40 destinations with the additions of Bangkok, Barcelona, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Singapore and Vienna. The airline announced the upcoming return of flights to Berlin, Dar es Salaam, New York, Tunis and Venice.
          Middle East
          South Africa
          Airline
          Qatar Airways
          Business
          Leisure

          ETIHAD: Airline to resume further transit services from 10 June 2020

          Etihad Airways announced today that it will resume carrying transit passengers via its Abu Dhabi hub from 20 destination cities in Europe, Asia and Australia from 10 June; this follows a lifting of a previous suspension on those flights by the UAE government.
          Australia
          Middle East
          Singapore
          South Africa
          United Kingdom
          Airline
          Etihad Airways

          SOUTH AFRICA: Country to move to alert level three from 1 June 2020

          From today, South Africa will move down to level three on the five-level approach to lockdown restrictions originally announced by the country's president on 23 April. Internal flights are now permitted, although non-essential domestic travel including for recreational, leisure or tourism purposed is still prohibited. Other guidelines remain in place, including the use of PPE on public transport, a restriction on social gatherings and exercise being permitted only during certain hours.
          Middle East
          Borders