US ends pre-departure testing requirement
The US CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) order from 2 December 2021, requiring persons aged two and above to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States, was rescinded, effective 12 June 2022. This means that air passengers will not need to get tested and show a negative COVID-19 test result or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 prior to boarding a flight to the United States regardless of vaccination status or citizenship. For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19Vaccintation for Air Passengers on CDC’s website.
Emirates offers first class customers the option of checking in at home
Emirates has launched a new home check-in service for first class customers based in Dubai or Sharjah. The new initiative sees a check-in agent visiting the customer’s home or hotel at a pre-booked time, to complete formalities including document verification, the checking-in of baggage, and the issuing of boarding passes.
Luggage is taken straight to the airport, allowing first class customers to travel baggage-free using the carrier’s complimentary chauffeur-drive service. They can then head straight to immigration, security and Emirates’ first class lounge. Should the customer have any extra luggage on arrival at the airport, this can be checked in at an allocated counter.
Gatwick to limit flight capacity during July and August
Gatwick airport has announced plans to limit the growth in flights during the summer holiday period, in an attempt to reduce delays and cancellations which have plagued UK airports in recent months.
The move follows a review which found that “a number of companies based at Gatwick are, and will continue to, operate with a severe lack of staff resources over the summer holiday period”.
Aviation resilience planning
A strategic risk group has been set up to identify possible interventions to alleviate flight disruptions and improve the resilience of the aviation sector.
Travel news as a glance:
- Cathay Pacific sets out plans to double network by year-end
- Finnair reopens Platinum Wing at Helsinki airport
- Lufthansa has unveiled a special livery and aircraft interior design in celebration of Pride Month.
- Dubai International on course to reopen northern runway on 22 June
- Lufthansa cancels 900 flights across its network due to “bottlenecks and staff shortages”
- UK rail users warned to expect ‘very limited’ trains during strike