Download Newsflash – JULY
BA Cabin Crew Announce 16 Day Strike
Cabin crew at British Airways will hold a 16-day strike next month. The action is planned from Saturday the 1st of July to Sunday the 16th of July. Unite the union said its Members who are in the mixed fleet crew have voted to strike after BA refused to accept the union’s final compromise position on the outstanding issue of the sanctioning of striking cabin crew. BA has suffered from 26 days of strike action since the beginning of the year forcing it to cancel flights and charter aircraft from other airlines. Please note that the BA International mixed fleet Cabin Crew Strike will NOT affect BA operated by Comair Domestic and Regional flights. British Airways operated by Comair Domestic and Regional flights will operate as normal.
Yellow Fever Vaccine Shortage
Travel clinics are warning that there is a shortage of the Yellow Fever vaccine, which means unvaccinated travellers will soon be unable to travel to countries on the Yellow Fever list. Without a Yellow Fever certificate a traveller cannot be granted entry into a country that falls within the Yellow Fever borders. The most visited countries on the Yellow Fever list are corporate destinations such as Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Angola, DRC and Ruanda. Clinics cannot confirm when the stockpile will run out locally.
Malaysia Introduces Tourism Tax
Effective of the 1st of July Malaysia will introduce a tourism tax applicable to all international and national travelers. The cost will be set at a fixed rate and will depend on the level of accommodation. Tourists staying in non-rated accommodation will be charged an extra RM2.50 (R7.50) per room per night, tourists booking stays in one, two and three star hotels will have to pay an extra RM5 (R15) per room per night, four-star hotel guests will be charged RM10 (R30) and those booking five-star accommodation will have to pay an extra RM20 (R60) per room per night. The government recently announced that proceeds from the tax would be used to promote Malaysia overseas and refurbish tourism facilities.
OR Tambo Issues Security Warning
OR Tambo international airport is warning passengers of a ‘follow-home’ security issue. Travellers have been warned to be vigilant as crime in and around the airport including tailing of those leaving the airport is a cause for concern following a recent attack on a couple. A couple from the Democratic Republic of Congo took an Uber taxi shortly after landing at OR Tambo International Airport only to be followed and robbed outside their hotel.
Etihad Airways Adds New Popular European Routes
Etihad Airways has announced that it will deploy the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its Amsterdam and Madrid routes, departing from Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub. The 787s will be introduced on year-round services to Amsterdam from the 1st of September and Madrid from the 1st of October. Flights to and from Amsterdam and Madrid cater to business and leisure travellers and with growing demand there was a strong case to introduce bigger aircraft to these destinations.
FlySafair Launches New Routes
FlySafair will launch new routes between Durban’s King Shaka Airport and East London as well as Durban and Port Elizabeth. The first flights will depart on the 27th of November.
Lagos Airport to Install Safety Scanner
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) plans to install an upgraded baggage scanner that can detect explosives, narcotics and other prohibited items at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Delta Launches First Biometric Self-service Bag Tag
Delta Airlines has introduced four self-service bag drop machines at Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport. The $600 000 (R7m) machines allow customers to quickly securely and easily check their own luggage and can potentially process twice as many customers per hour. This technology eliminates friction and offers the opportunity to design your own experience in addition to the self-service bag drop trial. Delta is launching other customer solutions such as RFID baggage handling, real-time bag tracking via the Fly Delta mobile app and more automated screening lanes.
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