This week, we bring you a recap on the Top Ten (10) most important things in Uganda’s Tourism, the world of Aviation and Travel that have made rounds especially in this COVID-19 Era. As always, we will be giving you highlights that have made News rounds all through from start of the week till the End. Below is our Weekly Newsletter for your readership.
01. Airbus ‘cautiously optimistic’ as deliveries fall by 34% amid Global Travel Pandemonium
Airbus delivers 566 commercial aircraft and secures 268 net orders
Airbus has said its delivery numbers in 2020 “demonstrate resilience” against the COVID pandemic, which has zapped cash from airlines and frozen demand for new jets.
The European manufacturer said it delivered 566 commercial aircraft to 87 customers in 2020, which is 34% fewer than the previous year.
File Photo: Airbus Flag
02. UK introduces pre-travel-testing – Everything you ought to know
From today, all international travelers heading to the UK will need to show a negative COVID-19 test result before they can board a flight. The rules apply to those going by train or boat too. Even with a negative test, passengers will be required to quarantine on arrival, unless the country they are departing from has a travel corridor with the UK. Here’s what you need to know.
03. The future seems bright for the 75 Year Old London – Heathrow Airport
Today, we thought we would take a look at one of the world’s most iconic airport- London Heathrow (LHR), and see what the future looks like for the United Kingdoms’ largest airport. Before we gaze into the crystal ball, it might be a good idea to take a look back in history and see how Europes’ busiest airport came about.
Located 14 miles (23 km) west of Central London, we can trace Heathrow’s origins back to the Middle Ages when a semi-rural land called “Hetherewe” acted as a divider between farmland and heath (an area of open uncultivated land). This uncultivated land eventually got used to raise crops in the early 1800s and was used as farmland until the early 20th century, when man’s obsession with flying began.
04. Covid-19 Surge: Former UK Health Minister appeals for closure of International Borders
The UK has entered its third lockdown period, with schools closed and citizens instructed to stay at home.
Despite this, no border closures or additional measures have been put in place. Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt believes this hasn’t gone far enough, and has demanded all travel stops until we get control of the virus.
Jeremy Hunt, RCGP conference 2013
05. A new era for East African Regional Aviation as price wars take center stage
With Uganda airlines having revamped regional flights and recently acquiring the Airbus A330 neo, regional aviation has all taken a twist with all airlines fighting to win over customer trust.
The regions muscle head Kenya Airways (KQ) is one of the airlines taking on Uganda Airlines on major destinations which had earlier been dominated by the Kenyans.
The competition for numbers and dominance has seen regional airlines go as far as lessening their usual freight tickets as a way to lure in more customers and maintain a good customer taste.
Having attained the Airbus A330neo aircraft, Uganda Airlines said it will be flying long haul freights to Dubai, London, Guangzhou and Mumbai all which are routes that Kenya Airways currently services.
06. My Emirates Pass is back to sweeten 2021 with offers across the UAE
Emirates Airline is making travel to Dubai even sweeter in 2021 with the return of My Emirates Pass – an exclusive offer that turns the Emirates boarding pass into a membership card giving customers deals and discounts in over 450 restaurants, leisure destinations and retail outlets across UAE.
The pass has been extended this year giving customers even more chances to explore UAE for less.
Emirates Airlines’ customers flying to and through Dubai from 1 January to 30 September 2021 can take advantage of the exclusive offers by simply presenting their Emirates boarding pass and a valid form of identification at any of the participating outlets.
07. Popular long haul Destinations Uganda Airlines intends to Fly the Airbus A330neo
In December last year, Uganda Airlines took delivery of its brand new two A330neo Airbus which was received with a water salute as is the norm.
Having initially been scheduled to commence commercial flights to particular popular long haul destinations across the World such as; London Heathrow (LHR), Dubai (DXB), Guangzhou (CAN) and Mumbai (BOM) in addition to the already existing regional domestic flights operated within Africa such as; Nairobi, Kilimanjaro, Juba, Dar es Salaam, Kigali, Bujumbura, Mombasa, Mogadishu and the new added on route Kinshasha – DRC using the CRJ900 Bombardier series launched in August 2019.
According to Planespotter.net Uganda Airlines’ entire fleet was made up of just four Bombardier CRJ-900s with an average age of 1.6-years. Uganda Airlines’ plan is to operate the twin-engine regional jets on short-haul routes linking Kampala with other African capitals.
08. Uganda ranked 76th in the 2021 Henley Passport Index global ranking
Rated with a visa free score of 67, the Ugandan passport, which is the country’s official travel document ranks 76th in the recently released 2021 Henley Passport Index global ranking.
Having a visa free score of 67 implies that a Ugandan passport holder can access 67 countries without obtaining a visa prior to arrival. A visa is an official document that allows the bearer to legally enter a foreign country. The visa is usually stamped or glued into the bearer’s passport.
The Henley Passport Index is the original ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The ranking is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which maintains the world’s largest and most accurate database of travel information, and enhanced by ongoing research by the Henley & Partners Research Department.
09. Growing Wildlife numbers could enhance future human-wildlife conflicts
As wildlife numbers continue to swell within Uganda’s protected areas, this could fuel a major human-wildlife conflict in future experts anticipate. This is true for the fact that as wildlife population increases, there will be fewer feeding grounds forcing the animals to invade human spaces.
As of today, Uganda’s has a whooping population of 43.7 million people with a noted high population growth. Surprisingly, Uganda’s wildlife numbers are increasing at a high rate too.
10. East African countries set up web platform to track and check regional wildlife crimes
The East African regional countries have established a wildlife protection website that will help track down wildlife crimes in the region.
According to East Africa Association of Prosecutors (EAAP), one that setup the site, will enhance communication, promote co-operation on transnational wildlife crimes, data sharing, bilateral agreements, mutual legal assistance, harmonisation of laws, procedures, penalties and also collaborate in supporting the enforcement and prosecution of wildlife crimes.
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