Download Newsflash – JULY
South Africa – More Airports Go Silent
Passengers departing on flights from Airports Company South Africa’s (Acsa) six regional airports should be alert and aware of their boarding time as the airports will no longer be making passenger boarding calls from July. Acsa confirmed Port Elizabeth International Airport, Bram Fischer International Airport, East London Airport, George Airport, Upington International Airport and Kimberley Airport will all be implementing the no-sound rule to reduce noise levels at the airports. Acsa says the only instances where centralised terminal announcements will be made will be for irregular operations such as gate changes, flight time changes, security matters, system failures and customer service anomalies such as lost minors.
Netherlands – Face Veils Banned in Public Places
The Dutch upper house of parliament has passed a law banning face veils in public buildings including schools, government offices and hospitals. The lower house passed the law in 2016 after attempts to impose a more general ban on burqas and other face covering veils failed. Existing legislation in the Netherlands already limits the wearing of burqas and other total face-coverings on public transport or in schools. Measures against the wearing of Islamic veils have already been taken in Belgium, France, Denmark and Spain, among others. The ban does not apply to public streets although police can ask an individual to remove face-covering clothing for identification.
Cape Town Water Restrictions
Cape Town has announced that Day Zero – the day when most of the taps will be turned off will not happen in 2018 or 2019. Executive deputy mayor Alderman Ian Neilson said that dam levels have risen consistently over the last six weeks and the city is already in a much stronger position than it was at the end of winter last year. Recent winter rains have pushed the overall level of the City of Cape Town’s supply dams up to 42.7% full on Monday higher than it was for the same period in 2017 or 2016.The drought however is still ongoing and the City also announced that its stringent water restrictions are to be maintained. This means that the level 6B water restrictions which have been in effect since January will remain in place.
Italy – Air Traffic Control Strike
Air traffic controllers will strike in Italy. The 24-hour strike will start at 00h01 on the 5th of July .Minimum service will be in place but flight changes may take effect the night before and the day after the strike date. Travellers are advised to check the status of their flight in advance.
Canadian VISA Applications
Applicants for Canadian visas will soon be required to submit biometrics at VFS Global in Pretoria from the 31st of July. Biometrics will be valid for ten years from the date of submission.
Australian VISA Applications
Please take not that from the 3rd of July all travelers submitting an Australian visa application or providing their biometrics at any TLScontact office will be required to book an appointment. Applicants who turn up at a TLScontact Centre without an appointment will be turned away and instructed to make an appointment.
Egypt – State of Emergency Extended
Egypt has extended its state of emergency for another three months. Egypt has been under a state of Emergency after an Islamic State affiliate bombed two Coptic churches in April last year killing at least 44 people.
USA – Rules for Powder
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is cracking down on the carriage of all powder at American gateway airports. Security officials said the agency will conduct more detailed screening of powdered substances in carry-on bags on international inbound flights. The TSA says it is in line with security procedures for domestic flights which already employ stricter rules for powdered materials. Passengers transporting 350ml of powder – about the equivalent of a soda can will be required to go through additional screening and may be subject to a test for explosives. It applies to all forms of powder including cosmetics, food mixes and baby powder. Passengers are being advised to put all powder not required during a flight into checked baggage.
Schengen VISAS – Gets Extended Processing Times
Schengen visa high-season is back resulting in a shortage of visa appointment availability and extended processing times.
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All prices quoted are subject to change without prior notice, due to airfare increases and / or currency fluctuations and subject to availability.
