• Middle East

          Qatar Airways : to add Santorini to network in June

          Qatar Airways will launch flights to Santorini, Greece, from June 7th. The destination joins Athens and Mykonos to become the third destination to be served in Greece by the national carrier of Qatar. The service will be operated by Airbus A320 featuring 12 seats in business class and 132 seats in economy. The airline will also restart its seasonal flights to Mykonos, Greece, in the same week, with four weekly flights, in addition, Athens will go to a double daily service, offering greater choice for business and leisure passengers alike.
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          Airline
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          Qatar Airways : adds two new Nigeria connections to network

          Qatar Airways has enhanced its presence in Nigeria with the launch of four weekly flights to Kano (KAN). There will also be three weekly flights to Port Harcourt (PHC), both operating via the Nigerian capital, Abuja. Qatar Airways will operate to Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (KAN) in one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and the gateway to Kano’s rich historical treasures that have survived millennia.
          Middle East
          Airline
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          Etihad Airways : launches new summer flights to Nice

          Etihad Airways has announced a new European destination this summer with the introduction of flights to the French city of Nice from June 15th. The twice-weekly service will operate on Wednesdays and Sundays between Abu Dhabi and Nice Côte d’Azur Airport on a modern Boeing 787 aircraft, one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft in the world. Situated on the south-eastern coast of France, Nice is renowned for its famous waterfront, with a scenic seven-kilometre walkway known as the ‘Promenade des Anglais’.
          Middle East
          Airline
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          Etihad Airways : launches sustainability initiative at Manchester City

          Manchester City and Etihad Airways have announced the installation of new plastic recycling pods outside the Etihad Stadium that aim to inspire fans to make conscious choices and join the sustainability journey. As part of the airlines Recycle, Reward, Repeat initiative, the pods - which will in place at the stadium from this weekend’s game - will allow fans to recycle plastic bottles and earn exclusive Etihad rewards. Manchester City has made significant steps on its sustainability journey over a number of years, developing and adopting more environmentally friendly practices.
          Middle East
          Airline
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          UAE travel: Emirates, Etihad update entry requirements for passengers from India and Pakistan

          Passengers flying from India and Pakistan to UAE now only need to take a PCR test 48 hours prior to departure, according to UAE airlines. Emirates airline on Tuesday updated Dubai entry requirements for passengers from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and several other countries. The carrier said that passengers from these countries who have Dubai as their final destination need to only present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure. Passengers were previously required to also take a rapid PCR test at airports six hours prior to their departure.
          Middle East
          Airline
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          These Countries Are Requiring Travelers To Have COVID-19 Booster Vaccines

          Below are some countries where your first round of COVID-19 vaccines may no longer be enough: Austria – Previously, vaccine certificates were considered valid for 12 months, but Austrian authorities changed the regulations in early December. Now, your proof of two-dose vaccination is valid for only nine months from the final injection in the series, but it can be renewed if you’ve gotten a booster. Officials also decided that the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine won’t be recognized unless the individual has also received a booster jab. Croatia – Croatia considers visitors’ initial two-dose vaccine series expired if more than 365 days had passed since their completion. Booster information has not been specified. France – Travelers will be required to have received a booster dose if it’s been four months or more since the they completed their original vaccine series. The rule goes into effect on February 15. Greece – Starting in February, Greece will only grant entry to travelers whose final dose of a vaccination schedule was given within the last seven months, unless they’ve also received a booster injection. Iceland – Iceland will only admit travelers who completed their original vaccine series within the last nine months, unless they’ve also received a booster. Israel – Travelers to Israel must have received their final dose of their original vaccine series no more than 180 days (roughly six months) prior, unless they’ve been boostered. The Netherlands – From February 2, Americans will be able to visit the Netherlands quarantine-free, provided they have previously been vaccinated and have received a booster. Those who’ve only completed an initial vaccine series will have to quarantine for 10 days. Spain – Without a booster, travelers’ original vaccinations are only considered valid up to 270 days (nine months) from the final injection in the series.
          Middle East
          Borders

          Flydubai to launch first UAE flights as Saudi’s AlUla

          The emerging Saudi tourist hotspot of AlUla has received a big boost from its neighbour, the UAE, after Flydubai announced the launch of flights to the historic destination. Flydubai will become the first UAE carrier to operate flights from Dubai to AlUla as the north-west Saudi region continues to attract more visitors. The carrier said it will also resume its operations to Yanbu growing its network in the kingdom to six points including Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah and Riyadh.
          Middle East
          Airline

          UK travel update: All restrictions lifted for vaccinated travellers

          Travellers to the UK will no longer be required to take a Covid-19 PCR test if they are fully vaccinated. The new rule will come into effect from Friday, February 11. Moreover, the UK government said on its official website that travellers from the UAE will not be required to quarantine. Fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the UK will only be required to fill out a passenger locator form (PLF). Travellers must have had their second dose of the vaccine at least 14 days before they arrive in the United Kingdom. Anyone under the age of 18, regardless of their individual vaccination status, will continue to be considered fully vaccinated. Arrivals who are not fully vaccinated will need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day two after they arrive in the country. The passenger locator form will be used to confirm vaccination status, travel history and contact details. People will also have an extra day to fill it out before travelling.
          Middle East
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          Emirates set to resume African flights after the UAE lifts entry ban

          Emirates has announced it will resume passenger operations between Dubai and five African countries starting Saturday following an easing of coronavirus restrictions. The restoration of services will include Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Dar El Salaam, Tanzania; Nairobi, Kenya; Harare, Zimbabwe; and Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban in South Africa. The entry requirements for travellers from Uganda, Ghana and Rwanda were updated as well, with new rules coming into effect from Saturday. Flights between Dubai and South Africa will operate as a daily flight to and from Johannesburg, effective Saturday and double daily services from February 1. Flights to and from Cape Town and Durban will operate daily from February 1. Emirates will operate 10 weekly flights to Nairobi from Saturday while flights to Addis Ababa will operate daily from Sunday.
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          COVID-19: Qatar adds 6 countries to travel red list

          Qatar has updated an exceptional travel red list, adding six countries based on international and local health risk indicators and COVID-19 epidemiology. The update, announced by the Ministry of Public Health, comprises India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Nepal and Egypt. The list will come into effect on Sunday, 30 January, at 7pm, the ministry said. According to procedures related to arrivals from the exceptional red list countries, fully vaccinated passengers from Qataris, foreign residents and nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council nations will be subject to a home quarantine for two days upon arrival. As for the unvaccinated travellers, they will be subject to a home quarantine for seven days upon arrival in Qatar. They are required to do a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival and a rapid antigen test on the seventh day of quarantine after arrival.
          Middle East
          Borders

          UAE lifts entry ban for arrivals from 12 African countries

          The United Arab Emirates lifted the entry ban for travellers from 12 African countries. The temporary ban imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19 prevented arrivals from Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. The entry requirements for travellers from Uganda, Ghana and Rwanda were updated as well, with new rules coming into effect from Saturday, January 29 at 2:30 p.m. Those coming from the above-mentioned countries to the UAE have to have a negative Covid-19 test obtained within 48 hours from the approved labs in their respective countries of departure and a Rapid-PCR test at the airports of departure in addition to undertaking PCR test upon arrival while adhering to all relevant precautionary and preventative measures.
          Middle East
          Borders

          Emirates issues fresh wave of restrictions for travellers from African countries

          In light of continued Covid concerns, the carrier has issued fresh notices for travellers from 15 countries in Africa. According to the latest update on the Emirates website, customers originating from the following destinations will not be accepted for travel to or through Dubai: Angola, Guinea, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana and Ethiopia. While customers originating from Conakry to Dakar will not be accepted for travel, outbound passenger operations from Dubai to these destinations remain unaffected. But flights to and from the following points will not be accepted for travel: Core d’Ivoire, Lusaka, Harare, Lagos, Abuja and Casablanca. A statement said: “Affected customers do not need to call us immediately for rebooking. Customers can simply hold on to their Emirates ticket and when flights resume, get in touch with their travel agent or booking office to make new travel plans.”
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          ISRAEL: Vaccinated/recovered tourists from 'orange' countries will be permitted

          As of 09 January 2022 entry of vaccinated/recovered tourists from 'orange' countries will be permitted, which South Africa will now be qualified as. The following regulations will be in place; fully Vaccinated with final dose at least 14 days prior to entry and at most 180 days when leaving Israel, or have received a booster shot at least 14 days prior to entry. An Entry Statement to be completed within 48 hours of entry on https://corona.health.gov.il/en/flights/. PCR Test 72 hours before flight or Antigen test 24 hours before flight. A second PCR test will be administered on arrival, where visitors will then be required to quarantine for 24 hours or until a test result comes back negative, whichever is sooner. The requirement for testing on arrival will be in place from 04 January for all vaccinated arrivals. The test can be paid for on arrival or prepaid online prior at a more affordable rate on https://testngo.femi.com/en/sign-in. Unvaccinated travellers will have to quarantine for 14 full days and will not be allowed to leave the country until the quarantine period is completed.
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          South Africa
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          UAE to ban unvaccinated citizens from travel, institute Covid-19 booster jab requirement

          The UAE will ban all unvaccinated citizens from travel on January 10, the country’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) announced Saturday. The new rules also require Emiratis planning to travel to have received a booster dose of vaccine if they are eligible. The booster can be taken six months after an individual has received their second dose of vaccine.
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          INDIA ANNOUNCES NEW QUARANTINE MEASURES FOR TRAVELLERS FROM THE UAE

          ith a surge in cases relating to the new omicron variant, various regions across India are adding new travel restrictions during the busy holiday travel period. This week, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) introduced a seven-day home quarantine for all passengers arriving in Mumbai from the UAE. Along with mandatory quarantine, all passengers are required to show proof of double vaccination in addition to a negative PCR test taken no longer than 72 hours prior to travel. Passengers incoming from at-risk countries to Delhi will be required to take a PCR test on arrival, and those who will present with a positive test will then need to undergo a seven-day quarantine. A PCR test must be taken on the eighth day; if the results are still positive, travellers must self-quarantine for an additional seven days. All travellers arriving in India are also advised to pre-download Aarogya Setu, a COVID-19 tracking app developed by the government where travellers can upload their Covid vaccination certificates and PCR tests.
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          Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to start flights to Russia’s Krasnodar

          Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s ultra-low-fare national airline, will now add its second Russian flight destination, this time to Krasnodar. The announcement follows the recent addition of Moscow to the airline’s flight network making Krasnodar the second Russian destination available with Wizz Air Abu Dhabi. The flight to Krasnodar will operate two times a week on Monday and Friday. Tickets are on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app (also available in Arabic)
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          Qatar Airways to launch flights to Tashkent

          Qatar Airways will add Tashkent, Uzbekistan to its global network with twice weekly flights from next month. The first flight from Doha to Tashkent will take off on January 17, 2022, operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring 12 seats in Business Class and 120 seats in Economy Class. The twice-weekly service will depart Doha every Monday and Friday.
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          Airline
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          FRANCE / JORDAN / CYPRUS / PORTUGAL: CDC warns against travel to France, Portugal

          The US CDC issued a Level 4 recommendation yesterday (December 6) against travel to France, Portugal, Jordan, Cyprus, Andorra, Liechtenstein and Tanzania, adding to a long list of destinations, including Germany and Denmark. The State Department issued an aligning warning against travel to the above countries and added Fiji to its ‘Do Not Travel’ list.
          Andorra
          Cyprus
          Denmark
          Fiji
          France
          Germany
          Liechtenstein
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          Tanzania
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          UK tightens travel rules amid continued Omicron spread

          Passengers will not be allowed to board a flight to the UK without producing evidence of a negative PCR or lateral flow test result. The UK will require all travellers to take a pre-flight Covid-19 test within 48 hours prior to their flight – regardless of their vaccine status. The amended rules come into force from 4am on Tuesday this week and come in light of the continued spread of the Omicron variant. They will apply to vaccinated passengers and children aged 12 and above.
          Middle East
          United Kingdom
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          Saudi Arabia to lift travel ban for India, other countries from December 1

          Saudi Arabia on Friday announced the lifting of air travel restrictions from countries where flights were previously banned due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The circular allows passengers coming from Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, Vietnam, Egypt and India to enter Saudi Arabia without the need to spend 14 days outside these countries before entering into the kingdom. However, they must spend five days in quarantine regardless of their vaccination status outside the kingdom, according to a statement carried by Saudi Press Agency.
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