Download Newsflash – FEBRUARY
African Union to Reveal African Passport Details
African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson revealed the AU will present specific details on the production and issuance of the African passport in February 2019, which will aid the free movement of Africans across the continent. The Pan-African passport was launched with the intention to facilitate the free movement of people within the continent. The news also raises the hopes of many people across the continent that the African passport will allow them to travel without visas to most if not all of the 54 member states that make up the AU. The project aims to improve intra-African trade and to ease the movement of domestic goods between member states.
Air France – Luggage
Air France now offers passengers the ability to check in their baggage at Paris’s Gare du Nord station when heading to Charles de Gaulle Airport on arrival at the airport customers can then head straight to the boarding gate. The Air France check-in counter is located next to platform 3. It will be open from 10h00 to 19h00 daily. Passengers will be able to check in their luggage from 30 hours before their flight up to eight hours before departure. The drop-off service is available to customers travelling on all Air France, Joon and Hop. Flights in economy, Premium Economy and business class, for all destinations except the United States and Israel.
Air France – Adds 8 New Destinations
Air France will introduce eight new destinations for its peak summer season between July and August. The carrier will for the first time operate flights to Heraklion (Crete), Palermo (Sicily), Olbia (Sardinia) and Split (Croatia) and will also run a weekend service to Cagliari, Dubrovnik, Ibiza and Bari departing from Paris-Charles de Gaulle.
Delta – New Lounge in Phoenix
Delta has unveiled its new Delta Sky Club Lounge at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The new Club offers guests comfortable seating, Wi-Fi and easily accessible power out-lets at nearly every seat. It also has a full service bar which serves cocktails, a selection of tequila and mescal as well as wine and locally inspired healthy food options.
Thailand – Dangerous Air Quality
While India’s air quality problems have become a common problem during this time of year the issue has spread eastward across much of Indochina affecting parts of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Poor air quality reported in Bangkok in recent days has forced the government to take action in an attempt to limit the effects on millions of people in the region. Air quality remained a concern in Bangkok. Pollution levels climbed registering on the unhealthy level of the Air Quality Index. Travellers are informed to take the necessary precaution while traveling around Bangkok.
KLM Signs Codeshare with Atlantic Airways
KLM and Atlantic Airways have signed a codeshare agreement now offering jointly operated flights to Atlantic Airways’ base on the Faroe Islands. This will expand the global route offering for both airlines. KLM will add a KL code to Atlantic Airways flights allowing passengers from around the world to change flights in Copenhagen, Billund, Bergen, and Edinburgh and continue their journey on the same ticket with a one-stop check-in to and from the Faroe Islands.
SA Express – Bring Back Daily Flights
SA Express has re-introduced daily flights between Cape Town and Walvis Bay in Namibia. The carrier will also re-launch its route between Cape Town and Bloemfontein.
Nigeria – Lassa Fever Outbreak
Nigerian health authorities declared that a new outbreak of Lassa fever that has killed 16 people since early January 2019 Lassa fever belongs to the same family as Marburg and Ebola two deadly viruses that lead to infections with fever, vomiting and in worst-case scenarios haemorrhagic bleeding. The virus is spread through contact with food or household items contaminated with rats urine or faeces or after coming into direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. Given this increase in reported cases of Lassa fever the NCDC has declared this an outbreak and activated an Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate the response. The virus has been detected in seven of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. It can be prevented by enhanced hygiene and avoidance of all contact with rats.
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