Russia’s obligation to participate in the ISS program ends at the end of 2025.In April, 2021, Russian Prsident approved plans for new Russian Orbital Service Station.Russian space chief suggest creation a separate space station module for tourists. Russian space agency officials have suggested constructing a special module for tourists on the proposed Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS), a Moscow-funded replacement for the aging International Space Station (ISS). Russia to add tourist module to its next space station According to the head of the Russian State Space Corporation (Roscosmos) Dmitry Rogozin, the Roscosmos Scientific and Technical Council discussed the ROSS creation at its meeting on July 31. “I suggested that the project should include the creation of a separate module for visitors,” the Roscosmos chief said. With Russia’s obligations to participate in the ISS program coming to an end in 2025, there has long been speculation about the future of the planet’s only inhabited space station. Roscosmos will not engage in suborbital flights, Russian space official said, but Russian space agency will get involved in developing space tourism as part of the orbital piloted program. In April, 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the plans for new Russian Orbital Service Station, signing off on a proposal for a space station with three to seven modules. If the decision is made to include a segment purely for tourists, it will continue a tradition of Russia’s participation in space tourism. In 2001, American engineer Dennis Tito became the first space tourist to fund his own trip into space, arriving in the Russian Soyuz TM-32 rocket.

Latest international airline to capitalize on PIT’s cargo speed.Hong Kong-based carrier will serve Pittsburgh International Airport through end of year.Planes will arrive on Mondays and Fridays and depart the next day. Cargo operations at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) will get another boost with the return of twice weekly flights from Cathay Pacific Airways. Cathay Pacific Airways Returns to Pittsburgh International Airport Cathay Pacific starts service on Aug. 2, 2021, with its Boeing 777-300ER passenger planes that have been converted for cargo, with plans to serve PIT through the end of the year. Planes will arrive on Mondays and Fridays and depart the next day. Cargo onboard the aircraft is for the garment industry. The aircraft will start their flights from Hanoi, Vietnam, stopping at Cathay Pacific’s Cargo Terminal at Hong Kong International Airport before flying nonstop to PIT. Cathay Pacific initially started cargo service to PIT in September 2020 with 20 flights. PIT’s ability to quickly unload cargo and get it on trucks for delivery is one of the reasons Cathay Pacific and freight forwarder partner Unique Logistics chose to return for their latest cargo venture. “Pittsburgh International Airport’s geographic location, community support, and operational efficiencies provide the ideal environment for us to operate service from Vietnam with Cathay Pacific to the Pittsburgh area,” said Marc Schlossberg, Executive Vice President of Unique Logistics. “Unique Logistics is contracted to operate around 120 such flights with several airlines from Asia into PIT and other airports in the United States for the remainder of 2021, adding valuable air cargo capacity for US importers.” “Additional flights could be added to PIT as the operation scales up,” added Schlossberg.

Partnership will leverage Qatar Airways’ global network.Qatar Airways’ access to African destinations will increase.The agreement will integrate Qatar Airways and RwandAir loyalty programs’ benefits. Qatar Airways passengers will be able to explore even more of Africa following its new partnership with Rwanda’s flag carrier, RwandAir via their hubs at Doha and Kigali. Qatar Airways and RwandAir Announce Interline Agreement As a part of the strategic partnership, the extensive interline agreement will give customers access to the networks of both airlines, providing a seamless travel experience and enhanced customer service including in the frequent flyers programs. Customers can pick and choose from over 160 destinations in the combined networks of both airlines, which are perfectly connected via their home hubs of Doha and Kigali. This latest cooperation comes hot on the heels of the airlines’ recent loyalty partnerships announcement, giving RwandAir Dream Miles and Qatar Airways Privilege Club loyalty members, access to each other’s destinations with the opportunity to ‘earn and burn’ points across their reciprocal route networks. His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al-Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive said: “This partnership cements our commitment to giving travellers the widest choice of destinations, while providing a seamless, high quality travel experience, which is the goal of both Qatar Airways and RwandAir. “Africa is a hugely important market for us and this latest partnership will help support the recovery of international air travel and offer unrivalled connectivity to and from a number of new African destinations.” Yvonne Makolo, RwandAir CEO, said: “We’re really excited to be opening up more of the world to our customers through the new interline agreement with Qatar Airways.

Only vaccinated Kuwaiti citizens allowed to travel abroad.Travel ban goes into effect on August 1.Children under 16 are exempt from the new rule. Kuwait authorities announced that only vaccinated Kuwaiti citizens will be allowed to travel abroad, effectively grounding a large part of the country’s 4.2 million population. Kuwait bans all unvaccinated citizens from foreign travel The blanket ban on foreign travel for the unvaccinated citizens was announced by government officials of the Gulf nation today. Starting from August 1, only vaccinated individuals will be allowed to go on foreign trips. However, the children under 16, people with medical conditions preventing vaccination, and pregnant women will be exempt from the new rule and will be allowed to travel if they obtain proper certification from the nation’s health ministry. The move effectively grounds a vast swath of Kuwait’s population under a foreign travel ban. According to the latest available data, Kuwait has administered over 2.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with around one million people so far – over 22% of the population – receiving two shots. While the announcement was not exactly clear in regards to this matter, it apparently implies that only fully vaccinated people will be allowed to travel after the measure takes effect next month. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Kuwait has registered over 394,000 COVID-19 cases, with almost 2,300 people having died the disease.

Total demand for air travel in June 2021 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was down 60.1% compared to June 2019.International passenger demand in June was 80.9% below June 2019.Total domestic demand was down 22.4% versus pre-crisis levels (June 2019). The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced passenger demand performance for June 2021 showing a very slight improvement in both international and domestic air travel markets. Demand remains significantly below pre-COVID-19 levels owing to international travel restrictions.  Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General As comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted, all comparisons are to June 2019, which followed a normal demand pattern. Total demand for air travel in June 2021 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was down 60.1% compared to June 2019. That was a small improvement over the 62.9% decline recorded in May 2021 versus May 2019.  International passenger demand in June was 80.9% below June 2019, an improvement from the 85.4% decline recorded in May 2021 versus two years ago. All regions with the exception of Asia-Pacific contributed to the slightly higher demand.  Total domestic demand was down 22.4% versus pre-crisis levels (June 2019), a slight gain over the 23.7% decline recorded in May 2021 versus the 2019 period. The performance across key domestic markets was mixed with Russia reporting robust expansion while China returned to negative territory.  “We are seeing movement in the right direction, particularly in some key domestic markets. But the situation for international travel is nowhere near where we need to be. June should be the start of peak season, but airlines were carrying just 20% of 2019 levels. That’s not a recovery, it’s a continuing crisis caused by government inaction,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. 

UK Travel & Tourism sector will get a huge boost from new regulation.The cruise industry will breathe a sigh of relief.It also throws a vital lifeline to airlines and businesses throughout the sector. Virginia Messina, WTTC Senior Vice President and Acting CEO, said: “The Travel & Tourism sector – and the UK economy – will get a huge boost following news that fully-vaccinated US and EU visitors will at last be able to travel quarantine-free to England. Fully-Vaccinated US and EU Visitors Will Be A Boon To UK Economy “The cruise industry will breathe a sigh of relief that the crucial relaunch of international cruise departures from England has been given the green light, giving hope to a sector which has struggled to stay afloat. “It also throws a vital lifeline to airlines and businesses throughout the sector, by helping to restore much-need transatlantic travel and essential links to the EU. “However, unless it’s reciprocal and the US responds with a similar move, we won’t see the full benefit.   “Research shows that before the pandemic US visitors to the UK contributed more than more than £4 billion to the economy in 2019, underlining the importance of transatlantic travel. “We urgently need internationally coordinated action to reopen borders to safe international travel for all visitors who are fully vaccinated or can show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. “Harmonization would restore international mobility, ensure reduced protocols for vaccinated travelers, emphasize the importance of global vaccine recognition, and enable global use of ‘digital health passes’.”

International travel is an export industry, and the balance of travel trade historically has favored the United States.Closed borders have not eliminated the spread of the delta variant.Continued border closures have further delayed the return of American jobs and a greater economic recovery. U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the news that England would soon begin welcoming fully vaccinated Americans: US Travel: England Reopening A Wise Decision “British government leaders have made a wise decision in reopening England to vaccinated travelers from the United States. It’s time for U.S. leaders to do the same and set a timeline to reopen our national borders—and we encourage them to start with vaccinated travelers from the U.K., E.U. and Canada. The reality is there’s no difference between a vaccinated American and those vaccinated in the U.K., the E.U. and Canada. “International travel is an export industry, and the balance of travel trade historically has favored the United States. Closed borders have not eliminated the spread of the delta variant, while continued border closures have further delayed the return of American jobs and a greater economic recovery. “To U.S. government leaders we say: Let’s establish a plan—now—as the British and Canadian and other governments have done, to begin reopening international travel. “To all, we say: Heed the calls from health authorities and get a vaccine. It’s the fastest path to normalcy for all.”

Global demand for June 2021 was up 9.9% compared to June 2019. North American carriers contributed 5.9 percentage points to the 9.9% growth rate in June.Underlying economic conditions and favorable supply chain dynamics remain highly supportive for air cargo. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air cargo markets for June showing a 9.9% improvement on pre-COVID-19 performance (June 2019). This pushed first half-year air cargo growth to 8%, its strongest first half performance since 2017 (when the industry posted 10.2% year-on-year growth).  IATA: Strongest First Half-Year Air Cargo Growth Since 2017 As comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted, all comparisons to follow are to June 2019 which followed a normal demand pattern. Global demand for June 2021, measured in cargo ton-kilometers (CTKs), was up 9.9% compared to June 2019.  Regional variations in performance are significant. North American carriers contributed 5.9 percentage points (ppts) to the 9.9% growth rate in June. Middle East carriers contributed 2.1 ppts, European airlines 1.6 ppts, African airlines 0.5 ppts and Asia-Pacific carriers 0.3 ppts. Latin American carriers did not support the growth, shaving 0.5 ppts off the total. Overall capacity, measured in available cargo ton-kilometers (ACTKs), remained constrained at 10.8% below pre-COVID-19 levels (June 2019) due to the ongoing grounding of passenger aircraft. Belly capacity was down 38.9% on June 2019 levels, partially offset by a 29.7% increase in dedicated freighter capacity.  Underlying economic conditions and favorable supply chain dynamics remain highly supportive for air cargo: The US inventory to sales ratio is at a record low. This means that businesses have to quickly refill their stocks, and typically use air cargo to do so.The Purchasing Managers Indices (PMIs) – leading indicators of air cargo demand – show that business confidence, manufacturing output and new export orders are growing at a rapid pace in most economies. Concerns of a significant consumer shift from goods to services have not materialized. The cost-competitiveness and reliability of air cargo relative to that of container shipping has improved.  The average price of air cargo relative to shipping has reduced considerably. And scheduling reliability of ocean carriers has dropped, in May it was around 40% compared to 70-80% prior to the crisis.  “Air cargo is doing brisk business as the global economy continues its recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. With first-half demand 8% above pre-crisis levels, air cargo is a revenue lifeline for many airlines as they struggle with border closures that continue to devastate the international passenger business. Importantly, the strong first-half performance looks set to continue,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.   

European Transport Workers’ Federation appeals to the European Commission.Two illegal decrees issued by the Orban government.ETF strongly condemns interference from the Hungarian Government into the provision of air navigation services. The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) sent a letter to the European Commission (EC) President, Ursula von der Leyen, to the EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit and to the EU Commissioner for Transport, Adina VALEAN, asking for immediate action from the EC to stop what seems to be another case of breaching the rule of law by the Hungarian Government and also, a clear situation of union busting within this EU Member State. Hungarian Government Attacks on Air Traffic Workers Condemned Addressing the EC leaders, the ETF expresses its deep concerns regarding the difficult situation of the air traffic workers at Hungarian Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) – HungaroControl – which are now forbidden to organize any strike, on the basis of two illegal decrees issued by the Orban government. This is clear intimidation against the air traffic controllers from Hungary, ETF mentions in the letter addressed to the EU Commissioners. The decree not only dismisses the decision 2.Mpkf.35.080/2021/5 of the Hungarian Appeal Court but also violates Article 28 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. ETF strongly condemns such interference from the Hungarian Government into the provision of air navigation services and the creation of a hostile work environment that increases stress levels amongst air traffic workers and also poses a serious safety risk to passengers, workers and citizens.

German airline Condor Flugdienst GmbH renews its long-haul fleet.Condor will purchase of seven Airbus A330neo aircraft.Condor will lease nine more Airbus A330neo aircraft. German airline Condor Flugdienst GmbH has chosen the Airbus A330neo to renew its long-haul fleet with plans to introduce 16 aircraft of this new and more efficient type. The airline has signed an agreement with Airbus for the purchase of seven Airbus A330neo, and intends to lease a further nine. German Condor Airline Modernizes Fleet With 16 New Airbus A330neo Jets Condor is the latest airline to order Airbus’ state-of-the-art A330neo widebody aircraft, bringing a step-change in performance and economics. The airline will operate the A330neo on its international long-haul network to the Americas, Africa, the Caribbean and Asia. “Condor excels in operating profitably many routes no other carrier is able to; we are proud to see a demanding airline such as Condor selecting our latest-technology A330neo as the aircraft of choice, building the future of their widebody fleet in the relentless pursuit of lowest operating costs and passenger comfort,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International. “By operating the A320 and A330neo aircraft side by side, the airline will benefit from all the commonality economics these two premium products offer, with the embedded flexibility to address new and existing markets with the right-sized, right-efficiency aircraft.” Christian Scherer added, “The A330neo has won a thorough competition yet again, as it has in the vast majority of competitive evaluations these last three years. The decision by Condor to modernize its long-haul fleet with A330neos will also set a new benchmark on the airline’s trajectory towards more sustainable flying. We thank and applaud Condor for confirming the competitive value of the A330neo.”

U.S. House of Representatives includes HR 3095, the Fair and Open Skies Act, as an amendment to the House Appropriations Bill.Teamsters commend the House for taking such action.International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents workers throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The following is a statement from Teamsters Airline Division Capt. David Bourne regarding the U.S. House of Representatives’ inclusion of HR 3095, the Fair and Open Skies Act, as an amendment to the House Appropriations Bill. Teamsters Praise Congressional Action On Fair And Open Skies Act “The Teamsters and our allies on Capitol Hill have been working extremely hard to ensure that ‘flag of convenience’ schemes don’t undermine commercial aviation in the United States. By including HR 3095 in the appropriations bill, the U.S. House of Representatives is stopping the exploitation of a regulatory loophole that threatens the livelihood of workers and safety of passengers throughout the airline industry. We commend the House for taking such action. Now it’s time for the Senate to retain this language in its own appropriations bill and pass it expeditiously.” Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million workers throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

New Brunswick will welcome American travelers who have received the full series of a COVID-19 vaccine that is accepted by the Government of Canada. Starting August 9, fully vaccinated U.S. travelers are permitted to enter Newfoundland & Labrador.Beginning August 9, American visitors who qualify as fully vaccinated travelers are required to apply for entry to Nova Scotia. Four provinces of Atlantic Canada will open to fully vaccinated American travelers beginning August 9, 2021.  Atlantic Canada Opens to Vaccinated US Travelers Located just north of the U.S. border of Maine, Atlantic Canada is a crowd-free, coastal region made up of the four Canadian provinces New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. The mid-August border opening allows U.S. travelers to enjoy the late summer season in Atlantic Canada, which offers temperate weather, warm coastal waters, and outdoor adventure. The fall boasts colorful foliage and several world-class food and cultural festivals. Easily accessible from the Northeast, the region offers breathtaking coastlines, fresh seafood, wide-open outdoors spaces, land and water experiences, and so much more.    All travelers must use ArriveCAN (app or web portal) to submit their travel information. In addition to adhering to Canada’s federal travel guidelines, each province within Canada has their own set of travel restrictions and requirements to protect residents from COVID-19. As protocols vary by each province, here is what travelers need to know about entry to each province to plan their next Atlantic Canada adventure.    New Brunswick Once the Canadian federal border opens on August 9, New Brunswick will welcome American travelers who have received the full series of a COVID-19 vaccine that is accepted by the Government of Canada.  Newfoundland & Labrador Starting August 9, fully vaccinated U.S. travelers are permitted to enter Newfoundland & Labrador and are required to submit a travel form within 72 hours of their expected travel date and follow public health guidelines during their stay. Fully vaccinated travelers are not required to self-isolate or be tested for COVID-19 upon their arrival to the province.

Qantas dismissed more than 2,000 ground handlers during the pandemic.Qantas outsourced jobs to save money for the company.Qantas recorded AU$18 billion ($13.2 billion) in revenue in 2019. In a landmark decision, Australian federal court has sided with the Transport Workers Union in the case brought by TWU against Qantas Airways Limited. The union took Australian airline giant to court after the outsourcing scandal saw over 2,000 Qantas employees laid off amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Union Sues Qantas Airways Over Massive Pandemic Layoffs and Wins Qantas dismissed more than 2,000 ground handlers during the pandemic, whose roles were outsourced to save money for the corporation, which in 2019 recorded AU$18 billion ($13.2 billion) in revenue. Justice Michael Lee said he was not convinced of the evidence put forth by Qantas – Australia’s most dominating airline – that the laying off of thousands of employees was not, at least in part, motivated by their union membership. The TWU hired Josh Bornstein as its head lawyer to argue the airline’s actions contravened the Fair Work Act. The case was centered around claims that Qantas’s bullish moves – led by CEO Alan Joyce – were made to squash the union’s power in wage negotiations. “The Federal Court has found for the first time that a major employer has sacked over 2,000 workers because it was seeking to deprive them of the ability to collectively bargain with the company for a new enterprise agreement,” said Bornstein.

A regional passenger plan operated by Skyward Express crash landed in Kenya this afternoon.Accoring to the Kenya Civil Aviation Administration all passengers escaped from the plane. No casulties are reportedThe plane crash landed at a KKenya military base in Elwak, in the remote province Mandera The small passenger aircraft operated by Nairobi-based s regional airline Skyward Express was able to crash land in Boru Hache near the Kenya- Somali – Ethiopian border. The aircraft appears to be a Dash8- Q 300 Mandera is the capital of Mandera County in the former North Eastern Province of Kenya. It is situated at around 3°55′N 41°50′E, near the borders with Somalia and Ethiopia. Skyward Express, is a private airline operating in Kenya. It serves local destinations, from its two operations bases at Wilson Airport for passengers and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for cargo. Both airports are located in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital city. The airline maintains its headquarters at Wilson Airport, within Nairobi, Kenya’s largest city and the country’s capital. Wilson Airport is located approximately 5 kilometers (3 mi), by road, southwest of the city center. The airline maintains a private building at Wilson Airport, for the exclusive use of Skyward Express staff and clients. The building is “equipped with a modern cafeteria”, among other amenities. Skyward Express was established in 2013, by two pilots; one of whom serves as the chairman of the airline, while the other serves as its managing director. Skyward Express inherited some equipment and some routes from the defunct Skyward International Aviation. With the cessation of service by Skyward International Aviation, the two licensed pilots, Mohamed Abdi and Issack Somow started Skyward Express and began commercial operations in 2013. Initially, the airline offered passenger charter and cargo service between Nairobi, Kenya, and destinations in neighboring Somalia. These services included the shipment of miraa from Nairobi to Somalia. With the acquisition of more aircraft, the airline has expanded and diversified its passenger and cargo service to include more destinations and frequencies to oil-rich northwestern Kenyan counties and the coastal tourist attractions.

Qatar Airways, Etihad and Emirates are globally competing for passengers changing planes in their transit hub Doha in Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE.In the battle to be the pre-eminent travel hub in the Middle East, the latest research, which has the world’s freshest and most comprehensive fight booking data, reveals that in the first half of 2021, Doha seized and consolidated a lead over Dubai. In the period 1st January to 30th June, the volume of air tickets issued for travel via Doha was 18% higher than it was through Dubai; and that relationship looks set to continue. Current bookings for the second half of the year through Doha are 17% higher than through Dubai. At the start of the year, air traffic through Doha was at 77% of Dubai; but it quickly reached 100% for the first time during the week commencing 27th January. The major factor driving the trend was the lifting, in January, of the blockade of flights to and from Qatar, which was imposed in June 2017 by Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, who accused Qatar of sponsoring terrorism – an accusation strongly denied by Qatar. As soon as it was imposed, the blockade had an immediate negative impact on flights to and from Doha. For example, Qatar Airways was forced to drop 18 destinations from its network. In addition, various flights through Doha suffered extended journey times, as planes had to make detours to avoid blockading counties’ air space. The destination and its major carrier, Qatar Airways, did not respond to the blockade by cutting back; instead, it opened 24 new routes to utilize what would otherwise have been idle aircraft. Since January 2021, five routes, Cairo, Dammam, Dubai, Jeddah, and Riyadh, to/from Doha have been reopened and traffic on other routes has grown. The reinstated routes which have made the most substantial relative contribution to visitor arrivals are Dammam to Doha, reaching 30% of pre-blockade arrivals in the first half of 2017, and Dubai to Doha, 21%. In addition, new connections with Seattle, San Francisco, and Abidjan, were established in December 2020, January 2021, and June 2021 respectively. The major existing routes which have shown the strongest growth compared to pre-pandemic levels (H1 2021 vs H1 2019), by a total number of passengers arriving in Qatar, are: Sao Paulo, up 137%, Kyiv, up by 53%, Dhaka, up 29% and Stockholm, up 6.7%. There have also been notable increases in seat capacity between Doha and Johannesburg, up 25%, Male, up 21%, and Lahore up 19%. A deeper analysis of seat capacity shows that in the coming quarter, Q3 2021, seat capacity between Doha and its neighbors in the Middle East will be only 5.6% less than pre-pandemic levels and the majority, 51.7%, of it is allocated to reinstated routes to/from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The last major factor, which has given Qatar an edge over Dubai, has been its reaction to the pandemic. During the height of the COVID-19 crisis, many routes in and out of Doha remained operational, with the result that Doha became a major hub for repatriation flights – most notably to Johannesburg and Montreal. A comparison of market share during the first half of 2021, against the first half of 2019, reveals that Doha has substantially improved its position against Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Currently, hub traffic is divided 33% Doha, 30% Dubai, 9% Abu Dhabi; previously, it was 21% Doha, 44% Dubai, 13% Abu Dhabi. Olivier Ponti, VP Insights, ForwardKeys commented: “Without the blockade, which encouraged the establishment of new routes as a strategy to replace lost traffic, perhaps we would not have seen Doha charging past Dubai. So, it seems that the seeds of Doha’s relative success were, ironically, sown by the adverse actions of its neighbors. However, one needs to bear in mind that flights through the Middle East during H1 2021 were still 81% below pre-pandemic levels. So, as the recovery gathers pace, the picture could change significantly.”

France requires 24-hour negative coronavirus test for unvaccinated travelers from UK & 5 EU countries.For unvaccinated UK visitors, the deadline for a negative COVID-19 test was reduced from 48 hours before departure to 24 hours.Deadline for unvaccinated visitors from Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece and Cyprus was reduced from 72 hours to 24. French authorities announced that unvaccinated visitors from the UK, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece and Cyprus will have to submit a negative PCR or antigen test for COVID-19 that was taken less than 24 hours prior to their departure before they are allowed to enter France. For unvaccinated UK visitors, the deadline for a negative COVID-19 test was reduced from 48 hours before departure to 24 hours. The same deadline for unvaccinated visitors from Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece and Cyprus was reduced from 72 hours to 24. The change in entry requirements is set to take effect on Monday, July 19. At the same time, French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced that restrictions for vaccinated travelers are being lifted on Saturday.  “Vaccines are effective against the virus, especially the Delta variant,” the Prime Minister said, adding that travelers from countries on France’s so-called ‘red list’ still have to self-isolate for seven days even if they have been vaccinated. The change in France’s entry policy comes a day after the UK excluded France from its plan to allow fully vaccinated Brits avoid quarantine upon returning from ‘amber-list’ countries. People arriving from France still have to self-isolate for 10 days and get tested twice due to the prevalence of the Beta variant, formerly known as the South African variant, officials said. “We have always been clear that we will not hesitate to take rapid action at our borders to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect the gains made by our successful vaccination program,” UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said. French President Emmanuel Macron said this week that all health workers must be immunized by September 15, while the country’s scientists have called for mandatory vaccination of everyone. According to the government, overall, 55% of the French population has been fully vaccinated.

Antonov An-28turboprop plane crashes in Russia’s Siberia.The crashed aircraft was located by Emergencies Ministry’s rescue helicopters.All 19 people on board the crashed plane survived hard landing. Russian-made Antonov An-28 twin-engine turboprop passenger plane, operated by the Siberian Light Aviation (SiLA), a small airline offering regional flights in Russia’s Siberia, went missing while flying from the town of Kedrovoye to the city of Tomsk. Shortly after disappearing from radars, the crashed aircraft was located by Emergencies Ministry’s rescue helicopters that were dispatched to search for it. According to the ministry officials, all 19 people on board the crashed plane had survived the hard landing. The plane’s captain broke his leg, but no passengers or crew members sustained serious injuries, and were now being evacuated from the crash site. According to the Siberian Light Aviation airline CEO Andrey Bogdanov believes, the engines of the crashed An-28 plane could have failed due to extreme weather conditions. Today’s crash comes less than two weeks after a similar aircraft, an Antonov An-26, crashed into a cliff in poor visibility conditions on the remote Kamchatka peninsula in Russia’s Far East, killing all 28 people on board. An Antonov-28, the same type of plane that went missing over Tomsk, crashed in a Kamchatka forest in 2012, killing 10 people. Investigators said both pilots were drunk at the time of the crash. Russian civil aviation safety standards have somewhat improved in recent years but accidents, especially involving older aircraft in remote regions, are not uncommon.

Travelers must travel from an approved country, and they must have been in that country for no fewer than 21 consecutive days.Adult arrivals must be fully vaccinated by an approved COVID-19 vaccine no fewer than 14 days before travel date.Arrival is via Bangkok’s International Airport Suvarnabhumi and transfer to direct Bangkok Airways terminal for direct flight to Koh Samui via sealed transit route.   Koh Samui – Thailand’s second largest island and its neighboring islands Koh Phangan and Koh Tao – has opened to vaccinated international travelers without quarantine in the new SAMUI+ tourism scheme intended to kick-start the islands’ tourism industry which has been devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Samui+ model represents months of planning and close cooperation between the key tourism bodies of Thailand, the TAT [Thailand Association of Tourism], THA [Thailand Hotels Association], TAKS [Tourism Association of Koh Samui], government and private sector, whose representatives attended last night’s launch ceremony at the Banana FanSea Resort on Samui’s famous Chaweng Beach.      SAMUI+ Plus model – At a glance, how it works for vaccinated international visitors:  Travelers must travel from an approved country, and they must have been in that country for no fewer than 21 consecutive days.A Certificate of Entry (COE).A negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours before travel date.Adult arrivals must be fully vaccinated by an approved COVID-19 vaccine no fewer than 14 days before travel date.Travelers under 18 do not require proof of vaccination, but must travel with fully vaccinated parents or guardians and show negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test.Insurance policy covering COVID-19 expenses of at least $100,000.Arrival is via Bangkok’s International Airport Suvarnabhumi and transfer to direct Bangkok Airways terminal for direct flight to Koh Samui via sealed transit route.  Must stay exclusively at an ALQ approved hotel for the first 7 nights of their stay.May stay at an SHA+ Plus approved hotel or private villa  in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao for the next 7 nights of their stay Koh Samui. All airline and hotel bookings must be pre-booked and pre-paid and include payment for the mandatory 3 x RT-PCR COVID-19 tests.   Must download and install alert applications.

More information on the timing for lifting international travel bans could come ‘within the next several days.’With proper safeguards in place, studies by US Department of Defense, Mayo Clinic and Harvard University have independently concluded the safety of air travel.Each day that outdated restrictions on travel exist wreaks economic damage on our nation. U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on President Biden’s remark on reopening international travel: “We welcome the president’s remark, delivered with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, that more information on the timing for lifting international travel bans could come ‘within the next several days.’ “The science says we can safely reopen international travel now, particularly for countries that have made considerable progress toward vaccinating their citizens. With proper safeguards in place, studies by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Mayo Clinic and Harvard University have all independently concluded the safety of air travel today. “Each day that outdated restrictions on travel exist wreaks economic damage on our nation, not to mention the personal toll on individuals separated from their families and loved ones. Travel bans related to Canada, Europe and the U.K. alone cost the U.S. economy $1.5 billion every week—enough to support 10,000 American jobs. “The U.S. travel industry urges the Biden administration, in accordance with the latest science, to swiftly revise its entry policies on international travel.”

Hans Airways appoints Air Logistics Group as its Cargo General Sales and Service Agent.Air Logistics Group is well-positioned to be the face of the Hans Airways cargo team.The deal to provide Hans Airways with full cargo sales, marketing, online booking and customer service support across its network. UK-based start-up airline, Hans Airways has appointed Air Logistics Group as its Cargo General Sales and Service Agent (GSSA) network-wide. The exclusive GSSA agreement will take effect from 1 August 2021, with the East Midlands-based supplier providing Hans Airways with full cargo sales, marketing, online booking and customer service support across its network. This news follows swiftly on the back of the airline’s recent announcement of its highly experienced team of Board members earlier in July. The new GSSA agreement is a timely development as Hans Airways prepares to launch its direct non-stop flights to India later in 2021 and as it continues its drive towards gaining its UK Air Operator Certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority. The agreement is expected to drive invaluable cargo revenues to the airline’s bottom line, particularly at a time when worldwide air freight is booming. “In Air Logistics Group, we are confident that we have chosen a partner capable of providing the selling expertise, fast response times and service levels and that the freight community will expect from Hans Airways,” comments Ian Davies, Chief Operating Officer, Hans Airways. “With experienced staff and the network to provide effective coverage of our planned routes, Air Logistics Group is well-positioned to be the face of the Hans Airways cargo team.” The deal with Air Logistics Group will not be the only contract signed by Hans Airways with an industry heavyweight in its respective field, as the carrier intends to partner with many established aviation industry names. “Our business strategy from day one has been to work with market-leading suppliers and partners, like Air Logistics Group, allowing us to build the solid and robust foundations needed to succeed. There are more agreements in the pipeline that will show that Hans Airways means business,” adds Davies. “Hans Airways is an exciting new face in the airline industry and will be operating on a vital trade route between the UK and India,” explains Stephen Dawkins, Chief Executive Officer at Air Logistics Group. “We are confident that their new service from the UK to India is just the start, and that we can build the cargo business across the Hans Airways network as it expands.”

Beginning in early March 2020, the Cayman Islands swiftly and effectively closed its borders to international travel and cruise traffic to protect travelers and residents from the global pandemic.The new five-phase approach to reopening will continue to safeguard the Caymanian population, while also carefully allowing international visitors to enjoy Cayman Islands once again. Once the country has completed all five phases and following a thorough assessment from the Government and health officials, the Cayman Islands will celebrate its Grand Re-Opening. Those who have been dreaming of white sandy beaches, turquoise water, and bespoke luxury in the Cayman Islands can soon make their dreams a reality: the Cayman Islands has announced plans to begin safely welcoming back tourists to Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman via an intentional phased reopening approach. “Since March 2020, the Cayman Islands has been deliberate in all efforts to protect our people and visitors; from rapid and widespread testing, investing in the Caymanian workforce and implementing a phased strategy to safely reopen our shores to luxury-seeking visitors, the health and safety of our community was paramount in all decisions,” said Minister for Tourism and Transport, Hon. Kenneth Bryan. “My colleagues and I in government have worked tirelessly to develop this phased approach in preparation for the opening of our borders to international travelers – and we are pleased to announce the wait for paradise is almost over! Our guests will appreciate the impactful developments and enhancements we’ve made to the destination – surely proving that Cayman is worth the wait.” Beginning in early March 2020, the Cayman Islands swiftly and effectively closed its borders to international travel and cruise traffic to protect travelers and residents from the global pandemic and emerged from the crisis as a beacon of hope, preserving the picturesque sunrise, friendly stingray kisses, world-class cuisine, and warm Caymankindness for years to come. The new five-phase approach to reopening will continue to safeguard the Caymanian population, while also carefully allowing international visitors to enjoy the sun, sand, sea and safety of Cayman once again.  The Cayman Islands Government (CIG) has worked closely with health authorities, public sector, and private sector to develop this five-phase approach to ensure a safe and healthy experience for those working in the industry and the visitors who choose to experience the bespoke luxury that the island destination is known for across the globe. 

Domestic tourism revenue stood at 1.95 trillion yuan – up by 208% year on year.83.6% of interviewed residents are willing to travel in the third quarter, almost equal to the level before COVID-19.78% of surveyed traveling company entrepreneurs have confidence in the tourism market in the second half of 2021. According to the report released by the China Tourism Academy (CTA), Chinese travelers made 2.36 billion domestic trips in the first half of 2021 – a 153% increase from the same period last year. China‘s domestic tourism revenue stood at 1.95 trillion yuan (about $301 billion) in H1 2021 – up by 208% year on year. China‘s tourism industry welcomed a fast recovery in the first half of 2021. Domestic trips and tourism revenue had recovered to about 77% and 70%t, respectively, of the level of the first half of 2019. Both tourists and tour operators displayed strong confidence. According to the CTA, 83.6% of interviewed residents are willing to travel in the third quarter, almost equal to the level before COVID-19, and 78% of surveyed traveling company entrepreneurs have confidence in the tourism market in the second half of 2021. The report expects China to receive about 2.6 billion domestic trips and 2.24 trillion yuan in tourism revenue in the second half of 2021, or 88% and 76%, respectively, of the level of the same period of 2019. 

The lack of international coordination to agree on a list of approved vaccines, is creating yet another major stumbling block for the restart of international travel.Reports of holidaymakers facing obstacles to entry have been on the rise, with some even being prevented from boarding their flights to destinations.The failure of countries to agree on a common list of all approved and recognized vaccines is a concern. The restart of international travel could be seriously delayed without worldwide reciprocal recognition of all approved COVID-19 vaccines, says the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The global tourism body, which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector, has issued its warning following concerns tourists face being turned away at the borders because countries don’t have a common list internationally recognized and approved COVID-19 vaccines. This comes just days after a number of British holidaymakers, who had been administered the Indian Covishield batch of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, were rejected entry into Malta despite the drug being chemically identical to the UK-made vaccine. Over the past few weeks reports of holidaymakers facing obstacles to entry have been on the rise, with some even being prevented from boarding their flights to destinations. WTTC believes that once again, the lack of international coordination to agree on a list of approved vaccines, is creating yet another major stumbling block for the restart of international travel. This comes despite most vaccines have secured the approval of the World Health Organisation (WHO) or Stringent Regulatory Authorities (SRAs), such as the UK’s the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Food and Drug Administration in the US, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Reports of travelers being turned away because they have the ‘wrong’ vaccine batches or ‘unrecognized’ vaccines have fueled concern from consumers, deterring them from booking and thereby damaging the already struggling Travel & Tourism sector.

Ethiopian Airlines Cargo and Logistics Services has been working with Liege airport for its freighter operations between Africa and Europe.In collaboration with Liege Airport, Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services has been providing fast and secure cargo transportation service across Europe and beyond for 15 years.In the future a dedicated cargo hub can be established in Liege North, for which Ethiopian was the launch customer to start with. Ethiopian Airlines Cargo and Logistics Services and Liege Airport have announced that they have renewed their long standing partnership agreement until 2026. Liege Airport, Belgium’s largest cargo airport and the 6th largest cargo airport in Europe, will continue to be Ethiopian Airlines cargo hub serving as a freighter gateway between Africa and Europe for the next five years. Ethiopian Airlines Cargo and Logistics Services, Africa’s largest cargo network operator, has been working with Liege airport for its freighter operations between Africa and Europe. Ethiopian Airlines Cargo and Logistics Services Acting Managing Director, Mr. Enquanhone Minyashal said “We are glad to have renewed our partnership agreement with our long-standing partner airport at a time when we are registering tremendous growth in our cargo destinations and capacity. In collaboration with Liege Airport, Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services has been providing fast and secure cargo transportation service across Europe and beyond for the last 15 years of successful cooperation. In the next five years, we will work to transform our freighter operation to serve Europe better with our renewed commitment with Liege Airport. As the largest pan African carrier, Ethiopian Airlines will continue to strengthen its partnership with Liege Airport to boost its freighter operations between Africa and Europe.” Steven Verhasselt, VP Commercial of Liege Airport said “First of all, Liege Airport would like to congratulate Ethiopian Airlines and all its staff and partners a very happy 75th birthday. It is with great pride that we are part of the Ethiopian’s success story for almost 15 years and LGG will continue to be Ethiopian Airline’s cargo hub in Europe. Looking back from the start to where we are today, Ethiopian has already operated 15,000 freighter flights into LGG, approaching an incredible 1 million tons of cargo carried. Still, Steven Verhasselt highlights, this is the past and can be considered as a very impressive start. Today, we celebrate the future. Ethiopian and LGG have renewed their partnership agreement that not only confirms the European Cargo hub in LGG for the next 5 years but also states that Ethiopian will become much more than an airline flying into LGG. In the future a dedicated cargo hub can be established in Liege North, for which Ethiopian was the launch customer to start with. We are very much looking forward to this next step that will help Ethiopian to serve its customers even better. More than ever, LGG will be the hub for Ethiopian and the main freighter gateway between Africa and Europe.” According to the African Airlines Association’s (AFRAA) report, Ethiopian has been ranked first by passenger and cargo traffic in 2020. Ethiopian carried 500 thousand tons of freight and 5.5 million passengers through its main hub, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.