Download Newsflash – SEPTEMBER
OR Tambo – New Baggage Restrictions
OR Tambo International Airport is cracking down on irregularly shaped baggage in a bid to prevent blockages and delays in the baggage handling process from the 1st of November the airport will implement its ‘irregular bags solution’ which will prevent travellers from checking in luggage that falls into the following categories:
- Round bags
- Bags without a flat surface
- ‘Irregular’ shaped bags (not a standard suitcase)
- Oversized bags (sizes still to be qualified)
- Bags with long straps
Bags that are considered ‘irregular’ will have to be repacked at the airport’s approved wrapping company. The airport plans to advertise the news to the public within four to six weeks and display signs that communicate the new baggage rule at check-in counters and wrapping desk areas.
Schengen Visa Applications
The Schengen visa application Centres are turning their clients away on the basis that an accommodation voucher is insufficient proof of hotel accommodation. The Greek, Italian, French and Spanish application centres were singled out as having recently turned clients away for this reason. Applications may be rejected if proof of the hotel booking is not supplied on the hotel’s official letterhead.
South Africa/China – Visa
In July the South African government signed several agreements with China including a visa agreement that is likely to come into effect of the 1st of October. The reciprocated agreement will see both South Africans and Chinese travellers requiring one visa valid for five years with multiple entries allowed for up to 90 days each time.
UK – Airport Workers Set to Strike
Firefighters, bird control staff, engineers and drivers at Liverpool John Lennon Airport are to go on strike because of a pay dispute. Airport bosses claimed the strike would not affect passengers but union bosses say the strike will disrupt flight operations. A 12-hour walkout is scheduled for the 3rd of September.
Uganda / DRC – Screening for Ebola
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office says that an outbreak of Ebola was declared in Béni territory in the North Kivu Province of Democratic Republic of Congo in August. As a result Ugandan authorities have put in place additional screening measures at Entebbe airport, the country’s main travel hub. The measures could result in some delays. Additional screening measures have also been implemented in the districts of Kasese, Ntoroko, Kanungu, Bundibugyo Kisoro and Kabarole in western and southwestern Uganda which border North Kivu.
Netherlands – Airport Security Workers Set Strike
Security guards will hold a 24-hour strike at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport and other as yet unnamed locations next month. Workers will strike on the 4th of September to demand better working conditions. The guards at Schiphol, Europe’s third largest airport after London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle have held several short work stoppages in recent weeks causing minor disruption to flights. This latest action is expected to be more severe.
Kulula Introduces Fast Track Boarding
Passengers flying on kulula.com can now skip long boarding queues at the airport with the airline’s latest Offering. The airline has introduced Q-Jump which allows kulula passengers to fast track their flight boarding process for an additional fee being the first in line to board the aircraft at the Q-Jump queue. In addition to being the first to board Q-Jump customers will be the first to access the hand-luggage stowage on-board. Checked bags and any ‘extra bags’ purchased will be tagged with exclusive Q-Jump bag tags at check-in for identification and receive Very Important Bag (VIB) treatment. Q-Jump checked bags will also be the first to be off-loaded at the destination airport. Should Q-Jump customers check in online or via mobile bags will be tagged at the ‘bag drop’ once they present their Q-Jump boarding pass.
Zimbabwe Airport
War veterans in Zimbabwe are demanding that the main international airport remove Robert Mugabe from its name. The airport was renamed from Harare International Airport to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport last year a few weeks before Mr Mugabe resigned as president.
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