NEWSFLASH – JULY 2016 - Grayston Travel

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Australia Introduces Biometric Visa Applications

South Africans are required to provide their biometrics (fingerprints and facial photograph) as part of their visa application to Australia. Biometric enrolment requires an applicant to visit in person, one of four Australian Visa Application centres in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria. The introduction of biometric data collection from clients applying offshore is part of an ongoing global roll-out of biometric enrolment for visa applicants.

New Baggage Allowance for Air Seychelles

Air Seychelles has announced a new baggage policy for travellers flying to and from Seychelles as part of its Fare Choices transparent tariff structure launched last year. Excess baggage charges have also been reduced. Travellers flying from Mauritius, Seychelles and Madagascar to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia flying on Economy Breaking Deals and Saver and Economy Value and Freedom are allowed two pieces of luggage weighing 23kg each. All business-class travellers are allowed two pieces of luggage weighing 32kg each.

Air Seychelles Launches Online Check-In

Air Seychelles has announced the introduction of web check-in along with numerous new online services for its travellers. The web check-in feature allows guests travelling on all Air Seychelles flights departing from Mahé International Airport and Praslin Airport to check in and print their boarding passes online through the airline’s website. For international flights travellers can check in from 24 hours and up to two hours before the scheduled departure time and for domestic flights check-in opens 24 hours in advance up to just 60 minutes before the flight. Travellers using this service are required to bring their printed boarding passes to the airport before the normal closure of check-in desks. The new service enables guests with only carry-on hand luggage to proceed straight to passport and security controls bypassing the check-in counters. Passengers who have baggage will be able to use a special baggage drop-off counter at the airport to check in their belongings quickly and conveniently up to 45 minutes before departure on International flights. The airline has also enhanced its online travel offering with features which include a continually updated flight timetable a flight status page that tracks Air Seychelles services in real time and new options when managing a flight reservation, such as the ability to select seats, choose special meals and input frequent flier information.

Another Airline Flying to Durban

RwandAir is the latest airline to announce plans to launch flights to Durban in the near future. The airline which expects to take delivery of its first wide-body aircraft – an A330-220 by September plans to offer connections via Kigali to Mumbai.

SAA New Baggage Policy

South African Airways has amended its baggage policy from one to two pieces for economy-class tickets to, from and via Beijing. Passengers can now fly with two pieces of luggage of up to 23kg per piece and maximum dimensions of 158cm per piece.

Airport Launches Compulsory E-Registration Initiative

Abu Dhabi Airports launched a compulsory E-registration initiative that registration of passports for electronic use to improve passenger flow at Abu Dhabi International Airport is now compulsory. Travellers with registered passports will be able to use bag drops and proceed through automated airport e-gates. E-registration counters in the check-in areas have been set up for travellers to register their travel documents as they wait. The announcement came as about 85 000 people were expected to depart from the airport during the Eid Al Fitr holiday. Abu Dhabi Airports urged passengers to reach the airport three hours before their flight during the busy season.

Do Not Feed Animals at Kruger National Park

SANParks has urged holiday makers to stop feeding animals from campsites as it encourages them to come closer to humans and become aggressive towards guests in Kruger National Park. The animals become more aggressive towards visitors as they consider visitors as a source of food. The warning comes after a 15-year-old boy was attacked by a hyena at 04h30 on Saturday the 25th of June 2016 morning in his tent at the Crocodile Bridge Camp in the park.

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