Download Newsflash – MARCH
Air Botswana Reinstates Regional Flights
Botswana’s national airline Air Botswana will resume Harare, Zimbabwe, Lusaka and Zambia flights from the 2nd of April 2019. The airline says that increased commercial activities and movements of people between the two countries has resulted in flights into Zambia being resumed. Air Botswana recently resumed direct Gaborone-Cape Town flights and is intending to launch another new direct route to Maputo and Mozambique by the end of 2019.
UK – Flights Affected by Strike
Baggage handlers and check-in staff at Luton Airport have voted to hold seven days of strike action. Staff employed by Ground Handling London services are taking action over the company’s decision to impose a pay freeze. The strike will start on Sunday the 3rd of March 2019 at 18h00. According to Unite 96% of workers who took part in the ballot voted in favour of strike action. A strike by baggage handlers and check-in staff will cause considerable disruption to flights.
India – 105 Hotels Licenses Suspended
Six days after a deadly inferno at Hotel Arpit Palace that killed 17 People the Delhi Fire Services suspended licenses of 105 hotels operating in Karol Bagh area of central Delhi. There are 300 hotels operating in the Karol Bagh area and the team is inspecting each of them. Out of the 145 hotels that have been inspected so far 105 have had their licences suspended.
Mozambique
All essential travel to the districts of Nangade, Quissanga and Ibo in Cabo Delgado province are advised to be postponed. This is related to the recent increase in attacks by groups with links to Islamic extremism.
Turkey Travel Advisory
The U.S. Travel Department of State has issued a Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory for Turkey due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions with some areas having increased risk. The advisory warns to not travel to areas near the Syria and Iraq borders due to terrorism as terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Turkey. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports and other public areas. U.S. citizens have also been subject to travel bans that prevent them from departing Turkey.
Fiji – Outbreak of Weils Disease
A travel alert has been issued for Fiji following the outbreak of an infection which has killed four people and hospitalised a further 18, a total of 69 cases of leptospirosis (Weil’s disease) have been reported in the central division of the Pacific island nation since the 1st of January 2019. Leptospirosis is caught through contact with the urine of infected animals and symptoms include high fever, chills, headache, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. The disease can lead to kidney damage, meningitis and liver failure but can be treated with antibiotics. Travellers are advised to be caution if they are travelling to the Central Division of Fiji.
EU Suspends Turkmenistan Airlines
The European Aviation Safety Agency has suspended Turkmenistan Airlines flights to and from the EU. This affects some Turkmenistan Airlines flights from India to Birmingham and Heathrow.
Indonesia – Bali Plan Tourist Tax
Authorities in Bali are preparing to introduce a tourist tax to help tackle pollution and waste management on the island. A new by law has been drafted that includes a $10 (£7.60) fee for overseas visitors to the Indonesian island. Revenue from the tax would go towards programs that help to preserve the environment and Balinese culture. The new tax is being proposed in light of the island’s continuing battle against plastic waste which pollutes beaches and surrounding waters.
Thailand – Bangkok Battle with Toxic Air
With the air quality in Thailand’s capital hovering at unhealthy levels many people have fallen severely ill with some of them coughing out blood and having blood red eyes. Hazardous dust particles known as PM 2.5 have exceeded the safe level in 41 areas around the capital.
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