This brand-new week, we present you our freshest new weekly Top Ten (10) digest for the most important stories and headlines making rounds in Uganda’s Tourism, the world of Aviation and Travel.
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. Happy reading!
01. Government scraps off compulsory Covid-19 testing at Entebbe Airport
Government on Tuesday called off an almost one and a half year obligatory COVID-19 testing for travelers transiting through Entebbe International Airport, both inbound and outbound.
While meeting the Parliamentary committee commissions, statutory authorities and state enterprises (COSASE) on Tuesday this week, Works and Transport Minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala revealed that only inbound passengers will be subjected to mandatory COVID-19 testing with negative PCR tests done within 72 hours but still show signs and symptoms of Coronavirus, although Government maintains its position in the scrap off of mandatory tests.
Works and Transport Minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala
02. MV Pamba resumes operations after 17 years suspended
Its a new dawn for the trans Victoria water transport as the much anticipated MV Pamba, which had been grounded for 17 years now, resumes full operation with a highly rehabilitated state of the art system.
The ferry’s service resumption was earlier commisioned off by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabanja at PortBell in Luzira, Uganda where the ship had been docked with rehabilitation works going on.
03. flydubai Ups Istanbul connectivity by re-adding Sabiha Gökçen flights
Dubai-based narrowbody airline flydubai is increasing its connectivity with the city of Istanbul. From March 2nd, the airline will resume flights to the city’s secondary Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW).
With the existing flights to Istanbul Airport (IST), the airline will offer 12 weekly flights to the city.
04. BA introducing passenger experience enhancements with focus on technology and sustainability
The airline is continuing to explore how technology can enhance the passenger journey and will introduce a new baggage tracing system, allowing customers to track their bag via their phone throughout their journey. Alongside automated lounge entry and new digital airport signage, this is part of British Airways’ efforts to making the traveller experience even more seamless and stress-free. There will also be changes at check-in, with dedicated desks for World Traveller Plus customers and a reimagined Skyflyers programme for children.
05. Emirates Airline increases Sydney flights frequency to twice daily
Starting on 01 March, Emirates will operate a second daily flight between Sydney and Dubai, totalling 14 weekly flights between the two cities. Additionally, EK414 departs Dubai every day at 02:00 and arrives in Sydney at 22:30 hours local time. At 6 a.m. local time, the EK415 flight from Sydney to Dubai departs and lands at 13:20 local time.
06. Roast and Rhyme to return with unparallel post-lockdown edition
Lovers of cold beer, live music and sizzling grilled meat have another reason to rejoice since the lifting of curfew with the much-anticipated return of the Roast and Rhyme festival.
This edition, dubbed the Reggae Ragga Nyam Nyam, will take place on the 27th of February at Jahazi Pier Munyonyo.
07. US tourism will come back strongly this year: WTTC
Barring further impact from Covid-19, the sector could make a $2 trillion GDP contribution, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 6.2 per cent.
News of the strong recovery follows steady gains in the sector during 2021 and signals the welcome comeback of one of the most important economic drivers after almost two years of upheaval.
08. Emirates opens new lounge for young flyers
Young travellers flying Emirates as unaccompanied minors can now relax and wait for their flight in a newly upgraded lounge dedicated for them at Dubai International Airport, located next to Emirates’ First-Class Lounge in Concourse B. Emirates’ lounge for unaccompanied minors is open 24/7, and the newly upgraded facility offers fun video games, drinks and snacks, comfortable seating areas, free wi-fi, and washrooms designed for kids.
09. Airlines call for End to unvaccinated passenger Hotel quarantine
A group representing international airlines has urged to end the mandated 14-day quarantine for unvaccinated travellers, calling the procedure “redundant.”
The Board of Airline Representatives of Australia (BARA), which represents 34 airlines that comprise up 90% of Australia’s international flights, has urged the government to “evaluate the need” for hotel quarantine on capped unvaccinated arrivals.
10. African airlines lost $9b revenue to pandemic in 2021 – Report
The loss is projected to have occurred as stringent Covid-19 measures such as travel restrictions continued to cause turbulence in the aviation market. The loss is almost half the revenues the airlines earned in 2019.
However, The African Airlines Association (Afraa) blamed governments for placing stringent travel advisories, that have left airlines in the continent struggling with operations and cash flows, even when lesser stringent measures could come to play.
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