ACI welcomes updated ICAO guidance addressing COVID-19 impact on air travel

Further global push for testing to replace quarantine needed Montreal, Canada, 2020-Nov-13 — /Travel PR News/ — Airports Council International (ACI) World has today (10 November 2020) welcomed the updated guidance for states in addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air travel, published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). As parts of… Read the full news article

JAL and ANA announce new accessibility guideline for customers requesting special assistance

Tokyo, Japan, 2020-Oct-27 — /Travel PR News/ — Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA), under the direct supervision of The Nippon Care-Fit Education Institute, today (Oct 26,2020) announced  a new accessibility guideline for customers requesting special assistance at the airport and during flight and airline employees to ensure a safe and accessible journey… Read the full news article

All Nippon Airways temporarily changes flight frequency to select cities due to the widespread impact of COVID-19

Services for Narita = Qingdao and Narita = Guangzhou routes will be resumed, with ANA offering one round trip per week until the end of November. Hanoi – Narita flight will increase from two flights per week to five flights per week. TOKYO, JAPAN, 2020-Oct-21 — /Travel PR News/ — All Nippon Airways (ANA) will… Read the full news article

Qatar Airways’ robust monitoring, detection and hygiene programme resulted in more than 99.988% of passengers travelling COVID-19-free on board

Since February 2020, just 582 positive cases have been reported across more than 4.6 million passenger flown sectors operated by Qatar Airways The airline reports extremely low numbers of cases on board with more than 37,000 COVID-19-free flights since February 2020 Less than 0.002% of operating cabin crew have been affected by COVID-19, with no… Read the full news article

Emirates to support campaign educating about human trafficking

Dubai, UAE, 2020-Oct-15 — /Travel PR News/ — Emirates is proud to support It’s a Penalty’s campaign’s newest global film “What is Human Trafficking?” launched in collaboration with actor Liam Neeson. The short film is designed to educate the world about the misconceptions and the reality of human trafficking and exploitation happening globally. By airing this special message on… Read the full news article

ACI and IATA to governments: coordinated approach to testing can help safely re-open borders and re-establish global connectivity

Direct financial assistance and coordinated global action on testing needed  Montreal and Geneva, 2020-Oct-15 — /Travel PR News/ — Airports Council International (ACI) World and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reinforced the urgent call for governments to use testing as a means to safely re-open borders and re-establish global connectivity and to prevent the… Read the full news article

Finavia introduces new stricter COVID-19 guidelines

Starting from Thursday, 13 October 2020, Finavia will require all passengers and other visitors to Finavia airports to wear a face mask for the entire time they are at the airport. Vantaa, Finland, 2020-Oct-14 — /Travel PR News/ — Finavia issued a recommendation on the use of face masks five months ago, on 12 May… Read the full news article

Stanford Medicine to provide medical advice and protocol recommendations to guide Southwest Airlines’ ongoing and future efforts during the pandemic

DALLAS, TEXAS, 2020-Oct-13 — /Travel PR News/ — Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) is working with the Stanford University School of Medicine to review the carrier’s multi-layered approach to supporting the well-being of Customers and Employees during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Southwest Promise encompasses the changes the airline has made to its around-the-clock operations, cleaning procedures, and physical-distancing… Read the full news article

Oakland International Airport to offer free, rapid-result COVID-19 tests

Expansion of program planned for Hawaii travelers beginning Oct. 15 Oakland, Calif., 2020-Oct-01 — /Travel PR News/ — Oakland International Airport (OAK) said today (Sept. 29, 2020) it would begin to offer free, rapid-result COVID-19 tests to employees and the public beginning Oct. 6. The Airport said it’s working with CityHealth Urgent Care to make… Read the full news article

IATA: The key to restoring the freedom of mobility across borders is systematic COVID-19 testing of all travelers before departure

Geneva, Switzerland, 2020-Sep-23 — /Travel PR News/ — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for the development and deployment of rapid, accurate, affordable, easy-to-operate, scalable and systematic COVID-19 testing for all passengers before departure as an alternative to quarantine measures in order to re-establish global air connectivity. IATA will work through the International Civil… Read the full news article

Recognized medical and scientific experts recommend 74 steps for cruise operators to follow in order to mitigate COVID-19 risks

Healthy Sail Panel recommends 74 detailed steps to safeguard the health of guests, crew and communities MIAMI, FL, 2020-Sep-22 — /Travel PR News/ — New recommendations from a panel of globally recognized medical and scientific experts say that by relentlessly focusing on prevention and other measures – including the testing of guests and crew members… Read the full news article

Headcount reduction at Ferenc Liszt International Airport becomes inevitable

Budapest, Hungary, 2020-Sep-22 — /Travel PR News/ — The travel restrictions introduced on account of the coronavirus pandemic continue to exert drastic impacts on passenger traffic at Ferenc Liszt International Airport. The expected annual passenger figure has decreased to the level seen 17 years ago, and the airport operator expects a traffic shortfall of around… Read the full news article

Metrolink pledges to take the necessary steps to keep riders and employees safe from the spread of COVID-19

Los Angeles, CA, 2020-Sep-11 — /Travel PR News/ — Metrolink, Southern California’s passenger train service, today (September 9, 2020) joined more than 100 transportation agencies from across the nation in a pledge to take the necessary steps to keep riders and employees safe from the spread of COVID-19. A part of the American Public Transportation… Read the full news article

WTTC research: £60 million a day being lost to the UK economy due to collapse of international travel during 2020

London, UK, 2020-Aug-28 — /Travel PR News/ — A staggering £22 billion looks set to be lost from the UK economy due to the collapse of international travel during 2020, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Travellers and tourists are staying away from the UK in droves because of continuing uncertainty around… Read the full news article

WTTC research: €131.2 million a day being lost to the French economy due to collapse of international travel during 2020

London, UK, 2020-Aug-28 — /Travel PR News/ — A staggering €48 billion looks set to be lost from the French economy due to the collapse of international travel during 2020, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, says the massive decline in the… Read the full news article

WTTC research: €104.1 million a day being lost to the German economy due to collapse of international travel in 2020

London, UK, 2020-Aug-28 — /Travel PR News/ — A devastating €38 billion looks set to be lost from the German economy due to the collapse of international travel during 2020, according to latest research conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, says the… Read the full news article

Qatar Airways honours obligations to passengers — paid out over USD $1.2 billion in refunds throughout the COVID-19 crisis

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the airline has offered unrivalled flexibility and reliability to customers that need to change their travel plans In addition to honouring refunds, the airline’s two year ticket validity, flexible change policies, and travel vouchers have proved popular with passengers Doha, Qatar, 2020-Aug-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways has paid… Read the full news article

Auckland Airport’s international terminal to be separated into two zones to protect the health and safety of passengers

Auckland, New Zealand, 2020-Aug-04 — /Travel PR News/ — Auckland Airport’s international terminal will be separated into two zones as part of a plan to protect the health and safety of people flying to and from countries with which New Zealand has formed a safe travel bubble. In anticipation of a safe air corridor being… Read the full news article

IATA calls for harmonized biosafety measures for passengers across the Middle East as aviation restarts

Amman, Jordan, 2020-Jul-31 — /Travel PR News/ — IATA has called on governments in the Middle East to harmonize biosafety measures for passengers across the region as aviation restarts. A global framework for restarting aviation while protecting public health has been agreed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and published in the Take-Off  guidance. However, inconsistent… Read the full news article

New study: Germans’ interest in travel abroad remains high despite Covid-19 pandemic

Berlin, Germany, 2020-Jul-31 — /Travel PR News/ — ITB Berlin is to publish a special study by IPK on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on international travel behaviour – Germans’ interest in travel abroad remains high despite no vaccine being available – Car journeys and holidays close to nature are regarded as very safe… Read the full news article

Hyatt hotels in the U.S. and Canada to require face coverings within indoor public areas

CHICAGO, IL, 2020-Jul-22 — /Travel PR News/ — At Hyatt, the safety and security of our colleagues and guests is always a top priority. Guided by our purpose – to care for people so they can be their best – and following medical expert guidance to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, beginning Monday, July 27,… Read the full news article

Heathrow kicked off a number of pioneering technologies to provide long-lasting protection from COVID-19

Heathrow rolls out raft of anti-viral measures at key touchpoints to protect passengers, reducing the risk of transmission when travelling Some of the measures being rolled out include UV cleaning robots, anti-viral disinfecting wraps and sealants and 100 hygiene-technicians The airport has conducted an overhaul of the entire passenger journey setting out plans for more… Read the full news article

PATA announces the launch of expanded and revamped PATA Crisis Resource Center

BANGKOK, THAILAND, 2020-Jul-17 — /Travel PR News/ — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is excited to announce the launch of the expanded and revamped PATA Crisis Resource Center (CRC) to aid in the rapid, robust and responsible renewal of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. The updated resource was created with the support of the Asian Development… Read the full news article

dnata launches innovative new products and services and donates high-nutrition meals amid COVID-19 challenges

Dubai, UAE, 2020-Jul-17 — /Travel PR News/ — dnata has continued to deliver reliable and safe air services and taken on new roles to support and create value for airline customers and local communities amid COVID-19 challenges. Cooperating closely with government authorities, customers and suppliers, the company’s dedicated teams have worked around the clock to… Read the full news article

Swissport to receive approximately $170 million under Federal CARES Act

Opfikon, Switzerland, 2020-Jul-15 — /Travel PR News/ — Swissport North America Inc. and the U.S. Department of the Treasury have signed an agreement under the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The agreement provides Swissport with approximately 170 million US dollars of additional funds for payroll support during the disruption that the… Read the full news article

dnata’s baggage technology and logistics company DUBZ launches COVID-19 testing

Innovative home check-in services ensure safe and hassle-free travel experience Dubai, UAE, 2020-Jul-07 — /Travel PR News/ — DUBZ, dnata’s leading baggage technology and logistics company, further enhanced its offering to help travellers in Dubai enjoy a safe, seamless and worry-free travel experience. In addition to its innovative home check-in services, the company now also… Read the full news article

dnata Singapore collaborates with Singaporean government in its fight against Covid-19

Singapore, 2020-Jul-07 — /Travel PR News/ — dnata Singapore is proud to be part of the island nation’s fight against Covid-19 by collaborating with local government. With migrant workers unable to use communal kitchens due to dormitory lockdowns from April, dnata stepped up and leveraged their catering facilities, firing up their kitchens to plan, cook… Read the full news article

COVID-19: Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line collaborate to develop enhanced cruise health and safety standards

“Healthy Sail Panel” comprises top experts in public health, infectious disease, biosecurity, hospitality and maritime operations MIAMI, FL, 2020-Jul-07 — /Travel PR News/ — Cruise industry leaders Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL)  and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) announced a collaboration to develop enhanced cruise health and safety standards in response to the global COVID-19… Read the full news article

Alaska Airlines flight attendants to issue a final notice to guest who refuses to wear a mask

Guests who refuse to wear face coverings on flights could have future travel suspended SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, 2020-Jul-02 — /Travel PR News/ — For the safety and health of everyone on board its flights, Alaska Airlines announced today (June 30, 2020) that its flight attendants will be able to issue a final notice to any guest… Read the full news article

Hotel Nikko Bali Partners with BIMC Siloam Nusa Dua

Bali, Indonesia, 2020-Jul-01 — /Travel PR News/ — Hotel Nikko Bali is collaborating with Bali International Medical Centre (BIMC) Siloam Nusa Dua in a mutual partnership that allows both parties to enhance their services in the era of new normal in traveling. With the newly forged partnership, Hotel Nikko Bali Benoa Beach is able to… Read the full news article