When COVID-19 first made its appearance, many companies were moved to create pandemic leave for those who came down with the coronavirus.Now that the Food and Drug Administration has an authorized vaccine against COVID-19, this is changing the face of what companies are willing to do for its employees who choose not to get vaccinated.Many new hires these days are required to show proof of vaccination to complete the hiring process. The new policy will take effect in early October for the non-vaxxers, however, American Airlines employees who have been vaccinated are still covered by the pandemic leave policy and do not have to use their own sick days to take time off from work to get well. This appears to be a trend among airlines, as Alaska Airlines has also prevented unvaxxed employees from using a special COVID-19 pay for missing work due to the virus. Not only that, Alaska Airlines is also rewarding its employees with a $200 bonus for getting vaccinated, and all new employees going forward must show proof of vaccination before officially being hired. The airline is also requiring all non-vaccinated employees to participate in a vaccine education program. Las month, United Airlines was the first US carrier to require vaccinations for all its domestic employees. United has 67,000 employees in the US and all new hires have had to show proof of vaccination since June of 2021. In the United company offices, unvaxxed employees must wear face masks. Frontier Airlines will also require employees to be fully vaccinated by October 1 of this year. Those workers who opt not to get vaccinated will be required to participate in regular COVID-19 testing. Other airlines are trying to get their employees to get vaccinated like Alaska Airlines has done by offering incentives such as extra pay or paid time off. What is sparking these changes? When the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved Pfizer as a vaccine, this opened the gates for companies to change their policies for COVID-19, as this was often the reason used by employees who do not want to get vaccinated – that no vaccine had officially been approved. Airlines still do require all onboard to wear masks for the duration of the flight, except when eating or drinking, of course. #rebuildingtravel

Did you know that each airline has the ability to determine not just if a face mask must be worn but also what kind of face mask must be worn when onboard a flight?Do you know the difference between an N95 and a fabric mask versus say a valve-free FFP2?Most people wear fabric face masks, so what would you wear if masks made out of fabric is banned? More and more airlines are starting to ban face masks made out of fabric, citing that they are not a quality barrier against the spread of COVID-19, especially in light of the extreme surge of new cases every day around the world due to the Delta variants. They are instead requiring surgical masks, N95 masks, valve-free FFP2 masks, or FFP3 respirator masks. So far, Lufthansa, Air France, LATAM, and Finnair have banned fabric face masks as well as masks that have exhaust valves. Think about it. A mask with an exhaust is like a car with an exhaust. It’s fine for the driver (or in this case the wearer), but what about everyone outside that exhaust? A mask is not a mask is not a mask. This week, Finnair became the latest carrier to ban fabric face masks onboard, accepting only surgical masks, valve-free FFP2 or FFP3 respirator masks, and N95 masks, the company tweeted. Airlines requiring medical masks – at least 3 layers thick – are Air France and Lufthansa. LATAM will also allow KN95 and N95 masks. And as an extra precaution, for passengers connecting in Lima, they must double up and add on another mask. The reason for that is because right now Peru has the highest COVID-19 death rate in the world. In the United States, most airlines allow cloth face masks but have banned certain other types of face coverings like bandanas, scarves, ski masks, gaiters, balaclavas, masks with holes or slits of any kind, masks with exhaust valves, or even cloth masks if they are only made from one single layer of material. Some people are into wearing plastic face shields, but in the case of United Airlines, they say that’s not enough coverage and still requires a face mask on top of the face shield. On American Airlines, they do not allow masks that are connected to tubing or battery-operated filters. The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had issued a mandatory face mask requirement when traveling on all public transportation, including airplanes and in airports, in January 2021. This mandate was due to expire on September 13, 2021, however, with the new surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta Variants, the mandate has been extended to run through January 18, 2022.

Duct tape has taken off as the go-to for airplane flight security where it is absolutely essential that a passenger be restrained.In just the past month alone, at least a couple of scenarios warranted the use of duct tape to secure out-of-control passengers to their seats.There may be a clue to the mystery of the seemingly recent use of duct tape onboard an passenger aircraft. American Airlines reported this week Tuesday that about an hour after take-off on a flight from Maui to Los Angeles, the airplane had to be diverted to Honolulu after a 13-year-old boy became disruptive. Witnesses say the boy tried to kick out a window next to his seat and also became physical with his own mother. Tensions started rising about an hour into the flight, causing the pilot to turn the plane around. The airline says flex cuffs were used to restrain the boy, but video also showed a flight attendant duct taping him to his seat. The flight landed safely, and passengers were put on other flights or given hotel rooms. Duct Tape: The New Flight Safety Norm Somehow, duct tape has taken off as the go-to for airplane flight security where it is absolutely essential that a passenger be restrained for the safety of every other soul onboard. It doesn’t cost hardly anything, is easily stored onboard without taking up any critical space, and it’s strong. Strong enough to keep someone seated – and if need, be quiet – during the duration of the remainder of the flight. On a comical side note, in the movie Sister Act 2, one of the students in the choral competition, Frankie, shows Sister Mary Patrick his broken zippered robe and says, “This thing ripped! Now what am I supposed to do, huh?” Sister Mary Patrick calmly answers: “Listen, don’t fret. My mother used to say that nothing is impossible as long as you carry with you a little bit of faith and a big roll of electrical tape.” She then whips out a roll of silver duct tape from her habit and pulls off a big stretch of tape as she says, “Hello!” Recent Duct Tape Incidents Let’s look back at a couple of the most recent mid-air incidents that ended safely and securely all due to the magical roll of silver duct tape. On July 12, a woman on an American Airlines flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Charlotte was first duct taped at the wrists and feet and then subsequently to her chair, when that was not enough to subdue her after she tried to open a door on the aircraft because she didn’t want it to go up anymore. Flight attendants one of which was also bitten tackled her to maintain the safety of the 190 passengers on board. On August 3, it was reported that Maxwell Berry, a 22-year-old Ohio man, allegedly groped the breasts of 2 flight attendants during a Frontier Airlines flight and punched a third. The flight attendants duct-taped him to his seat for the rest of the trip from Philadelphia to Miami. Berry was arrested by police upon landing on 3 counts of battery. FBI agents at the scene said they would not pursue federal felony charges. According to Frontier, the flight attendants will face their own consequences, although it is not clear for what. All the airline had to say at the time was: “The flight attendants will be, as required in such circumstances, relieved of flying, pending completion of an investigation.” A Clue to the Origins of the Duct Tape Mystery The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents Frontier’s flight attendants, wholeheartedly supported the actions of the crew. The union president, Sara Nelson, said the crew “was forced to restrain the passenger with the tools available to them onboard.” According to the union, the airline provides tape to the crew in case they need to restrain a passenger. Frontier did not answer questions about that. According to a professor of aviation management at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Jeff Price, it is “common to use duct tape to secure a person who represents a threat to the flight or others.” He explained that some flights have other restraints on board, such as flex cuffs, and said he carries both when he flies “for just such an occasion.” So it seems logical to assume that some airlines have quietly “installed” rolls of duct tape in their flight service arsenal to keep calm and safety under control while 36,000 miles up. I would suspect that there aren’t many, if any, passengers that would object to that.

This was announced at a press conference that just concluded at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.The state confirmed that Hawaii’s efforts are not being done in coordination with federal authority guidelines.Travelers vaccinated in the US or its territories may participate in the program starting on the 15th day after second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Travelers vaccinated in the U.S. or U.S. Territories may participate in the exception program starting on the 15th day after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine — or starting the 15th day after they’ve received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. When asked by eTurboNews, it was made clear that vaccination passes are not accepted by foreign authorities. Hawaii-bound travelers will need to upload one of three vaccination documents to a Safe Travels Hawaii account they set up, prior to traveling to the islands. One of the following documents must be uploaded: A CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card.VAMS (Vaccination Administration Management System) printout.DOD DD Form 2766C. The Safe Travels digital platform will ask for an online legal attestations on its website to confirm the uploaded documentation is true and accurate. Travelers should bring a hard copy of their vaccination documentation to show screeners at the gate prior to boarding and/or upon arrival in Hawaii. Screeners will review and verify the vaccination documents, match photo IDs, name, and DOB, as well as confirm that the attestations are signed. Children under 5 years old are not required to test and will not be quarantined if traveling with an adult who has a pre-travel test exception or a vaccination exception. Spokesperson for the Hawaii Dept. of Transportation International Travelers Anyone arriving in the United States with valid testing from another country is not automatically accepted for travel to Hawaii. A test has to be administrated from an approved facility in the United States making it technically impossible to go on a through flight from a foreign country without stopping for a day or more to get the test and avoid quarantine. There are approved facilities in Japan making it the only international exception. #rebuildingtravel

Air Canada is back in Jamaica after 6 months with a weekly flight using its Dreamliner aircraft and a plan to go daily soon.Jamaica’s management of the pandemic and the quality of its product has served the nation well.New flights are coming in numbers that will increase significantly with the projection for the year now at approximately 1.8 million.  On Sunday (July 4), Jamaica witnessed the return of Air Canada from the Canadian market and Condor from Frankfurt, Germany, with a Swiss flight out of Zurich, operated by Edelweiss Air, scheduled for Monday evening, all landing at the Sangster International Airport. Minister Bartlett welcomed their arrival which he said was “very important to the tourism recovery effort” following the global shut down of international air travel due to COVID-19. Air Canada is back after six months with a weekly flight using its Dreamliner aircraft and a plan to go daily soon, while Condor’s rotation is twice weekly until September and the Zurich flight is a first for direct flights between the two cities.  The Minister said these points underscored “that Jamaica’s management of the pandemic and indeed the quality of the product that we have maintained and the connectivity that we have preserved during this interim period, have done us well” and recovery was taking place even faster than had been anticipated. Minister Bartlett pointed out that in the last three months weekend arrivals have been significant with an average of 15,000 visitors over a three-day period, and with new flights coming in the numbers will increase significantly with the projection for the year now at approximately 1.8 million.  This, he added, meant that jobs and revenue flow were coming back at a faster rate than anticipated. “We’re excited at the prospect therefore of continued growth and I reiterate that the continued development of the industry, the growth of our economy and the resumption of jobs is a function of the responsibility of all of us and we must continue to observe protocols, uphold the principles of good management of the entire area, including the Resilient Corridors which have proven to be one of the powerful marketing tools for Jamaica.” The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has played a major role in marketing the flights and JTB’s Regional Director for Canada, Angella Bennett said: “There’s been a surge in bookings coming into Jamaica from Canada since the Government of Canada has lifted the restrictions on international travel.” She said expectations were high for the Canadian market “to perform exceptionally well this winter” and over 280,000 seats had already been secured. The Dreamliner with a 298-seat capacity is the latest carrier in the Air Canada fleet and is being flown to Jamaica for the first time. Captain Geoff Wall was also excited at returning, admitting the welcome “really make us feel like we’re coming home so it’s good to be back.” He said after COVID-19: “It’s just nice to be able to leave Canada, bring Canadian tourists and locals back to Jamaica to be with their families, enjoy what is normally a sunshiny place and the hospitality as well.” Arriving on board the Condor flight, JTB’s Regional Director for Continental Europe, Gregory Shervington said the flight was previously set for last year but got pushed back a number of times because of the pandemic. He said Condor represented a solid connection with Germany over the past 20 years “and it is the precursor to more coming, including Monday’s flight out of Zurich and on Wednesday we’ll have Lufthansa with its sister airline Eurowings Discover coming back with three non-stop flights.” The new flights have been welcomed also by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and the office of the mayor of Montego Bay. JHTA’s Chapter Chairman, Nadine Spence was particularly pleased with the return of Air Canada, noting that “Canada is one of our favoured destinations, contributing over 22 percent of all tourism arrivals.” She said the return showed that there was confidence in travelling and that “Jamaica is a loved destination.”  Deputy Mayor, Richard Vernon was also “happy to have these airlines back.” He said: “This means a lot to us; we really benefit immensely from tourism here in Montego Bay and numerous persons have been unemployed since March of last year and because of this we can expect persons to go back to work.” More news about Jamaica #rebuildingtravel

Middle East aviation standards are bringing new levels of comfort, services, and onboard amenities to travelers.The aviation industry around the globe has been hit hard by COVID-19 and all its ramifications.Over the first 5 months of 2021, capacity levels were down by around half compared to pre-pandemic levels. IATA traffic data for March 2021 showed capacity has been down 80 percent compared to March 2019. The recovery is happening, and more of the world is beginning to open up, but the road ahead remains a challenge. In a recent CAPA – Centre for Aviation live event, Richard Maslen, European Content Editor for CAPA, said: “It cannot be denied the lead in any part of an airline in 2021, 2022, and even onwards, is going to look very different than ever before.” Read on – or listen to – this informative and timely conversation with Middle East aviation heavy hitters Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) Secretary General Abdul Wahab Teffaha, Qatar Airways Chief Transformation Officer Thiery Antinori, and Gulf Air Acting CEO Waleed Al Alawi. Richard Maslen: The impact of COVID-19 has required all airlines to reassess their processes, innovate and adapt to a new world order. Our regular critical thinking panel has this month come to the middle east and we’re delighted to be joined by Mr. Abdul Wahab Teffaha, Secretary General of Arab Air Carriers Organization, Mr. Thiery Antinori, chief commercial officer at Qatar airways, and Mr. Waleed Al Alawi, acting CEO of Gulf Air. So I think it’s quite important to begin with, to actually get an understanding of the local area and how it has been hit by COVID over the last 18 months. So Mr Abdul Wahab Teffaha, can you just give us a brief introduction as to how the middle east and the Arab airlines have been hit by COVID and what the situation is right now?

The delay relates to the capacity of the brand new A320 Neo aircraft assigned to the destination.Flynas confirmed that a project is currently underway for the aircraft to obtain ETOPS clearance following which the operation will be launched.Seychelles has welcomed around 300 visitors from Saudi Arabia since January 2021 and a significant increase is forecasted from the region once Flynas is cleared for take off. Information communicated by the Flynas’ representatives to the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority indicates that the deferment of their direct flight from Jeddah to Mahé relates to the capacity of the brand new A320 Neo aircraft assigned to the destination, affecting its payload and range. The airline has also confirmed that a project is currently underway for the aircraft to obtain ETOPS clearance following which the operation will be launched. The Seychelles Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, has affirmed the destination’s support for the new flights, which was due to operate three times a week, despite the delay in the start date. “The delay in the launch of Flynas’ flights to Seychelles is only a minor setback, which we are confident they will resolve. Our plans for the market is in no way affected and we look forward to seeing them land in our islands soon.” On her part, the incoming Principal Secretary of the Department of Tourism, Mrs. Sherin Francis, commented that despite being disappointed that Flynas will not be landing in Seychelles in July as initially planned, the destination is looking forward to welcoming its passengers the moment this becomes possible. “It is regrettable that Flynas will not be coming to Seychelles as mentioned in July, but this will not stop us from continuing our work to keep Seychelles visible in the region. We anticipate that the situation will be resolved soon and that the destination will be able to welcome visitors from Saudi Arabia and the region soon,” said Mrs. Francis. The destination has recorded approximately some 300 visitors from Saudi Arabia since January 2021 and a significant increase is forecasted from the region once Flynas begins flying to Seychelles. The Flynas A320 Neo aircraft has a capacity for 174 passengers. More news about Seychelles #rebuildingtravel

When conditions are right, consumers will come back to the air, the conditions are really the sense of safety.Passengers who are vaccinated, will likely feel safe to fly again as long as there are no government-imposed restrictions on travel.While some countries are easing restrictions, some are actually hardening restrictions on travel, so it is still a very unpredictable and very volatile situation. Peter Harbison began the interview by welcoming József Váradi, who’s the CEO of Wizz Air. Peter suggested they kick off their discussion with big picture stuff. The interview started with Wizz CEO offering an overview of Europe and of the whole COVID-19 pandemic in general. He discussed the big issues with Peter of CAPA – Centre for Aviation as he sees it coming up in the next 3 months that Wizz Air will have to face. Peter Harbison: Very warm welcome. Haven’t spoken to you for quite a while, József, but a lot happened in the meantime. Let’s kick off with big picture stuff, and what are the big issues that you see coming up in the next three months? József Váradi: Thank you, Peter, for inviting me your show. Looking at life today, I think it’s very complicated. You certainly need to look at a consumer, whether the consumer wants to fly or not. Obviously, the consumer wants to fly, there is nothing wrong with the consumer. You can see some of the markets, [inaudible 00:00:56] is really catching up. I think at the moment it is performing around 80% of its 2019 capacity levels. It’s expected to exceed a big summer capacity relative to 2019. I think what it really tells you is that when the conditions are right, the consumers come back to the air, to the franchise of flying very, very quickly and the conditions are really, the sense of safety. If you are vaccinated, I think you feel safe to fly again and two, there are no government-imposed restrictions on travel, so you can easily go. But that doesn’t really apply to Europe at this point in time. I think the consumer’s willingness to fly is totally there, it has remained intact. Actually, many of the people are just fed up with being locked down and they want to go, they want to breathe fresh air but at the same time, they are highly restricted by government-imposed restrictions. And in certain cases it’s just almost impossible to travel. Now it is slowly changing, but it is not a straight line. It is more like a roller coaster. You see some countries easing restrictions, but still today you are seeing some countries actually hardening restrictions on travel, so I think it is still a very unpredictable, very volatile and we will see how that’s going to go. We definitely got, I don’t think Europe at the level of the US, certainly not from a domestic perspective. It is still complicated. Peter: Yeah. I think comparisons with the US are probably a bit difficult because it’s probably the only market that has got back to that level, China excepted. But one of the things, József, even in the US where they’re getting back to fairly full flights and obviously there’s a lot of demand there, getting back to close to 2019 levels, yields are still very well down. They’re still down 20, 30 percent average economy yields. What is driving that? Is it just too much capacity coming in too quickly or is it just uncertainty in terms of revenue management? József: Well, I think the history of the industry is that, especially when it comes to recovery from difficult situations that is over capacity and as I said it’s hard because of the imbalance between supply and demand, you’ve seen the yield environment dragging and I think this is what you should be expecting. Pretty much everybody in the world that in the recovery phase, that will be too much capacity coming out to the market, which is probably the right thing for stimulating traffic and encouraging the consumers to come back into flying. But at the same time, from a financial, former standpoint, obviously this is going to put pressure on the industry.

New flights, which will make travelling to Seychelles easier for residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.With the arrival of FlyNAS, the Ministry of Tourism is looking forward to seeing an increase in the number of visitors from the Saudi Arabian region.Seychelles is accessible as never before, and with no visas required from any nationality. FlyNAS will commence its nonstop flights operating three times a week from Jeddah, with fast connections to or from Riyadh and Dammam. Operating on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays, the 5 hr40 minute flight will be operated on and brand new A320 Neo aircraft with a capacity of 174 seats. The new flights, which will make travelling to Seychelles easier for residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was initiated in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, alongside the Seychelles Tourism Board and the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority.  Accessible as never before, and with no visas required from any nationality, Seychelles, land of diversity and discovery is a great place to spend quality time and to reconnect with nature. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest outbound market in the Middle East and with many in the Kingdom looking to go overseas after the opening of borders, the Seychelles Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism Mr Sylvestre Radegonde said, “The destination has recorded approximately some 300 Saudi Arabian since January 2021. With the arrival of FlyNAS to our shores, the Ministry of Tourism is looking forward to seeing an increase in the number of visitors from the Saudi Arabian region. The three weekly flights to Seychelles from Jeddah represent another great opportunity for our destination, as not only will Seychelles be accessible directly to Saudi Arabian nationals but also the expatriates living in the Kingdom.

Flights for the summer will run 2 times a week between San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Anguilla,The Anguilla Tourist Board will be partnering with stakeholders on island and with travel advisors in-market to promote the air service.Resuming these flights is an important step in reopening Anguilla to international travel. The summer flights will operate twice weekly between the Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico and the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport in Anguilla through August 6, 2021. Silver Airways is the parent company of Seaborne Airlines. Seaborne has operated in Anguilla for many years.   “I am proud to have been a part of the initial negotiations with Seaborne Airlines in 2014 that culminated in regular service to Anguilla. We are delighted to welcome Silver Airways to Anguilla after this lengthy hiatus caused by the pandemic,” said the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Mr. Haydn Hughes. “Silver/Seaborne has been our valued partner for many years, and the San Juan gateway is vital to the growth of our industry. Maintaining and expanding access to Anguilla is essential for tourism development, and the restoration of this service is an important step as we reopen our island to international travelers,” he continued. “We are honored to service Anguilla, which has long been one of our most popular routes,” declared Captain Steven Dowda, Vice President of Caribbean Operations for Silver Airways and Seaborne Airlines. “Anguilla’s tourism product is exceptional, and our relationship with Anguilla is a strong and mutually beneficial one. We look forward to working closely with our tourism partners here to grow arrivals to the island and increase service this winter.” The Silver Airways service will operate twice a week, on Thursdays and Saturdays, with two rotations each day for a total of four flights per week.

Three-day event opens under the theme “A news dawn for travel and tourism.”President of Emirates believes demand for air travel could come back at a staggering rate by Q4 2021 if the vaccine program beats the virus.Aviation, regional tourism, destinations, and technology are some of the key topics discussed on the first day of ATM Virtual 2021. Under the same theme of “A new dawn for travel & tourism,” the three-day event, which was specifically designed for those industry professionals unable to attend the in-person ATM event, kicked off this year with Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates, who gave a candid outlook about the recovery of the aviation industry. During a virtual conversation with top aviation consultant, John Strickland, who conducted the interview from London, Sir Tim initially gave his opinion on the recovery timescale of the aviation sector. “The ideal situation is that the vaccine program beats the virus by Autumn of this year and we get some relief then demand will come back at a staggering rate. Low cost (airlines) will benefit from intra-European travel, the US domestic market, China’s domestic market and international travel will (also) return in large numbers,” said Sir Tim. “But the problem (with this scenario) will be twofold. The ability of airlines to meet the demand when it comes and two, the conditionality of country access requirements,” he added.

The initial TSA face mask requirement went into effect on February 1 with an expiration date of May 11.The face mask extension requires face masks at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through September 13, 2021.CDC guidelines still require individuals to wear a face mask, socially distance, and wash their hands or use hand sanitizer. “The federal mask requirement throughout the transportation system seeks to minimize the spread of COVID-19 on public transportation,” said Darby LaJoye, the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the TSA Administrator. “Right now, about half of all adults have at least one vaccination shot and masks remain an important tool in defeating this pandemic. We will continue to work closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to evaluate the need for these directives and recognize the significant level of compliance thus far.” The CDC recently announced that fully vaccinated travelers with an FDA-authorized vaccine can travel safely within the U.S., but the CDC guidelines still require individuals to wear a face mask, socially distance, and wash their hands or use hand sanitizer. The extension of the face mask requirement is consistent with this most recent CDC guidance. TSA encourages all commuters, and airline and bus travelers, including people considering international travel, to stay up to date with any changes to these requirements by checking the TSA and CDC websites prior to taking their trip.

Turkish Airlines A330-300 aircraft from Istanbul carrying 171 passengers was greeted by a traditional water salute in Seychelles.Seychelles Tourism is focusing on the eastern and central Europe block.The airline will bring travelers to the islands twice weekly, Tuesdays and Fridays. Restarting its COVID-safe international passenger services, Turkish Airlines A330-300 aircraft from Istanbul carrying 171 passengers was greeted by a traditional water salute upon arrival at the Indian Ocean destination. Contributing to the revival of the local tourism industry, the airline connects Seychelles with the Central and Eastern Europe regions, which has become paramount to the destination as many of its traditional markets remain under lockdown.  Present at the airport for the arrival of the Turkish Airlines flight, the Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Mrs. Sherin Francis, expressed her excitement to see the carrier’s colors back in Seychelles.

The country saw a record high of 1,767 new COVID-19 cases in one day this past Sunday.Because of this current outbreak of the coronavirus and the fact that it is expected to intensify further, Bangkok Airways announce the delay of a planned new route.The airline also announced the temporary suspension of some routes. Thailand is witnessing record new COVID-19 coronavirus cases in recent days blaming it on the highly transmissible B.1.1.7 variant as the pace of immunization remains slow. Health authorities on Wednesday announced 1,458 new coronavirus cases, and 2 more deaths, a figure lower than Sunday’s record high of 1,767 infections. The latest figures take Thailand’s total to 46,643 cases and 110 deaths. A third of the total infections have come this month alone. Due to the current outbreak of COVID-19 and the fact that it is expected to intensify further, Bangkok Airways announce the delay of a planned new route: Bangkok – Mae Sot (roundtrip) with the new launch date for this route set for the fall on October 17, 2021. In addition to that, the airline would also like to announce the temporarily suspension of the following routes:

Some places in Latin America have had to institute another shutdown due to new waves of the COVID-19 coronavirus.How is this affecting aviation recovery as seen from the eyes of JetSmart Airline CEO Estuardo Ortiz?What are the current travel restrictions and where does consumer confidence and economic recovery stand? About the only thing safe to say in the current world of COVID-19 is that aviation in general is working very hard to get its wings back up in the air, people back at work, and profit margins no longer marginal. In an interview with the Chief Executive Officer of JetSmart Airline CEO Estuardo Ortiz, he speaks on COVID ups and down for his airline with Lori Ranson of CAPA – Centre for Aviation and brings to light what this airline is doing to rise from the ashes of the coronavirus. Read on – or sit back and listen to – this insightful exchange.

After a year of service suspension, Turkish Airlines is resuming flights to Seychelles.The airline will be flying wide-bodied A330-300 aircraft capable of transporting 280 passengers per flight.Passengers must show proof of a negative COVID test before departure with no quarantine upon arrival. This is part of Turkish Airlines’ plans to restart COVID-safe international passenger services to several destinations including Seychelles, after the airline suspended its services to the island in March 2020. Initially, the airline will fly twice weekly to Seychelles – Tuesday and Friday – but with an expected schedule change from July 12, 2021 with flights on Tuesday and Saturday.

hailed as the great come-back after a 17-year hiatus from the islands.Plane welcomed with water canon salute, musicians, dancers, and entertainment.Flight opens the way to twice-weekly flights between the two countries, and Russian travelers will now be able to fly non-stop to the island destination. The inaugural eight-hour 35 minutes flight was hailed as the ‘great come-back’ as Aeroflot is returning to the islands after 17 years. The flight was greeted on arrival by the Seychelles’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister of Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Anthony Derjacques and other officials from the tourism and aviation fields. A total 402 passengers disembarked to a typical Creole ambience as local musicians and dancers provided lively entertainment, after the plane had gone through the symbolic water canon salute. The landmark flight opens the way to twice-weekly flights between the two countries, and Russian travelers will now be able to fly non-stop to the island destination. The return flight will now leave Mahé tonight at 11.05 p.m. with a flying time of 8 hours 50 minutes. Following the official cutting of ribbons, Minister Radegonde expressed his delight at Aeroflot for coming back and re-establishing air links between the two countries. He saluted the airline for this great show of confidence in the destination during a time that had seen innumerable route cuts in the industry. “The resumption of direct flights from Moscow to Victoria testifies to the confidence of the Russian national carrier in our tourism industry. Seychelles is a much sought-after destination in Russia and in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The Russian market has always been a profitable one for Seychelles, featuring in the top 7 destinations every year. It is a high-yield market, with an average stay of 9 to 13 nights. But visitor arrivals have been impeded by the lack of direct flights from Moscow, “he said.  Minister Radegonde described the touching down of the aircraft as a beautiful and joyous moment for the country, adding the return of the flight will help in the recovery of the Seychelles tourism industry. Minister Radegonde noted that the Russian market was a profitable one and said the direct flight will help to accelerate and grow it further.   “With the introduction of twice-weekly flights by Aeroflot, I am hopeful that we can not only reclaim, but increase, our share of the Russian and the CIS market. It is within our ability to do so. We can do it if we all work together as a team – government and the private sector together.”  Aeroflot now joins four other airlines, which have resumed flights to Seychelles, whereas six others are expected back between April and October 2021. Aeroflot also expressed their joy to be back on the Seychelles’ route.   “We are very proud to be the very first European airline to come back to Seychelles in 2021 with a regular service between Moscow and Mahé, which is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque and authentic travel destinations across the globe,” said the airline’s Marketing Director, Anton Myagkov.  “The new Seychelles’ service truly highlights Aeroflot’s extensive route network. As a global full-service airline, we perfectly match our premium onboard product and in-flight service with the exclusive touristic product of the Seychelles islands.” Mr. Myagkov added that the current passengers’ demand for this service already exceeds all their expectations, causing a sellout of the first flight in just a few days. “This has enabled Aeroflot to increase the operating frequency to two flights per week starting from Sunday 09th April,” he said. Commenting on the new flight, the Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Sherin Francis, also present to welcome the Aeroflot flight, said the news of the return of Aeroflot has been met with much enthusiasm by the Seychelles trade. “We are pleased to welcome back this new service to our shores. Russia is one of our top originating markets and we expect this new route and direct link to expand our reach in the market and that region,” she said. She added that the increased seat capacity is significant and underlines the airline’s confidence in the Seychelles’ product, which is a highly sought-after destination. More news about Seychelles #rebuildingtravel

The CEO of LATAM Airlines, Roberto Alvo, speaks about taking over as CEO of the premier airline in Latin America, which has been particularly hard hit from COVID-19. - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Seychelles has welcomed over 15,000 tourists from the UAE so far this year.Safety measures and straightforward protocols have been conveniently designed to ease travel between the destinations.Emirates operates seven flights a week to the Seychelles from Dubai and is the second leading source market to the islands. The partnership will include a series of campaigns aiming to bring the Seychelles Islands maximum visibility as the ultimate leisure destination throughout the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) market through integrated Seychelles-related content that will be visible on Emirates’ social media platforms as well as through email marketing and joint radio advertisements. The collaboration will keep guests up to date with information on travel the archipelago, which has welcomed over 15,000 tourists from the UAE so far this year and which, as of Sunday, August 29, 2021, stands as the second leading source market to the destination. Furthermore, the campaigns will strengthen travel trade relations and enhance product knowledge through online training and workshops as well as familiarization trips, focused on areas whose borders have now opened for travel. Keeping safety at the heart of travel to Seychelles, the collaboration will also highlight the journey from Dubai to the island nation, including important details such as safety measures and straightforward protocols conveniently designed to ease travel. In addition, guests will be able to discover what the Seychelles Islands hold in store for them before they even land on its sandy shores. Commenting on the collaboration, Principal Secretary for Tourism, Mrs. Sherin Francis, said, “The partnership with Emirates is one that has grown from strength to strength, and we are happy for the support they have extended to the destination and Tourism Seychelles over the year. This year’s partnership is no different. However, in a time when our industry is slowly recovering and where building travel confidence is very important, partnerships such as this one has new meaning and definition. Through this collaborative work, it will be a win for both airline and destination.” With Emirates operating seven flights a week to the Seychelles from Dubai, UAE nationals and residents can now plan an exotic getaway to the land of turquoise waters, pearly shores and emerald mountains, choosing from one of the many luxurious resorts or charming guesthouses for their stay. Entry to Seychelles requires proof of a negative COVID-19 test, conducted within 72 hours of the date of travel and approval from the Health Travel Authorization app. More information in regard to travel to the island paradise can be found at ‘seychelles.advisory.travel.’

The one millionth passenger to arrive in Jamaica in the midst of COVID-19 was showered with gifts upon her arrival.Among the welcome gifts was a voucher, valid for one year, entitling the entire family to a 4-day 3-night all-inclusive vacation at Royalton.In the last quarter, tourism in Jamaica  has increased by 5,000% in arrivals. Daynel Williams, accompanied by four family members, exuded abundant joy as she was ushered out of the line of arriving passengers on JetBlue from New York yesterday (August 15), to be met by a team of officials, headed by Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett. She was showered with gifts and heartfelt congratulations on being the millionth visitor since Jamaica reopened its borders to international air travel on June 15, 2020. All borders were closed in March 2020, cutting off all arrivals as the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19, began to take its toll. Cuddling a baby in her arms while an infant held onto her dress, Mrs. Williams was almost speechless but managed to repeat “Oh God!” as she tried to contain her joy as Minister Bartlett told her that as the millionth stopover visitor, she was now the center of international attention, facing several media representatives jostling to get close up shots of her and her family. Her mother-in-law, Jennifer Williams, a Jamaican from Oracabessa, St Mary, was overwhelmed with joy as she was moved to tears. “I’ve been travelling back and forth to Jamaica for over 30 years now and this has never happened; I am so excited, I feel like crying.” She did allow a few tears of joy to flow while adding, “I’m so elated, I’m very, very happy. I can’t express how I feel.” Among the welcome gifts was a voucher, valid for one year, entitling the entire family to a 4-day 3-night all-inclusive vacation at Royalton, presented by Regional Director of Sales for Blue Diamond Resorts International, Kerry-Ann Quallo Casserly. Speaking to the significance of the occasion, Minister Bartlett said: “This is a milestone in the tourism annals, never before, within a year and one month have we ever had one million stopover visitors coming to our country.” Prior to COVID-19 it took Jamaica close to 20 years to record its first million arrivals in a year. However, up to 2019, just before the pandemic hit, stopover and cruise arrivals combined, exceeded 4 million. Since the reopening of borders on June 15, last year, tourism has earned US$1.5 billion and just over 50,000 of the 130,000 workers who were laid off, are now back on the job. The Sangster International Airport alone has accounted for 5,000 of its 7,000 jobs being restored. Mr. Bartlett said in the last quarter, “tourism increased by 5,000 percent in arrivals” and earnings also increased significantly, “so we have no doubt as to the impact of tourism on Jamaica’s economic recovery program.” Among the welcome party along with Minster Bartlett and Mrs. Casserly, were Director of Tourism, Donovan White; Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association President, Clifton Reader; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MBJ Airports, Shane Munroe and President and CEO of the Airports Authority of Jamaica, Audley Deidrick.

There is a growing demand among U.K. travelers seeking a tropical, Bahamian escape.Virgin Atlantic’s upcoming flights commence on Saturday, November 20 of this year.This is the perfect time to plan an escape to the sunny and warm Bahamas from the upcoming cold fall season in the United Kingdom. With travel restrictions easing around the world, The Bahamas looks forward to continuing welcoming guests back to its shores. “We are incredibly thrilled about Virgin Atlantic’s new, twice-weekly airlift services from London’s Heathrow Airport,” said Minister of Tourism & Aviation, the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar. “There is a growing demand among U.K. travelers seeking a tropical, Bahamian escape. We look forward to welcoming them to our beautiful shores to experience what makes our country a unique Caribbean destination unlike any other.” Travelers on Virgin Atlantic’s upcoming flights—commencing November 20—can expect the very best of what The Bahamas has to offer. While on island, wanderlusters will find ultimate relaxation and exhilarating adventure through the destination’s rich culture, decadent sea-to-table dining and beautiful natural wonders. From secret sandbars and secluded pink-sand beaches, to deep blue hole diving and swimming with the pigs, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. Not to mention, Downtown Nassau offers 20 square blocks of monuments, murals, and museums for those looking to immerse themselves in The Bahamas centuries-old history.  Flights will go on sale August 11, 2021, with return Economy flights starting at $990. Those looking to book their next vacation, whether in Nassau or island hopping throughout the Out Islands, can head to www.bahamas.com/deals-packages or check with their hotel representatives to learn more about the deals and packages available in the coming months.   #rebuildingtravel

This was announced at a press conference that just concluded at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.The state confirmed that Hawaii’s efforts are not being done in coordination with federal authority guidelines.Travelers vaccinated in the US or its territories may participate in the program starting on the 15th day after second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Travelers vaccinated in the U.S. or U.S. Territories may participate in the exception program starting on the 15th day after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine — or starting the 15th day after they’ve received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. When asked by eTurboNews, it was made clear that vaccination passes are not accepted by foreign authorities. Hawaii-bound travelers will need to upload one of three vaccination documents to a Safe Travels Hawaii account they set up, prior to traveling to the islands. One of the following documents must be uploaded: A CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card.VAMS (Vaccination Administration Management System) printout.DOD DD Form 2766C. The Safe Travels digital platform will ask for an online legal attestations on its website to confirm the uploaded documentation is true and accurate.

Tourism Minister Bartlett says inaugural flight between Zurich and Montego Bay will boost connectivity out of that section of Europe.Demand for Jamaica is more concentrated and individual countries have the capacity to drive numbers.Jamaica is not just seen as a vacation center for the economy class but also for the well-heeled and the high net-worth demographic. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, declared the service “a game-changer in terms of boosting connectivity out of that section of Europe,” after welcoming Captain Patrick Ritter and crew of the Edelweiss Airline flight, which brought 99 passengers on its inaugural run. Underscoring its significance, the Minister said: “Now we’re seeing that the demand for Jamaica is more concentrated and that individual countries have the capacity to drive numbers sufficient to bring an aircraft non-stop into Montego Bay.” The occasion was commemorated, with Minister Bartlett presenting gifts to Capt. Ritter who is renewing his acquaintance with Montego Bay. With memories of being here 15 years ago and having had a good time, for him returning is a “great pleasure.” Zurich is one of the richest cities in Europe and Mr. Bartlett sees the interest in coming to Jamaica as “a big statement that Jamaica is not just seen as a vacation center for the economy class but also for the well-heeled and the high net-worth demographic.” This he said was important as it generates more confidence in building back at a higher level “so that the resources that are to stay in Jamaica to help us to build the economy is assured.” In welcoming the service, Director of Tourism, Donovan White said the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has been working consistently to attract visitors, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. “We work very hard for the demand that we have created, and we have spared no effort in the marketplace to ensure that Jamaica is positioned as one of the best destinations available to travelers who are ready to travel,” he expressed. Mr. White said following the start of the pandemic last year, “Jamaica and the Tourist Board created more comment on the destination than we have ever created at any other time in our history and we did that deliberately because we needed to make sure that as we traverse the pandemic and come out of it, that we were in a position to present Jamaica in a way that would continue to drive that demand forward.” Edelweiss is recognized as the leading Swiss leisure travel airline, with flights from Zurich to over 70 destinations. Meanwhile, the Sangster International Airport is again buzzing with activity with the addition of several new flights into Jamaica. Chief Executive Officer of MBJ Airports Ltd., Shane Munroe says tourism recovery is underway with operations at the airport moving from 30 percent in January to over 70 percent at the end of June, when compared to 2019 and “for the summer the prospect looks good mostly from the United States.” He added that some 80 percent of the airport’s workforce is back on the job. He said June was a strong month with over 200,000 passengers arriving at the airport and a greater number is expected for July and August, the peak summer months, “and the outlook for the winter season is positive. Right now we don’t have the European flight coming in so when you add the flights from TUI, flights from Canada which are slowly coming back, the UK as well, certainly the recovery is well on its way.” #rebuildingtravel

Hawaiian Airlines today released its 2021 Corporate Kuleana Report outlining the carrier’s progress on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives.Despite this being the most challenging period in its 92-year history as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline continues to focus on corporate responsibility.Addressing climate change remains one of Hawaiian’s key ESG priorities. “As we progress through 2021, I am incredibly proud of our team’s accomplishments in the face of extreme adversity and encouraged for our future,” Hawaiian Airlines CEO Ingram continued. The airline has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 through ongoing fleet investments, more efficient flying, carbon offsets, and industry advocacy for air traffic control reform and sustainable aviation fuel development and proliferation. Starting this year, Hawaiian has pledged to offset emissions from international flights above 2019 levels, in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). Hawai‘i’s hometown airline also defined steps it is taking to foster diversity and inclusion, calling it a “key driver of our success.” Evidence-based processes to minimize bias in hiring and promotional practices across Hawaiian have contributed to team diversity, with approximately 78% of its active workforce identifying as diverse based on ethnicity and 44% based on gender. “We can always do better, and we are re-examining our practices to ensure Hawaiian Airlines remains a diverse, inclusive, equitable and desirable place to work, and where every team member is respected, valued and supported,” Ingram said.  The 2021 Corporate Kuleana Report chronicles how Hawaiian – Hawai‘i’s only locally based major carrier and one of its largest employers – endured the devastating impacts of the pandemic by preserving financial resources, supporting employees and communities statewide, and safely providing essential transportation. In the fourth quarter of 2020, Hawaiian became the first U.S. airline to establish a network of dedicated drive-through testing sites near its key gateway airports once the state of Hawai‘i began exempting travelers from quarantine with proof of a negative COVID-19 test. “We enhanced disinfection throughout our operations and adopted an in-flight face covering policy as an added layer of protection in our cabins, which were already extremely safe by virtue of their built-in airflow and filtration systems,” the report noted. In addition to maintaining vital transportation for passengers and cargo to, from and within the islands throughout the pandemic, Hawaiian employees participated in numerous philanthropic efforts, which took on renewed importance in 2020. Among the highlights: More than 1,500 Hawaiian Airlines volunteers donated approximately 6,500 hours to cultural and environmental conservation initiatives, and to care for Hawai‘i’s most vulnerable community members. The airline also partnered with the Hawai‘i State Department of Education in a summerlong Kōkua our Schools project to refresh seven public campuses before educators welcomed students back in the fall semester.Hawaiian operated a complex humanitarian mission to fly 1.6 million masks to Honolulu from Shenzhen, China.  The airline supported Hawai‘i’s medical workers, including doctors, nurses, assistants and volunteers who took over 600 complimentary neighbor island flights in April and May 2020 to conduct COVID-19 testing and deliver care.Hawaiian donated $472,000 worth of catering goods – ranging from new hand towels and condiments to soft drinks and packaged foods – to nonprofits in Hawai‘i and throughout the carrier’s U.S. mainland network, as well as hundreds of thousands of soft goods and inflight items to local humanitarian organizations and schools, such as Main Cabin blankets, pillowcases and amenity kits, and First Class slippers, mattress pads and pillowcases. Hawaiian’s 2021 Corporate Kuleana Report includes metrics established by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB). To read the report and learn more about Hawaiian’s ESG practices, please visit https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility.

Frontier will operate direct flights from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Nassau (NAS) four times a week, starting July 2021.The Bahamas is on a path of tourism recovery and economic restoration following a devastating hurricane and the COVID-19 pandemic.A robust increase in airlift from major source markets figures as a key element in the Ministry’s overall strategy for tourism recovery. As travel continues a steady return, The Bahamas is eager to welcome back visitors with more flight options and deals this summer. Frontier will operate direct flights from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Nassau (NAS) four times a week, starting July 2021. During an inaugural ceremony and plaque exchange, Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar, M.P. Minister of Tourism and Aviation, brings remarks to Frontier Airlines’ inaugural flight from Miami to Nassau. Photo courtesy of Kemuel Stubbs. Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar, was among the officials gathered at the Sir Lynden Airport this afternoon to greet the inaugural flight and he expressed warm words of welcome. Plaque exchange by Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar, M.P, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, and Frontier Airlines executives during a ceremony for Frontier Airlines inaugural flight from Miami to Nassau. “I am honored and excited that Frontier Airlines has decided to partner with The Bahamas, particularly at this critical juncture, as we engage on the path of tourism recovery and economic restoration following a devastating hurricane and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. I take this opportunity to extend a warm Bahamian welcome to you and to express our sincere appreciation for your partnership.” Pictured left to right at Miami Airport is Barry Biffle, President and CEO of Frontier Airlines, and Mrs. Linda Mackey, Consul General of Bahamas Consulate Miami. Frontier Airlines presented The Islands of The Bahamas with a gift of a model of the Frontier Airlines Airplane and The Islands of The Bahamas presented a photo designed by Bahamian celebrity artist, Jamaal Rolle. The addition of Frontier Airlines to the growing number of air carriers servicing The Bahamas comes as a result of the ongoing drive by the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation and key industry partners to expand airlift to the destination.  A robust increase in airlift from major source markets figures as a key element in the Ministry’s overall strategy for tourism recovery. Bahamas welcomes Frontier Airlines inaugural flight to Nassau 6 “Frontier Airlines’ multiple flights per week provide a breath of fresh air to our tourism economy as this air link connects our destination to the hub of the Southeastern USA, including Florida, a market from which we annually attract a significant share of our visitors,” said Minister D’Aguilar. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful beaches and explore the exciting offerings of Nassau and Paradise Island.  ABOUT THE BAHAMAS Explore all the islands have to offer at https://www.bahamas.com/ or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram. More news about The Bahamas #rebuildingtravel

Widerøe is primarily a domestic airline operating a fleet of Dash 8s and Embraer 190E2s on a dense route network, mainly along the west coast of Norway.For some time during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, Widerøe was Europe’s busiest airline with close to 200 flights a day.Widerøe connects remote places in the country, sometimes flying very short hops of just a few kilometers and then sometimes in extreme winter conditions. But that’s not the full story. Widerøe is one of the most aggressive airlines in driving environment and environmental change. It is exploring using all electric aircraft, where it can in the network, as the Norwegian government wants the first all-electric domestic flights to take off around the middle of the decade. Read – or listen to – what Jens Flottau and Stein Nilsen talk about on the CAPA – Centre for Aviation program event here. First, they take a look at the current COVID-19 situation in aviation. Jens Flottau: Let us know how Widerøe operated during the pandemic. You had to cut back as many others did, but not as extremely as many of your [inaudible 00:03:14], right? Stein Nilsen: Yeah, that’s correct, but for us as everyone else in the travel industry, it’s been a really tough 15 months there from March 2020. But we have a very, very special network in Norway. It’s more like a public transportation system in some areas of the rural parts of Norway, especially. So of course, it has been a lot of focus on keeping a good transportation system also during the pandemic. We have in fact been flying around 70 to 80% of normal capacity, most of the periods during the last 15 months. We have been lower in very, very special pandemic situations, but around 70 to 80%, we have flown. Half of that 50% is the PSO route network in Norway, and that’s a very crucial network for the rural areas. We were asked by the ministry of transportation to keep up a high production level on that network, despite of low cabin factors to support the local communities in keeping a good transportation offer also in a very special situation. Of course, we are very glad for that support of the ministry of transportation and there is also awarded some extra compensation to us and to other operators on the PSO network in Norway. We have a small airline, Swedish airline, called Air Leap, and we have a lift transport in the northern part of Norway, also flying on the PSO network. So the government in Norway has done a lot of extra and extraordinary efforts to keep a good transportation system going through the pandemic. Jens Flottau: So you’re saying 70 to 80% of your Wideroe capacity was still in place, but can you say how much passenger numbers dropped?

On the table was the current situation with regard to Finnair, with regard to its capacity and traffic for example.The airline CEO discusses the impact of COVID-19 and travel restrictions as well as possible ways forward.Currently, Finnair is at around 12 percent of 2019 seat levels, so the climb out and up is going to take a lot of hard work and finesse. Read on for this in-depth interview with Finnair CEO Topi Manner, or just sit back and listen via the link. We start with Jonathan Wober of CAPA – Centre for Aviation welcoming Topi Manner to the discussion. Jonathan Wober: Well, good morning and welcome to another edition of CAPA Live, and I’m delighted to welcome to discussion today Topi Manner, the Chief Executive of Finnair. Topi, welcome and thanks for joining us. Topi Manner: Thank you, Jonathan. Good to be here. Jonathan: I just want to start by asking about the current situation with regard to Finnair, capacity, traffic, etcetera. You’ve been operating at very low levels of capacity. The current week, according to data from OAG and CAPA suggests that you’re at around about 12% of 2019 seat levels in the first week of May, thereabouts. Europe overall is about 40%, so you’re considerably below the European average. Is it frustrating to you because Finland seems to be quite low on infection rates and quite high on vaccination rates, but why can’t your government get more connectivity negotiated, and why can’t you operate at higher levels? Topi: I mean, that’s right. It is a bit frustrating that the travel restrictions are so stringent in Finland, and that is certainly impacting our operations. As of now, we operate approximately 15% of our capacity and that includes the Asian long-haul flights that we started already last summer. I mean, currently we are flying to Tokyo, to Seoul, to Shanghai, and to Bangkok and Hong Kong. And that long haul traffic is greatly supported by our cargo demand. Now for the next summer, for this summer, we have been releasing what I would call to first release of our summer network, and that includes that we plan to fly to something like 60 destinations, and especially European short haul will be on the menu. And we also look forward to increasing flights to North America, so increasing frequencies to New York and also introducing Chicago and Los Angeles.

Flights will initially operate Saturdays and Mondays and as of June 17 will operate Sundays and Thursdays.Passengers with a full vaccination certificate are exempt from negative PCR-RT COVID-19 test, if vaccinated at least 14 days before entry.Other passengers welcome by submitting negative PCR-RT COVID-19 test taken up to 5 days before their trip, applying online for a Health Visa, and completing a daily health questionnaire. As of June 5, Copa Airlines restarts flights from Panama, connecting with the main cities of Latin America, to Nassau, Bahamas. The flights will initially operate Saturdays and Mondays and as of June 17 will operate Sundays and Thursdays. “At Copa Airlines we are pleased to announce that on June 5, we will resume our regular operation to Nassau with 2 flights per week, so that tourists can enjoy wonderful days of rest and experience unforgettable holidays in The Bahamas, since this destination offers a lot of experiences, and each island has its own appeal, with beautiful landscapes, gastronomy and sandy beaches immensely white,” said Christophe Didier, Copa Airlines’ vice-president of Global Sales. As of May 1, passengers with a full vaccination certificate (including the second dose, if applicable) for Covid-19 of AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Johnson & Johnson, Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech immunizers are exempt from the negative PCR-RT COVID-19 tests requirement, as long as they have been vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entry into The Bahamas.

The Airline offers direct connections from São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia and Porto Alegre to Nassau, and The Bahamas.Travelers staying 14 days or more in The Bahamas can return through the United States, provided they comply with all protocols and visa requirements of the country.The Bahamas follows strict health and safety protocols, in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19 among visitors and residents. “At Copa Airlines, we are excited to offer alternatives for Brazilian tourists to reach the Islands of The Bahamas. We believe that in Nassau you can enjoy wonderful days of rest and live an unforgettable holiday, thanks to its wide range of different experiences, ready to be discovered. In addition, each island in The Bahamas has its own attractions, with beautiful landscapes, gastronomy and immensely white sandy beaches,” said Christophe Didier, Vice President of Sales at Copa Airlines. Travelers staying 14 days or more in The Bahamas can return through the United States, provided they comply with all protocols and visa requirements of the country. Some hotels and resorts in The Bahamas are offering special promotions for those staying more than 14 days, such as Grand Isle in The Exumas and Margaritaville Resort in Nassau. This opportunity is ideal for tourists who plan on a long vacation in The Bahamas or want to continue on to the United States. “In The Islands of The Bahamas, there are countless opportunities for that long-awaited dream vacation, and the warm, hospitable people of The Bahamas look forward to welcoming visitors from Brazil. Resorts, hotels and other tourism related companies follow strict health and safety protocols, which have been implemented to ensure our visitors a safe, carefree, enjoyable vacation experience,” said the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar, the Bahamas Minister of Tourism & Aviation.

Seychelles CEO welcomes first charter in a series connecting passengers to the island nation.Approximately 500 passengers will arrive within the next 4 weeks as the islands reopen tourism.Between March 15 and April 15, 2021, Seychelles has recorded 15,465 visitors disembarking on its shores. The charter, first of a series, is expected for the next 4 weeks and will connect some 500 passengers to the small island destination, which has reopened its doors for tourism since March 2021.  The passengers disembarked from the A320Neo aircraft, Pti Merl Dezil into sunny Seychelles and were entertained by a group of local dancers dressed in traditional attires performing cultural dances and songs.  Making their arrival in paradise memorable, visitors received a small token from the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) while waiting for their documents to be processed by the health and immigration officers.

The first-ever direct flight will begin operations between Seychelles and Romania.These weekly charters will continue until Monday, May 17, coming back for the summer season in August and subsequently for winter in December.This augurs very well with Seychelles’ tourism recovery efforts as more and more markets see the islands as being a safe destination. The Indian Ocean archipelago’s national airline will be operating charter flights between Romania’s capital city, Bucharest, and Mahé island, becoming the first-ever direct flight linking the two countries.  For its first voyage, the 9-hour flight, operated by the Air Seychelles 168-seat capacity A320Neo aircraft has been sold out and expected to land at the Seychelles International Airport at 0930 hours. Leaving Bucharest at 2300 hours on Thursday, the flight will make an in-between technical stop in Cairo, Egypt for refueling before resuming its path to Seychelles. These weekly charters will continue until Monday, May 17, coming back for the summer season in August and subsequently for winter in December.

Airline Sr. VP said domestic travel in China is very safe, and the demand has increased very quickly.For the international network, because of the restriction of the government, airlines in China still have very low capacities for international travel.The airline needs to restructure its fleet, including return some old wide-body aircraft, cut some orders of new aircraft, and restructure the financial or liaising structure. The two gentlemen talked about how China Southern Airlines and the broader airline industry as well have adjusted to the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis. Read on – or sit back and listen to – this CAPA – Centre for Aviation event. Adrian Scofield: Principally, could start by talking about how your home market is fairing at the moment. For China, has domestic capacity and demand fully recovered, or have the subsequent COVID waves affected that? Guoxiang Wu: From my view, and especially from the start of this year, I think the domestic amount have fully recovered. As you know, thanks to the government’s great work for the prevent the pandemic, the control of the pandemic, I think domestic travel in China is very safe. Just from January to February, during the peak season, the normal peak season of the spring festival for China, because the government advocate people to stay home for their holidays, it’s a little decrease of this season. But after the spring festival, the demand has increased very quickly. I think from last month, from March, the domestic demand is fully recovered in time. Adrian Scofield: Right. Very good. And I think your capacity is now above pre COVID levels again, isn’t it?

At the age of 36, Jose Ignacio Dougnac became the youngest CEO in South American aviation industry.The airline set up safety, people, and sustainability as the top three priorities for managing the COVID crisis.Sky Airline has been working side by side with the government to transport goods and vaccines. Sky Airline CEO Jose Ignacio Dougnac talks about the challenges and opportunities in South America during the COVID-19 pandemic. The session began with Peter Cerda thanking CAPA – Centre for Aviation for the opportunity to moderate the discussion with one of the up-and-coming CEOs in Latin America. The CEO of Sky Airlines, Jose Ignacio Dougnac, took over the helm at the airline just about a year ago.

We’ve never seen anything like this in aviation with the effects of COVID-19. Before this, we had 9/11, which was kind of not as dramatic in comparison.Over one single summer, airlines have had to operate at a staggering 5 percent of their capacity.To say it’s going to be competitive out there is an understatement. What is the British Airways CEO view on the future of aviation when it comes to its competition with other major airlines in Europe? Read about aviation from the perspective of British Airways CEO Sean Doyle as he is interviewed by the Peter Harbison, Chairman Emeritus of  CAPA – Centre for Aviation – or click on the link and sit back and give it a listen. Peter Harbison: … particularly at the cash position and the different approaches that governments in Europe have taken, both of your major full-service carriers in Europe have been very substantially, to use a crude word, bailed out by their governments to a large extent. And I know Willy Walsh previously said none of the airlines should be bailed out. There has been some support for British Airways but more recently particularly. How does that affect your competitive position with the other two of the major three in Europe? Sean Doyle: Well, I think the first think I would say is that, at IAG, we were very quick to act on self-help, and I think that was focused on probably three to four different streams. I think the first is to go out and raise liquidity in the commercial sector as best that you can, and we’ve been successful in doing that. We had a rights issue, we went to the bond markets, and then we actually tapped into some government facilities in the form of UKEF for British Airways to the tune of two billion before Christmas, and Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus have actually pursued similar paths. So I think credit being available on commercial terms was one of the sort of streams that we were looking to be enabled, and we’ve tapped into that. I think the second thing was to recognize the gravity of the situation and to change your business pretty quickly, and I think both British Airways, Aer Lingus, and other airlines across the group did that.

Setting up a traffic light system of green, amber, and red will be used to identify the travel and health risk of countries.With vaccines continuing to roll out, COVID testing will remain an essential part of protecting public health as restrictions begin to ease.The permission to travel form will be removed, meaning passengers will no longer need to prove they have a valid reason to leave the country. The Global Travel Taskforce is an advisory body of the government of the United Kingdom. Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps announced the formation of the group on October 7, 2020 as a cross-government response to an identified need to enable the safe and sustainable recovery of international travel and to introduce a COVID-19 testing system for travelers visiting the UK. In February 2021, the Prime Minister asked the Secretary of State for Transport to convene a successor to the Global Travel Taskforce, building on the recommendations set out in November 2020 to develop a framework for a safe and sustainable return to international travel when the time is right. Traffic Light System A traffic light system, which will categorize countries based on risk alongside the restrictions required for travel, will be set up to protect the public and the vaccine rollout from international COVID-19 variants. Key factors in the assessment will include: the percentage of their population that have been vaccinatedthe rate of infectionthe prevalence of variants of concernthe country’s access to reliable scientific data and genomic sequencing The traffic light system will work this way: Green: arrivals will need to take a pre-departure test as well as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on or before day 2 of their arrival back into the UK – but will not need to quarantine on return (unless they receive a positive result) or take any additional tests, halving the cost of tests on their return from holiday. Amber: arrivals will need to quarantine for a period of 10 days and take a pre-departure test, and a PCR test on day 2 and day 8 with the option for Test to Release on day 5 to end self-isolation early. Red: arrivals will be subject to restrictions currently in place for red list countries which include a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, pre-departure testing and PCR testing on day 2 and 8.

United’s CEO announced that domestic leisure travel demand has almost entirely recovered.Business demand is still down over 80%, and international borders, particularly for long-haul, are still largely closed.It’s really nice to see that domestic leisure recovery and that human desire for connection is going to come back and come back strong.

The CEO of LATAM Airlines, Roberto Alvo, speaks about taking over as CEO of the premier airline in Latin America, which has been particularly hard hit from COVID-19. - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online