Download Newsflash – FEBRUARY 2020
SAA to Cancel Selected Flights
SAA will cancel selected domestic, regional and international flights on current forward bookings for the month of February. The airline is implementing cost reduction measures and this includes the scrapping of flights where there is low demand.
China – Coronavirus
More airlines are cancelling flights to Mainland China as the spread of the coronavirus continues. The following airlines have now cancelled flights:
- Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines will suspend all flights to and from Mainland China until the 9th of February 2020.
- KLM will suspend flights to Chengdu, Hangzhou and Xiamen, and reduce its 11 weekly Shanghai flights to seven weekly flights, until the 29th of February 2020.
- American Airlines has suspended flights from Los Angeles to Beijing and Shanghai and United has suspended flights to Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
- Finnair has suspended flights from Helsinki to Nanjing and Beijing Daxing until the end of March.
Fastjet Zimbabwe Launch Two Routes
Fastjet Zimbabwe will introduce flights between Victoria Falls and Kruger Mpumalanga as well as a new Bulawayo-Victoria Falls service on the 6th of July 2020.
British Airways to Upgarde Lounges
British Airways is in the process of lounge refurbishments at a number of its First and Club lounges. Lounges at Chicago O’Hare Airport, Edinburgh and Berlin are the first to get a new look. The upgrades include the installation of more charging ports, redesigned dining areas and improved reception areas. As part of its 2020 lounge projects the airline will also refresh a number of its lounges at Heathrow Terminal 5 as well as redesigning and relaunching the Elemis Spa at JFK.
Schengen Visas
South Africans will now pay a fee of €80 instead of €60 when applying for a Schengen Visa from South Africa. The increase also affects children who will now have to pay €40 instead of €35 as it is currently. South Africans will also be subjected to several changes in terms of visa application procedures rules and benefits. Those who Frequently travel to the EU can now apply for a multiple-entry visas for 5 years and applications can now be done 6 months prior to your trip.
UK – Heathrow Strike
Staff who deal with lost bags plan to walk out for four days on the 2nd of February and again on the 22nd of February at Heathrow. Unions are warning passengers that if their baggage is misplaced it could disappear forever while members are on strike.
Mango Airlines
There has been some speculations in the market regarding the future of SAA and in particular the subsequent future of Mango. This is to reassure you that any developments at SAA do not affect Mango as a going concern and that Mango’s schedule remain intact. Mango is a separate legal entity to SAA.
Qatar Airways Adds New Routes
Qatar Airways will add eight new destinations to its network this year. A service to Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, starts on the 30th of March 2020
Kenya Travel Advisory
The UK has issued a travel advisory to travelers for Kenya. There is a heightened threat of terrorism including terrorist kidnappings across Kenya. Attacks including terrorist kidnappings could target Westerners including British nationals. The advisory lists areas near the Kenya-Somali border, Garissa County, Lamu County and areas north of Tana River County as places British travellers should not visit unless it was essential to do so.
Egyptair to Launch New Routes
EgyptAir will launch a new service from Cairo to Dublin on the 5th of June 2020. The new route which will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays is Ireland’s first scheduled air service to Egypt.
Zimbabwe Acquires New Planes
The Government of Zimbabwe has taken delivery of the first of the two Boeing 777-200ERs that it purchased from Malaysia for the national airline Air Zimbabwe. The second aircraft is expected to arrive in a few weeks and it is hoped that they will boost the airline’s plans to service long-haul routes and grow tourism. Zimbabwe’s acting president Constantino Chiweng said government remained committed to ensuring that the national airline was restored to full functionality.
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PLEASE NOTE:
All prices quoted are subject to change without prior notice, due to airfare increases and / or currency fluctuations and subject to availability.
