Travel News

Emirates will be showcasing its premium economy seats for the first time at Arabian Travel Market 2021 (ATM). The region’s leading travel and tourism exhibition will run from 16th to 19th May, and will be the first in-person travel industry event to take place since the onset of the pandemic. The Emirates stand will offer travel industry visitors from over 60 countries a chance to experience the airline’s product and recently introduced service enhancements across every cabin class onboard its iconic A380 aircraft, and is a reminder of the elevated onboard experiences in store for travellers once they get back to the skies.

The highly-anticipated Emirates premium economy seat will be on display for visitors to experience. The seat boasts of an abundant pitch of up to 40-inches, and visitors trying out Emirates’ premium economy seat will also notice its generous width of 19.5 inches and ability to recline into a comfortable cradle position with ample room to stretch out. The seats are covered in cream-coloured anti-stain leather with automobile inspired stitching details and a wood panel finishing similar to business class, all designed to provide optimal comfort and support with 6-way adjustable headrests, calf rests and footrests.

Customers will also find other details including easily accessible in-seat charging points, a wide dining table and side cocktail table, as well as a storage area. Emirates will also showcase its Boeing 777-300ER game-changer First Class fully enclosed private suites exhibit, Boeing 777 Business Class seat, the newly refreshed A380 OnBoard lounge, along with other iconic products such the First Class Shower Spa and the latest version of the game-changer Economy Class seats.

BY  Pau Tugwell and Sotiris Nikas, Bloomberg News

Customers sit at a terrace of a cafe by the sea during sunset in the Little Venice area of the old town in Mykonos, Greece, on Sunday, May 9, 2021. Airline operators in the U.K. are pressing U.K. officials to add Greece and Spain to the list of countries marked green in the traffic-light border system unveiled last week. , Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Greece will open to international tourists this week, as the government tries to kick-start an economic recovery.

The nation is open for international visitors who have completed their vaccinations, have a negative virus test or show proof of having antibodies after infection. Greece recognizes all shots, according to the government, which also plans to introduce random testing.

“Priorities have been overturned lately in the lives of all of us,” Tourism Minister Haris Theoharis said Thursday. While this year will be an improvement on 2020, he also warned the government will close borders again if necessary.

The battered industry accounts for over a quarter of Greek jobs and around a fifth of the economy. It’s often the main employer in regions where other industries are absent, providing crucial income for families and support for local economies.

Greece will lift most remaining lockdown measures, including a ban on inter-regional travel on the mainland, this week. Trips to islands, where locals are expected to be fully vaccinated by the end of June, will be allowed with a vaccination certificate or negative test. A night curfew will be in place, beginning at 12:30 a.m.

By Wole Oyebade

A lot has been said about the defunct Nigeria Airways and its collapse. Some said it failed due to mismanagement, others blamed workers. What is your view? First and foremost, I will talk about the airline’s structure before talking about the staff and management. The truth is that Nigeria Airways was not created for profitability with the way it ran and the structure it had. The airline had a yearly budget. But how can the airline have a yearly budget? The government pays for all its A, B, C and D checks, and other mandatory obligations. But because the airline had a budget, every government department then flew Nigeria Airways with warrant officers for free. In the military, for instance, ranks from Colonel and above flew in First Class cabins. Those below got Economy Class. For government establishments, Directorship level also got First Class and the rest, Economy. That was how the airline ran. It wasn’t meant for profit. So, how will it survive?

Also, the presidency didn’t have an aircraft designated to it. Whenever the presidency had a function, they would just pull out an aircraft immediately, either for local or international operations. There was a time the scheduled flights of the airline were just disrupted midway. That was how even the government contributed to the death of the airline.

Now, how did staff and management contribute to its death? It is corruption. Everybody was helping him or herself through the airline. Everyone was employed based on the quota system. But you will begin to get it wrong when you apply the quota system in the aviation sector. The management of the airline did employ mediocres into places they should not be; give people positions above their levels and qualifications, thereby demoralising other staff that are better qualified. There were cases in which Station Managers were sacked or recalled for not doing the biddings of some people in government, especially when they wanted their non-revenue luggage to be given priority above luggage of fee-paying passengers.

Is the quota system part of the reasons airlines still die? Quota system is killing the Nigerian system up till now. I am not against quota system in certain things, so that we can have equal presentation. But there are some certain things that will require technical qualifications. Those who put the quota system in place had a good intention, but when we start to play politics with it, then, it will continue to work against us.

What is your view about the call for local airlines’ merger? I think we are joking. We will never be able to merge where every operator comes with his own model. We will never agree on models. For instance, look at the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) today. We don’t have a body as far as I am concerned because some people think their ideas should be superior to others. In a group, you don’t think like that; you have to convince people to buy your idea.

If an airline is run professionally, first, it must have the dream of the founding fathers. What is the dream of the founding fathers because it plays a big role in a merger plan? The dream I had is that when I retire, I want to have a one per cent share of my airline. Even though I founded it, I want my great grandchildren to have shares in it. But the issue about merger in Nigeria is that people want to have ownership and die with it without transferring it to experts that can handle it.

What we need the most is the will of the government to have a robust aviation industry. That is not there. If the government is actually interested in developing aviation, it will be there in its policies. There will be deliberate policies to grow the industry and this General Aviation will be the solution to it. That is why for me, I advocate for complete autonomy of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) under the current administration. This will do a lot of good for the industry and some of these challenges will be checkmated. There are claims by some charter operators that a couple of private jet owners are converting their planes into hire and reward services (illegally).

I have been into chartered flights before I got the Air Operators’ Certificate (AOC) for the West Link Airlines. I was managing a company before I set up my own. Before then, I had always been in the advocacy of doing the right thing and that is why I decided to set up my own airline. I can tell you that it is true because as a certified operator, I know most of the passengers who are regular. There was a time some of them complained to me that I charge more, and they had got it cheaper.

The fact is that the government should be more worried because it is losing a lot of revenues. I pay the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC), even if I don’t have the cash with me. I owe it and I must pay; I can’t jump it.

But, those that are doing these sharp practices are not captured in the NCAA data. So, NCAA cannot go after them.

Then, I think the Department of State Security (DSS) should have intervened because this was purely economic sabotage for them to remain for this long, even when the former Director-General of NCAA suspended some of them.

That is why I felt that if the Director-General of the NCAA has full autonomy, he would do his job without looking at the body language of the minister.

Even, the passengers are also endangering themselves flying private jets because no insurance company would want to compensate the victims when an accident occurs. The NCAA should ask the DSS to check the operations. I can tell you that within three to four weeks, the truth will be known. What business do you operate when you fly three of four times in a day? Yet, the airline will claim it is flying private.

The Federal Government has an ambitious plan to set up an aircraft leasing company and maintenance facility that have not materialised in the last six years. Are you impressed? I remember that our panel advised the Federal Government to set up a leasing company that will help and strengthen the airlines here. We don’t have to be looking for dollars to pay our lease. We recommended that N500 billion should be set aside by the government in 2013, as aircraft leasing company for local operators to access and bring their planes in.

Also, the lessor is supposed to be a Nigerian leasing company. So, we will be paying here. All the income will be domiciled here and it will help to strengthen our naira. It will be only spareparts and training that we may worry about. If we intensify our things properly, we can even have our training reduced to Nigeria as we have all the airplanes simulators here.

Kenya has Life Safety there. It is because we have not put our acts together that is why all these things are all over the place. It should be in Nigeria because that is where the market is.

BY  Rupert Jones

This summer, holidays could be a testing time if you are travelling overseas – many countries including the UK are demanding proof that you do not have Covid-19 before you arrive, which could mean taking tests on the way and the way back.

The good news is that prices for the tests are falling. The bad news is that trying to get your head around the complex rules and multitude of options is no easy task.

There are two things to think about: the test(s) you may be required to take before you travel from the UK; and the test(s) you must take before you return and after you get back.

Before you start your holiday you need to check whether your destination requires you to provide evidence that you are Covid-free.

The government says that from 17 May, people in England who have had both jabs will be able to demonstrate their vaccination status via the NHS app when travelling abroad. But with not many countries currently accepting proof of vaccination, for the time being most people will still need to follow other rules, such as getting a negative pre-departure test. You will need to monitor the UK government’s travel advice, and that of your destination country.

If you test positive, you may have to move into a quarantine hotel or extend your stay at your accommodation

This is a fast-moving situation. For example, at the time of writing, Spain required all passengers arriving from the UK to present a negative PCR test carried out no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. There were widespread media reports that Spain will ditch this requirement for Britons from 20 May – but it is currently not on the green list, so the return trip is a different matter.

The new traffic-light system outlined by the UK government, with destinations placed on green, amber and red lists, relates to the requirements for people arriving in Great Britain from abroad.

Anyone arriving from a green list country will need to take two tests – whether they are a resident or a visitor. First, you must have a negative pre-departure Covid test – this must be done in the 72 hours before your flight back. Children under 11 do not need to take a test.

If you test positive, you may have to move into a quarantine hotel or extend your stay at your accommodation, depending on the other country’s rules. If you test negative you can travel. Then you will have to take a PCR test on or before day two after your arrival in the UK.

The PCR tests required by most countries are not the same as the free quick-result lateral flow tests you can order online or pick up from pharmacies. With PCR tests, the sample is sent to a lab for processing and analysis. It takes longer to get the results and tests can be pricey – £120 each or more – but holiday companies, airlines and airports are starting to offer much cheaper deals.

The cheapest way to get a test is if your airline or holiday provider offers a discount to its customers, says the consumer body Which?. Many airlines and holiday companies include links to Covid test providers on their websites.

Tui offers two kits that include outbound PCR tests if required by your destination country, costing £60 a person for countries on the UK’s green list and £90 for those on the amber list. The £60 kit contains one PCR test for the journey to your destination, with courier costs included, one pre-departure lateral flow test for your journey back, and one PCR test for day two after you return home.

For those travelling to green list countries that don’t insist on a negative result before letting you in, Tui’s kits start at £20 a person for a pre-departure lateral flow test for your journey back from your destination, and a PCR test on day two after their return. Needless to say, these kits are only available to the firm’s package holiday customers.

Which? says testing centres at airports are often cheaper than those on the high street

Ryanair and easyJet are offering reduced-price PCR tests – £60 for UK-based customers instead of £120, for example – as a result of linkups with the testing provider Randox.

The British Airways website highlights a range of options, including five PCR home test firms where discounts are available.

BA also offers deals on services at testing centres and airports. It has negotiated discounts with CityDoc and ExpressTest.

Which? says testing centres at airports are often cheaper than those on the high street, so check what deals the airport you are using is offering. For example, there are several testing providers based at Gatwick, including ExpressTest drive-through and walk-in facilities offering PCR tests for people travelling from the UK for £60. They aim to give the results by 10pm the next day but say it could take up to 48 hours.

However, you can’t just do the test and hop on your flight a couple of hours later, so for many people this won’t be a convenient option.

In terms of big retailers, Boots has launched an at-home PCR test kit costing £65 that is available online and in some stores, and which promises results within 24-48 hours of the lab receiving the sample. It also offers an in-store PCR testing service for £99.

With the window for having a test and travelling very tight, you may prefer to choose a service that does not involve posting your te so you know it should get to the lab in plenty of time.

If you are stuck overseas because of a positive test, your insurer may pay out to cover any extra accommodation bills. Check the policy details before you book.

BY  Neil Lancefield, PA Transport Correspondent

Portugal has been rated one of the world’s best-value destinations by UK holidaymakers.

Some 89% of people believe the country offers “good value” to visitors, a poll commissioned by Post Office Travel Money indicated.

The figure was matched by Greece and mainland Spain, but no destination anywhere in the world received a higher score.

A total of 1,517 people who have taken a foreign holiday in the past five years were questioned.

Portugal’s leading resort area, the Algarve, also emerged as the cheapest Eurozone destination for tourist staples.

This is due to average prices such as 62p for a cup of filter coffee in a bar or cafe, £3.97 for a 200ml bottle of sun cream from a supermarket, and £30.49 for a three-course meal for two with a bottle of house wine.

Portugal will be one of the most popular destinations for UK travellers in the coming weeks after it was put on the Government’s green list for travel.

People in England and Wales can return from the country without needing to self-isolate on their return.

Other destinations found to offer the lowest costs for tourist goods include Sunny Beach, Bulgaria; Marmaris, Turkey; Bali, Indonesia; and Cape Town, South Africa.

Nick Boden, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: “People who are hoping to take an overseas holiday and have not decided on their destination should make sure they know the regulations that apply to countries they are considering at the time of booking.

“When budgeting for their holiday, they should include all the costs of travel abroad in their planning.

“This does not just mean comparing package prices or flight costs but also doing their homework to check how resort prices have changed since their last trip.

“Big falls in many European and long-haul resorts spell good news – so choose carefully.”

Turkey will ease its virus restrictions from Monday as new cases of Covid-19 decline following a three-week lockdown, offering some hope for the key summer tourist season.

Coronavirus cases plummeted to 11,472 on Saturday from a record high of 63,082 a month ago, though that’s still above the target of no more than 5,000 cases set by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when he announced the national lockdown from April 29.

Most travel restrictions will be lifted but nighttime and weekend curfews will remain in place, and restaurants will only open for food deliveries, according to an Interior Ministry decree on Sunday. The government fears that a new surge in infections could see a wave of hotel cancellations at the beginning of the holiday period, a critical generator of revenue for Turkey.

If tourists don’t return to Turkish beaches this year, the nation’s current-account balance and lira are likely to be hit.

Turkish Tourism Faces Prospect of Another Troubled Year

On Saturday, Turkey ended a requirement that tourists from 14 countries, including the U.K., provide a negative virus test to enter. But it removed Israel from the list of exempted countries after accusing it of using excessive force against Palestinian militants in Gaza, leading to civilian deaths.

Turkey Imposes New Virus Curbs to Save Summer Tourist Season

Dubai allowed hotels to operate at full capacity, permitted bars to reopen and gave the go-ahead for live concerts and sporting events from Monday as coronavirus cases drop in the United Arab Emirates.

The relaxation of rules mainly applies to those who have been vaccinated, according to a statement. The UAE, of which Dubai is a part, has one of the world’s fastest vaccination campaigns. Restaurant seating capacity has been raised to 10 people per table from six.

The UAE reported 1,251 new cases of the virus on Sunday, the lowest this year.

BY  Ifeoma Okeke

Aviation unions have shut down the Kaduna airport due to the State’s treatment of civil servants. Aviation unions under the aegis of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) on Monday joined the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to press home their demand to the Kaduna State Government by shutting down the Kaduna Airport in compliance with the strike action declared organised labour in the state.

Kaduna airport workers were seen on Monday barricading the gates of the airports in compliance with the industrial action which started from midnight of Sunday, 16th May 2021 to midnight of Friday, 21st May 2021 and chanting solidarity songs.

According to the union, the reason was not unconnected to flouting the civil service laws and the unconstitutional sacking of civil servants before they serve their mandatory 35 years or reach 60 years age limit.

Salisu Lawal, first deputy National President of NUATE, representing the national president said the essence of NUATE joining in the strike is in solidarity with the workers of Kaduna state because that injustice to one is an injustice to all.

“If you are sacking more than five people, you have to sit down and negotiate. He first sacked over 2, 500 local government workers and the labour laws state that if you are sacking more than five people you have to sit down and talk with them on how to pay redundancy, they didn’t do that.

Lawal questioned why Kaduna which has one of the highest Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is refusing to do what is right stating that the solidarity is going to continue till Friday there is another directive from the NLC.

Ocheme Aba, general Secretary, NUATE, who was in Kaduna to join efforts at the industrial action added,” What is important is when you go home and your wife and children ask why you are doing this you can explain very well.

“The Kaduna State government has violated several laws Section 20 of the labour Act provides that if you are going to declare workers redundant compulsory it is first of all, you must show good reason why you want to carry out the redundancy and second, if you show good reason, and their unions agree with you then you must negotiate their redundancy benefits.

“Don’t forget terminal benefits but redundancy benefits don’t forget terminal benefits are already established by the conditions of service. That’s not subject to negotiation, you pay the terminal benefit then you pay the negotiated redundancy benefits so he has not done any of that.

“He has violated public service rules that state that a worker is entitled to work for 35 years or till 60 years whichever comes first. He has unilaterally fixed 50 years.”

Britons hugged their loved ones and streamed into pubs, gyms and other indoor venues on Monday as the country eased pandemic restrictions, but Asia faced more misery with new variants and a cyclone disrupting the fight against a Covid-19 wave ravaging India.

As the United States and Britain move away from harsh restrictions thanks to rapid immunisation campaigns, new strains have forced several countries in Asia to shut schools and impose travel bans, highlighting the persistent global threat posed by the pandemic.

With known global infections approaching 163 million and the rise of new variants complicating the fight, governments still pushed ahead with easing restrictions — a moving step for some.

“I actually feel a wee bit emotional saying this… you can hug your loved ones again,” Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said as businesses reopened in what The Sun tabloid dubbed “Freedom Monday”.

‘Nice to be back’ Across England, Wales and most of Scotland, people on Monday could once again grab a drink, a bite and dine inside pubs, restaurants and cafes.

Cinemas, museums and sports venues also opened their doors for the first time in months.

People were able to once again visit each other at home — and to head to Portugal, where the British are normally the largest tourist contingent.

“It’s nice to get away and be back here,” said Barry Thompson, a 63-year-old retired policeman from Manchester who landed in the southern town of Faro with his wife and son.

“We’re very excited.”

In another sign of life returning to normal in Europe, Disneyland Paris announced it would reopen on June 17.

But authorities have urged caution and warned that with new variants spreading, restrictions could be reintroduced.

India hit by storm The pandemic has claimed more than 3.3 million lives worldwide, and one of the worst outbreaks is in India, where at least 4,000 people are dying from Covid-19 every day.

India was already dealing with limited medical infrastructure and scarce vaccine supplies when a major cyclone in the Arabian Sea packing ferocious winds bore down on the South Asian nation.

Gujarat state moved all Covid-19 patients from hospitals within five kilometres (three miles) off the coast where the storm is expected to hit.

Authorities there were also scrambling to ensure there would be no power cuts at designated Covid-19 hospitals and oxygen plants in the districts under threat from the storm.

Nearly 600 patients in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, were also moved to “safer locations”.

The variant behind the explosive outbreak in India has spread to at least 44 countries, according to the World Health Organization.

They include Singapore, where a growing number of cases has prompted the government to tighten restrictions, including closing schools.

“A lot of people have taken for granted the past few months of peace and stability, but this is a wake-up call,” said Anthony Chang, a hawker stall owner in the city-state.

And authorities in Taiwan, which emerged relatively unscathed from the pandemic last year, announced a suspension of classes in schools from Tuesday in Taipei and adjacent New Taipei City as the island battled a surge in infections. The island also banned all foreigners, except residents, from entry or transit for a month.

In South Africa, the continent’s worst-hit country on the cusp of a third wave, authorities on Monday launched a large-scale vaccination campaign aiming to immunise five million people over the age of 60 by end of June.

UNICEF vaccine warning The persistent threat of the coronavirus is casting a shadow on the already delayed Tokyo Olympics, due to begin in less than 10 weeks even with parts of Japan under a state of emergency.

Organisers have insisted that they will go ahead despite the risk, but the opposition was brought into focus Monday when a new poll showed 80 percent of Japanese were against hosting the Games this year.

Japan’s vaccine rollout has been slow despite its wealth, but concerns are growing that poorer nations will be left even further behind because of vaccine inequality.

“We are concerned that the deadly spike in India is a precursor to what will happen if those warnings remain unheeded,” UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore said Monday.

In France, pharmaceuticals giant Sanofi reported positive results for a Phase 2 trial of a Covid vaccine it is developing with Britain’s GSK, which will enable a late-stage trial to start in the coming weeks.

As the country moves to stage thre of the PM's roadmap, friends and family will enjoy greater freedom to gather together.

BY  Greg Heffer

People across England are again able to enjoy hugs with loved ones, indoor pints and foreign holidays - but Boris Johnson has urged a "heavy dose of caution" due to the threat of the Indian variant of COVID-19.

As the country moves to stage three of the prime minister's roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions today, friends and family will enjoy greater freedom to gather together.

What can you do now COVID restrictions are relaxed in England?

This includes being able to meet outdoors in groups of up to 30 and gathering indoors in groups of up to six, or as two households.

Pubs and restaurants are also once again able to serve customers indoors, while cinemas can reopen, fans can return to sports stadiums, and the ban on foreign holidays is lifted with people allowed to travel to a limited number of countries on the "green" list.

Advertisement

In addition, the government is now allowing people to choose whether to socially distance with family and friends when they meet up - although ministers have urged people to think carefully about the risks of hugging.

The Showtime Bar in Huddersfield was among the venues opening their doors at midnight, with owner Ian Snowball saying it was "incredible" to be able to welcome those wanting a drink inside.

Finlay Woodhead, 20, who went along with his friend to the Showtime Bar, said: "I'm over the moon, I've been waiting so long. It's so nice to be sat inside where it's warm."

Mr Snowball added: "I think for people from the North, it's kind of special to us, a pub. There's an intimacy when we all get together, with our friends, and we talk."

The prime minister has pushed ahead with the latest lifting of lockdown restrictions despite growing concerns over the possible impact of the so-called Indian variant.

Earlier, Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned that it could "spread like wildfire" among those who have not had COVID jabs.

And Mr Johnson has admitted the variant's presence in parts of the country could yet delay England's move to the fourth and final stage of his roadmap - scheduled for 21 June.

That would see all legal limits on social contact removed, so long as tests on vaccines, infection rates and new coronavirus variants continue to be met.

Play Video - Indian variant 'could spread like wildfire'

As England moves to stage three of his roadmap, the prime minister said: "Together we have reached another milestone in our roadmap out of lockdown, but we must take this next step with a heavy dose of caution.

"We are keeping the spread of the variant first identified in India under close observation and taking swift action where infection rates are rising.

"The current data does not indicate unsustainable pressure on the NHS and our extraordinary vaccination programme will accelerate - with second doses being bought forward to give the most vulnerable maximum protection.

"But now everyone must play their part - by getting tested twice a week, coming forward for your vaccine when called and remembering hands, face, space and fresh air.

"I urge everyone to be cautious and take responsibility when enjoying new freedoms today in order to keep the virus at bay."

Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

In Scotland, restrictions have also further relaxed as most mainland areas move to Level 2, meaning people will be able to hug loved ones and socialise indoors, subject to restrictions.

Glasgow and Moray will remain in Level 3 due to virus outbreaks while many island communities have moved to Level 1.

It comes as government figures show more than 20 million adults in the UK are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 after receiving both jabs.

Some 391,246 people were given their second dose on Saturday, meaning a total of 20,103,658 (38.2% of all adults) have now had two shots.

Play Video - 'I have to level with you': PM airs variant concerns

Also on Saturday, 237,331 had their first jab, bringing the total number of people who have been given at least one dose to 36,573,354 (69.4% of the adult population).

Meanwhile, the UK has reported another four coronavirus-related deaths and 1,926 new cases in the latest 24-hour period.

This compares with seven deaths and 2,027 cases announced on Saturday, while last Sunday two deaths and 1,770 cases were reported.

More than 1,300 cases of the Indian variant - which is judged to be more transmissible than the Kent variant that drove the UK's deadly second wave of infections during the winter - have so far been found in the UK.

Where is the Indian variant getting worse?

Mr Hancock on Sunday told Sky News that the Indian variant was "becoming the dominant strain in some parts of the country" such as Bolton and Blackburn, while he predicted it could eventually become the dominant variant across the entire UK.

But, although he warned the variant can "spread like wildfire" among those who have not had COVID jabs, Mr Hancock added there was a "high degree of confidence" that existing vaccines protect against the Indian variant.

Ministers are hoping surge testing and the acceleration of second vaccine doses can combat against the growth in Indian variant cases.