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World Travel & Tourism Council Launches Face Mask Campaign


THE World Travel & Tourism Council is urging all travellers to wear face covering when travelling through airports, onboard aircraft and when using all forms of transport.


It has launched a social media campaign with the


hashtag #wear2care to encourage travellers to wear protective masks on all forms of transport. WTTC is advising travellers to wear masks on all forms of transport throughout their entire journey. The WTTC is also asking governments around the world to enforce the wearing of face coverings. WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara said: “The safety and hygiene of travellers and those who work in travel and tourism is of paramount importance, which is why we now strongly recommend masks being mandatory. “‘Wear to care’ promotes the protection of face mask users and visibly shows they care about the welfare and safety of their fellow travellers, which will help save lives and encourage the return of Safe Travels. “The wearing of masks should not be politicised. Wearing a mask needs to become part of everyday life to ensure everyone enjoys travelling in safety until a vaccine for Covid-19 is found. We implore the private sector and global governments to encourage their use so wearing a mask becomes the new normal.” Ramon Sanchez, Principal Investigator and Research Associate at Harvard University, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said: “Wearing face masks has been proven to provide the highest level of protection against transmission at 82%. Constant hand hygiene and surface cleaning, which kills more than 90% of viruses that are found on surfaces, also prevents the virus from reaching the face from the hands. “The public should keep a two metre distance whenever they can, however if that simply isn’t possible, people should increase the ventilation around them. Inside buildings this can be done by opening doors and windows which decreases the viral concentration by more than 70%. “Mechanical ventilation, such as air conditioning decreases it by 80%, while going outdoors proves more effective by decreasing the viral concentration between 90% and 95%.”


Etihad Airways to Resume Flights to Shanghai


ETIHAD Airways has resumed passenger flights from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, to Shanghai, China. The service will operate with an initial weekly flight


using a Boeing 777-300ER, featuring Business and Economy cabins. Robin Kamark, Etihad Aviation Group Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We are delighted to announce the resumption of scheduled services to China, as we gradually return to more destinations on our global network, supporting the recovery of economic and social activities worldwide. Our priority now is to build the network back up on markets that have opened up and to provide a secure and hygienic flying environment across the entire guest journey. “The restarting of passenger services between Abu Dhabi and Shanghai will cater to the large demand from business travellers in the UAE, China, and other economies in the Middle East and Africa. We are tremendously grateful to our customers and partners for their continued loyalty and we stand ready fly more frequencies to China when possible.”


New Insurance Launched Covering Destinations Without FCO Exemption


TRAVEL insurance company Battleface is offering £5 million worth of cover for medical expenses resulting from Covid-19 while abroad. However, the product does not cover travellers who contract the coronavirus before they travel and have to cancel the trip.


The policy is available for travellers aged up to and including 59. Sasha Gainullin, Chief Executive of Battleface, said:


“If the FCO advises against ‘all but essential’ travel to a country, it more often than not invalidates travellers’ insurance, and visiting there is at your own risk. “Battleface removes that uncertainty and gives travellers the confidence they’ve been looking for.”


ABTA Welcomes DfT and the CAA Announcements on Refund Credit Notes


ABTA has welcomed the announcements from the Department for Transport and the CAA that the Government will extend ATOL protection for Refund Credit Notes (RCNs) saying that the move “gives reassurance to consumers and supports the travel industry at an especially difficult time”.


An ABTA spokesperson said: “ABTA welcomes


the Government’s action to back Refund Credit Notes through the ATOL scheme; this gives reassurance to consumers and supports the travel industry at an especially difficult time.”


August 2020 Travel News KLM TO RESUME OPERATIONS FROM


BELFAST CITY AIRPORT IN AUGUST K


LM FLIGHTS from Belfast City were suspended end of March when air travel came to a virtual standstill, with only 5% of the carrier’s global network scheduled for operation in April and May. From 3rd August, KLM will resume operations between Belfast City Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport using an Embraer 175 aircraft, carrying 88 passengers. Throughout the summer period, passengers will have the opportunity to connect to over 100 European and intercontinental destinations via Amsterdam, offering worldwide connectivity to and from Belfast city centre. Flights are on sale now. Benedicte Duval, General Manager for UK &


Ireland said: “2020 is an important year for KLM and our partners at Belfast City Airport as we celebrate 5 years of operation. Having first launched the route back in May 2015, we are delighted to be in a position to welcome our Northern Irish customers back on board, despite the recent challenges for our industry. The resumption of the daily service between Belfast City and Amsterdam is testament to our long term commitment to the region.


“As borders reopen and travel restrictions begin


to ease, safety is a prerequisite for KLM as we gradually resume travel and as we all adapt to this new environment, I can assure you that all KLM staff, both on the ground and on board, are committed to guaranteeing our passengers the highest levels of health & safety.” Katy Best, Commercial Director at Belfast City


Airport, said: “KLM resuming its service from Belfast City in August is really positive news. This year celebrates the fifth anniversary of our partnership with KLM and the Amsterdam route which has performed very well. This route provides additional choice for our passengers who may be looking to plan a short break in the Netherlands or indeed to one of KLM’s onward connections.” KLM is gradually rebuilding its global network, opting to restart as many destinations as possible and then increasing frequencies and capacity. For July, KLM expects to operate 80% of the normal number of European destinations and 75% of intercontinental destinations. This will increase to 95% and 80% respectively for August. However, it should be noted that at present, 50% of intercontinental flights are cargo only. When international travel restrictions are relaxed, KLM will start carrying passengers to these destinations again. Since the Covid-19 outbreak began, KLM and


Belfast City Airport have introduced a range of health & safety measures to protect customers and staff, both on board and at airports.


Belfast City Airport continues to follow all relevant directives for airports in relation to Covid-19. Measures have been taken to enable passengers to socially distance in the terminal and hand sanitising units are available throughout the passenger journey. Staff within the airport are wearing the relevant PPE and passengers are asked to wear a face covering whilst in the terminal. The airport has also deployed additional staff dedicated to terminal cleansing. KLM’s policy is based on international (WHO, IATA) guidelines, and includes: The compulsory wearing of masks for all passengers, airline crew and airport handling agents in contact with customers The modification of customer channels on the ground with the implementation of physical distancing along the customer journey at the airport and the installation of transparent protection screens at airports when possible


The implementation of physical distancing in the


airport and on board where this is possible. Current low load factors make it possible to separate customers in most circumstances. In cases where this is not possible, compulsory face masks ensure adequate health protection.


The reinforcement of daily aircraft cleaning procedures, with the disinfection of all surfaces in contact with customers such as armrests, tables and screens


Adapting in-flight service to limit interaction between customers and crew members. On short flights within Europe, meal and beverage services have been suspended. On long-haul flights, cabin service is limited and preference is given to individually wrapped products.


Passengers screenings are conducted on flights to certain destinations in line with government guidance. For flights departing from Amsterdam to Canada, Singapore and South Korea, passengers are physically observed. Passengers flying to the last two destinations receive an additional temperature check. In addition, the air in the cabin is renewed every


3 minutes. The air recycling system on board KLM aircraft is equipped with “High Efficiency Particulate Air” or HEPA filters, identical to those used in hospital operating theatres. These filters extract more than 99.99% of the smallest viruses, including those no larger


KLM will resume operations from Belfast City Airport in August


than 0.01 micrometres, thus ensuring that cabin air complies with quality standards. Coronavirus type viruses, ranging in size from 0.08 to 0.16 micrometres, are filtered through the HEPA filters. For more information, please view video here In response to the current crisis and subsequent


travel restrictions, since 22nd April, KLM offers its customers the opportunity to book with confidence.


DUBLIN Airport have released a list of new health and safety measures which have been implemented across the airport. In a statement details the new


health and safety protocols, the airport said: “Passenger safety and protection is our main priority at Dublin Airport. While aspects of your experience will stay the same, we have put in place new COVID-19 safety measures to help protect you. Only passengers should enter the Terminals, be it the check-in, departures or arrivals areas. Anyone planning to collect or meet and greet an arriving passenger at Dublin Airport, should note that the meeting points have changed and are no longer inside the arrivals halls of the Terminal buildings. The new meeting points are just outside Terminal 1, and for Terminal 2, are located at the glass walk-way between the Terminal 2 multi-storey car park and arrivals.


Wizz Adds Five More Routes from Luton


WIZZ Air is set to add five more routes from London Luton Airport in August.


This will being the total number


of routes offered by the budget airline from Luton to more than 60. It will also base an eleventh aircraft at the airport this summer.


Hawaii Delays Tourism Reopening


THE tropical island of Hawaii has announced that it is delaying reopening to visitors until September 1.


Hawaii was originally meant to reopen for tourists on August 1. Hawaii Governor David Ige said: “We have always said that we will make decisions based on the health and safety of the community. “We don’t believe that situation


will change significantly by August 1. The mayors and I fully understand the gravity of the choices before us and believed it was in everyone’s best interest to delay.”


Date and destination changes up until 30th June 2021 are permitted free of charge. KLM and Belfast City Airport remind passengers


that the health and safety of their customers and staff is an absolute priority. Both teams are fully mobilised to ensure the highest levels of health and safety for their customers and to ensure they travel in complete confidence.


New Health and Safety Measures In Place at Dublin Airport


We recommend that you plan and arrange your new arrivals meeting points in advance.


“Socially distanced and simplified queue management systems have been put in place in all areas of Dublin Airport. There are floor graphics, signage and public announcements throughout to


remind passengers of the


importance of social distancing. “We strongly recommend that departing and arriving passengers wear a face mask for their full airport journey. Passengers should bring their own face mask from home, but if they forget to do so, face masks will be available to purchase from vending machines and other outlets at Dublin Airport. Children under the age of 13 will not be asked to wear face masks and passengers who have a valid medical reason will also be exempt. Please dispose of your face mask after use in the general waste bins provided.


“We strongly recommend that


all passengers frequently wash their hands with soap and water and use hand sanitiser throughout. 920 hand sanitiser dispensers have been installed and are signposted across Dublin Airport. Individual hand sanitiser products can also be bought throughout Departures and Arrivals.


“To maintain the highest


hygiene standards, all facilities and services throughout Dublin Airport are deep cleaned and regularly disinfected throughout the day. All key contact surfaces, such as security trays, self-service kiosks, escalator handrails and trolleys will undergo enhanced regular cleaning using state of the art hospital grade cleaning equipment.


“620 plexiglass screens are being installed in areas where there is close contact between passengers and staff such as check-in, security screening, retail and food & beverage outlets, customer service desks, boarding gates, and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).


“We are installing plexiglass


screens at close contact points between passengers and staff and we ask that passengers use hand sanitiser before and after Security and follow the floor markings we have put in place to maintain social distancing. The rest of the Security screening process remains the same, so please prepare as usual. “To maintain social distance, we have limited the number of seats available at the boarding gates, and are prioritising seats for passengers with reduced mobility, families travelling with young children or women travelling while pregnant. Socially distanced seating is also in place in the food and beverage outlets and signage to indicate the maximum number of people permitted in bathrooms and lifts has also been installed. “Our Cafés and Restaurants that are open have a range of options that cater to your needs; from table service to convenient grab & go offers with social distancing, actively managed by staff and floor markers. We are installing plexiglass screens and there


is a continuous cleaning regime throughout.


“To help you avail of the great shopping discounts on leading premium brands instore, we have re-organised your Dublin Airport shopping experience, so it is contactless and maintains social distancing. “We recommend that you book in advance online. We have made the car parks contactless, from payments to entry and exit. We have applied social distancing on the Red Express car park shuttle buses and in the bus shelters. We have also installed hand sanitiser dispensers throughout the car parks.”


TOWIE’s Gemma Collins New Face of Wizz Air


THE Only Way Is Essex star Gemma Collins has revealed herself as the ‘new face’ of Wizz Air on her social media sites.


She will reportedly star in their new ad campaign.


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