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
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Emirates
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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
Airline
Qatar Airways
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Leisure

BRITISH AIRWAYS: New safety measures announced

The UK's national carrier has announced a new program of safety measures, designed to protect passengers at every step of the journey as they're welcomed back on board.
South Africa
United Kingdom
Airline
British Airways
Business
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QANTAS: Announcement of extended travel credit

The airline has announced a new process to improve how customers can use their ticket value held in credit if their travel was impacted by COVID-19. Customers now have the option to use ticket credit towards multiple bookings, with greater flexibility that allows them to complete rebooked travel up until an extended deadline of 31 December 2022.
Australia
South Africa
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Qantas
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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.
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South Africa
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Etihad Airways
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QANTAS: International flights suspended until 24 October 2020

The airline has reportedly suspended all international flights until at least 24 October, with the exception of some services to New Zealand.
Australia
New Zealand
South Africa
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Qantas
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TAIWAN: Border restrictions for business travellers to ease from 22 June 2020

Taiwan has announced that from 22 June, border restrictions will be eased to allow business travellers from some low-risk countries to enter. Arrivals must provide a negative test result from the previous three days, have an invitation letter and be subject to a full 14 day quarantine - unless they pay for a further test after arrival in which case this may be reduced.
Taiwan
Airline
Business

AIR NEW ZEALAND: Shanghai flights to resume from 22 June 2020

The airline has announced that passenger flights between Auckland and Shanghai will resume once per week from 22 June. Flight number NZ289 will leave Auckland on a Monday, and return from Shanghai on a Wednesday. The service will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 aircraft and will remain on this schedule until 30 August, unless otherwise advised.
Mainland China
New Zealand
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Air New Zealand
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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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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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UKRAINE: Borders re-open to foreign nationals from 15 June 2020

The country has today re-opened borders to international arrivals; its national carrier, Ukraine International Airlines, is expected to resume international services within the next week, and currently a 14 day arrival quarantine is still in place until at least 22 June.
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Borders
Ukraine International Airlines
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WESTJET: Updated flight schedule for July-August 2020

The airline has today announced an updated Summer schedule from 5 July to 4 August; flights to 45 destinations are planned including 39 in Canada, five in the U.S. and one in Mexico.
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United States of America
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Westjet
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AIRLINK: South African regional airline announces schedule reduction

Airlink has announced that they will no longer be flying between Johannesburg and Durban from 15 June onwards, due to the route proving to not be financially viable. They will continue flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town and will also focus efforts on other routes once permissions allow; this includes flights to Bloemfontein, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Kimberley, Upington, Umtata, Pietermaritzburg, Richard’s Bay, George, Port Elizabeth and East London.
South Africa
Airline
Airlink
Business

EASYJET: Flights resume with restrictions in place from 15 June 2020

The airline took to the skies today for the first time since 30 March, flying to a small number of mainly domestic UK destinations. By August, easyJet plans to resume around 75% of routes, albeit at a much lower frequency than the same time last year.
South Africa
United Kingdom
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easyJet
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CANADA: Mandatory temperature checks for air passengers to be introduced

The country announced today that it will take airline passengers’ temperatures before they fly and anyone with a fever will not be allowed to travel. Those arriving in Canada will be screened by the end of June; those leaving the country, as well as domestic travelers, will be screened at the country’s four biggest airports by the end of July.
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Borders
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AIR TRANSAT: Flights to resume from 23 July 2020

The Montréal-based airline has announced that flights are set to resume from 23 July; a new schedule will offer services to more than 20 destinations including those in Europe, the United States and domestically in Canada.
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United States of America
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Air Transat
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PHILIPPINE AIRLINES: Resumed flight schedules released for June 2020

The airline has today released updated details of flight schedules in June, including the resumption of a number of routes. Although subject to change, flights to destinations including cities in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia and Singapore are currently due to operate.
Australia
Canada
Philippines
Singapore
United Kingdom
United States of America
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Philippine Airlines
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BRITISH AIRWAYS: Executive Club member tier status extended for one year

The airline has announced that the tier status for Executive Club members has been extended for a full year, as of today, as a thank you for the loyalty of their customers. The number of Tier Points needed to reach each tier (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Gold Guest List) will also reduce by 25% for the year after the 12-month extension.
South Africa
United Kingdom
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British Airways
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VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Increased domestic flights and new safety and well being measures

The airline is set to double current capacity by early July, adding approximately 30,000 seats across 320 flights per week to its domestic schedule. Virgin Australia will also introduce a comprehensive new set of safety and wellbeing measures, including pre-departure eligibility and health screening, contactless check-in, more frequent cleaning onboard and at the airport and expanded social distancing measures.
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Virgin Australia
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