Download Newsflash – OCTOBER
SAA to Reduce Eastern Cape Flights
South African Airways (SAA) will reduce its Eastern Cape flights in the hope of regaining financial stability with Mango to step in. Mango general manager commercial Pumla Luhabe said: “Mango is a subsidiary of SAA and has been approached to step in and fill the gap when SAA curtails capacity.” Pumla said Mango was ready to step in when the time came however the implementation date had not yet been confirmed.
Kenya Airways Ban Plastic Bags
Kenya Airways has requested that passengers do not carry plastic bags whilst visiting or working in Kenya due to a recently enforced ban. Kenya banned the production sale and use of plastic bags across the country. Anyone caught in possession of a plastic bag faces penalties including fines or even prison. All guests traveling into Kenya with duty free plastic bags shall be required to leave the bags at the entry points and seek alternative carrier bags. Kenya Airways has asked that travellers carrying a plastic bag containing duty free items exchange the bags with a woven one provided on board and give the attendants the plastic bag for disposal.
Mozambique Business Visas
Corporates travelling to Mozambique for business meetings must obtain a business visa and those that neglect to do so risk incurring penalties for the business associates with whom they meet if they are caught conducting meetings. The Mozambique labour department reportedly conducts inspections and fines are imposed on companies that host meetings with foreign nationals who do not have business visas. South African passport holders do not require visas when entering Mozambique for tourism purposes but do need to obtain a business visa if visiting the country for work purposes.
Uber Conflict
Hotels in Johannesburg especially Sandton areas are on high alert following the ongoing Uber taxi wars. Police patrols have also been stepped up after Uber and metered taxi drivers clashed in the CBD last week. The disagreement started months ago with metered taxi operators complaining they were losing money to the cheaper ride-sharing app service claiming Uber drivers did not have the necessary permits to operate taxi services.
UK Uber Loses Licence
Uber has been barred from operating in London after Transport for London declined to issue the car service app a new private hire licence. Transport for London concluded the ride-hailing app firm was not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence. The decision was on the grounds of public safety and security implications.
Cathay Pacific Launches New Europ Routes
Cathay Pacific will launch direct flights to Brussels, Dublin and Copenhagen from March 2018.
Zimbabwe – No Kaza Univisa Stickers
Zimbabwe has run out of KAZA univisa stickers at all entry points. Harare International Airport, Victoria Falls International Airport, Kazungula Border and the Victoria Falls Border are all unable to issue the visa.
SAA Sheds Regional Flights
South African Airways will cancel flights on certain of its regional destinations for operational reasons. The airline will cut flights to Brazzaville via Pointe Noire in the Congo, Douala in Cameroon via Libreville in Gabon, Kinshasa in the DR, Entebbe in Uganda, Luanda in Angola, Contonou in Benin via Libreville in Gabon.
Qatar Introduces New Chauffeur Service
Qatar Airways has announced a new premium global chauffeur service offering door-to-door transfers for customers in all cabin classes. Customers can choose from a wide range of high-end vehicles Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac to take them to and from the airport. The new service is bookable for a fee through Qatar’s website and the Qatar Airways app.
Robben Island Ferry Sinks
Thandi Ferry has issued an official statement to say a technical problem likely caused The Robben Island ferry to partially sink. The 64 passengers and four crew members aboad the ferry Thandi had to be evacuated when the nose of the boat started to sink in rough seas 3km from the Cape Town waterfront.
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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.
