Search alerts

In an update to previous announcements about the resumption of flight routes via a special Abu Dhabi transit service, Etihad has confirmed that they will connect passengers to a total of 13 European destinations from early July. Destination cities include Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, Istanbul, London, Madrid, Milan, Paris and Zurich. They hope to increase their network even further from 16 July and are working closely alongside the UAE authorities to do so.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The airline announced on 21 June that it is set to resume international flights across its global network in June and July 2020, and has published an updated timetable.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.