Travel News March 2022 Jet2 Confirm Face Mask Removal Onboard Flights
Covid-Recovery Certificates Now Accepted for Spanish Travel
THE Spanish Government have announced that unvaccinated travellers, who have recovered from Covid-19 in the last 180 days, can now enter Spain. This change was announced on Saturday 26th February, when the Spanish government published changes to their Covid-19 travel regulations. Therefore, unvaccinated travellers who are able to
Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy
STEVE Heapy hinted at the possible removal of face masks onboard Jet2 aircrafts in an exclusive interview with NI Travel News back at the beginning of February. The airline confirmed last night (1 March) that face
masks will be removed onboard certain flights within the UK.
Released on the
Jet2.com website, they have said: “England and Northern Ireland
It’s no longer a legal requirement to wear a face mask at our airports or onboard our planes. However, as per UK Government guidance, we recommend that you continue to wear a face mask in these spaces, and you will need to wear one when you get to your overseas destination.
Scotland
It’s still a legal requirement for everyone aged six years and over to wear a face mask at our Scottish airports and onboard our planes travelling to and from those airports. This is the case even if you’re fully vaccinated. If you’re unable to wear a mask, you must let us know in advance to be able to travel – please provide proof of your exemption to our Special Assistance team on 0800 408 5591 so we can authorise your travel. We’ll ask you for specific medical evidence to confirm this, as we don’t accept downloaded exemption cards or lanyards as proof of exemption. And if you fail to wear a face mask without our agreement, you’ll not be allowed to board your flight.”
Ukraines Bordered Countries Remain Open
THE neighbouring countries of Ukraine have continued to keep their borders open to allow citizens wanting to leave the country access to a safe environment.
Embassies across Ukraine have moved closer to bordered zones and reception points have been set up along the Ukrainian border. In a tweet this morning, CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership Julia Lo Bue-Said said: Julia Lo Bue-Said @jlo_said ‘Despite misleading information circulating on social media neighbouring countries’ borders remain open
FOLLOWING two years of intensive research and development, Etihad Airways in collaboration with Environment Agency Abu Dhabi has launched the Etihad Mangrove Forest to provide guests, corporate accounts and partners the ability to adopt mangroves in Abu Dhabi to reduce their carbon footprint. In line with the Abu Dhabi Mangrove initiative
and have set up reception points along the Ukrainian border. Visa requirements being waived in most of the neighbouring countries too #Ukraine’ This comes after reports suggested Ukraine’s borders
had been closed to those looking to leave the country as fighting intensified. Expatriate’s can seek advice and help from their embassy within Ukraine or can access advice from their government websites. Northern Irish citizens currently in Ukraine can
follow FCDO Travel Advice and can access contacts to their respected embassy here at
https://www.gov.uk/ world/embassies
Etihad Airways Reduces Carbon Footprint With The Etihad Mangrove Forest
by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, the Etihad Mangrove Forest is the culmination of multiple joint programmes between Etihad, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, Jubail Island, The Storey Group and other partners to support mangrove conservation projects in the nation and develop new carbon sinks and natural resources to remove carbon from the atmosphere following our principle “Abu Dhabi for the World”. Following the launch of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove initiative, the organisations are aligned under an ongoing MoU to tackle local and national environmental goals, including decarbonisation, waste management and single use plastics reduction. Biodiversity is the next step for Etihad to explore the promotion of conservation efforts for the native mangroves of the UAE. Using a unique digital platform, the Etihad Mangrove Forest will allow guests and partners to invest in carbon removal for AED 18.5 (USD5) per mangrove, where the individual trees can be tracked online or through an app. The guest receives a unique tree code, geolocation, and virtual access to their tree for the next 10 years. The guest can gift the tree to their loved ones and name the
Abu Dhabi Scraps Pre- Departure Tests for Fully-Vaxed
FULLY-VACCINATED travellers heading to
the Abu Dhabi will no longer be required to provide a negative PCR test result prior to their departure. This change will apply to those who are fully-vaccinated, hold a COVID-19 recovery certificate or are under 16 years of age. While the pre-departure test has been removed for fully-vaccinated travellers, all arriving passengers will still be required to undergo a free-of-charge PCR test upon arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport. There is no longer a requirement for further follow- up tests upon arriving in Abu Dhabi. Unvaccinated travellers headed to Abu Dhabi
will still be required to provide a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of departure or a recovery certificate. If transiting through Abu Dhabi or flying out of
Abu Dhabi, travellers will need to follow the test requirements for their final destination. More information can be found at https://www.
etihad.com/en-es/travel-updates/all-destinations-travel- guides
tree to create a unique experience and bond. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said “Over the last two years Etihad has developed an extensive programme to tackle the challenge of aviation sustainability. We have focused on innovation and technology to develop carbon reducing processes and operational efficiencies that will benefit the industry, as well as building partnerships and collaborations to lead a united industry response to decarbonisation through the most comprehensive, cross organisational sustainability aviation initiative ever undertaken. “The Etihad Mangrove Forest is the next step in our sustainability journey to ensure our responsibility to remove carbon from the atmosphere is progressing. The intent is to create forests on all continents we fly to, and to provide our guests with an engaging opportunity to take part in the solution. “We know offsetting unavoidable emissions alone
isn’t going to solve the climate crisis, we need to actually remove carbon from the atmosphere. Even with the best-case scenario global decarbonisation drive, we will still need to remove 6-10 Gt of CO2 per year by 2050 to stay below 1.5 °C global warming. The Etihad Mangrove Forest will contribute to this task. We invite and encourage our guests and partners to join us on this journey as we know from first-hand experience it is a topic many care passionately about and will impact us all.”
Etihad Guest Members will be able to invest in the
Etihad Mangrove Forest using Etihad Guest Miles in the Reward Shop from March
Italy Announces Relaxation of Entry Requirements
ITALY have announced that they are easing entry requirements for arrivals from all non-European areas. Italian Health Minister, Roberto Speranza announced that from March 1, non-European travellers will only be required to show a vaccination certificate, recovery certificate or a negative test result upon arrival in Italy. This announcement means arrivals from non-EU countries, including UK arrivals, will not be required to provide both proof of vaccination and a negative test result when travelling to Italy.
Alongside this relaxation, unvaccinated travellers
will no longer be required to partake in a mandatory quarantine period. The Italian Health Minister stated that a further
review on inbound travel restrictions will take place on March 15.
present a valid recovery certificate are now welcome in Spain.
Advice on the official Spanish Travel website explains
that these certificates must be “issued by the competent authority or a medical service at least 11 days after the first positive NAAT or rapid antigen test is accepted as valid. The validity of the certificate shall end 180 days after the date of sampling.”
Previously, only fully-vaccinated travellers, who received a vaccination approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organisation, were permitted to enter Spain.
Hong Kong Receive Funding to Boost Tourism Recovery
FOLLOWING the announcement of allocating resources to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) in the 2022/23 budget for boosting the economy and the preparatory works on driving tourism recovery to stand up to increasingly intense tourism competition in the region in the upcoming future, HKTB Chairman Dr Y K Pang thanked the government for the arrangement. Dr. Pang said,
“the budget of the year has specially allocated more resources for developing arts and culture and promoting cultural, heritage and green tourism projects with Hong Kong characteristics. These initiatives not only help strengthen Hong Kong’s new positioning as an East-meets-West centre for international arts and cultural exchange, but also benefit the long-term development of the tourism industry tremendously. Even though we are faced with the pandemic, the HKTB always stands ready and remains flexible and agile in its work with consideration of the latest pandemic development, in order to drive the rapid recovery of the tourism industry. The HKTB will continue to adhere to the principle of spending on the necessary and making prudent use of its resources.” In response to the Government’s three-year “Cultural and Heritage Sites Local Tour Incentive Scheme”, support for operation of the “Green Lifestyle Local Tour Incentive Scheme” and sponsorship of training of tourism practitioners, the HKTB shows its welcome to the initiatives.
To support the HKTB’s work in the upcoming year, the budget will allocate an additional HK$600 million (£56 million) to the HKTB on top of the regular funding. The HKTB will also earmark HK$100 million (£9.4 million) from its reserves for marketing initiatives, which are formulated around the following three strategic focuses:
The HKTB will continue to drive local tourism for supporting the trade and stimulating the local economy while gearing up for travel resumption and rolling out promotions in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and other Mainland cities. When cross-boundary/border travel gradually resumes, the HKTB will launch various promotions to attract visitors to Hong Kong The HKTB will strive to develop cultural tourism through Hong Kong’s role as a core demonstration zone of “multi-destination travel” and an international tourism hub
The HKTB will also foster positive local ambience and maintain Hong Kong’s exposure in mainland and international markets through organising mega event. Details of the work plan will be announced in due course.
UPDATES 3
Which? Warn Against Latest Travel Scams
WHICH? , the consumer watchdog, has highlighted new scams in regards to travelling. The 6 new scams and rip offs have been highlighted
by Which? As they claim to provide refunds and offer fake flights. Which? Has urged consumers to be vigilant of these development , especially if you are still awaiting a refund from throughout the covid-19 pandemic. Reports have suggested the scammers are cold- calling travellers to gain bank details and information which they claim to need to process the customers refund; in turn, the scammers are using this information to take money from the customers. Which? have released a statement saying, “Our advice for consumers is be wary of unsolicited calls and messages, and be cautious about holiday deals from unfamiliar firms.”
“If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam, you should report this to Action Fraud and your bank.” Other scams highlighted by the watchdog include companies overcharging for passenger locator forms, Global health insurance cards and driving permits in the likes of Spain. To avoid such confusion and scam, speak to your
local travel agent to guarantee security surrounding your holiday.
Head To The States As Virgin Atlantic Reinstate ALL US Routes
VIRGIN Atlantic have announced that they are set to reinstate their full portfolio of US destinations from next month. From March 2, five weekly services are set to resume
from Heathrow heading to Seattle, along with the five weekly services to Washington DC which would restart on March 5.
This reinstatement comes as Virgin Atlantic report a 50% increase in year on year bookings. Virgin Atlantic have also confirmed that the increase of capacity on transatlantic services to New York, San Francisco and Atlanta, is set for March.
This increase in capacity will allow Virgin Atlantic to ramp up services from the UK to Los Angeles and Orlando from April, with an introduction of a third daily service from Heathrow to LAX. Alongside an increase in Orlando flights departing
from Belfast, London Heathrow, Manchester, and Edinburgh. Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer stated
that , “Following the relaxation of travel restrictions, we’ve seen demand increase to many of our global destinations, but particularly to our heartland in the USA. Our customers can’t wait to return” “The restart of our Seattle and Washington DC
services mark an important milestone, as we move into recovery and welcome our customers back on board to all the destinations they’ve missed. “We’re simply not Virgin without the Atlantic and our growing transatlantic portfolio demonstrates why we’re
the airline of choice to the USA.”
Iceland Remove ALL Travel and Domestic Restrictions
ICELAND have become the first European country to completely remove all covid-19 restrictions for both travel and domestic cases. From today (25 February) travellers, whether vaccinated or not, will no longer be subject to any
restrictions, including quarantine or testing. Barbados Opens Up As Travel Restrictions Ease
FOLLOWING the removal of their enforced curfew last week, the Government of Barbados have announced a series of updates to enhance travellers’ entry process into the country. Effective from Saturday, February 26, 2022, travellers to Barbados will have more options with the acceptance of Rapid Antigen tests for entry, under the conditions that these tests are administered by a healthcare provider no more than one day prior to the traveller’s arrival in Barbados. Rapid Antigen Tests are widely available in Ireland and the UK and results are typically returned within one hour.
Rapid Antigen Tests join the list of approved tests
for entry in Barbados. Also accepted are COVID-19 PCR tests taken no more than 3 days prior to arrival in Barbados. The COVID-19 tests can be taken using samples administered by nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, nasal,
anterior nares, or mid-turbinate swabs. However, the following PCR tests will not be accepted: Self-administered swabs are not accepted. Shallow nasal swabs are not accepted. Saliva tests are not accepted.
In addition, in-transit passengers will not be required to test in order to transit through Barbados. Travellers can also expect to see changes to the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) experience. All paper forms previously distributed onboard
aircraft arriving in Barbados will be
discontinued. In addition, travellers will once again utilise the more spacious main arrivals hall, instead of the temporary Gate 14-16 arrivals hall previously stood up to manage port health entry checks and testing during the pandemic.
For more information on Barbados’ travel protocols, visit
www.barbadostravelprotocols.com.
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