Tag: corona virus crisis

Iconic car rental company Hertz has filed for bankruptcy protection, devastated by the fall in business due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 100-year-old company which started its business with a dozen Ford models, went on to become one of the largest car rental companies in the world, before running up a pile of substantial debt. Hertz said late on Friday that it would use more than $1 billion in cash on hand to keep its business running while it proceeds with the bankruptcy process. “Today’s action will protect the value of our business, allow us to continue our operations and ... Read more

Air India has informed flyers that bookings for domestic flights will start from today. Tweeting about the same, the national carrier said, “Our domestic flight bookings will start from 1230 hrs today. To book login to Air India website or contact authorised travel agents or visit our booking offices or call customer care.” After a two-month gap, India will reopen air travel from May 25. The government has allowed one-third of the operations beginning Monday and set limits on fares which will be applicable for three months. GoAir, Vistara, IndiGo and others have not opened bookings yet. “As per the ... Read more

China has acquired a stake in budget airline Norwegian Air after the cash-strapped carrier underwent a major restructuring, according to a notification to the Oslo Stock Exchange. BOC Aviation, owned by the Chinese government via subsidiaries including Bank of China and China Investment Corporation, has emerged as one of the new owners of the Norwegian low-cost airline. “Upon completion of the conversion [of lease obligations], BOC Aviation will hold 389,053,742 shares in NAS [Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA], representing 12.67% of the outstanding shares and votes in the Company,” read the notification. AerCap, a top aircraft leasing company headquartered in Ireland, ... Read more

The Chinese Embassy in Ireland has reminded its passport holders that they must not transit two Schengen countries at one time. The advisory was for those stuck in the Schengen areas due to border closures, travel bans and other restrictions amid the Coronavirus outbreak. Through a notice published on its website, the Chinese Embassy noted that many citizens are planning to return to China with repatriation flights from the Schengen countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium. The Embassy reminds these citizens that they must not transit in two or more Schengen area countries consecutively as they may face penalties. ... Read more

Eurobank will make available a fund of $821 million (750 million Euros) to help Greek hotels and support tourism, which has been hit hard by the coronavirus crisis. The revival of the tourism sector, which employs about one in five Greeks, is viewed as central to lessening the impact of an expected deep recession, with the European Commission estimating Greece’s economy may contract by 9.7% this year. “Eurobank is the bank of Greek tourism, we are there not only for the sunny days,” Eurobank’s CEO Fokion Karavias said. “Supporting the hotels sector, the heart of the tourism industry, is important ... Read more

No meals, no eatables, no magazines, no on-board sales, Aarogya Setu not required for kids below 14, limited baggage, minimal use of lavatory, less contact by security staff and using masks throughout the journey. That’s new age flying for you. India has issued detailed guidelines for airlines, airport, passengers and other stakeholders, for resumption of domestic flights after a gap of two months. The domestic flights will operate again from May 25, as lockdown restrictions continue to get eased. Here are the new norms: Before arriving at airport Familiarise yourself with the new procedures, especially about norms of social distancing, minimum ... Read more

IndiGo will join the Vande Bharat Mission to repatriate Indians stranded overseas. This will be the first instance of a private airline joining an exercise that was a monopoly of Air India till date. In a statement on Thursday, the country’s largest airline said that it has been authorised to operate 97 reparation flights between Kerala and the Middle East. Adhering all the precautionary measures, the flights will be operated between Kerala and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Doha, Kuwait and Muscat. IndiGo has been granted nearly half of the total 180 repatriation flights allotted to private airlines. “We had ... Read more

Hilton has announced that all its hotels in China have officially resumed operations. Each hotel has implemented strict anti-epidemic measures to ensure the health and safety of guests and employees, the hospitality major said. Hilton said it has also made adjustments to policies and operations in order to meet the needs of guests and the community at large, during this time. “Today, I am thrilled to announce that all Hilton hotels in Chinese mainland have officially resumed operations,” said Qian Jin, Area President, Hilton Greater China and Mongolia. About 150 Hilton hotels were closed for bookings after the pandemic turned ... Read more

Delta Air Lines plans to boost the number of flights it will restore to service in June and July, to allow for spacing among passengers as demand increases. “Once we get close to 60% on an individual route, that’ll be the trigger for us to add more planes into the system,” Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian said Wednesday on Fox Business News. The carrier will add 200 flights in June and may add as many as 300 in July, he said. Just two days earlier, the US airline had said it planned to add 100 flights next month. The airline’s ... Read more

Qatar Airways has introduced new flight protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its crew will now be equipped with full-body gear. “Cabin crew will wear disposable, full body protective gear during flights while passengers must wear face coverings,” the airline stated in a press release. Other changes include serving meals on a tray in lieu of a table set up in business class, individually wrapped cutlery, sealed meals (standard protocol in economy already), and large bottles of hand sanitizer which will be placed in the galleys. To comply with social distancing requirements, there are no more “social areas” on ... Read more

US carriers JetBlue Airways and United Airlines have announced fresh safety measures aimed at restoring confidence in travel, as several executives pointed to signs of domestic demand improving. A Reuters report said that American states are starting to reopen and airlines expect an increase in domestic travel over the extended holiday weekend for Memorial Day on May 25. While data shows only a small fraction of recent flights were more than 70% full, there may soon be full or near-full planes, said Airlines for America, a trade group representing major U.S. airlines. The group launched a public awareness campaign called ... Read more

Intersight Tours and Travels has invited articles on the unknown and unexplored tourist destinations and experiences of Kerala. The write-ups can be about hill stations, beaches, waterfalls, islands, village sights, valleys, etc which are unknown to the public. The articles can be either in English or in Malayalam and there is no restriction on the length of the articles. The name of the place, story behind the name, accessibility, two/four wheel drive details, accommodation facilities, details of nearby tourist attractions, contact details including the phone numbers, email ID, website etc. can be included. Resorts and homestays in unexplored destinations and ... Read more

The Association of Tourism Trade Organisations India (ATTOI) has urged the Prime Minister and Finance Minister to address the concerns of the Indian tourism industry without delay. Tourism, hospitality and health care sectors were expecting immediate relief measures as part of the government’s ₹20 lakh crore stimulus package. These industries were badly hit by the pandemic and hence were looking forward to some support. “But there has been no stimulus for tour operators, hotels, resorts or ayurveda hospitals who have to bear the salaries and maintenance costs even when shut,” ATTOI president Vinod CS said. The government’s lack of empathy ... Read more

Indian domestic flight services would begin from Monday in a “calibrated manner”, laying the ground for gradual resumption of scheduled commercial flight operations. “Domestic civil aviation operations will recommence in a calibrated manner from Monday. All airports and air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from May 25. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for passenger movement are also being separately issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation,” Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted. All domestic passenger flight operations have been suspended for the 54-day lockdown period that began on March 25. However, cargo flights, medical evacuation flights and ... Read more

Kerala Tourism has stated that hotels accommodating non-resident Keralites (NRKs) on paid quarantine will have to follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) as detailed below: PRE- REQUISITES AND CONDITIONS • The guests willing for paid quarantine should register themselves with the online portal designed for paid quarantine hotel bookings. The details of persons shall also be provided. • The guest should not be having any symptoms at the time of checking in at the hotel • Only family members who have travelled with them would be allowed to share the hotel room. • The guests should be willing to abide ... Read more