Business Travel News : August 2020
It is recommended that travellers contact airlines directly in regards to their routes, flight updates and availability. For a comprehensive list of airlines and their current flight updates please view COVID-19 Travel Updates.
Airlines/Airports.
Emirates to resume flights to Bangkok from 1 September
Emirates announces the resumption of passenger services to Bangkok with daily flights starting from 1 September. The flights between Dubai and Bangkok will be operated with an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft offering seats in First, Business and Economy class. The resumption of flights to Bangkok will expand Emirates’ current network to 78 cities in September, providing travellers convenient connections via Dubai to the popular Thai destination. News Source: Emirates
Japan Airlines to trial touchless check-in kiosks at Tokyo Haneda Airport
Japan Airlines announced the decision to trial new touchless technology at Tokyo Haneda Airport, starting August 24. The new kiosks will be equipped with state-of-the-art touchless sensors, which allow customers to complete the check-in process without actually touching the screen. Through the use of infrared technology, customers will be able to make their selections by holding their finger 3 centimeters away from the check-in system. News Source: Japan Airlines
Virgin Atlantic provides free COVID-19 insurance cover for all bookings
Virgin Atlantic has introduced Virgin Atlantic COVID-19 Cover, which will apply to all existing and new bookings travelling from 24 August 2020 up until 31 March 2021. The insurance policy is fulfilled by Allianz Assistance and covers emergency medical and associated expenses while abroad totalling £500,000 per customer – the highest value of policy offered by any airline to date, with no excess payment required. News Source: Virgin Atlantic
ACI World has developed a new app to provide airport health measures to passengers
Airports Council International (ACI) World has launched a new mobile app which provides passengers with information about the health measures in place at individual airports around the world. The Check & Fly app complements ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation programme which provides an assessment of measures in accordance with ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Task Force recommendations and in alignment with the joint EASA and ECDC Aviation Health Safety Protocol and ACI EUROPE’s Guidelines for a Healthy Passenger Experience at Airports. News Source: ACI
Beijing Capital International Airport has automated passenger journey using biometrics technology
Beijing Capital International Airport has completely automated the entire passenger journey using SITA technology, including the implementation of over 600 biometric checkpoints through the airport: 250 lanes of automatic gates, 80 kiosks, and 30 self-bag drop stations which will process passengers from international flights. Passengers only need to enroll once during check-in, then experience a seamless and touchless journey through the airport enabled by facial recognition. News Source: SITA
Transfer / Transit Services at HKIA for Passengers from Airports in Mainland China Resume on 15 August
Transfer/transit services at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for passengers from airports in Mainland China resume with effect from 15 August 2020 until 15 October 2020. The layover time of the transfer/transit passengers at HKIA must be within 24 hours. Passengers should also confirm in advance that they are able to enter the final destination. News Source: HKIA
Passengers can now text cleaning and safety questions directly to United Airlines
United Airlines has recently launched a new chat function, the United Automated Assistant to give customers a contactless option to receive immediate access to information about cleaning and safety procedures put in place due to COVID-19. Customers can text “Clean” to FLYUA and get answers to questions about masks, boarding procedures, touchless check-in options and more, without having to call, search online or wait in a line for an answer. News Source: United Airlines
Etihad Airways introduces MicrobeBARRIER™ face protection for premium passengers
Etihad Airways has launched innovative new protective wear for First and Business class guests. The soft reusable snood has been treated with MicrobeBARRIER™ fabric treatment, a broad spectrum antimicrobial treatment, laboratory tested and proven to reduce the presence of germs in fabrics. With this long-lasting protective layer, the snoods are washable and reusable, making them environmentally friendly. News Source: Etihad
Kansai Airports has opened e-gates at international departures
Kansai Airport in Japan has equipped itself with 12 e-gates, offering an optimal, contactless and secure travel experience. Travelers can now scan their boarding pass themselves to enter the airport security check area. The new gates are located at the border control points for international departures within Terminal 1. News Source: VINCI Airports
Emirates to deploy its flagship A380 to Guangzhou
Emirates has announced that it will deploy its iconic A380 aircraft to Guangzhou from 8 August 2020. The Emirates A380 experience remains highly sought after by travellers for its spacious and comfortable cabins. Customers can currently fly the Emirates A380 daily to Amsterdam, four times a week to Cairo, twice daily to London Heathrow, once daily to Paris, and once weekly to Guangzhou soon. News Source: Emirates
Hotels
Ascott offers ‘Work in Residence’ and ‘Space-as-a-Service’ in its properties
Ascott has launched ‘Work in Residence’ across over 60 participating properties in more than 30 cities and over 10 countries, leveraging its design strengths to transform selected apartments into conducive work suites which guests can now book on its website. It is also providing ‘Space-as-a-Service’ by exploring with multinational corporation, entrepreneurs and small-medium enterprises different possibilities to optimise the use of space in its properties. News Source: Ascott