INDUSTRY NEWS FROM SUNWAYS TRAVEL WEEK ENDNG: 14 NOVEMBER 2021
2021-11-15
Qatar has added six countries to its red list, including the UK and the UAE, the Ministry of Public Health has announced.
There are now 21 countries on Qatar’s red list, and ten on the country’s exceptional red list. The new list comes into effect at midday on Monday November 15.
Vaccinated visitors will need to book a quarantine hotel, and take a PCR test on arrival. They will need to quarantine for two days, or until a negative PCR test result arrives.
Unvaccinated visitors will be subject to hotel quarantine for seven days, unless they have first-degree relatives living in Qatar and are arriving on pre-issued family visas. In this case, they will be able to quarantine at home on arrival.
USA entry requirements at a glance
Together with our friends at British Airways we have compiled this quick-glance guide for arrivals into the USA.
Covid-19 test provider, Qured, launch business travel service
“A Qured corporate account will ensure your team can safely, and easily, travel for business. Qured work with high profile clients and offer a concierge service so you can be sure your needs are met. Their core focus is providing your employees with hassle-free and reliable testing”.
Click here to enter the Qured Corporate website
British Airways Continues to update fleet with Club Suite
British Airways are continuing with the roll out of their newest business class seat, the award winning Club Suite. New aircraft entering the fleet are fitted with the product and a retrofitting plan is already well underway.
- By the end of 2022, retrofitting of all LHR based 777 aircraft is expected to be completed
- All A350’s and 787-10’s entering fleet come fitted with Club Suite
- 42% of LHR based 777-200 fleet already retrofitted
- All BA flights to New York ( JFK) and the majority to Newark (EWR)* will be scheduled to operate with the Club Suite
Click here to watch a short video of the new suite
20 airlines commit to new technologies to minimise climate impact
The World Economic Forum has announced that 20 airline members of its Target True Zero initiative have committed to using new technologies to combat climate change. The airlines have pledged their support for novel forms of propulsion powered by sustainable energy sources, such as electric and hydrogen-powered planes, as well as hybrid aircraft.
The signatory airlines operate more than 800 aircraft and carry over 177 million passengers on 1.8 million flights per year. These include Aero, Air New Zealand, Air Nostrum, Alaska Airlines, Amelia, ASL Aviation Holdings, Braathens Regional Airlines, Easyjet, Finistair, Icelandair, Iskwew Air, Loganair, Mokulele, Ravn Alaska, Soundsair, Southern Airways Express, Surf Air Mobility, Viva Aerobus, Waltzing Matilda Aviation, and Xwing. For more information, click here.
IAG signs deal for 73 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel
International Airlines Group (IAG) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with sustainable fuels technology firm Velocys, for the purchase of an expected 73 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The ten-year agreement will run from 2026 and covers the purchase of SAF for IAG’s member carriers including British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia.
For more information on IAG’s sustainability roadmap, click here.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club unveils additional benefits
Virgin Atlantic has announced additional benefits for members of its Flying Club loyalty programme, following the resumption of transatlantic flights last week.
The new changes include a reduction in the tier points thresholds, making it easier for members to move up the membership tiers. The airline is also increasing the earn rate for every pound spent across all tiers and additionally, are giving all Silver card members a one-off Clubhouse pass for themselves and a guest. Finally, to celebrate the reopening of transatlantic flights, Virgin Atlantic is offering all Flying Club members a bonus of 20,000 Virgin Points when they take two return Premium or Upper Class flights before 31 March 2022.
Travel news as a glance:
- Top Tips for the Sustainable Traveller
- Delta to offer premium economy on all European flights by next summer
- Wyndham Hotels and Resorts has launched The Meetings Collection, a network of premium meetings-focused hotels.
- British Airways has registered BA EuroFlyer as the name of its new short-haul operation from London Gatwick Airport.
- Radisson Hotels Group have announced that multiple international hotel companies have joined together to launch an initiative to set a common definition of hotel sustainability.