This brand new week, we bring you our fresh new weekly Top Ten (10) digest for the most important things in Uganda’s Tourism, the world of Aviation and Travel that have trending especially in this COVID-19 Era. As always, we will be giving you highlights that make News rounds all through from start of the week. Below is our Weekly Newsletter for your readership.
01. IATA says the Airline industry may not break even this year
In contrast to its forecast issued in December, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) now believes airlines will not turn cash positive before the end of the year. With new COVID variants emerging and borders closing once again, IATA predicts a worse-than-expected cash burn, as much as double its estimate at the end of last year.
When IATA issued its forecast for the global aviation market back in December, hopes were high that the uptick in activity would be positive through 2021. With the vaccine approved and borders starting to reopen, IATA predicted a challenging first half of the year, but with hope for a cash positive end to 2021.
02. The US registers increasing demand for air travel during the weekend
As a sign of increasing confidence in air travel, US passenger traffic has surpassed one million a day for the third straight weekend. However, this time, the numbers were just as good on Thursday, February 25th, as they were on Friday the 26th– an increasing sign that customers are willing to get back onboard planes as the busy summer season starts to set in.
February has been turning out better than many had expected, with weekends seeing high traveler numbers.
MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 29: Passengers look out at American Airlines flight 718, a Boeing 737 Max, parked at its gate at Miami International Airport as people load for the flight to New York on December 29, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Boeing 737 Max flew its first commercial flight since the aircraft was allowed to return to service nearly two years after being grounded worldwide following a pair of separate crashes. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Emirates’ Economy Class customers can now enjoy even more personal space and privacy onboard with the ability to purchase up to three empty adjoining seats on their flight.
These seats will be offered to all Economy Class customers holding a confirmed booking.
Customers will not be able to pre-book empty seats, as these are subject to availability. Empty seats will only be offered for purchase at the airport check-in counter prior to flight departure, and costs range from AED 200 to AED 600 (US$ 55 to US$ 165) per empty seat, plus applicable taxes depending on flight sector.
04. Modernizing the Airport Lounge post the Covid – 19 Era
As travel returns, people will be eager to get moving. According to a global survey of 22,000 frequent flyers in Collinson’s Priority Pass airport lounge membership programme, which was conducted in July 2020, three in four frequent flyers (71%) wished to return to travel either immediately or within the following three to six months.
When it is possible to freely travel once more, consumers will be clamouring to get back to doing what they love.
Chris Calumberan
05. Kenya Airways introduces new ‘Economy MAX’ seating product
Kenya Airways has this week revealed a new product for its economy passengers. Named ‘Economy Max,’ the upgrade will give fliers the ability to purchase an adjacent seat or the entire row for their forthcoming economy class flight. Seats can be bought between 48 hours and three hours prior to the flight.
Despite the name, Kenya Airways’ latest offering for passengers has no relation to a certain notorious narrowbody aircraft. Rather, it is a smart new solution to the worries of travelers spending many hours in close proximity to other people.
Kenya Airways cabin crew members (R), waive flags as they usher passengers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), after the official launch on resumption of local flights in Nairobi, on July 15, 2020. (Photo by Simon MAINA / AFP) (Photo by SIMON MAINA/AFP via Getty Images)
Honoring its commitment to the health and safety of its employees and customers, Emirates Airlines today has become among the first airlines in the world to operate a flight with fully vaccinated frontline teams servicing customers at every touchpoint of the travel journey.
Also supporting the flight’s operations were fully vaccinated aircraft appearance, loading and special handling teams from dnata, as well as SkyCargo teams working on the cargo and logistics requirements for EK215.
07. KLM seeks to launch new package holiday arm
According to a report from Reuters, KLM has bought a significant share in Airtrade, a Dutch airline ticket consolidation and tourism package specialist. The acquisition will allow KLM to quickly expand its travel package offerings without building more of its own infrastructure. Airtrade is the leading airline consolidator in the Benelux Union (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg).
The new arm will be known as “KLM Holidays” when it launches and will boost KLM’s existing ‘Flight & Hotel’ deal offerings. In a statement, KLM Netherlands director Harm Kreulen laid out a high bar for the new company, saying, “We want to be among the top three tour operators for flight holidays.”
It should be noted that KLM already owns Transavia Airlines, and its holiday arm, which caters to a significant share of Dutch holiday traffic. The expansion means the KLM is now looking to take on some of the biggest holiday flight operators in Europe and globally.
SCHIPHOL, NETHERLANDS – 2020/09/08: Flight attendants and pilots seen with their luggage. Schiphol airport is busy again operating under measures to help restrict the spread of covid-19, as KLM receives a support package of 3.4 billion euros to survive through the coronavirus crisis. (Photo by Robin Utrecht/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
08. Africa Travel Week 2021 unveils unique package for Tourism SMEs
A special package that focuses on bringing business, providing industry insights, trends and connecting African tourism and travel SMEs to buyers has been incorporated into the novel Africa Travel Week (ATW) virtual event for this year.
The package gives SMEs access to multiple channels to showcase and do their businesses through a single virtual platform through ATW.
Disclosing this was Megan Oberholzer, Director, Travel, Tourism and Creative Industries at Reed Exhibitions on the VA Tourism Podcast.
09. Covid – 19: RwandAir to start using IATA’s Health Passport
Rwandair is set to become the first African airline to use IATA’s Travel Pass health passport. In April, the airline is set to launch the app for a three-week trial on one short-haul route. It comes after other airlines continue to seek health passport solutions.
Around the world, health passports are being seen as a way to potentially overcome harsh travel restrictions brought in to stem the international spread of the COVID-19 virus. While not a totally new concept, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the travel industry to invest time and money into developing a digital solution for travel.
10. How Internet penetration has promoted Gorilla Tracking in South Western Uganda
Internet and Tourism are closely virtually intermarried and co – exist especially when it comes to destination marketing, selling of tourism products, and also bookings and payments among others.
The boost in Gorilla tracking activities and visits in Uganda’s Western region based Bwindi Impenetrable National – the Gorilla hub, DRC and Rwanda has mainly been due to proper increased usage of internet and social media by travelers who showcase to the world the course of embarking on an adventure in Uganda for enticing their colleagues across the World and the region to take on a memorable trip to the same spots or anyother destinations of their own.
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