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…
Author: holidayweekly
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…
Marriott International has updated its cancellation policy as it seeks to encourage travellers into booking hotel rooms once the worst of the coronavirus pandemic is past. For guests with existing reservations for any future arrival date, the company will allow full changes or cancellation without a charge up to 24 hours prior to arrival. Any change or cancellation must be made by June 30th. The policy also includes reservations with pre-paid rates that are typically more restrictive. For guests making new reservations for any future arrival date, Marriott will allow the reservation to be changed or cancelled at no charge…
BEIJING: With the economy gradually reopening in China as the coronavirus crisis subsides, Chinese travelers are beginning to take tentative steps out of their homes for vacations nearby, if the recent Qingming festival was any indication. But travel business players in China are only too aware that a return to pre-crisis norm is not yet on the horizon, as people’s movement across the country still comes under significant restrictions. Within China, it is not uncommon for tourist sites and attractions to reopen for business, only to close a couple of days later out of fear of another wave of infections.…
GENEVA: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the postponement of the 76th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit, which had been scheduled to take place on June 22-23 in Amsterdam. The 76th IATA AGM and World Air Transport Summit will be held when it is both safe and practicable to do so. IATA anticipates that will be in the late third or early fourth quarter of 2020. An announcement will be made when a date is confirmed. “Our members are in the deepest crisis the air transport industry has ever faced. With much of the…
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has extended the deadline for receiving requests from Saudi citizens wishing to return from abroad to the Kingdom through the approved online platform until 5pm local time on April 14, a Saudi Press Agency (SPA) report said. Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that this extension comes within the framework of the leadership’s concern for the citizens abroad. He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all parties involved in implementing the program for the return of citizens abroad continue to work around the clock to make the return of citizens safe and…