Travel News

BY  Chinedu Eze 

Air Peace has commenced daily flight to Ilorin from Lagos and Ilorin to Abuja as part of its expansion drive.

The move is also part of the airline’s no-city-left-behind policy to connect major cities in Nigeria. The inaugural flight, P47110, from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos landed at the Ilorin International Airport by 11:00 am on Thursday, and was received by the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of the state, Kayode Alabi.

Other dignitaries that welcomed the flight included the National President of the Ilorin Emirates Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), representing Ilorin indigenes at home and in the Diaspora, Alhaji Ota Aliyu Uthman and other excited indigenes of the state who were on ground to welcome the flight.

Safety Manager of the Airline, Capt. Godfrey Ogbogu who represented the Chairman/CEO of the Airline, Mr. Allen Onyema said the commencement of the Ilorin flights, “signifies the provision of more network options and connectivity for the people in the Middle Belt region.”

Ogbogu described the daily flights into Ilorin from Lagos and Abuja as, “a momentous feat”, saying it would boost the economy of the state and generate employment for the unemployed people in the state. “If you have been keeping tabs on the trajectory of Air Peace, you will have noticed our strategic and consistent route network expansion. This is driven by our unwavering resolve to plug the gaps in Nigeria’s air travel and more importantly, give the Nigerian flying public multiple network options.

“We are famed for our ‘no-city-level-behind’ initiative. The goal, really, is to interconnect various cities in Nigeria and beyond to tremendously impact the country’s economic indices.

“This explains why we have also extended our wings to Ilorin. With the support of the state government, under the visionary leadership of Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, whom we are profusely grateful to, Air Peace is promising the people of Ilorin and its environs seamless and affordable air travel,” Ogbogu said.

He said Air Peace is a socially sensitive and responsive airline, and as such, it constantly reviews its route network vis-à-vis the public’s needs while factoring strategic ways of expanding these routes to provide enormous value to Nigerians.

The Governor in his remarks hailed the airline for taking a great management decision to commence the flights into Ilorin from Lagos and Abuja. Vice-President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), South-West Zone Ezekiel Afolabi commended Air Peace for the bold decision to connect Ilorin flights.

• Flights from the nation had previously been cleared

Dubai's flagship carrier Emirates has announced a suspension of flights to and from Nigeria from June 21, 2021.

“In line with government directives, passenger flights to and from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) are suspended with effect from 21 June 2021 until further notice,” it said in a statement.

“Customers travelling to and from Lagos and Abuja will not be accepted for travel. Customers who have been to or connected through Nigeria in the last 14 days are not permitted to board from any other point to the UAE,” said the statement posted on its website.

The Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai on Saturday eased travel rules for inbound passengers arriving from India, South Africa and Nigeria.

“We regret the inconvenience caused, and affected customers should contact their booking agent or Emirates call centre for rebooking. Emirates remains committed to Nigeria, and we look forward to resuming passenger services when conditions allow,” Emirates said.

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, has warned officers and men of the service against compromising Nigeria’s security through bribe taking.

Babandede gave the warning on Monday while addressing operatives in Katsina State.

“We are aware that some of you have been collecting bribes from criminals. I am warning you to stop such because it is a threat to the country’s security.

“We cannot tolerate such an attitude because by doing that, you are compromising the country’s security and the country will not move forward,’’ Babandede said.

Babandede charged them to be professional while carrying out their duties and desist from bribe taking at border checkpoints.

He said, “I have received reports that some of you collect bribes at several checkpoints. I don’t know who you give the money to,’’ Babandede cautioned.

The CG, therefore, warned that any officer caught in such an act would be disciplined.

He said that he was in the state to seek traditional rulers’ collaboration in identifying illegal aliens in view of the security challenges facing the state.

Flights to and from Nigerian cities of Lagos and Abuja are suspended until further notice.

Dubai: Dubai’s Emirates airline said passenger flights to and from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) are suspended with effect from June 21 until further notice. Customers travelling to and from Lagos and Abuja will not be accepted for travel, and those who have been to - or connected through - Nigeria in the last 14 days are not permitted to board from any other point to the UAE.

“We regret the inconvenience caused, and affected customers should contact their booking agent or Emirates call centre for rebooking,” said the airline. “Emirates remains committed to Nigeria, and we look forward to resuming passenger services when conditions allow.”

Emirates’ also said that flights from South Africa will remain suspended until July 6, in line with government directives that restrict the entry of travellers originating from South Africa, into the UAE. Daily passenger flights to Johannesburg will operate as EK763, but outbound passenger services on EK 764 remain suspended. Customers who have been to or connected through South Africa in the last 14 days will not be permitted on any Emirates flights bound for Dubai.

International students in Canada will still be able to enter the country with a valid visa, despite the extension of its border closure until July 21. Exemptions are still granted to Canadian citizens or permanent residents and their family members, as well as work permit holders and certain international students. The extended border restriction will keep out all other non-essential travellers from other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, even its neighbour, the US.

Though Canada is no longer processing study permit applications for the fall 2021 semester, international students in Canada who submitted their application by May 15 will receive approval (or otherwise) by August 6. You should receive the final word on your student visa before making arrangements to fly there.

Our number one priority as we fight #COVID19 is keeping Canadians safe. In coordination with the U.S., we are extending restrictions on non-essential international travel and with the United States until July 21st, 2021. — Bill Blair (@BillBlair) June 18, 2021

International students in Canada who are studying at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) with a COVID-19 readiness plan have been welcome back to the country since fall 2020. As per the latest rules, they must undergo testing upon arrival and await the result in quarantine. This openness could well increase the number of international students in Canada as many have chosen to switch their study abroad destination over the past year to the North American country.

International students in Canada to be vaccinated — but when?

Although there is no existing vaccination mandate for international students in Canada, more DLIs may soon require students to be vaccinated to access certain on-campus privileges. For example, students at Western University, Trent University and Fanshawe College must receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to be admitted into residence halls.

Healthcare workers from Humber River Hospital administer Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations in Toronto. Source: Cole Burston/Getty Images/AFP

The same applies to students at the University of Toronto; though they have 14 days from the time of arrival to get their shot. This gives them a chance to access free vaccines in Canada if they were unable to do so back home. “This requirement, which is endorsed by our local public health authorities, will enable us to give our students the residence experience that they expect – and that is so important to their growth and development – without compromising on their health and safety,” said Sandy Welsh, vice-provost of students at the University of Toronto.

Canada recognises four vaccines right now: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson and Johnson. According to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, there are two phases for travellers to prove vaccination status in Canada. The first phase involves uploading vaccination documents to the ArriveCAN app, while the second will eventually come in the form of national certification status — one that will be recognised anywhere in the world.

Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness of Canada said the government will soon announce further measures for fully-vaccinated Canadians and other exempt travellers, including international students in Canada. More updates to come.

Last November, at least two people died while 29 vehicles were razed following a tanker explosion at the Kara Bridge of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says a number of vehicles have been destroyed in a tanker explosion at Ogere on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Tuesday.

The FRSC Sector Commander in Ogun, Ahmed Umar, who confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that it occurred at about 6.20 a.m.

Mr Umar said the explosion occurred in front of Romona trailer park at Ogere.

“The fire is serious; the number of vehicles involved cannot be ascertained yet.

“Ogun State Fire Service has arrived the scene, while FRSC operatives are on ground managing the traffic situation,’’ he said.

Last November, at least two people died while 29 vehicles were razed following a tanker explosion at the Kara Bridge of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

(NAN)

BY  Tim Ross, Bloomberg News

Passengers wait at check-in desks in the departures hall in Terminal 5 at London Heathrow Airport in London. , Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Boris Johnson’s government is preparing to allow Britons who have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus to travel to more than 150 countries without the need to quarantine on their return to England later this summer.

Officials expect the new policy to be signed off by government in the next few days, paving the way for the reopening of international journeys to popular destinations in Europe and the U.S.

But the change is unlikely to come into force before August, and ministers are expected to keep a tight limit on the number of destinations on the so-called green list for quarantine-free travel when they provide an update this week.

Final decisions on the quarantine policy and the green list have not yet been taken inside government, and both will be subject to scientific advice on the status of the pandemic.

“The whole point of the vaccine program is to be able to remove restrictions,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock told LBC radio on Tuesday. “We are working on a plan for double vaccinated people, using tests and to have that testing regime in place instead of having to have the quarantine in some circumstances.”

Industry Suffers

The aviation and tourism industry has been hammered since the start of the pandemic, after governments were forced to close down international leisure travel to try to stop passengers importing the virus. A campaign from the travel industry is expected to be stepped up on Wednesday, amid warnings that up to 218,000 jobs are at risk from the ongoing restrictions.

The U.K. government currently codes foreign destinations in a so-called traffic light system based on assessments of pandemic risk, including vaccination and infection rates. The safest countries are on the “green list,” and passengers arriving in England from them do not need to quarantine.

People arriving from 167 destinations on the amber list are required to quarantine at home for 10 days and take tests after arriving, while those landing from red list countries -- rated the worst-hit by Covid -- must quarantine in a hotel.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is expected to publish an update to the lists on Thursday, though officials do not expect him to announce any major expansion of the list of safest countries.

Rule Changes

The government is also due to give an update on rule changes, including exemptions for people who have been fully vaccinated, and this could also come on Thursday or on June 28, officials said.

U.K. Covid Data Looking Good for Lifting Curbs, Johnson Says

Johnson said Monday ministers will be examining how to give more freedom to vaccinated travelers, but warned “this is going to be, whatever happens, a difficult year for travel” with disruption and delays likely to continue.

“The priority has got to be keeping the country safe and to stop the virus coming back in,” he said.

BY  Juliana Ajayi

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has said that the downgrading of the landing procedure at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, remains effective.

The Lagos airport landing procedure was downgraded after the collapse of the runway lights on Thursday.

The PUNCH had reported over the weekend the diversion and rescheduling of flights due to the collapse of the runway lights.

In response to the development, the NCAA downgraded the landing procedure at the airport to Category one from Category two.

The General Manager, Public Relations Department, NCAA, said “when a runway is downgraded in an airport, a notice to airmen would be issued to announce to the whole world that they have taken that decision so that whatever is needed to come, the preparations needed for its arrival would be done.”

He explained that downgrading a landing procedure did not pose a threat in any way to the safety of aircraft nor the landing process of other aircrafts.

He also noted that there could only be issues when the landing procedure ought to be downgraded without it being downgraded.

The General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Federal Airports Authority, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, told our correspondent that the authority would ensure that the lights were serviced regularly to avoid a recurrence.

She said, “To avoid such from happening again, we will ensure the lights are serviced all the time and make sure our staff are always available.

“What happened last weekend, we are hoping it won’t happen again.”

DALLAS (AP) — American Airlines will cut hundreds of flights over the next three weeks to avoid overloading its operation as demand for summer air travel rises faster than once expected.

Spokeswoman Sarah Jantz said Tuesday that the cuts could average 50 to 60 flights a day the rest of June and between 50 and 80 a day in the first half of July. That is potentially more than 1% of American's schedule.

On Tuesday, the airline had scrubbed about 130 flights by late afternoon Central time, according to tracking service FlightAware. Jantz said up to 40 were due to bad weather.

Jantz said the cuts are “building in additional resilience and certainty to our operation.” She said American is making the most cuts on routes where it has multiple flights to provide options for rebooking passengers.

The union representing American's pilots said company management failed to move quickly enough to retrain 1,600 pilots who were temporarily sidelined last year or replace some of the 1,000 who took early retirement.

American and other U.S. airlines have been barred from furloughing workers during the pandemic as a condition of billions they received in federal aid to help cover payroll. American and United furloughed thousands of workers in October, when the aid and the ban on furloughs expired, then brought them back in December when Congress renewed the pandemic relief.

American’s management “did not maintain its own infrastructure in preparation for our industry’s recovery,” said Eric Ferguson, president of the Allied Pilots Association. The union has since found ways to fix “the pilot training and staffing shortfalls that the airline now faces,” he said.

Jantz said American has reserve employees it can use, but stormy summer weather in places like Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina can cause crews to exceed federal limits on how long they can work. She said the airline is also affected by labor shortages at vendors that provide catering drivers and people who push wheelchairs.

The cutbacks come as leisure travel is picking up. With more Americans vaccinated against COVID-19 and states easing travel restrictions, airports are busy again. More than 2 million travelers passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Sunday and again Monday, with Sunday’s crowds marking the highest number in 15 months, although still below 2019 levels.

American had scheduled around 5,800 flights a day through July, about 87% of its schedule for the same period in 2019, according to data from aviation researcher Cirium.

The airline industry’s difficulties this month haven’t been limited to American, which is based in Fort Worth, Texas. Last week, technology problems caused Dallas-based Southwest Airlines to delay several thousand flights and cancel hundreds more. Over 800 Southwest flights were running behind on Tuesday, according to FlightAware, far more than at any other airline. Southwest blamed bad weather.

David Koenig, The Associated Press

(Bloomberg) -- Saudi Arabia is considering building a new airport in the capital city of Riyadh, according to people familiar with the matter, a facility that would serve as a base for a new airline the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund is looking to launch as it targets a vast increase in tourist arrivals.

The $430 billion fund said earlier this year it plans to invest in aviation to help capture the tourist boom envisioned by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. The new airline, reported locally earlier this year, would serve tourists and business travelers, while existing flag carrier Saudia would focus on religious tourism from its base in Jeddah, said the people, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The Public Investment Fund is also exploring the idea of investing billions in a new international airport in Riyadh, according to the people. The size of the facility and timeline for its construction haven’t been set and the PIF could decide not to move ahead with those plans.

A spokesman for the fund declined to comment on the plans for a new airport in Riyadh. He referred to earlier commitments to invest in the sector and to study establishing a new company to “support the aviation sector aspirations locally and regionally.”

The project, still in early stages of development, would further Saudi Arabia’s goal to attract 100 million tourists a year by 2030, a sixfold increase from 2019. Opening up the country to visitors is a key part of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s strategy to diversify the economy away from a reliance on oil sales.

State-owned Saudia is the biggest carrier in the nation. During the annual Hajj religious pilgrimmage, it deploys aircraft configured with praying areas to accommodate visitors heading to Mecca, served by Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport.

Other airlines in the country include low-cost carrier Flyadeal, owned by Saudia, and Flynas, owned by Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Al Saud’s Kingdom Holding Co.

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh served more than 28.5 million passengers annually before the pandemic, according its website.

Tourism Plans

The crown prince’s economic transformation plan has identified Islamic pilgrimage as a key source of non-oil revenue. Officials want to attract 30 million religious travelers per year by 2030. Religious tourism, which also includes year-round pilgrimages to Mecca, brought in more than $20 billion in 2018, equivalent to 2.7% of GDP.

Until tourist visa applications opened in September 2019, Saudi Arabia had long been one of the hardest countries in the world to visit unless coming on a pilgrimage. Plans to expand leisure-oriented visits include a vision for a new city called Neom that’s expected to cost some $500 billion.

While easing some Covid-19 travel restrictions, Saudi Arabia hasn’t yet re-opened for tourists. It decided to only allow nationals and residents to attend Hajj, which falls next month, for the second year in a row to contain the spread of the coronavirus and its variants.