#AirTanzania halts Mumbai flights amid #COVID19 crisis

NO CORONA VIRUS IN TANZANIA BUT CAUTION IS BETTER THAN LATE REGRETS (Posted Friday the 13th of March 2020 – from the Observatory by Geolodges, Rubirizi District, Uganda) Effective today, 13th of March, has Air Tanzania suspended their flights to the Indian city of Mumbai. This follows a declaration by India to suspend Visa for […]

A year after #CycloneIdai does #Mozambique still need much help

AS THE WORLD FOCUSES ON #COVID19 IS AID TO MOZAMBIQUE DRYING UP (Posted Friday the 13th of March 2020 – from the Observatory by Geolodges, Rubirizi District, Uganda) A year after Cyclone Idai devastated much of central Mozambique, limited funding for essential reconstruction is preventing many of the hardest-hit people from getting back on their […]

#UNWTO meeting in Seychelles postponed

#COVID19 PUTS A STOP TO UNWTO MEETING IN THE SEYCHELLES (Posted Friday the 13th of March 2020 – from the Observatory by Geolodges, Rubirizi District, Uganda) Information was received overnight that the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa meeting, which was due to take place in the Seychelles, has – for the time being – been […]

Kenya Airways forced to halt Rome flights by social media s***storm

KENYA AIRWAYS FINALLY DROPS ROME FLIGHTS AFTER SOCIAL MEDIA FLEX THEIR MUSCLE (Posted Friday the 13th of March 2020 – from the Observatory by Geolodges, Rubirizi District, Uganda) (This image until this morning was still the headline picture on the Kenya Airways Facebook page many hours after the airline announced the suspension of the route) […]

#IATA reminds states of the consequences of their (knee jerk) reactions on their economies

IATA Reacts to Latest US Travel Restrictions The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and its members continue to support governments in their efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. At this time of extreme pressure on the industry, IATA urged governments to: Prepare for the broad economic consequences of these actions, Respond quickly to the […]

#AuricAir amends cancellation policy for tickets as #COVID19 crisis hits home

Greetings! In response to the growing concerns over the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), which has resulted in cancellations in travel plans, Auric Air has has put in place the below cancellation policy effective 12th of March 2020 The policy is applicable for bookings done before 11th of March 2020 with travel dates up to 30th […]

AFRAA issues #COVID19 statement

THE CURRENT CRISIS SERVES TO REMIND AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS THAT A MORE SUSTAINABLE AVIATION INDUSTRY IS NEEDED (Posted 12th March 2020) The African Airlines Association (AFRAA), the trade association of African airlines has urged stakeholders to work together to support African airlines achieve profitability and sustainable operations for development of air travel on the continent. In […]

Coastal Aviation announces forced increase of fares

CUPPS SURCHARGE IN THE MIDST OF THE #COVID19 CRISIS A BAD DECISION (Posted 12th March 2020) Dear ATCNews Readers and Partners, We would like to inform you of the new surcharge imposed on all departures out of Dar-Es-Salaam Airport Terminal One. Effective from the 1st of March 2020 the Tanzanian Airport Authority has introduced a […]

Serena Hotels changes their cancellation policy to reflect the #COVID19 crisis

CANCELLATION POLICY UPDATE (Posted 12th March 2020) Dear ATCNews Readers and Business Partners, Serena Hotels recognizes that in the current uncertain climate, potential clients wishing to travel in the near future may be uncomfortable with making booking commitments. We wish to assure you that in response to the continued developments with the COVID-19 outbreak around […]

TravelComments.com – Namibia: Shark Island declared National Heritage site!

Shark Island, a small peninsula adjacent to the coastal city of Lüderitz in Namibia, has become a National Heritage site. The country’s Deputy Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Ester Anna Nghipondoka, officially announced the declaration on site in Lüderitz on 11 March 2020. Shark Island already received its status as National Heritage site on […]

Corporate Council on Africa News Updates

TOURISM Tourism Sector Shields African Economies Amid Slowing Global GDP Growth EABW Digital The severity of the impact of coronavirus on China’s growth prospects will hold major implications for Africa given the continent’s close ties to the Asian giant. The broader impact will also be exacerbated if efforts to contain…Read more>> How AfCFTA will impact […]

#ATQ unveils nominees for West Africa Travel Awards the Balafon

Another edition of #ATQNews from #Nigeria and beyond Kenya’s new $3.5m cruise ship terminal receives 500 tourists atqnewsawards promptly. Nominations and voting will close on May 11, 2020. …more details The prestigious Balafon Award of excellence has been received by several deserving individuals and corporate bodies in the West Africa. Past winners include the Director […]

#AirSeychelles announces new flexible booking policy

AIRLINE CONTINUE TO REACT TO CHANGING MARKET CONDITIONS CAUSED BY #COVID19 (Posted 12th March 2020) Air Seychelles has introduced a new waiver policy to provide travellers more flexibility and peace of mind when booking their trip across the airline’s regional network. As part of the policy, travellers holding tickets for travel between 04th of March […]

#AviaDevAfrica reluctantly shifts to a September date

AVIADEV AFRICA ANNOUNCES POSTPONEMENT OF AFRICA’S PREMIER AVIATION SUMMIT TO SEPTEMBER DATES (Posted 12th March 2020) Jon Howell, founder and CEO of AviaDevAfrica, yesterday – and with much regret – announced a shift in dates for what has become Africa’s premier aviation summit dealing with connectivity challenges across the continent. With many participants coming from […]

#UNWTO seeks further engagement with #WHO

UNWTO AND WHO MEET AGAIN TO MAP OUT JOINT INITIATIVES OVER #COVID19 (Posted 12th March 2020) The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili led a high- delegation to the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva to further advance the two agencies’ coordinated response to the worldwide Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. WHO Director-General […]

TravelComments.com – Mozambique: The city of Pemba to introduce a “tourist tax”!

According to Mozambican state-owned newspaper Noticias (online edition, 06 March 2020), the port city of Pemba in the province of Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique is set to introduce a compulsary tourist tax (“taxa de turista”). Effective from April 2020, all visitors staying in one of the city’s accommodation establishments have to pay a fee. […]

East African Business Council outlines the #COVID19 challenges for the region

CHALLENGES GALORE COME EAST AFRICA’S WAY BUT THERE IS OPPORTUNITY AS WELL (Posted 11th March 2020) East Africa’s private sector apex body, the East African Business Council, yesterday published a briefing document, outlining both challenges and also opportunities for the region’s businesses. Supply chain disruptions and the downturn of aviation and tourism form a major […]

Cabo Verde Airlines reveals passenger protection measures

AIRLINES NOW SCRAMBLE TO PRONOUNCE THEMSELVES OVER #COVID19 PASSENGER PROTECTION MEASURES AND CABO VERDE AIRLINES AMONGST THE EARLY BIRDS (Posted 10th March 2020) Sal, March 10th, 2020 – Following the recent news about the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, Cabo Verde Airlines (CVA) has updated its strategy to protect all passengers with flights booked […]

Laikipia Forum announces AGM date

INVITATION TO THE LAIKIPIA FORUM’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Forum’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on March 31, 2020 at 11 am at the Nanyuki Sports Club All Members are Invited Laikipia Associations, Organizations, and Cooperatives with a Natural Resources Conservation and Management Agenda are invited to attend with two members (Laikipia Farmers […]

TravelComments.com – Rwanda introduces a new visa regime!

Rwanda’s Directorate of Immigration and Emigration has updated the country’s existing visa regime. As of today, citizens of countries members to the African Union, the Commonwealth and La Francophonie get visa upon arrival and are waived visa fees for a stay of 30 days. Citizens of the East African Community (EAC) member states – Burundi, […]

#Seychelles closes ports for cruise ships

SEYCHELLES TAKES ADDED MEASURES TO KEEP #COVID19 OUT OF THE ISLANDS (Posted 10th March 2020) News came in from the Seychelles a short while ago that the government has prematurely ended the current cruise ship season with a decree to close the ports for all international cruise liners – until further notice. The decision, taken […]

ET 302 – Africa remembers

AFRICA STANDS UNITED TODAY AS THE ANNIVERSARY OF ET302 DAWNS (Posted 10th March 2020) As daybreak nears over Africa will the continent today remember the victims of flight ET302. A special ceremony will take place in Ethiopia, where yesterday, a day short of the anniversary of the accident, the Ethiopian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, published […]

#BrusselsAirlines now offers flexible booking / rebooking options for travelers

REBOOKING MADE EASIER AND FREE OF COST FOR TRAVELERS IMPACTED BY #COVID19 (Posted 09th March 2020) Extensive waiver policy for flight rebooking to offer, responding to the wishes of its customers New tickets purchased until 31 March will also have possibility to rebook once without rebooking fees Flights already booked with departure date until 30 […]

Ocean pollution does not stop in the Seychelles

SEYCHELLES’ PRISTINE BEACHES SUFFER FROM GLOBAL PLASTIC POLLUTION (Posted 09th March 2020) Alain St. Ange, Seychelles’ former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine and now candidate for the upcoming presidential elections later this year, has in the past, in his regular newsletter but also with direct contributions, highlighted the plight of his country […]