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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’.

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.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has launched a new route from Abu Dhabi to Mattala, Sri Lanka. Flights to the destination are scheduled on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The airline introduces a new segment of travel by adding its first destination to south Asia which will allow customers from across the broader Wizz Air network to travel via Abu Dhabi to the exotic destination. Mattala, nestled in pristine natural beauty, enjoys a tropical climate with easy access to neighbouring wildlife.

With flights returning to pre-pandemic frequency from London, a new partnership and borders reopening, Singapore Airlines (SIA) is seeking to embark on a road to recovery. The carrier will resume its full schedule from London Heathrow (LHR) to Changi Airport from June 2nd. With four daily flights (28 weekly), the new frequency will also encompass Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As of 10 January South African travellers can once again enter Turkey. Travellers will be required to submit a negative PCR test taken within a maximum of 72 hours before arrival in Turkey and must complete a Passenger Locator Form on https://register.health.gov.tr/ within 72 hours before travel. Documented proof of 2 doses of vaccine approved by WHO ( except 1 dose for Johnson & Johnson ) will be required – a minimum of 14 days must have passed since receiving the 2nd dose. Travellers under the age of 12 years are exempt from submitting a PCR test and travellers who are between 12-18 years old, travelling with their parents and cannot provide vaccination certificate, will be required to provide a negative PCR test result before travel and will be asked to have another PCR test upon arrival. Travellers who cannot provide vaccination documents must enter quarantine for 7 days at their place of residence or at an address that they declare, with an option to test to release on day 5.

Thailand will lift entry ban for African countries as of 11 January with two options when entering Thailand. Travel will be allowed into Thailand under either the Sandbox initiative, covering travel into Phuket/Krabi/Phang-Na/Surat Thani (Koh Samui, Koh Pha-ngan, Ko Tao). Or under the Alternative quarantine option, whereby travellers can enter at any point in Thailand, however, must undergo government quarantine for minimum of 7 days before moving on. Under the Sandbox initiative travellers must arrive direct at Phuket Airport with no BKK transits allowed. All travellers must be fully vaccinated, not applicable to children under 18 traveling with vaccinated parents. Further detailed requirements in terms of testing and stay apply.

On 7 January 2022, the Covid-19 travel ban imposed by the Republic of Mauritius on the Republic of South Africa has been lifted and commercial passenger flights from these countries to Mauritius can resume. Travel for fully vaccinated travellers can be undertaken without the 14-day quarantine that would apply to unvaccinated travellers. Covid-19 insurance health cover will be mandatory (Mauritian Citizens, resident permit holders and occupational permit holders are exempted). Travellers must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure. Covid-19 testing will be required upon arrival (day 0) and on day 5 of your stay. All travellers will be required to complete the mandatory health forms before the flight to Mauritius, printed and signed.

Changes and relaxations in UK regulations will be in effect from 4am on 09 January, whereby eligible fully vaccinated travellers and under 18 year olds, will no longer have to take a pre-departure test or self-isolate on arrival in England. A lateral flow test can be used instead of PCR test for eligible fully vaccinated travellers and over 5 year olds to take on or before day 2. This will only be in effect for arrivals after 4am on Sunday 9 Jan. The lateral flow test will be bookable on the UK government website from 7 Jan. Unvaccinated travellers must continue to take a pre-departure test, PCR test on or before Day 2 and on or after Day 8 and self-isolate for 10 days. ‘Test to release’ remains an option for unvaccinated people to shorten their self-isolation period. A Passenger Locator form is still be completed within 48 hours of travel, and the after-arrival test must still be pre-booked before departure.

The Norwegian government has ended the special entry restrictions for arrivals from South Africa and travellers will no longer have to quarantine on arrival, should they be able to present a Covid-19 certificate approved and linked to EU systems. All travellers arriving in Norway must complete an entry registration declaration prior to arrival (children under the age of 16 and selected groups are exempt from this requirement). A test to be taken before travel (PCR or a rapid antigen test) will be required within less than 24 hours before arrival in Norway, as well as a test after arrival (within 24 hours after arrival). Full vaccination or recovery certificates (as per accepted list) will have to be presented. For travellers over the age of 18 who are unable to provide an approved Covid-19 certificate quarantine, 10 days of travel quarantine has to be completed after arrival. Quarantine can be complete at home or at other suitable accommodation. All people can now end travel quarantine early, following a negative PCR test taken no sooner than 3 days after arrival.

As of 06 January 2022, South Africa will be listed as a high-risk country for entry into Spain for fully vaccinated or recovered travellers. Travellers will be considered fully vaccinated, if all doses are received at least 14 days before departure. A Covid-19 recovery certificate can be presented (valid from day 11 after the first positive NAAT and up to 180 days after the sample date). Negative PCR test result is required, for tests taken 72 hours before arrival or Antigen Test 48 hours before arrival. Health Control Form completed on https://www.spth.gob.es/ and QR code printed out. The form is to be completed by all persons travelling, including children of any age, travellers in transit and residents in Spain returning home.

On 5 January 2022, French government announced that South Africa will be removed from the scarlet red list. All vaccinated travelers are now welcome to travel to France, provided they present proof of your vaccination, a sworn statement certifying the absence of COVID-19 symptoms and of any contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and a negative PCR or antigen test taken less than 48 hours prior to departure (departure of first flight in case of connecting flights). Unvaccinated travellers must present a compelling reason for travel and will have to quarantine for ten days.