Bans on arrivals from dozens of countries forces Austrian Airlines to cancel hundreds of flights

Austrian Ministry of Health orders new landing bans starting today 16 July 2020

Austrian Airlines has to cancel numerous flights up until 31 July 2020,

“We advocate a uniform and stable travel policy within the EU”, says CCO Andreas Otto

Photo Florian Schmidt

The Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection has massively expanded the list of landing bans for aircraft. Starting Thursday, 16 July 2020, no regular flights from the following countries, among others, will be permitted to land in Austria: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Egypt, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia. The landing bans for aircraft from Great Britain, Sweden and Ukraine have been extended. The decree is valid until 31 July 2020.

Due to the official prohibition, Austrian Airlines is forced to cancel all flights between Vienna and the following destinations during the period 16-31 July 2020: Belgrade, Bucharest, Cairo, Kyiv, London, Podgorica, Pristina, Sarajevo, Sibiu, Skopje, Sofia, Stockholm, Tirana and Varna. The landing bans will also have an impact on the remaining route network of Austrian Airlines, due to the fact that the affected routes are frequented by many transfer passengers. These passengers will be missing, for example on flights to the USA.

Air Asia restarting international flights

Following AirAsia’s resumption in the Philippines on 5 June, more commercial flights are being arranged as we gradually restore our network.

The resumption of services includes select international destinations for July (Kuala Lumpur) and August (Kuala Lumpur, Don Mueang, and Taipei).

Updated routes are based on new developments following coordination with our partners in the government, including local government units.

Select flights are open for booking via the airasia.com website and our mobile app. Guests may use their credit accounts to redeem these flights. Additional routes and flight schedules will be on the AirAsia website and mobile app, subject to approval from the authorities.

Hyatt Unveils Miraval Berkshires and Wyndhurst Manor & Club

The Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the introduction of the internationally acclaimed Miraval spa and wellness brand to Lenox, Mass., with the opening of Miraval Berkshires. This opening marks the Miraval brand’s third property, joining its original location in Tucson, Ariz. – celebrating its 25th anniversary this year – and second location in Austin, Texas, which opened in February 2019. On the same property as Miraval Berkshires, Hyatt simultaneously introduces Wyndhurst Manor & Club, a Destination Hotel, with a focus on the Berkshires’ rich culture and history. Both resorts sit atop 380 protected acres and offer a diverse range of year-round programming that encourages guests to celebrate the changing New England seasons.

“We are thrilled with the Miraval brand’s expansion to the East Coast with Miraval Berkshires and to welcome Wyndhurst Manor & Club to the Destinations Hotels family,” said Susan Santiago, Head of Lifestyle & Miraval Operations. “Wyndhurst Manor offers a step back into the Gilded Age and delivers a true-to-place experience for multigenerational families, golfers and those simply wanting to escape. The programming at Miraval Berkshires encourages guests to create a “Life in Balance” by focusing on mind, body and spirit. We look forward to welcoming guests on their transformative journey through spa, equine, fitness and nutrition experiences.”

Akbar Al Baker, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar Airways Group has sent a message to the carriers customers as travel restrictions ease and people think again about travelling.

It has been a few weeks since my last email and I wanted to personally update you on the additional measures we have taken to ensure that you can rely on us when you are ready to travel again. As one of the most experienced airlines, Qatar Airways has flown more passengers around the world than any other airline throughout the crisis. Our first priority was to take many of you home, and we are grateful for the trust you placed in us to reunite you with your family and loved ones. We have remained dedicated to this fundamental mission of taking you home as we continue to repatriate stranded passengers around the world. We are now also providing safe and reliable travel options for those returning to their place of work, school or visiting friends and family. As entry restrictions around the world begin to ease, I know many of you are looking forward to making travel plans once again. To ensure you can travel with peace of mind, we have introduced additional safety measures and booking policies. Wherever you want to go, whoever you want to see, whatever your business, for your first flight into this new world, I want you to know you can travel safely with Qatar Airways. Peace of mind throughout your journey The health and safety of our passengers and crew has been our highest priority throughout this crisis. Our continuous operations have enabled us to gain unrivalled experience in providing a healthy and safe travel experience for our passengers. In addition to the hygiene measures already in place, we have further enhanced our onboard safety measures with several updates since my last email, including: Complimentary face shields that are required to be worn onboard in addition to face masks or coverings New protective kits for all passengers that include a face mask, large powder-free gloves and hand sanitiser gel New protective gowns for cabin crew that fit over their uniforms in addition to safety glasses, gloves and masks Modified on board service to reduce interactions between passengers and crew inflight Hand sanitiser on board all our flights, as well as throughout Hamad International Airport (HIA) Thermal Screening checkpoints and autonomous mobile disinfection units throughout HIA ensuring regular disinfection at high traffic points

Fifty summer destinations from East Midlands Airport

Now that passenger flights have resumed from East Midlands Airport (EMA),  the airport's management hope people’s attention will turn to enjoying much-needed sun, sea and relaxation, especially after a tumultuous few months.

Ryanair and Jet2.com have already started operating from EMA and, judging by the number of passengers arriving for flights, people are keen to get away. TUI re-starts its operations on 1 August.

Between them, the passenger airlines that fly to and from EMA are transporting people to 50 of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe and beyond. And with great deals to be had on flight prices, this might be the summer to grab a bargain.

Passengers can travel through the airport in the knowledge that measures are in place to help keep them safe. These include mandatory face coverings, regular deep cleaning, adherence to social distancing where possible, hand sanitisers, and Perspex screens between passengers and airport staff.

As passenger footfall increases, the airport’s shops and restaurants are opening up too, giving people a choice of places to eat and drink and buy snacks, as well as browsing duty free and other shops.

The UK's MoD signs £65 million contract for Protector aircraft

A £65 million contract to build the UK’s first three Protector aircraft, the first UK operated system capable of strike missions anywhere in the world, has been signed.

Protector is a versatile aircraft, able to operate in unsegregated airspace across the world.
Photo Crown copyright.

After a successful development phase Protector is set to enter service by mid-2024, meaning that the Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) will deliver a step-change in capability for the RAF.

Protector is the world’s first certified RPAS, enabling it to fly in busy, unsegregated airspace, including civilian airspace, thanks to its ground-breaking ‘detect and avoid’ technology.

The contract was announced by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace at the virtual 2020 Air and Space Power Conference.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "The UK is proving once again that we are a world leader in defence technology. Protector will provide the RAF with vast global reach, meeting the UK’s defence and security needs for decades to come, and provides another increase to the unmanned inventory for the Armed Forces.

This aircraft will upgrade a whole range of lethal capabilities allowing us to control, protect and manage the battlespace from the air for hours on end."

United Airlines Named a Top Company for Disability Inclusion for Fifth Consecutive Year

 United Airlines was recognized for the fifth consecutive year as a top-scoring company and best place to work for disability inclusion with a perfect score of 100 on the 2020 Disability Equality Index (DEI). The 2020 DEI measured United's inclusion criteria including: culture & leadership; enterprise-wide access; employment practices; community engagement and supplier diversity.

Japan becomes first international operator of the V-22 Osprey

Bell Boeing delivered the first V-22 Osprey to Camp Kisarazu in Japan  Photo Boeing 

Bell Boeing delivered the first V-22 Osprey to Camp Kisarazu in Japan on July 10. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) is the first operator of the V-22 outside of the U.S. military.

“The delivery of the first Japanese V-22 is an important milestone and represents our strong partnership with the Government of Japan,” said Shane Openshaw, Boeing vice president of Tiltrotor Programs and Bell Boeing deputy program director. “The Osprey’s ability to carry out the toughest missions in the most challenging operating environments will reshape what is possible for the Japan Ground Self Defense Force.”

Private jet tour company offers 11 new tailored itineraries for families and friends

TCS World Travel Introduces New All-Inclusive Personalized Trips by Private Charter Planes

TCS World Travel, the world’s leading operator of private jet expeditions, today announced a new type of all-inclusive personalized itinerary—a curated trip for families and friends to travel together by private charter plane. Whether guests want to travel within the United States or venture farther afield, TCS leverages its 25 years of unparalleled knowledge, access and service to handle every aspect of the trip, including chartering an aircraft that is the right size for the group and managing all on-the-ground details to create the ultimate customized vacation. The trips can also be arranged using guests’ own aircraft.

Insights on the Low Cost Evolution in the Travel & Tourism 2020 Market

Low-cost evolution has impacted the way we travel today, and it is imperative to keep up with trends in the low-cost travel market.

This thematic research report takes an in-depth look at the theme of Low-Cost Evolution including the major impacts it will have on the industry, across the key players and tourists. This report analyzes the key trends within online travel, then presents an array of case studies, observing the impacts and offering recommendations for travel & tourism companies. In addition, the major companies that are and have been involved within low-cost evolution are then discussed.

Qatar Airways Statement on Judgement of the International Court of Justice

Qatar Airways Statement on Judgement of the International Court of Justice

Qatar Airways welcomes the Judgment of the International Court of Justice affirming that the ICAO Council has the jurisdiction to hear any disagreement relating to the interpretation and implementation of the Chicago Convention 1944 and the International Air Services Transit Agreement.

We look forward to observing the return of the State of Qatar to Montreal to urge the ICAO Council to condemn the illegal airspace blockade of it and take appropriate actions to require the four blockading States to comply with their obligations under international law in order to restore the normalcy of international civil aviation.

New Austrian Landing Bans Forces Austrian Airlines to Cancel Flights

Austrian Ministry of Health orders new landing bans starting 16 July 2020

Austrian Airlines has to cancel numerous flights up until 31 July 2020, above all to the Balkans

“We advocate a uniform and stable travel policy within the EU”, says CCO Andreas Otto

Photo Florian Schmidt

The Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection has massively expanded the list of landing bans for aircraft. Starting Thursday, 16 July 2020, no regular flights from the following countries, among others, will be permitted to land in Austria: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Egypt, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia. The landing bans for aircraft from Great Britain, Sweden and the Ukraine have been extended. The decree is valid until 31 July 2020.

Due to the official prohibition, Austrian Airlines is forced to cancel all flights between Vienna and the following destinations during the period 16-31 July 2020: Belgrade, Bucharest, Cairo, Kyiv, London, Podgorica, Pristina, Sarajevo, Sibiu, Skopje, Sofia, Stockholm, Tirana and Varna. The landing bans will also have an impact on the remaining route network of Austrian Airlines, due to the fact that the affected routes are frequented by many transfer passengers. These passengers will be missing, for example on flights to the USA.

Qatar Airways is the First International Airline to Resume Flights to the Maldives

Qatar Airways will also resume flights this month to Addis Ababa, Antalya, Bodrum, Djibouti, Helsinki and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen

The airlines’ network will expand to more than 450 weekly flights to over 70 destinations by the end of July

The Maldives joins a number of popular summer holiday destinations that Qatar Airways has already resumed flights to, including Athens, Kilimanjaro, Tunis and Zanzibar

Qatar Airways is delighted to be the first international airline to resume flights to the Maldives, with the first daily service touching down at Velana International Airport earlier this morning, marked with a water cannon salute. With the airline’s network never falling below 30 destinations throughout this crisis, Qatar Airways continues to lead the recovery of international air travel. By the end of July, the airline’s network will expand to over 450 weekly flights to more than 70 destinations with the addition of flights to the following destinations:

15 July

Male, Maldives (daily flights)

16 July

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (three weekly flights)

18 July

Djibouti (three weekly flights)

23 July

Antalya, Turkey (two weekly flights)
Bodrum, Turkey (two weekly flights)

25 July

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen, Turkey (three weekly flights increasing to daily from 1 August)

29 July

Helsinki (three weekly flights)

Boeing Announces Second-Quarter Deliveries

U.S. Planemaker Boeing has released details of the aircraft deliveries for the second quarter of the year showing just 20 commercial aircraft deliveries - including 7 787s and 4 777 jets. Although with the production lines stopped for a while, perhaps it isn't surprising there was so little activity 

Greg Smith, Boeing executive vice president of Enterprise Operations, chief financial officer and interim leader of Communications, said: "Our commercial airplane deliveries in the second quarter reflect the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our customers and our operations that included a shutdown of our commercial aeroplane production for several weeks. We have and will continue to work with our customers on specific timing and adjustment to deliveries.  "We continue to closely monitor the commercial marketplace by staying very engaged with our customers around the globe to fully understand short term and long term requirements. All of this is informing current and future production rates and any further adjustments as needed to balance supply and demand going forward. The diversity of our portfolio including our government services, defense and space programs will continue to provide some stability as we navigate through the pandemic and rebuild stronger on the other side."

American Airlines gets 100 on the 2020 Disability Equality Index

 For the fifth year in a row, the Disability Equality Index (DEI) gave American Airlines a top score of 100 and named it one of the of best places to work for disability inclusion. American is incredibly proud of this achievement because the recognition acknowledges the airline’s commitment to building an inclusive workplace for all employees.

“The Disability Equality Index top-scoring companies represent those businesses that have invested in accessibility and inclusion across their enterprise,” said Maria Town, President and CEO of American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). “As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the ADA, it is wonderful to see the progress made by these companies, and we hope to see continued progress and support for the DEI over the next 30 years.”