• Middle East
      • South Africa

          IRAN: Country to increase COVID-19 restrictions as it enters virus third wave

          The country’s government is set to impose tougher COVID-19 restrictions from 21 November, and Iran enters its third wave of infections. The ‘red level three’ measures will be imposed in the capital Tehran, and 100 other towns and cities.
          Middle East
          Borders
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          AMERICAN AIRLINES: Airline to trial new COVID-19 passenger mobile app

          The airline has announced plans to begin rolling out ‘Verifly’ this month, a new mobile app to help passengers easily understand COVID-19 testing and documentation requirements. It’ll be available from 18 November on selected flights, and will give passengers a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ status pre-travel depending on the amount of supporting information and documentation that has been provided.
          Australia
          South Africa
          United Kingdom
          United States of America
          Airline
          American Airlines
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          UNITED KINGDOM: Country's government exempts United Arab Emirates travellers from 14-day arrival quarantine

          The UK government has added passengers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to its list of countries exempt from a 14-day arrival quarantine requirement in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. It means that, from 04.00 (GMT) today, 14 November, arrivals from the UAE will no longer have to quarantine for two weeks on arrival in the UK. Alongside the UAE, the UK also added the quarantine exemption for those arriving from Iceland, Chile, Laos, Cambodia, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahrain and Qatar.
          Middle East
          United Kingdom
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          QATAR AIRWAYS: Airline to add additional destinations to its global network

          Qatar Airways has announced that it will both resume flights and increase services to several destinations in the coming weeks. The Middle Eastern airline will fly to Algiers twice a week from 13 November, with nine flights per week to Chicago to follow from 15 November. From 14 November, a twice-weekly service to Miami and 14 flights per week to New York will also resume. Next month, Kiev will welcome three flights a week from 18 December, two flights per week will depart for Phuket from 4 December, and three flights per week for Seychelles and Warsaw from 15 December and 16 December, respectively.
          Middle East
          Airline
          Qatar Airways
          Business
          Leisure

          LEBANON: Country to impose new COVID-19 lockdown restrictions from 14 November 2020

          The country's government has announced that it will impose a two-week lockdown from 14 November to stem a resurgence of cases of COVID-19; the lockdown will continue until 29 November. The health sector and other vital industries will be exempt, and the country's only international airport will remain open during this time.
          Middle East
          Borders
          Business
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          SOUTH AFRICA: Country's government announces that all international travel to South Africa is set to resume

          The country's government has announced that South Africa will open up travel to all countries in an effort to boost the tourism and hospitality sectors. Further details, including a specific date, have not yet been confirmed; however, the requirement for passengers to undergo rapid COVID-19 testing and strict monitoring is expected.
          South Africa
          Borders
          Business
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          EMIRATES: Airline launches 'biometric pathway' for Dubai passengers

          Emirates has launched an integrated biometric path at Dubai International airport for a contactless airport experience open to passengers travelling from and through Dubai. The path will give passengers a seamless travel journey from check-in to the boarding gates, improving customer flow through the airport with less document checks and less queuing. Utilising the latest biometric technology – a mix of facial and iris recognition, Emirates passengers can now check in for their flight, complete immigration formalities, enter the Emirates Lounge and board their flights, simply by passing through the airport.
          Middle East
          Airline
          Emirates
          Business

          AIR ARABIA: Mandatory registration for Indian nationals travelling to India

          Air Arabia has introduced a mandatory online pre-registration requirement for Indian nationals travelling to India; it is mandatory for passengers to present a copy of the confirmation email received upon successful pre-registration, at the time of check-in. Passengers who fail to present it will not be accepted on the flight.
          India
          Middle East
          Airline
          Air Arabia
          Business
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          DELTA AIR LINES: Airline delays resumption of flights to South Africa until 8 January 2021

          The U.S. airline has announced that plans to re-start flights between Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and both Johannesburg and Cape Town have now been delayed until at least 8 January 2021. Although the reintroduction of the flight was initially planned for October, the airline has said that due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions and customer demand, Delta has adjust flight schedules.
          South Africa
          United States of America
          Airline
          Delta Air Lines
          Business
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          JORDAN: Country's government re-opens four land borders to arrivals from 29 October 2020

          The country’s government has confirmed that from today, 29 October, four land borders will be partially re-opened; Sheikh Hussein Bridge, Al Mudawwarah, King Hussein Bridge and Al Omari. There will be restrictions on the number of travellers permitted to cross each point daily - expected to be between 100-150.
          Middle East
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          HILTON HOTELS: Hilton announces additional 'Hilton Honors' reward program extensions

          Hilton has announced updates to their 'Hilton Honors' rewards program for all members, including the extension of points validity, faster paths to elite status and the ability to retain current status for longer; full details are available on the Hilton website.
          Australia
          Hong Kong
          New Zealand
          Singapore
          South Africa
          United Kingdom
          United States of America
          Hotel
          Resort
          Hilton Hotels
          Business
          Leisure
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          UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Updated COVID-19 testing requirements for entry to Dubai

          The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has published an update to COVID-19 pre-testing requirements for passengers arriving in Dubai from a list of specific destinations, which can be found listed on the Emirates airline website. Passengers from affected destinations need to either present a valid negative COVID-19 (PCR) test result, or take a test upon arrival in Dubai. Individuals transiting Dubai from the specified destinations do not need to provide a COVID-19 PCR test result. unless it's required by the government of the final destination country.
          Middle East
          Borders
          Business
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          EMIRATES: Airline to begin flights to Amman, Jordan from 4 November 2020

          The Dubai-based airline has announced that it will expand its current flight schedule utilising it's flagship Airbus A380 aircraft with the introduction of flights to Amman, Jordan from 4 November. Passengers can fly from Dubai to Amman three times a week on Wednesdays, Thursday and Fridays. Emirates flight EK 903 will depart Dubai at 14:05 and arrive in Amman at 15:30 local time. The return flight, EK 904 will depart Amman at 17:10 and arrive in Dubai at 22:00 local time.
          Middle East
          Airline
          Emirates
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          UAE: Passengers from India and Pakistan no longer require 'Ok To Board' pre-approval

          The government of the UAE has confirmed that 'Ok to Board' pre-approval is no longer required for passengers travelling to Dubai from India or Pakistan. Any such approval process will now be managed and updated by airport teams directly at the time of check-in.
          India
          Middle East
          Pakistan
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          AMAWATERWAYS: Cruise operator suspends all remaining 2020 river sailings in three continents

          The cruise operator has announced that it has cancelled the rest of its scheduled 2020 river cruises in Europe, Asia and Africa; this suspension does not though apply to the chartered river cruises being operated on the Rhine in partnership with a German tour operator. Passengers affected will be offered a future cruise credit equal to 115% of the value of their purchase, which will be valid for sailings through to the end of 2022.
          Australia
          Canada
          Germany
          New Zealand
          South Africa
          United Kingdom
          United States of America
          Cruise
          AmaWaterways
          Leisure
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          EMIRATES: Airline announces partnership with South African regional carrier Airlink

          Dubai-based airline Emirates has announced a partnership with South African regional carrier Airlink; Emirates reports that the move will provide its customers enhanced connectivity via Johannesburg and Cape Town to more than 25 domestic destinations in South Africa and more than 20 regional destinations in Southern Africa.
          Middle East
          South Africa
          Airline
          Emirates
          Airlink
          Business
          Leisure
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          SOUTH AFRICA: Country publishes updated list of countries designated 'high-risk'

          The government of South Africa has today, 19 October, issued a revised list of countries designated as 'high-risk' for the purposes of international travel. As a reminder, international travel for business and leisure purposes resumed on 1 October 2020 in South Africa with restrictions in place; travel is currently restricted from countries with infection rates deemed to be high, and travel for leisure purposes from 'high-risk' countries is not permitted. Only high skill visa holders, investors in the economy and diplomats are allowed entry into South Africa from 'high-risk' countries with the necessary approvals in place.
          Argentina
          Bangladesh
          Belgium
          Brazil
          Canada
          Chile
          Colombia
          France
          Germany
          India
          Indonesia
          Italy
          Mexico
          Middle East
          Netherlands
          Peru
          Philippines
          Russia
          South Africa
          Spain
          United Kingdom
          United States of America
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure
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          SINGAPORE AIRLINES: Updated flight schedules published for October, November and December 2020

          The airline, along with partner carrier SilkAir, has published its latest schedule update for flights in October, November and December 2020. Among the updates are reinstated flights to destinations including Brunei, Fukuoka, Kathmandu and Male. The airlines have said that following these resumptions, by the end of December flight capacity will have reached 15% of pre-COVID-19 levels.
          Australia
          Canada
          Japan
          Maldives
          New Zealand
          Singapore
          South Africa
          United Kingdom
          United States of America
          Airline
          Singapore Airlines
          SilkAir
          Business
          Leisure
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          SEYCHELLES: Country's government updates list of countries from which entry is permitted

          South Africans and citizens of nine other African countries will be able to visit Seychelles as tourists from today, 19 October, according to the latest official Seychelles Travel tourism travel advisory published on 16 October. The list of category one countries has been updated to include Botswana, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Category one permitted countries are considered low and medium risk.
          Australia
          Austria
          Botswana
          Burundi
          Canada
          Cyprus
          Denmark
          Egypt
          Estonia
          Finland
          Germany
          Ghana
          Iceland
          Ireland
          Italy
          Ivory Coast
          Kenya
          Latvia
          Liechtenstein
          Lithuania
          Mainland China
          Malawi
          Malaysia
          Mauritius
          Middle East
          Monaco
          New Zealand
          Niger
          Norway
          Pakistan
          Portugal
          Rwanda
          Seychelles
          Singapore
          South Africa
          South Korea
          Sri Lanka
          Sweden
          Switzerland
          Thailand
          Vietnam
          Zimbabwe
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure
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