• Middle East
      • South Africa

          AFGHANISTAN: Further passenger flights to resume from 24 June 2020

          From today, 24 June, further commercial passenger flights are resuming from Afghanistan. Turkish Airlines will now operate two flights per week from Kabul until 1 July, from which time there will be four per week. Dubai-based Emirates will resume flights from Kabul from tomorrow, 25 June, and operate three times per week initially.
          Middle East
          Airline
          Borders
          Turkish Airlines
          Emirates
          Business
          Leisure

          QATAR AIRWAYS: Airline's global network increases to 270 weekly flights to 45 destinations

          The airline published an updated press release yesterday detailing both the resumption of flight routes and an increase in frequency on existing routes over the past week; it has now increased to more than 270 weekly flights to 45 destinations, most recently resuming services to Budapest, Dar es Salaam, Dhaka, Istanbul and New York.
          Middle East
          South Africa
          Airline
          Qatar Airways
          Business
          Leisure

          SKYTEAM: Airline alliance launches enhanced safety measures

          SkyTeam, an international alliance of member airlines, has launched a pledge to enhance safety measures across all of its member airlines at every step of the customer journey. Named ‘SkyCare&Protect’, the pledge will allow passengers to make educated decisions about their travel plans.
          France
          Italy
          Kenya
          Mainland China
          Middle East
          Russia
          South Africa
          United Kingdom
          United States of America
          Vietnam
          Airline
          Aeroflot
          Air France
          Alitalia
          China Eastern
          Delta Air Lines
          Kenya Airways
          KLM
          Vietnam Airlines
          Aeromexico
          Saudia Airlines
          Business
          Leisure

          SAUDI ARABIA: International visitors not permitted to make Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca

          The country's government has banned international visitors from making the Islamic pilgrimage, or Hajj, this year due to restrictions related to COVID-19. Otherwise, up to two million people would have otherwise visited Mecca. Meanwhile, domestically a nationwide curfew has been lifted and all economic and social activities have been allowed to resume from 21 June.
          Middle East
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          UAE: Dubai to welcome tourists from 7 July 2020

          The government of the UAE announced yesterday that airports in Dubai will welcome tourists from 7 July. Arrivals will be required to present a negative COVID-19 certificate or undergo testing at the airport. Meanwhile, citizens and residents of the UAE will also be permitted to travel overseas from tomorrow, 23 July.
          Middle East
          Borders
          Leisure

          KLM: Airline to increase scheduled flights in July and August 2020

          The Netherlands-based airline KLM, a subsidiary of Air France-KLM, is planning to increase the number of passenger flights that it will operate in July and August, as travel restrictions related to COVID-19 begin to ease. In a statement, the airline said it would operate 6,900 passenger flights in July and 13,100 in August - that compares with around 22,000 flights per month in the summer months of 2019.
          Netherlands
          South Africa
          Airline
          KLM
          Business
          Leisure

          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
          Middle East
          South Africa
          United Kingdom
          United States of America
          Airline
          Business
          Leisure

          ANANTARA HOTELS: 'Stay with Peace of Mind' update

          Anantara 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. The update includes guidance for guests on measures being taken, including on arrival, check-in, dining and within common areas.
          Mainland China
          Middle East
          South Africa
          Sri Lanka
          Thailand
          Hotel
          Anantara Hotels
          Business
          Leisure

          ANEW HOTELS & RESORTS: Updated safety protocols launched

          The South African-based hotel owner and operator has published updated information on their safety and cleanliness protocols as they continue to operate and welcome guests throughout the COVID-19 lockdown period. The measures include an extensive sanitation schedule of processes.
          South Africa
          Hotel
          Business
          Leisure

          SANPARKS: South Africa's national parks prepare for accommodation re-opening

          The South African National Parks (SANParks) are preparing to resume operations in the week commencing 22 June, and have recalled their hospitality staff ready for a staggered opening of accommodation facilities. This follows an announcement on 17 June by the country's president in which he said that accommodation agencies and lodges can now open their doors again.
          South Africa
          Hotel
          Business
          Leisure

          TURKISH AIRLINES: Flights to United States resumed from 19 June 2020

          The airline resumed flights to the U.S. on the evening of 19 June, after a suspension of more than two months; two planes bound for Washington D.C. and Chicago took off from Istanbul at around 18.00 GMT. Back in the airline's hub, Turkey has this month reopened restaurants and cafes, allowed intercity flights and car travel, and lifted weekend stay-home orders.
          South Africa
          Turkey
          United States of America
          Airline
          Turkish Airlines
          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
          Business
          Leisure

          THE CAPITAL HOTELS & APARTMENTS: Increased safety measures for meetings and events

          South Africa's Capital Hotels & Apartments have launched increased safety measures to provide a safe and sanitised solution for essential meetings and events. They are also one of the first hotels nationally to launch such safety measures for guests and staff during COVID-19, and have proudly kept their doors open.
          South Africa
          Hotel
          Business

          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
          Business
          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
          Leisure

          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
          Business
          Leisure

          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

          HILTON HOTELS: Global CleanStay program with Lysol protection

          Hilton has announced updates to a global program developed to introduce a new standard of hotel cleanliness and disinfection to ensure that guests enjoy an even cleaner and safer stay: Hilton CleanStay with Lysol protection. The program has been developed with experts from RB, maker of Lysol and Dettol - brands trusted for safely disinfecting surfaces. In addition, experts from the Infection Prevention and Control team at Mayo Clinic will advise and assist in enhancing Hilton’s cleaning disinfection protocols.
          Australia
          Canada
          France
          Germany
          Hong Kong
          New Zealand
          Singapore
          South Africa
          United Kingdom
          United States of America
          Hotel
          Hilton Hotels
          Business