sweep_shot
ODI Captain
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2016
- Runs
- 46,895
What's the reason behind this cheap behavior from Air Canada? I don't travel much and hence I don't know much about them.
-
Contact the PP Team
Effect of Coronavirus Pandemic on the Airline/Aviation industry and Air Travel
- Thread starter MenInG
- Start date
What's the reason behind this cheap behavior from Air Canada? I don't travel much and hence I don't know much about them.
CanadianG00se
First Class Star
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2017
- Runs
- 3,325
Ever since new CEO took over, Air Canada have been going down the drain. I have always preferred Air Canada for past number of years for both domestic and internationals but things are changing. From poor customer service to low quality meals, from less baggage allowance to higher ticket costs, everything is making Air Canada least preferable choice, at least for cross Atlantic.
sweep_shot
ODI Captain
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2016
- Runs
- 46,895
But, why is this the case? Are they in a bad financial situation?
CanadianG00se
First Class Star
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2017
- Runs
- 3,325
Poor management actually. By lowering baggage allowance, they can charge more to customer and/or use for commercial shipments.
I think they are doing this to increase their bottom line. Last year, they had a surplus of $3B, which is very profitable. So, I guess they were exploiting Canadian market(monopoly) and making more cash by offering terrible service, knowing they have large share of access to market. Besides they are private organizations and not state owned which makes them even more greedy for extra dollars.
This year they suffered $1.6B in loss revenue for the second quarter and will lose about $4B or so if Intl fights don’t return to 2019 level by end of the year(seems highly unlikely). I absolutely have no sympathy for Air Canada for suffering losses due to covid. Karma eh?
Air Canada knows that Air Transat and WestJet doesn’t have the fleet nor enough international routes to compete for Canadian market. Being a solo airline, gives them unfair advantage at times.
Last edited:
sweep_shot
ODI Captain
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2016
- Runs
- 46,895
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority has suspended Air India Express flights till October 2 for allegedly bringing passengers with Covid-positive certificates twice during the last couple of weeks, senior government officials said on Friday.
As per the UAE government rules, each passenger travelling from India need to bring original Covid-negative certificate from RT-PCR test done 96 hours prior to the journey.
“A passenger, who had a Covid-positive certificate dated September 2, travelled on Air India Express’ Jaipur-Dubai flight on September 4. A similar incident had happened with a passenger on one of the airline’s other Dubai flights previously,” said one of the officials.
Therefore, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority has suspended Air India Express flights from September 18 to October 2, the officials stated.
Both the incidents of passengers flying with Covid-positive certificates to Dubai from India on Air India Express flights happened during the last couple of weeks, the officials noted.
When asked about this matter, Air India Express said it is focusing on reducing the hardship of the passengers and it plans to operate its four Dubai flights, scheduled to operate from India on Friday, to Sharjah instead.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...-guidelines/story-gbR0kONg4BpyC3SzheNB8K.html
As per the UAE government rules, each passenger travelling from India need to bring original Covid-negative certificate from RT-PCR test done 96 hours prior to the journey.
“A passenger, who had a Covid-positive certificate dated September 2, travelled on Air India Express’ Jaipur-Dubai flight on September 4. A similar incident had happened with a passenger on one of the airline’s other Dubai flights previously,” said one of the officials.
Therefore, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority has suspended Air India Express flights from September 18 to October 2, the officials stated.
Both the incidents of passengers flying with Covid-positive certificates to Dubai from India on Air India Express flights happened during the last couple of weeks, the officials noted.
When asked about this matter, Air India Express said it is focusing on reducing the hardship of the passengers and it plans to operate its four Dubai flights, scheduled to operate from India on Friday, to Sharjah instead.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...-guidelines/story-gbR0kONg4BpyC3SzheNB8K.html
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Dubai: All Air India Express flights to and from Dubai will operate as per original schedule with effect from September 19, the airline has just announced.
The airline made the announcement on its Facebook page hours after its Dubai flights were rescheduled to Sharjah following a 15-day suspension of its Dubai operations ordered by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.
Five flights that were supposed to operate from Dubai International Airport were rescheduled to Sharjah International Airport on Friday following the 15-day suspension of the airline’s Dubai operations, the airline confirmed to Gulf News.
The temporary suspension of operations from September 18 by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority came after the airline’s ground handling agents allowed two passengers with COVID-19 positive test results to board flights to Dubai—one each on two different dates from Delhi and Jaipur.
The flights that were rescheduled to Sharjah were to Kozhikode (Calicut), Thiruvananthapuram, Delhi, Mumbai and Kannur, the airline said.
The airline made the announcement on its Facebook page hours after its Dubai flights were rescheduled to Sharjah following a 15-day suspension of its Dubai operations ordered by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.
Five flights that were supposed to operate from Dubai International Airport were rescheduled to Sharjah International Airport on Friday following the 15-day suspension of the airline’s Dubai operations, the airline confirmed to Gulf News.
The temporary suspension of operations from September 18 by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority came after the airline’s ground handling agents allowed two passengers with COVID-19 positive test results to board flights to Dubai—one each on two different dates from Delhi and Jaipur.
The flights that were rescheduled to Sharjah were to Kozhikode (Calicut), Thiruvananthapuram, Delhi, Mumbai and Kannur, the airline said.
The Viper
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
- Runs
- 6,865
Flynas airline to resume flights to Pakistan
Saudi Arabia’s budget airline flynas is resuming flights for Islamabad and Lahore.
Three weekly Airbus A320 flights between Riyadh and Islamabad are starting from September 18, 2020. Three weekly Airbus A320 flights between Riyadh and Lahore starting from September 19, 2020.
Flynas was operating 14 flights weekly but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, like other airlines they stopped their operations.
It is pertinent to note that flynas, the national Saudi carrier and leading low cost airline in the Middle East, launched its first flight to Pakistan in February 2018.
Flynas is Saud Arabia’s first budget airline with its head office located in Riyadh.
https://www.albiladdailyeng.com/flynas-airline-to-resume-flights-to-pakistan/
Saudi Arabia’s budget airline flynas is resuming flights for Islamabad and Lahore.
Three weekly Airbus A320 flights between Riyadh and Islamabad are starting from September 18, 2020. Three weekly Airbus A320 flights between Riyadh and Lahore starting from September 19, 2020.
Flynas was operating 14 flights weekly but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, like other airlines they stopped their operations.
It is pertinent to note that flynas, the national Saudi carrier and leading low cost airline in the Middle East, launched its first flight to Pakistan in February 2018.
Flynas is Saud Arabia’s first budget airline with its head office located in Riyadh.
https://www.albiladdailyeng.com/flynas-airline-to-resume-flights-to-pakistan/
sweep_shot
ODI Captain
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2016
- Runs
- 46,895
CanadianG00se
First Class Star
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2017
- Runs
- 3,325
Air Canada now trying to blackmail Canadian Govt to open up borders, remove 14-day quarantine, and remove travel advisory. They are so pathetic that for them money is all it matters even if it means putting the safety of Canadians at risk. I hate Air Canada so much that I can’t wait for them to go bankrupt for good.
The Viper
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
- Runs
- 6,865
Airlines push for coronavirus tests before international flights
Global airlines are calling for airport coronavirus tests for all departing international passengers to replace the quarantines they blame for exacerbating the travel slump.
Rapid and affordable antigen tests that look for pieces of the coronavirus in swab samples from people’s noses and throats – and that can be administered by non-medical staff – are expected to become available in the “coming weeks” and should be rolled out under globally agreed standards, the head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said during an online media briefing.
“We don’t see any alternative solution that would be less challenging or more effective,” IATA Director General Alexandre de Juniac said.
Airlines hammered by the coronavirus pandemic are pressing governments to embrace alternatives to blanket travel restrictions that are still hampering a traffic recovery – and that are now tightening again in Europe amid resurgent case numbers.
With rapid antigen tests becoming available for as little as $7 each, de Juniac said, airlines will push for their use to be endorsed by the International Civil Aviation Organization, the United Nations agency that oversees global aviation rules.
IATA believes production could be quickly increased to millions per day and the tests phased in between late October and the end of the year, “helping to save a part of the winter season”, de Juniac told Reuters television
A global agreement is needed to ensure predeparture test results are uniformly accepted by the destination country, he said, adding, “It will also boost passenger confidence that everybody on the aircraft has been tested.”
Evolving position
The airlines’ position has evolved alongside testing technology. IATA argued a month ago for new rules to recognise laboratory-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests – which also look for virus fragments – conducted 48 hours before departure.
Last-minute airport screening is more effective because it “seals off the system” against forged certificates or infections contracted just before travel, de Juniac said on Tuesday.
Antigen tests are faster but less sensitive and therefore slightly more likely to miss positive cases than the PCR alternatives, although the accuracy gap has narrowed.
Among companies marketing the new tests, German diagnostics specialist Qiagen said earlier this month that it planned to launch a COVID-19 antigen test that provided results in 15 minutes and could be deployed in airports or stadiums.
https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2...oronavirus-tests-before-international-flights
Global airlines are calling for airport coronavirus tests for all departing international passengers to replace the quarantines they blame for exacerbating the travel slump.
Rapid and affordable antigen tests that look for pieces of the coronavirus in swab samples from people’s noses and throats – and that can be administered by non-medical staff – are expected to become available in the “coming weeks” and should be rolled out under globally agreed standards, the head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said during an online media briefing.
“We don’t see any alternative solution that would be less challenging or more effective,” IATA Director General Alexandre de Juniac said.
Airlines hammered by the coronavirus pandemic are pressing governments to embrace alternatives to blanket travel restrictions that are still hampering a traffic recovery – and that are now tightening again in Europe amid resurgent case numbers.
With rapid antigen tests becoming available for as little as $7 each, de Juniac said, airlines will push for their use to be endorsed by the International Civil Aviation Organization, the United Nations agency that oversees global aviation rules.
IATA believes production could be quickly increased to millions per day and the tests phased in between late October and the end of the year, “helping to save a part of the winter season”, de Juniac told Reuters television
A global agreement is needed to ensure predeparture test results are uniformly accepted by the destination country, he said, adding, “It will also boost passenger confidence that everybody on the aircraft has been tested.”
Evolving position
The airlines’ position has evolved alongside testing technology. IATA argued a month ago for new rules to recognise laboratory-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests – which also look for virus fragments – conducted 48 hours before departure.
Last-minute airport screening is more effective because it “seals off the system” against forged certificates or infections contracted just before travel, de Juniac said on Tuesday.
Antigen tests are faster but less sensitive and therefore slightly more likely to miss positive cases than the PCR alternatives, although the accuracy gap has narrowed.
Among companies marketing the new tests, German diagnostics specialist Qiagen said earlier this month that it planned to launch a COVID-19 antigen test that provided results in 15 minutes and could be deployed in airports or stadiums.
https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2...oronavirus-tests-before-international-flights
JaDed
Test Star
- Joined
- May 5, 2014
- Runs
- 39,086
shaz619
Test Star
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2010
- Runs
- 38,383
- Post of the Week
- 7
Man that will have a catastrophic impact on the industry and domino effect all around the world considering the flying to and from the states, the only other option people have is to consider a path in 'defence' but that's not ideal for everyone, even though I know it's not straight forward to get into anyhow. Governments only helped these airlines to keep them off their back for a bit / do the bare minimum, they will not go out of their way to boost the industry because it will take some time to recover
JaDed
Test Star
- Joined
- May 5, 2014
- Runs
- 39,086
Yup someone commented the airlines want to privatize profits and socialize the losses although tbf these are terrible circumstances..
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2015
- Runs
- 15,745
EasyJet 'hanging by a thread', says union official
An airline union official says he believes that EasyJet is "hanging by a thread".
In a leaked recording obtained by BBC News, Martin Entwisle said the company was in a "really, really dire situation."
Mr Entwisle made the comment after a meeting with the airline's chief financial officer, Andrew Findlay.
EasyJet denies that Mr Entwisle's claims in the recording reflect what EasyJet or its finance officer said.
The meeting between Mr Entwisle, three other representatives of the pilots' union Balpa and senior EasyJet management took place two weeks ago.
In a subsequent presentation to EasyJet pilots, Mr Entwisle, an EasyJet captain and union rep, said, "I think the easiest way to put it is that the company is hanging by a thread. The situation is dire.
"If we don't have a good summer next summer and make a considerable amount of money, we really are going to be out of a job."
The recording comes from the presentation, which was given by the union officials to their members as part of a process to encourage them to take up the airline's offer of part-time working in order to save jobs.
Like all airlines, EasyJet had to take drastic measures in response to the pandemic. It placed around 80% of its pilots on the government's furlough scheme, and secured a £600m loan from the Treasury's emergency coronavirus fund. In May it announced that it planned to lay off up to 4,500 staff across Europe.
But the recording highlights other measures that EasyJet has apparently taken.
The airline, which at the start of the pandemic owned over 80% of its aircraft according to Mr Entwisle, has sold over 30% of them, and leased them back, to plough money into the company, and "more aircraft are about to be sold".
Mr Entwisle also said the winter is looking "dire" and will result in the airline cutting back significantly on its schedule. He claims that peak flying each day during the winter "is not going to exceed 90 aircraft in the UK."
The aircraft have all been allocated to bases but "some of it is absolutely horrendous - some bases are looking at in excess of 50 - 60% cuts, possibly this winter."
EasyJet has previously said it was closing its bases at Newcastle and two London airports, Southend and Stansted.
Balpa announced on Friday that it had reached agreement with EasyJet to avoid any compulsory redundancies. Sixty pilots have left voluntarily, while 1,500 have opted for part-time working, around 75% of all pilots at the airline.
In a statement EasyJet said: "The recording does not reflect what EasyJet or its chief financial officer said. We have been clear the whole industry has been impacted by the pandemic, however, EasyJet has taken a prudent approach to capacity and the right actions on cash preservation.
"The airline continues to keep all liquidity options under review, but no decisions have been taken.
"Winter flying is always significantly lower than summer and EasyJet will continue with its prudent and dynamic approach to capacity over the winter. No decisions have been taken and we will update the market in due course."
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54303379
An airline union official says he believes that EasyJet is "hanging by a thread".
In a leaked recording obtained by BBC News, Martin Entwisle said the company was in a "really, really dire situation."
Mr Entwisle made the comment after a meeting with the airline's chief financial officer, Andrew Findlay.
EasyJet denies that Mr Entwisle's claims in the recording reflect what EasyJet or its finance officer said.
The meeting between Mr Entwisle, three other representatives of the pilots' union Balpa and senior EasyJet management took place two weeks ago.
In a subsequent presentation to EasyJet pilots, Mr Entwisle, an EasyJet captain and union rep, said, "I think the easiest way to put it is that the company is hanging by a thread. The situation is dire.
"If we don't have a good summer next summer and make a considerable amount of money, we really are going to be out of a job."
The recording comes from the presentation, which was given by the union officials to their members as part of a process to encourage them to take up the airline's offer of part-time working in order to save jobs.
Like all airlines, EasyJet had to take drastic measures in response to the pandemic. It placed around 80% of its pilots on the government's furlough scheme, and secured a £600m loan from the Treasury's emergency coronavirus fund. In May it announced that it planned to lay off up to 4,500 staff across Europe.
But the recording highlights other measures that EasyJet has apparently taken.
The airline, which at the start of the pandemic owned over 80% of its aircraft according to Mr Entwisle, has sold over 30% of them, and leased them back, to plough money into the company, and "more aircraft are about to be sold".
Mr Entwisle also said the winter is looking "dire" and will result in the airline cutting back significantly on its schedule. He claims that peak flying each day during the winter "is not going to exceed 90 aircraft in the UK."
The aircraft have all been allocated to bases but "some of it is absolutely horrendous - some bases are looking at in excess of 50 - 60% cuts, possibly this winter."
EasyJet has previously said it was closing its bases at Newcastle and two London airports, Southend and Stansted.
Balpa announced on Friday that it had reached agreement with EasyJet to avoid any compulsory redundancies. Sixty pilots have left voluntarily, while 1,500 have opted for part-time working, around 75% of all pilots at the airline.
In a statement EasyJet said: "The recording does not reflect what EasyJet or its chief financial officer said. We have been clear the whole industry has been impacted by the pandemic, however, EasyJet has taken a prudent approach to capacity and the right actions on cash preservation.
"The airline continues to keep all liquidity options under review, but no decisions have been taken.
"Winter flying is always significantly lower than summer and EasyJet will continue with its prudent and dynamic approach to capacity over the winter. No decisions have been taken and we will update the market in due course."
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54303379
No matter how terrible, taxpayers shouldn't be covering private companies. No way they would socialise profits, likewise no way should the losses be socialised.
The Viper
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
- Runs
- 6,865
Lufthansa Cancels India-Germany Flights Till October 20 After Row With Centre
New Delhi: German airline Lufthansa - one of the world's largest operators - has cancelled all flights to India between September 30 and October 20 following a dispute with the government over the number of flights it is currently allowed to operate.
In a statement on this subject Lufthansa said: "Due to the Indian government's rejection of Lufthansa's flight schedule for October, Lufthansa will now have to cancel all planned flights between Germany and India between 30 September and 20 October, unfortunately".
The DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation) said the number of weekly flights being operated by Lufthansa (as part of the air bubble between India and Germany during the pandemic) is 20.
Indian carriers, meanwhile, operate between three and four flights per week.
The DGCA has said this means domestic carriers are at a "significant disadvantage".
"... is putting Indian carriers at a significant disadvantage resulting in inequitable distribution of traffic in favour of Lufthansa," the civil aviation regulator's statement said.
The government proposed limiting Lufthansa's flights to seven per week, which the airline rejected. Negotiations between both sides are continuing.
As international air travel began slowly reopening across the world after months of coronavirus lockdowns, India set up the air bubble - which allows nationals of each country to travel in either direction - with Germany in July.
Regularly scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended since March 23 due to the Covid lockdown. Domestic flights were resumed May 25.
There are, however, restrictions in place for Indian nationals travelling to Germany and this, the government has said, was putting domestic airlines at a disadvantage and resulted in "inequitable distribution of traffic in favour of Lufthansa".
Including Germany, India has "air bubble agreements" with 13 countries. Some of the others are Australia, Japan, France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Singapore.
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/luf...spute-with-centre-2302884?pfrom=home-bigstory
New Delhi: German airline Lufthansa - one of the world's largest operators - has cancelled all flights to India between September 30 and October 20 following a dispute with the government over the number of flights it is currently allowed to operate.
In a statement on this subject Lufthansa said: "Due to the Indian government's rejection of Lufthansa's flight schedule for October, Lufthansa will now have to cancel all planned flights between Germany and India between 30 September and 20 October, unfortunately".
The DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation) said the number of weekly flights being operated by Lufthansa (as part of the air bubble between India and Germany during the pandemic) is 20.
Indian carriers, meanwhile, operate between three and four flights per week.
The DGCA has said this means domestic carriers are at a "significant disadvantage".
"... is putting Indian carriers at a significant disadvantage resulting in inequitable distribution of traffic in favour of Lufthansa," the civil aviation regulator's statement said.
The government proposed limiting Lufthansa's flights to seven per week, which the airline rejected. Negotiations between both sides are continuing.
As international air travel began slowly reopening across the world after months of coronavirus lockdowns, India set up the air bubble - which allows nationals of each country to travel in either direction - with Germany in July.
Regularly scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended since March 23 due to the Covid lockdown. Domestic flights were resumed May 25.
There are, however, restrictions in place for Indian nationals travelling to Germany and this, the government has said, was putting domestic airlines at a disadvantage and resulted in "inequitable distribution of traffic in favour of Lufthansa".
Including Germany, India has "air bubble agreements" with 13 countries. Some of the others are Australia, Japan, France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Singapore.
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/luf...spute-with-centre-2302884?pfrom=home-bigstory
JaDed
Test Star
- Joined
- May 5, 2014
- Runs
- 39,086
To all traveling to states from India, letting you know that dont travel the European connecting flights if you are going from some city in India to Delhi and then traveling via Europe.. you will end up getting your ticket canceled.
Try for direct ones from Delhi, for residents of Delhi its not an issue.
Try for direct ones from Delhi, for residents of Delhi its not an issue.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
As many as 46 million jobs could be lost globally because of the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on the aviation industry, an industry group says.
The Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) said it is not just jobs in aviation itself that are under threat but also those related to the industry, from tourism to construction.
The total shutdown of the industry for several months, the slow recovery and the stop/start nature of the reopening means air travel will not recover to pre-Covid-19 levels until around 2024, the ATAG said.
“Our analysis shows that up to 4.8 million jobs in aviation may be lost by the beginning of next year, a 43% reduction from pre-Covid levels,” Michael Gill, the group’s executive director, said. “When you expand those effects across all the jobs aviation would normally support, 46 million jobs are at risk.”
He said that, as well as giving employment support, governments also needed to be consistent in their messaging so travellers are not "subject to random quarantine declarations and constantly changing lists of acceptable and unacceptable destinations".
The Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) said it is not just jobs in aviation itself that are under threat but also those related to the industry, from tourism to construction.
The total shutdown of the industry for several months, the slow recovery and the stop/start nature of the reopening means air travel will not recover to pre-Covid-19 levels until around 2024, the ATAG said.
“Our analysis shows that up to 4.8 million jobs in aviation may be lost by the beginning of next year, a 43% reduction from pre-Covid levels,” Michael Gill, the group’s executive director, said. “When you expand those effects across all the jobs aviation would normally support, 46 million jobs are at risk.”
He said that, as well as giving employment support, governments also needed to be consistent in their messaging so travellers are not "subject to random quarantine declarations and constantly changing lists of acceptable and unacceptable destinations".
sweep_shot
ODI Captain
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2016
- Runs
- 46,895
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
EasyJet has warned it faces losses of more than £800m this year and that it expects to fly at just 25% of normal capacity into next year.
The annual loss will be the first in EasyJet's 25-year history.
Although the airline said in a trading update it had taken tough action to cut costs, the warning underlines the continuing challenges for the industry.
Sky News has reported that EasyJet has signalled to the government that it may need more financial support.
There was no reference about needing state aid in the trading statement.
However, chief executive Johan Lundgren said: "Aviation continues to face the most severe threat in its history and the UK government urgently needs to step up with a bespoke package of measures to ensure airlines are able to support economic recovery when it comes."
The annual loss will be the first in EasyJet's 25-year history.
Although the airline said in a trading update it had taken tough action to cut costs, the warning underlines the continuing challenges for the industry.
Sky News has reported that EasyJet has signalled to the government that it may need more financial support.
There was no reference about needing state aid in the trading statement.
However, chief executive Johan Lundgren said: "Aviation continues to face the most severe threat in its history and the UK government urgently needs to step up with a bespoke package of measures to ensure airlines are able to support economic recovery when it comes."
Abdullah719
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2013
- Runs
- 44,825
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1/2 Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has taken serious notice of violation of SOPs on International flight by Qatar Airlines which resulted in putting the health and safety of the passengers as well as personnel working at the Airport at risk.</p>— PCAAOfficial (@official_pcaa) <a href="https://twitter.com/official_pcaa/status/1317096671873032194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2/2 PCAA has imposed fine of rupees 100,000 on the Qatar Airlines. The Airline shall also be responsible for all expenses incurred on the testing of COVID-19 and Quarantine, etc.</p>— PCAAOfficial (@official_pcaa) <a href="https://twitter.com/official_pcaa/status/1317096603015127043?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2/2 PCAA has imposed fine of rupees 100,000 on the Qatar Airlines. The Airline shall also be responsible for all expenses incurred on the testing of COVID-19 and Quarantine, etc.</p>— PCAAOfficial (@official_pcaa) <a href="https://twitter.com/official_pcaa/status/1317096603015127043?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
The new British Airways chief executive has called for an end to the quarantine requirement for international arrivals.
Currently, travellers arriving from countries not on the Foreign Office's safe travel list have to self-isolate for 14 days.
But Sean Doyle said he believed the system should be replaced with airport testing.
"We believe the best way to reassure people is to introduce a reliable and affordable test before flying," he told the Airlines 2050 conference.
"For the UK, this approach reduces the stress on the NHS testing systems within the UK and on policing the quarantine system.
"If we look abroad to our near neighbours, we see that business travel and indeed tourism is being prioritised by some countries.
"We need to get the economy moving again and this just isn't possible when you're asking people to quarantine for 14 days."
Currently, travellers arriving from countries not on the Foreign Office's safe travel list have to self-isolate for 14 days.
But Sean Doyle said he believed the system should be replaced with airport testing.
"We believe the best way to reassure people is to introduce a reliable and affordable test before flying," he told the Airlines 2050 conference.
"For the UK, this approach reduces the stress on the NHS testing systems within the UK and on policing the quarantine system.
"If we look abroad to our near neighbours, we see that business travel and indeed tourism is being prioritised by some countries.
"We need to get the economy moving again and this just isn't possible when you're asking people to quarantine for 14 days."
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Passengers flying from Heathrow to Hong Kong and Italy on Tuesday will be the first to have the option of paying for a rapid Covid test before checking in.
The test will cost £80 and the result is guaranteed within an hour.
The aim is to help people travelling to destinations where proof of a negative result is required on arrival.
A growing number of countries have classified the UK as being "at risk", meaning travellers from the UK face more restrictions.
The authorities in Hong Kong now require people to show they have a negative test result, taken within 72 hours of a flight from London.
The rapid saliva swab, which is now available at Heathrow Terminals 2 and 5, is known as a Lamp (Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification) test.
The test will cost £80 and the result is guaranteed within an hour.
The aim is to help people travelling to destinations where proof of a negative result is required on arrival.
A growing number of countries have classified the UK as being "at risk", meaning travellers from the UK face more restrictions.
The authorities in Hong Kong now require people to show they have a negative test result, taken within 72 hours of a flight from London.
The rapid saliva swab, which is now available at Heathrow Terminals 2 and 5, is known as a Lamp (Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification) test.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Cathay Pacific has announced it is closing its subsidiary Cathay Dragon and cutting 8,500 jobs.
Cathay Dragon was a full service regional carrier flying mainly to mainland China and other Asian destinations.
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific says it hopes to retain most of Cathay Dragon’s routes.
Many other airlines are on the brink of survival as the Covid-19 pandemic batters travel and tourism.
Cathay Dragon was a full service regional carrier flying mainly to mainland China and other Asian destinations.
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific says it hopes to retain most of Cathay Dragon’s routes.
Many other airlines are on the brink of survival as the Covid-19 pandemic batters travel and tourism.
sweep_shot
ODI Captain
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2016
- Runs
- 46,895
sweep_shot
ODI Captain
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2016
- Runs
- 46,895
sweep_shot
ODI Captain
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2016
- Runs
- 46,895
sweep_shot
ODI Captain
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2016
- Runs
- 46,895
sweep_shot
ODI Captain
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2016
- Runs
- 46,895
sweep_shot
ODI Captain
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2016
- Runs
- 46,895
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Airport boss: All passengers need to be tested before boarding to get travel industry back to normal
Paul O'Kane, chief communications officer at Dublin Airport, spoke to Kay Burley about two new testing centres opening there this week.
A drive-through centre opens at the airport today and a separate walk-in facility will open its doors on Monday, Mr O'Kane told Sky News.
Paul O'Kane, chief communications officer at Dublin Airport, spoke to Kay Burley about two new testing centres opening there this week.
A drive-through centre opens at the airport today and a separate walk-in facility will open its doors on Monday, Mr O'Kane told Sky News.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
International air travellers will, in future, need to prove they have had Covid-19 vaccine in order to board Qantas flights, airline says
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Plane passengers may need vaccine to fly, airline says
Also on the subject of travel, one airline has raised the possibility of a mandatory "vaccination passport" for anyone who wants to fly.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said he had been talking to his counterparts at other airlines around the world about the plan.
"We are looking at changing the terms and conditions to say for international travellers that we will ask people to have the vaccination before they get on the aircraft," Mr Joyce told Australia's Network Nine television.
He said creating a vaccination passport for inbound and outbound travellers to and from Australia – where Qantas is based - would require a lot of thought and logistics and may need government intervention.
Also on the subject of travel, one airline has raised the possibility of a mandatory "vaccination passport" for anyone who wants to fly.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said he had been talking to his counterparts at other airlines around the world about the plan.
"We are looking at changing the terms and conditions to say for international travellers that we will ask people to have the vaccination before they get on the aircraft," Mr Joyce told Australia's Network Nine television.
He said creating a vaccination passport for inbound and outbound travellers to and from Australia – where Qantas is based - would require a lot of thought and logistics and may need government intervention.
WhenSultansBowled
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2015
- Runs
- 6,624
Surely man people won't like these new terms and conditions.
Personally, I'll wait for until the very last day to vaccinate myself and mine.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Saudi Arabia suspended late on Sunday all international commercial flights for a renewable week except for the foreign flights already in the kingdom which will be allowed to leave, state news agency SPA reported quoting an interior ministry source.
The source added the entry to the kingdom through land and sea ports will be also suspended for a renewable week. These measures come after the spread of a new strain of Covid-19 among a number of countries.
As a result, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) also halted all its flights scheduled to Saudi Arabia in a directive issued early on Monday. Various flights from Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad to cities of Saudi Arabia were cancelled.
"Until flight permissions are restored, all flights will remain cancelled," said PIA spokesman Abdullah Khan.
He said that all affected passengers will be accommodated at the earliest as soon as flights are restored and urged passengers to provide their correct phone numbers so they can be contacted with updates.
Khan said that the PIA call centre should be contacted at 111 786 786 for any guidance or information.
The source added the entry to the kingdom through land and sea ports will be also suspended for a renewable week. These measures come after the spread of a new strain of Covid-19 among a number of countries.
As a result, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) also halted all its flights scheduled to Saudi Arabia in a directive issued early on Monday. Various flights from Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad to cities of Saudi Arabia were cancelled.
"Until flight permissions are restored, all flights will remain cancelled," said PIA spokesman Abdullah Khan.
He said that all affected passengers will be accommodated at the earliest as soon as flights are restored and urged passengers to provide their correct phone numbers so they can be contacted with updates.
Khan said that the PIA call centre should be contacted at 111 786 786 for any guidance or information.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Britain is banning direct passenger flights from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Friday (today), shutting down the world's busiest international airline route from Dubai to London.
Britain said it was adding the UAE, Burundi and Rwanda to its coronavirus travel ban list because of worries over the spread of a more contagious and potentially vaccine-resistant Covid-19 variant first identified in South Africa.
“This means people who have been in or transited through these countries will be denied entry, except British, Irish and third country nationals with residence rights who must self-isolate for ten days at home,” UK Transport Minister Grant Shapps said on Twitter on Thursday.
On its website, Emirates said it would suspend all UK passenger flights from 1300 GMT, when the ban takes effect. Etihad Airways said it would only suspend flights to Britain, with those from the UK remaining unaffected.
In a statement, Dubai airport advised those booked on flights due to arrive in Britain after the ban not to go to the airport and instead contact their airline.
Britain's transport department advised nationals now in the UAE to use indirect commercial routes to fly back to Britain.
Border closures caused by Covid-19 made Dubai to London the world's busiest international route in January, with 190,365 scheduled seats over the month, airline data provider OAG said.
Emirates and Etihad normally carry large numbers of passengers connecting from Britain to destinations like Australia through their airport hubs, meaning the decision to cancel those flights will have far-reaching implications.
The Australian government said it will add more charter flights from Britain if needed as a result of the Emirates and Etihad cancellations.
Eran Ben-Avraham, an Australian stranded in Britain due to strict limits on the number of arrivals in Australia, said his options for getting home were continually shrinking.
“At the moment it is only giving us three options of flying; Qatar, ANA or Singapore Airlines,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
“Every day it is making it more difficult to get home. The flights back are anywhere from like 4,000 pounds ($5,487).”
Britain said it was adding the UAE, Burundi and Rwanda to its coronavirus travel ban list because of worries over the spread of a more contagious and potentially vaccine-resistant Covid-19 variant first identified in South Africa.
“This means people who have been in or transited through these countries will be denied entry, except British, Irish and third country nationals with residence rights who must self-isolate for ten days at home,” UK Transport Minister Grant Shapps said on Twitter on Thursday.
On its website, Emirates said it would suspend all UK passenger flights from 1300 GMT, when the ban takes effect. Etihad Airways said it would only suspend flights to Britain, with those from the UK remaining unaffected.
In a statement, Dubai airport advised those booked on flights due to arrive in Britain after the ban not to go to the airport and instead contact their airline.
Britain's transport department advised nationals now in the UAE to use indirect commercial routes to fly back to Britain.
Border closures caused by Covid-19 made Dubai to London the world's busiest international route in January, with 190,365 scheduled seats over the month, airline data provider OAG said.
Emirates and Etihad normally carry large numbers of passengers connecting from Britain to destinations like Australia through their airport hubs, meaning the decision to cancel those flights will have far-reaching implications.
The Australian government said it will add more charter flights from Britain if needed as a result of the Emirates and Etihad cancellations.
Eran Ben-Avraham, an Australian stranded in Britain due to strict limits on the number of arrivals in Australia, said his options for getting home were continually shrinking.
“At the moment it is only giving us three options of flying; Qatar, ANA or Singapore Airlines,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
“Every day it is making it more difficult to get home. The flights back are anywhere from like 4,000 pounds ($5,487).”
sweep_shot
ODI Captain
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2016
- Runs
- 46,895
Last Monetarist
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2016
- Runs
- 7,910
Last Monetarist
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2016
- Runs
- 7,910
Last Monetarist
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2016
- Runs
- 7,910
Last Monetarist
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2016
- Runs
- 7,910
Airlines could use new EU COVID pass this summer: official
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-eu-certificates/airlines-could-use-new-eu-covid-pass-this-summer-official-idUSKBN2C0145?il=0
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-eu-certificates/airlines-could-use-new-eu-covid-pass-this-summer-official-idUSKBN2C0145?il=0
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Hong Kong will suspend flights from India, Pakistan and the Philippines from April 20 for two weeks after the N501Y mutant COVID-19 strain was detected in the Asian financial hub for the first time, authorities said in a statement late on Sunday.
The three countries would be classified as "extremely high risk" after there had been multiple imported cases carrying the strain into Hong Kong in the past 14 days, the government said.
The city reported 30 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, 29 of which were imported, marking the highest daily toll since March 15. Hong Kong has recorded over 11,600 cases in total and 209 deaths.
Hong Kong authorities have been urging residents to get vaccinated for coronavirus with only around 9% of Hong Kong's 7.5 million residents vaccinated so far.
The government last week widened the city's vaccine scheme to include those aged between 16 to 29 years old for the first time, as they aim to boost lacklustre demand for inoculations amongst residents.
Airlines impacted by Hong Kong's ban on travellers from India, Pakistan and the Philippines include carriers such as Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, Vistara and Cebu Pacific.
The three countries would be classified as "extremely high risk" after there had been multiple imported cases carrying the strain into Hong Kong in the past 14 days, the government said.
The city reported 30 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, 29 of which were imported, marking the highest daily toll since March 15. Hong Kong has recorded over 11,600 cases in total and 209 deaths.
Hong Kong authorities have been urging residents to get vaccinated for coronavirus with only around 9% of Hong Kong's 7.5 million residents vaccinated so far.
The government last week widened the city's vaccine scheme to include those aged between 16 to 29 years old for the first time, as they aim to boost lacklustre demand for inoculations amongst residents.
Airlines impacted by Hong Kong's ban on travellers from India, Pakistan and the Philippines include carriers such as Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, Vistara and Cebu Pacific.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Thousands of British holidaymakers have begun taking advantage of the easing of lockdown rules on overseas travel.
Travellers from England, Scotland and Wales are jetting off to some countries in what the crisis-hit tourism industry hopes is the start of a recovery.
Travellers can now visit 12 countries on the government's green list, including Portugal and Israel, without isolating on their return.
The bosses of British Airways and Ryanair said confidence was returning.
The vast majority of tourist destinations remain on the amber and red lists, meaning travellers must quarantine when they get back.
Bookings also remain well down on pre-pandemic levels.
However, BA chief executive Sean Doyle told the BBC that the airline's six flights due to depart from Heathrow on Monday to "green" destinations such as Lisbon, Faro and Madeira were "very busy".
He said the latest relaxation of restrictions was "a small step in the right direction", and added: "We're looking forward to a broader recovery, but today is an important milestone."
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said there were definite signs of an early rebound in travel to European destinations.
Bookings are up from 500,000 a week in early April to 1.5 million a week now. "The rate of bookings suggests there is a huge amount of confidence," he told BBC Breakfast. "We are very optimistic for the next couple of months."
Nellie and Jill are off to Portugal on Monday - but it seemed touch and go right up to the moment they got to the airport.
They are "super excited and really happy to be able to travel again". But the past few weeks have been stressful, especially as it was only confirmed on Friday that they could definitely travel.
They almost cancelled, but decided to hold their nerve - and then still couldn't believe they were finally set to jet off.
Nellie said it was then a real scramble to get PCR coronavirus tests over the weekend, which Jill added was quite complicated.
"Adding all the documentation wasn't easy but we persevered and we're glad we did," Jill said. Some holiday sun and a glass of wine on their balcony would make it all worth it, she added.
Gatwick Airport chief executive Stewart Wingate said welcoming holidaymakers for the first time in months was a "big relief".
He expected the number of travellers to increase significantly by the end of May - but this will still be less than 15% of the traffic seen in pre-pandemic times.
"It's an important day for us, and important first step, and very much we're looking forward to seeing more countries added to the green list in the weeks ahead," Mr Wingate said.
But there is still caution. Online travel agent Thomas Cook said the number of people booking to travel abroad was "still small".
It said 75% of its bookings were for Portugal, although Thomas Cook customers planning to jet off this week numbered only in their hundreds.
On Friday, Portugal announced that travellers from the UK would be allowed to enter its borders provided they could show a negative PCR test result from the previous 72 hours.
That led to an increase in demand for flights to the country. Tui, which has 19 flights scheduled from the UK to Portugal next week, said eight of those would now be on a Boeing Dreamliner, which can carry up to 345 people.
Due to a surge in demand for landing slots at Portugal's airports, Tui was unable to put on more flights so it decided to use the larger planes, which are normally used for long-haul flights and can carry almost twice as many people as the Boeing 737s that it had planned to use.
Many of those who do intend to get away plan to do so in style. Thomas Cook reported that 85% of customers had booked four or five-star hotels. Before the crisis, only around half of people chose to splash out on that kind of luxury.
Hays Travel has noticed a similar trend. At present around half of its customers are booking for next year but it highlighted a "cautious optimism" among travellers following an almost four-fold increase in bookings for Portugal this summer.
Chief operating officer Jonathon Woodall said the average spend on a two-week holiday for a family of four had increased by £370 to £4,000 as people look to "fulfil their bucket list". For those looking to holiday closer to home, the average spend on a 14-night family break in Europe is £1,800.
"People are upgrading to better destinations and accommodation, spending more to treat themselves," he said. "Cruises both around Britain this summer and worldwide are very popular."
While travel from England, Scotland and Wales is permitted to the 12 countries on the green list, most of the destinations are either remote islands or do not currently allow UK tourists to enter.
And the government is advising people not to make non-essential trips to locations on its amber list, which covers popular destinations such as Spain, France, Italy and Greece. However, the guidance is expected to be ignored by some holidaymakers.
EasyJet and Tui have both said that they will operate holidays to countries classified as amber, provided Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not advise against "all but essential" travel.
The majority of countries around the world are in the amber category, meaning that arrivals from these places to the UK are required to quarantine at home for 10 days as well as taking a Covid test before departure and two more on arrival.
Travellers arriving back in England from an amber country have the option after five days of quarantine to pay for a private Covid test under the Test to Release scheme. If the result is negative, the quarantine can end.
However, BA boss Sean Doyle said "cautious optimism" should be exercised when decisions are made about whether to expand the green list when it is reviewed on 7 June.
He said vaccination and infection rates in a number of the major aviation markets were "trending positively".
"The United States now has 60% of its adult population vaccinated, infections are falling. It's an important market for tourists but it's also a very important market for ex-patriot Britons who live there, but also for doing business, so I think there's a lot of economic opportunity, if we do use the data and look at the trends and add more countries to the green list over the coming weeks."
From Monday, people travelling abroad will be able to use the NHS app - which is different to the NHS Covid-19 app - to prove they have had the vaccine.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps previously said people who have had both doses will be able to use the app at border controls, although the government says people should still check countries' entry requirements as tests or quarantine might still be needed.
BBC
Travellers from England, Scotland and Wales are jetting off to some countries in what the crisis-hit tourism industry hopes is the start of a recovery.
Travellers can now visit 12 countries on the government's green list, including Portugal and Israel, without isolating on their return.
The bosses of British Airways and Ryanair said confidence was returning.
The vast majority of tourist destinations remain on the amber and red lists, meaning travellers must quarantine when they get back.
Bookings also remain well down on pre-pandemic levels.
However, BA chief executive Sean Doyle told the BBC that the airline's six flights due to depart from Heathrow on Monday to "green" destinations such as Lisbon, Faro and Madeira were "very busy".
He said the latest relaxation of restrictions was "a small step in the right direction", and added: "We're looking forward to a broader recovery, but today is an important milestone."
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said there were definite signs of an early rebound in travel to European destinations.
Bookings are up from 500,000 a week in early April to 1.5 million a week now. "The rate of bookings suggests there is a huge amount of confidence," he told BBC Breakfast. "We are very optimistic for the next couple of months."
Nellie and Jill are off to Portugal on Monday - but it seemed touch and go right up to the moment they got to the airport.
They are "super excited and really happy to be able to travel again". But the past few weeks have been stressful, especially as it was only confirmed on Friday that they could definitely travel.
They almost cancelled, but decided to hold their nerve - and then still couldn't believe they were finally set to jet off.
Nellie said it was then a real scramble to get PCR coronavirus tests over the weekend, which Jill added was quite complicated.
"Adding all the documentation wasn't easy but we persevered and we're glad we did," Jill said. Some holiday sun and a glass of wine on their balcony would make it all worth it, she added.
Gatwick Airport chief executive Stewart Wingate said welcoming holidaymakers for the first time in months was a "big relief".
He expected the number of travellers to increase significantly by the end of May - but this will still be less than 15% of the traffic seen in pre-pandemic times.
"It's an important day for us, and important first step, and very much we're looking forward to seeing more countries added to the green list in the weeks ahead," Mr Wingate said.
But there is still caution. Online travel agent Thomas Cook said the number of people booking to travel abroad was "still small".
It said 75% of its bookings were for Portugal, although Thomas Cook customers planning to jet off this week numbered only in their hundreds.
On Friday, Portugal announced that travellers from the UK would be allowed to enter its borders provided they could show a negative PCR test result from the previous 72 hours.
That led to an increase in demand for flights to the country. Tui, which has 19 flights scheduled from the UK to Portugal next week, said eight of those would now be on a Boeing Dreamliner, which can carry up to 345 people.
Due to a surge in demand for landing slots at Portugal's airports, Tui was unable to put on more flights so it decided to use the larger planes, which are normally used for long-haul flights and can carry almost twice as many people as the Boeing 737s that it had planned to use.
Many of those who do intend to get away plan to do so in style. Thomas Cook reported that 85% of customers had booked four or five-star hotels. Before the crisis, only around half of people chose to splash out on that kind of luxury.
Hays Travel has noticed a similar trend. At present around half of its customers are booking for next year but it highlighted a "cautious optimism" among travellers following an almost four-fold increase in bookings for Portugal this summer.
Chief operating officer Jonathon Woodall said the average spend on a two-week holiday for a family of four had increased by £370 to £4,000 as people look to "fulfil their bucket list". For those looking to holiday closer to home, the average spend on a 14-night family break in Europe is £1,800.
"People are upgrading to better destinations and accommodation, spending more to treat themselves," he said. "Cruises both around Britain this summer and worldwide are very popular."
While travel from England, Scotland and Wales is permitted to the 12 countries on the green list, most of the destinations are either remote islands or do not currently allow UK tourists to enter.
And the government is advising people not to make non-essential trips to locations on its amber list, which covers popular destinations such as Spain, France, Italy and Greece. However, the guidance is expected to be ignored by some holidaymakers.
EasyJet and Tui have both said that they will operate holidays to countries classified as amber, provided Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not advise against "all but essential" travel.
The majority of countries around the world are in the amber category, meaning that arrivals from these places to the UK are required to quarantine at home for 10 days as well as taking a Covid test before departure and two more on arrival.
Travellers arriving back in England from an amber country have the option after five days of quarantine to pay for a private Covid test under the Test to Release scheme. If the result is negative, the quarantine can end.
However, BA boss Sean Doyle said "cautious optimism" should be exercised when decisions are made about whether to expand the green list when it is reviewed on 7 June.
He said vaccination and infection rates in a number of the major aviation markets were "trending positively".
"The United States now has 60% of its adult population vaccinated, infections are falling. It's an important market for tourists but it's also a very important market for ex-patriot Britons who live there, but also for doing business, so I think there's a lot of economic opportunity, if we do use the data and look at the trends and add more countries to the green list over the coming weeks."
From Monday, people travelling abroad will be able to use the NHS app - which is different to the NHS Covid-19 app - to prove they have had the vaccine.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps previously said people who have had both doses will be able to use the app at border controls, although the government says people should still check countries' entry requirements as tests or quarantine might still be needed.
BBC
Last Monetarist
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2016
- Runs
- 7,910
Last Monetarist
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2016
- Runs
- 7,910
Last Monetarist
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2016
- Runs
- 7,910
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will resume its direct flight operations to Canada, spokesman of the national carrier said on Monday.
In a statement, the spokesman said the Canadian officials allowed PIA to resume flight operations to Toronto, which were previously banned in the light of a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.
The flight operations are expected to resume on June 22. However, other travel-related advisories pertaining will remain in place.
The Canadian authorities have expressed satisfaction with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) enforced by the national airline chief, the PIA spokesman said.
In the first phase, PIA will restart three direct flights per week from Pakistan to Toronto with strict SOPs set in place.
It is pertinent to note that PIA has already vaccinated its entire crew and ground staff and will now start inoculating its passengers against Covid-19. It would be the first airline in the region to do so.
PIA chief Air Marshal Arshad Malik has instructed the officials to immediately start processing booking and purchase of tickets, the spokesman added.
In a statement, the spokesman said the Canadian officials allowed PIA to resume flight operations to Toronto, which were previously banned in the light of a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.
The flight operations are expected to resume on June 22. However, other travel-related advisories pertaining will remain in place.
The Canadian authorities have expressed satisfaction with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) enforced by the national airline chief, the PIA spokesman said.
In the first phase, PIA will restart three direct flights per week from Pakistan to Toronto with strict SOPs set in place.
It is pertinent to note that PIA has already vaccinated its entire crew and ground staff and will now start inoculating its passengers against Covid-19. It would be the first airline in the region to do so.
PIA chief Air Marshal Arshad Malik has instructed the officials to immediately start processing booking and purchase of tickets, the spokesman added.
Last Monetarist
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2016
- Runs
- 7,910
Last Monetarist
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2016
- Runs
- 7,910
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Friday said that the country did not have resources to conduct rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and only rapid antigen testing was currently being used as a method of testing passengers for Covid-19 at the airports.
In a letter written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the authority stated that the rapid PCR testing facility cannot be provided to departing passengers for Dubai as it was currently unavailable in Pakistan. It urged the MoFA officials to take up the matter with relevant authorities in the UAE on priority basis so that they can reconsider their policy.
On Tuesday, the UAE's National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) said that it will lift a ban on transit passenger traffic from Pakistan and other countries from August 5.
NCEMA said on Twitter that passengers travelling from countries where flights had been suspended would be able to transit through its airports from Thursday as long as they present negative PCR tests taken 72 hours prior to departure.
Final destination approval would also have to be provided, the authority said, adding that UAE departure airports would arrange separate lounges for transiting passengers.
"This is to bring to the attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that currently, our relevant Health Authorities do not have the resources to conduct Rapid PCR Tests in Pakistan and only Rapid Antigen Testing is being used as method of testing for arriving passengers at Pakistani Airports," the CAA said in the letter to MoFA.
"While we may ensure that Dubai terminating passengers from Pakistan hold a valid negative PCR Test Result conducted within the 48 hours prior to commencement of travel to Dubai, we cannot provide Rapid PCR Test facility to departing passengers for Dubai as it is currently unavailable in Pakistan," it added.
"In-lieu, Dubai terminating passengers from Pakistan may be tested at our Airports using Rapid Antigen Testing conducted within the 06 hours prior to departure of flight for Dubai and any subsequent PCR Testing may be undertaken upon arrival at Dubai.
"Considering the importance of the travel requirement of our esteemed passengers between Pakistan and Dubai, it is submitted that the above-stated matter may be taken up with the relevant UAE Authorities on priority, please and the UAE Authorities may be urged to reconsider their policy on inbound passengers from Pakistan to Dubai," the letter further stated.
Even as the UAE has lifted suspensions on return of Pakistan expats, thousands of Pakistanis still remain stranded due to the non-availability of rapid antigen test facilities at the local airports.
“There is no Rapid Antigen Test facility at the Pakistani airports. Therefore, passengers are not able to board the flights. The UAE has emphasised to strictly follow SOPs (standard operating procedures), and bring passengers that meet all the guidelines and conditions,” UAE country manager of a private airline Sohail Nazar told Khaleej Times.
“All the airlines are facing this challenge because none of the airports in Pakistan has this facility. Importantly, the condition is that this rapid antigen test has to be conducted within the premises of the airport and not outside the premises of the airport. This means the rapid test has to be done four hours before departure of the flight,” Sohail said.
He said that some laboratories in Pakistan offer the facility, but it is useless because the rapid test is not conducted within the premises of the airport.
Express Tribune
In a letter written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the authority stated that the rapid PCR testing facility cannot be provided to departing passengers for Dubai as it was currently unavailable in Pakistan. It urged the MoFA officials to take up the matter with relevant authorities in the UAE on priority basis so that they can reconsider their policy.
On Tuesday, the UAE's National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) said that it will lift a ban on transit passenger traffic from Pakistan and other countries from August 5.
NCEMA said on Twitter that passengers travelling from countries where flights had been suspended would be able to transit through its airports from Thursday as long as they present negative PCR tests taken 72 hours prior to departure.
Final destination approval would also have to be provided, the authority said, adding that UAE departure airports would arrange separate lounges for transiting passengers.
"This is to bring to the attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that currently, our relevant Health Authorities do not have the resources to conduct Rapid PCR Tests in Pakistan and only Rapid Antigen Testing is being used as method of testing for arriving passengers at Pakistani Airports," the CAA said in the letter to MoFA.
"While we may ensure that Dubai terminating passengers from Pakistan hold a valid negative PCR Test Result conducted within the 48 hours prior to commencement of travel to Dubai, we cannot provide Rapid PCR Test facility to departing passengers for Dubai as it is currently unavailable in Pakistan," it added.
"In-lieu, Dubai terminating passengers from Pakistan may be tested at our Airports using Rapid Antigen Testing conducted within the 06 hours prior to departure of flight for Dubai and any subsequent PCR Testing may be undertaken upon arrival at Dubai.
"Considering the importance of the travel requirement of our esteemed passengers between Pakistan and Dubai, it is submitted that the above-stated matter may be taken up with the relevant UAE Authorities on priority, please and the UAE Authorities may be urged to reconsider their policy on inbound passengers from Pakistan to Dubai," the letter further stated.
Even as the UAE has lifted suspensions on return of Pakistan expats, thousands of Pakistanis still remain stranded due to the non-availability of rapid antigen test facilities at the local airports.
“There is no Rapid Antigen Test facility at the Pakistani airports. Therefore, passengers are not able to board the flights. The UAE has emphasised to strictly follow SOPs (standard operating procedures), and bring passengers that meet all the guidelines and conditions,” UAE country manager of a private airline Sohail Nazar told Khaleej Times.
“All the airlines are facing this challenge because none of the airports in Pakistan has this facility. Importantly, the condition is that this rapid antigen test has to be conducted within the premises of the airport and not outside the premises of the airport. This means the rapid test has to be done four hours before departure of the flight,” Sohail said.
He said that some laboratories in Pakistan offer the facility, but it is useless because the rapid test is not conducted within the premises of the airport.
Express Tribune
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced that it will provide space to UAE-approved laboratories to establish their counters at all major airports of the country to conduct rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for Covid-19.
The decision comes after hundreds of passengers were barred from travelling to Dubai for not having rapid PCR test, which is required to be conducted within four hours before the departure of flight.
In a statement, CAA DG Khaqan Murtaza said all Pakistani labs accredited by the UAE authorities and its airlines will establish their counters at all international airports of the country to facilitate the travellers.
He added that the decision has been taken in view of difficulties being faced by UAE-bound passengers.
A day earlier, the CAA had said that the country did not have resources to conduct PCR tests and only rapid antigen testing was currently being used as a method of testing passengers for Covid-19 at the airports.
In a letter written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the authority stated that the rapid PCR testing facility cannot be provided to departing passengers for Dubai as it was currently unavailable in Pakistan. It urged the MoFA officials to take up the matter with relevant authorities in the UAE on priority basis so that they can reconsider their policy.
The UAE's National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) had lifted a ban on transit passenger traffic from Pakistan and other countries on August 5.
NCEMA said on Twitter that passengers travelling from countries where flights had been suspended would be able to transit through its airports as long as they present negative PCR tests taken 72 hours prior to departure.
Final destination approval would also have to be provided, the authority said, adding that UAE departure airports would arrange separate lounges for transiting passengers.
The decision comes after hundreds of passengers were barred from travelling to Dubai for not having rapid PCR test, which is required to be conducted within four hours before the departure of flight.
In a statement, CAA DG Khaqan Murtaza said all Pakistani labs accredited by the UAE authorities and its airlines will establish their counters at all international airports of the country to facilitate the travellers.
He added that the decision has been taken in view of difficulties being faced by UAE-bound passengers.
A day earlier, the CAA had said that the country did not have resources to conduct PCR tests and only rapid antigen testing was currently being used as a method of testing passengers for Covid-19 at the airports.
In a letter written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the authority stated that the rapid PCR testing facility cannot be provided to departing passengers for Dubai as it was currently unavailable in Pakistan. It urged the MoFA officials to take up the matter with relevant authorities in the UAE on priority basis so that they can reconsider their policy.
The UAE's National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) had lifted a ban on transit passenger traffic from Pakistan and other countries on August 5.
NCEMA said on Twitter that passengers travelling from countries where flights had been suspended would be able to transit through its airports as long as they present negative PCR tests taken 72 hours prior to departure.
Final destination approval would also have to be provided, the authority said, adding that UAE departure airports would arrange separate lounges for transiting passengers.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
The Kuwaiti government on Wednesday announced to resume commercial flights for six countries, including Pakistan and India, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.
The flights from these countries were suspended in light of coronavirus.
Apart from Pakistan and India, the ban has also been lifted for Egypt, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, the state-run news agency said.
"The decision was made in a cabinet meeting which underlined that flights with these countries would be subject to measures identified by Kuwait's ministerial coronavirus emergency committee," it added.
In May, Kuwait had banned flights and barred entry to travellers from four countries — Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka — until further notice.
The decision by the Gulf state's cabinet did not include cargo flights.
To enter Kuwait from the four countries, people must have been in another country for at least 14 days beforehand, the statement had said.
Kuwait, in May, had "immediately" resumed visas for Pakistanis, after a decade-long hiatus.
"There has been a big development on the front of Kuwaiti visas that had been stopped for Pakistanis since 2011. Family and business visas between Pakistan and Kuwait will now be restored," Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed had announced.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/365972-kuwait-resumes-commercial-flights-for-pakistan-india
The flights from these countries were suspended in light of coronavirus.
Apart from Pakistan and India, the ban has also been lifted for Egypt, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, the state-run news agency said.
"The decision was made in a cabinet meeting which underlined that flights with these countries would be subject to measures identified by Kuwait's ministerial coronavirus emergency committee," it added.
In May, Kuwait had banned flights and barred entry to travellers from four countries — Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka — until further notice.
The decision by the Gulf state's cabinet did not include cargo flights.
To enter Kuwait from the four countries, people must have been in another country for at least 14 days beforehand, the statement had said.
Kuwait, in May, had "immediately" resumed visas for Pakistanis, after a decade-long hiatus.
"There has been a big development on the front of Kuwaiti visas that had been stopped for Pakistanis since 2011. Family and business visas between Pakistan and Kuwait will now be restored," Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed had announced.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/365972-kuwait-resumes-commercial-flights-for-pakistan-india
Hassaan HS
Tape Ball Regular
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2021
- Runs
- 361
Pakistan to ease restrictions on inbound flights from 10th: NCOC
The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) on Wednesday said Pakistan will relax restrictions on inbound flights from November 10 amid a “downward trend” in coronavirus infections across the globe.
In a statement, the high-level forum said the decision to relax Covid-related restrictions was taken after the enforcement of obligatory vaccination for inbound travellers.
According to the NCOC, “Inbound air traffic will operate at full quantum with effect from November 10.”
The government has placed Armenia, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Iraq, Mexico, Mongolia, Slovenia, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago and Ukraine in Category ‘C’ due to low vaccination and high positivity rate.
The NCOC also placed Russia, Iran, Ethiopia, Germany, the Philippines and Afghanistan in high-risk states. They will be “continuously monitored” but no restrictions will be imposed on them.
Read China's Covid-19 outbreak developing rapidly: report
Meanwhile, the countries that aren’t mentioned in Category ‘C’ have been placed in Category ‘B’, it said, adding that there will be no restrictions on travellers coming from these states.
Testing protocols
After November 5, 100 per cent vaccination is required for all inbound passengers. It said all passengers aged six and above should have a negative PCR test report (max 72 hours old) before boarding.
The NCOC has abolished rapid antigen tests (RAT) for inbound passengers. However, people coming from Category ‘C’ states via direct flights will have to undergo this test, the NCOC statement said, adding that “selective flights/symptomatic passengers from Category ‘B’ countries will also undergo RAT”.
According to the NCOC, the testing protocols are applicable for all inbound passengers entering Pakistan via border terminals, except those coming from Afghanistan.
Similarly, Afghans can travel to Pakistan through border terminals without vaccination certificates and PCR. However, they will undergo stringent testing/quarantine protocols already in place, it added.
Via : https://tribune.com.pk/story/232765...RCMHZFeS1HVnpTSTdlOXdJV19VSmJRbzRROVktUFZYUlI
The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) on Wednesday said Pakistan will relax restrictions on inbound flights from November 10 amid a “downward trend” in coronavirus infections across the globe.
In a statement, the high-level forum said the decision to relax Covid-related restrictions was taken after the enforcement of obligatory vaccination for inbound travellers.
According to the NCOC, “Inbound air traffic will operate at full quantum with effect from November 10.”
The government has placed Armenia, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Iraq, Mexico, Mongolia, Slovenia, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago and Ukraine in Category ‘C’ due to low vaccination and high positivity rate.
The NCOC also placed Russia, Iran, Ethiopia, Germany, the Philippines and Afghanistan in high-risk states. They will be “continuously monitored” but no restrictions will be imposed on them.
Read China's Covid-19 outbreak developing rapidly: report
Meanwhile, the countries that aren’t mentioned in Category ‘C’ have been placed in Category ‘B’, it said, adding that there will be no restrictions on travellers coming from these states.
Testing protocols
After November 5, 100 per cent vaccination is required for all inbound passengers. It said all passengers aged six and above should have a negative PCR test report (max 72 hours old) before boarding.
The NCOC has abolished rapid antigen tests (RAT) for inbound passengers. However, people coming from Category ‘C’ states via direct flights will have to undergo this test, the NCOC statement said, adding that “selective flights/symptomatic passengers from Category ‘B’ countries will also undergo RAT”.
According to the NCOC, the testing protocols are applicable for all inbound passengers entering Pakistan via border terminals, except those coming from Afghanistan.
Similarly, Afghans can travel to Pakistan through border terminals without vaccination certificates and PCR. However, they will undergo stringent testing/quarantine protocols already in place, it added.
Via : https://tribune.com.pk/story/232765...RCMHZFeS1HVnpTSTdlOXdJV19VSmJRbzRROVktUFZYUlI
Similar threads
