KARACHI: Taking cognizance of the need to implement robust protocols in the current COVID-19 environment and in continuation to the measures taken by Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority to prevent the spread of COVfD-19 in Pakistan, subject Standard Operating Procedures have been approved by the Competent Authority, for domestic private aircraft flight operations restricted between Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad airports only. The Standard Operating Procedures will come into immediate effect and full compliance with the instructions contained therein shall be ensured by all Private Aircraft Operators. An undertaking assuring full compliance in letter and spirit with the instructions of the SOPs…
Author: holidayweekly
MIAMI: Carnival Corporation has seen a sharp rise in its share price following a decision by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia to take a significant stake in the company. The sovereign wealth fund snapped up 8.2 per cent of the cruise giant, or 43,508,895 shares of common stock. Shares jumped 17 per cent, to $10 a piece, after weeks of decline as the coronavirus pandemic continues to decimate the tourism industry. Carnival Corporation is, however, still down by more than 70 per cent since the beginning of the year. The sudden drop in business has forced Carnival to…
NEW DELHI: IATA Agents Association of India has urged the Centre to introduce a bailout package for the travel and tourism industry. The sector had contributed 9.2 per cent of the GDP in India and now due to the Covid-19 crisis, it is passing through a very critical phase, said Biji Eapen, National President of the IATA Agents Association of India. Quoting reports, he said 75 million jobs are at immediate risk in the global travel and tourism, of which 9 million would be from India. Currently, the travel and tourism businesses in India are forced to lay off their…
WASHINGTON: The Unites States Centres for Disease Control & Prevention have extended a ‘no sail order’ for 100 days, or until health bodies declare the Covid-19 pandemic over. The move effectively bars cruise lines from boarding passengers or return to sailing schedules in the near future.Around 100 cruise ships in the Atlantic, Pacific or Gulf of Mexico must now remain idle, either in port or wallowing at anchor.Those ships currently have nearly 80,000 crew aboard. Cruise ship lines have voluntarily suspended most operations, leaving a small number of ships left at sea with passengers aboard. Many have struggled to find…
Lufthansa has made permanent changes to its structure in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.According to an assessment from the German flag-carrier, it will take several months until the global travel restrictions are completely lifted and years until the worldwide demand for air travel returns to pre-crisis levels. Based on this evaluation, the executive board has decided to implement further extensive measures to reduce the capacity of flight operations and administration long term.The decisions will affect almost all flight operations across the group. At Lufthansa, six Airbus A380s and seven A340-600s, as well as five Boeing 747-400s, will be permanently…
MADRID: The United Nations World Tourism Organisation has launched a new campaign in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, TravelTomorrow. The phrase will become the common thread that runs through the response to the current crisis, highlighting the enduring values of tourism. Discovering different cultures, practicing solidarity and respect, caring for the environment, continuing to learn, fostering decent work, development and sustainability and generating new opportunities for all. These are the core values of tourism advocated by the World Tourism Organisation and thus constitute the main pillars of the #TravelTomorrow campaign. The hashtag encapsulates this message of solidarity and hope, through…
GENEVA: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released updated analysis showing that the Covid-19 crisis will see airline passenger revenues drop by $314 billion in 2020, a 55 per cent decline compared to 2019. On March 24, IATA estimated $252 billion in lost revenues (down 44 per cent vs. 2019) in a scenario with severe travel restrictions lasting three months. The updated figures reflect a significant deepening of the crisis since then, and reflect the following parameters: • Severe domestic restrictions lasting three months • Some restrictions on international travel extending beyond the initial three months • Worldwide severe impact,…
DUBAI: Seeking to quell concerns among travellers, Emirates has updated its Covid-19 travel waiver policies. The airline hopes to now present one simplified approach for rebooking and refunds on tickets issued in all its global markets. Adnan Kazim, Emirates chief commercial officer, said: “The travel and airline industry have complicated rulebooks for how fares, re-bookings or refunds are applied, which also differ depending on market regulation. “We understand that explaining and unravelling all of that is confusing and frustrating for customers. “The Covid-19 pandemic is unprecedented for everyone, and we’d like to thank our customers and trade partners for their…
BEIJING: As other countries lock down amid the coronavirus pandemic, China is free after multiple weeks indoors, and people are heading to tourist sites in droves. Sites were packed during the country’s holiday weekend, despite warnings from health officials that the battle against COVID-19 isn’t over yet. Photos from Huangshan mountain park were shared, showing thousands of people crammed together to enter the site during the country’s Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day. At 7:48 a.m., officials declared the park at full capacity, according to state media the Global Times. The park allows no more than 20,000 people in…
NEW DELHI: The coronavirus has put the hospitality sector under huge strain, and India is no exception, with the majority of hotels in the country having shuttered, and the remaining few turned into quarantine centres or workspaces. In an unprecedented event, some 57 per cent of 787 branded hotels in India have become non-operational as of March 30 this year, according to a report by global consulting firm HVS, which was based on discussions with key industry stakeholders. The few operating hotels are running around 10 per cent or lower occupancies, said HVS. However, these hotels are now serving a…