ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airline (PIA) chief Arshad Malik on Saturday, April 25, wrote a letter to US Ambassador Paul Jones, requesting for help in repatriating citizens stuck in the United States. “We want to bring back Pakistanis stranded in the United States due to the coronavirus pandemic,” Malik said in a letter to the American ambassador. “Because of the pandemic, flights have been cancelled and we would like the American Embassy to help us out in this regard. The American Embassy can contact the relevant departments and help us in repatriating our citizens.” Pakistan has been gradually evacuating its nationals…
Author: holidayweekly
DUBAI: Emirates plans to operate passenger services to Frankfurt (April 25, 27, 29), Jakarta (April 26), Johannesburg (April 25), Lagos (April 26), London Heathrow (April 23, 24, 26, 28, 30), Madrid (April 29), Manila (April 24, 28, 30), and Tunis (April 30). These services will facilitate residents and visitors wishing to return home. Those who wish to travel to Johannesburg, Lagos, and Tunis must contact the respective embassy or consulate for these countries in the UAE. For all other flights, passengers can book directly on emirates.com (select the “one-way” option when booking), or via their travel agent. Only citizens of…
BANGKOK: New figures from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) suggest international visitor numbers to the region are likely to fall by 32 per cent year-on-year during to the coronavirus pandemic. Considering the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak, the volume of arrivals is now expected to reduce to fewer than 500 million this year. At this stage, growth is expected to resume in 2021, returning to forecast levels by 2023. Much of course, depends on how quickly and completely the Covid-19 pandemic is contained and controlled, PATA said in a statement. PATA Chief Executive, Mario Hardy, noted that: “This is…
MONTREAL: The global airport industry is expected to lose $76 billion in 2020 as the Covid-19 outbreak has resulted in an unprecedented and dramatic decline in air travel this year, said the Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world’s airports. [huge_it_slider id=”539″] ACI World has highlighted the important role that the airport industry plays in fostering global economic prosperity in its newly published annual Airport Economics Report and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). “Our Economics Report and KPIs show the immense value a healthy and successful airport industry provides to the global economy and illustrates why assistance and…
NEW YORK: As if the travel industry needed more confirmation of its crisis, The New York Times travel section will temporarily stop appearing in the Sunday print edition. The reason for the pause is obvious: At present, no one can travel. The section will be replaced by a new quarantine-focused lifestyle section called At Home. The new section will debut this Sunday and will be edited by Amy Virshup, the Times’ travel editor, “at least through the duration of the pandemic,” according to a statement from Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet. While the rationale behind the move makes practical sense,…
RIYADH: Expatriates in Saudi Arabia who have an exit and re-entry visa or final exit visa to return to their countries can now submit an online application through the Absher platform, the Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced, said a report. Requests for travel from expatriates will be received and approved in coordination with the relevant authorities to complete their travel procedures on board international flights, a report in Saudi Gazette said. Based on this information, expats can then buy air tickets. Those who apply must provide a residency number (iqama), date of birth, cellphone number, the city they will…
PORT LOUIS: Air Mauritius has entered voluntary administration after coronavirus-related disruptions made it impossible for the airline to meet its financial obligations, its board said today. The 52-year old carrier, which flies 1.7 million passengers a year to 22 destinations, including London, said the pandemic had struck just as the company was seeking to change its business model to address existing financial problems. It said: “Unfortunately travel restrictions and the closure of borders in all our markets and cessation of all international and domestic flights in an unprecedented crisis has led to a complete erosion in the company’s revenue base.…
LONDON: In an open letter to Virgin Group employees, company founder Richard Branson said he would offer the private islands he owns in the Caribbean as collateral to save the airline and hospitality company, which is in financial straits during the coronavirus pandemic. Branson’s conglomerate operates in some of the hardest-hit sectors, including aviation, hotels and cruises. The billionaire tried to dispel criticism about asking for government aid despite his massive personal wealth. “I’ve seen lots of comments about my net worth but that is calculated on the value of Virgin businesses around the world before this crisis, not sitting…
CHICAGO: United Airlines on Monday reported a $2.1 billion pre-tax loss between January and March, the first U.S. carrier to place a dollar amount on first quarter carnage, a period in which demand went from strong to nearly non-existent within weeks because of a once-in-a-century global pandemic. First quarter generally is weakest for U.S airlines, but United has in recent years been making money, reporting $367 million in profit in the first three months of last year. As recently as January, executives expected another strong quarter, reporting reasonable demand in most markets, including China. Then it all came crashing down.…
KARACHI: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Sunday made it mandatory for passengers travelling between April 18-30 to submit their health forms, which include information on flu, cold, cough, and sore throat also states that passengers should enter quarantine if the relevant health officer deems it necessary. The authority stated that all standard operating procedures (SOPs) mentioned in the health forms will be strictly implemented and passengers are also bound to oblige if the quarantine period is extended and pay for food advised by officials. Moreover, passengers will be liable to penalties if they provide providing wrong or false information,…