Aer Lingus will re-start its direct service from Dublin to Orlando today, Saturday, November 27.
From this weekend, Dublin to Orlando will operate three flights per week to connect families, friends, and business in the run up to the holiday period. This weekly schedule of direct flights to Orlando will fly on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
LATAM Airlines Group S.A. and its affiliates in Brazil,ย Chile,ย Colombia,ย Ecuador,ย Peru, andย the United States today announced the filing of a Plan of Reorganization, which reflects the path forward for the group to exit Chapter 11 in compliance with both U.S. and Chilean law.
The Plan is accompanied by a Restructuring Support Agreement (the “RSA”) with the Parent Ad Hoc Group, which is the largest unsecured creditor group in these Chapter 11 cases, and certain of LATAM’s shareholders. The RSA documents the agreement between LATAM, the aforementioned holders of more than 70% of parent unsecured claims and holders of approximately 48% of 2024 and 2026 U.S. Notes, and certain shareholders holding more than 50% of common equity, subject to the execution of definitive documentation by the parties and the obtaining of corporate approvals by those shareholders. As they have throughout the process, all of the companies in the group are continuing to operate as travel conditions and demand permit.
Plan Overview
The Plan proposes the infusion ofย $8.19 billionย into the group through a mix of new equity, convertible notes, and debt, which will enable the group toย exit Chapter 11 with appropriate capitalization to effectuate its business plan. Upon emergence, LATAM is expected to have total debt of approximatelyย $7.26 billion1ย and liquidity of approximatelyย $2.67 billion. The group has determined that this is a conservative debt load and appropriate liquidity in a period of continued uncertainty for global aviation and will better position the group going forward.
Specifically, the Plan outlines that:
aha! made this announcement:
aha!,ย poweredย by veteran ExpressJet Airlines officially took flight last monthย with a nonstop flight toย Pasco/Tri-Cities, Wash., the first of eight new destinations serviced by the carrier. This month the airline surpassed 100 flights, connecting these smaller, under-serviced airports throughout the western U.S. to its hub in Reno-Tahoe.
Of the ten announced markets,ย aha!ย now serves eight communities three times a week with 50-seat Embraer ERJ145 regional jets.
Nonstop flights now in service
Nonstop service will also begin onย Dec. 15ย toย Spokane, Wash.ย and onย Jan. 3, 2022ย toย Palm Springs. In the coming months,ย aha!ย plans toย reachย more than 20 destinations in theย westernย United States.
The United States said today it will join other countries and restrict travel from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.
As previously reported, the new COVID-19 variant, known as the omicron strain which has been circulating around South Africa, has been flagged as a variant of concern by the WHO.
The WHO issued this statement:
The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) is an independent group of experts that periodically monitors and evaluates the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and assesses if specific mutations and combinations of mutations alter the behaviour of the virus. The TAG-VE was convened on 26 November 2021 to assess the SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529.
The B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to WHO from South Africa on 24 November 2021. The epidemiological situation in South Africa has been characterized by three distinct peaks in reported cases, the latest of which was predominantly the Delta variant. In recent weeks, infections have increased steeply, coinciding with the detection of B.1.1.529 variant. The first known confirmed B.1.1.529 infection was from a specimen collected on 9 November 2021.
This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other VOCs. The number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa. Current SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostics continue to detect this variant. Several labs have indicated that for one widely used PCR test, one of the three target genes is not detected (called S gene dropout or S gene target failure) and this test can therefore be used as marker for this variant, pending sequencing confirmation. Using this approach, this variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage.
There are a number of studies underway and the TAG-VE will continue to evaluate this variant. WHO will communicate new findings with Member States and to the public as needed.
Based on the evidence presented indicative of a detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology, the TAG-VE has advised WHO that this variant should be designated as a VOC, and the WHO has designated B.1.1.529 as a VOC, named Omicron.
As such, countries are asked to do the following:
Individuals are reminded to take measures to reduce their risk of COVID-19, including proven public health and social measures such as wearing well-fitting masks, hand hygiene, physical distancing, improving ventilation of indoor spaces, avoiding crowded spaces, and getting vaccinated.
For reference,ย WHO hasย working definitionsย for SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Interest (VOI) and Variant of Concern (VOC).
A SARS-CoV-2ย VOIย is a SARS-CoV-2 variant:
A SARS-CoV-2ย VOCย is a SARS-CoV-2 variant that meets the definition of a VOI (see above) and, through a comparative assessment, has been demonstrated to be associated with one or more of the following changes at a degree of global public health significance:
These are the countries that have announced restrictions so far:
More from CNN:
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/new-covid-variant-south-africa-11-26-21/index.html
Airline stocks were hit hard on Wall Street today:
From Reuters:
“Iberia airline’s chief commercial officer said on Thursday the Spain-based company was now more pessimistic than optimistic about the acquisition of its rival Air Europa after the latest regulatory setback in the half-billion-euro takeover bid.”
Read the full story.
The WestJet Group today announced a significant expansion to its COVID-19 testing program through AZOVA, a leading digital health technology platform, giving guests the confidence to book their holiday travel knowing all their COVID testing requirements are available through a convenient and easy-to-use site atย https://www.azova.com/westjetswoop/.
With AZOVA’s app-based program, guests have access to a vast network of approved testing locations across Canada and the majority of WestJet transborder and international destinations. Additionally, AZOVA offers rapid molecular self-administered testing options with video proctoring services that allow for testing and validation certificates. Guests can take these testsย from the comfort of home, or in any destination to meet the Government of Canada’s pre-entry PCR test requirements AZOVA’s COVID-19 testing services meet entry requirements for each destination and enable travellers to take self-administered or in-person tests prior to departure.
“As many of our guests look to book holiday travel outside Canada for the first time in almost two years, it’s critical that we provide our guests with the peace of mind knowing that all the COVID testing requirements they will face throughout their journey can be conveniently booked, conducted and stored in the AZOVA app,” said Dr. Tammy McKnight, WestJet’s Chief Medical Officer. “We’ve heard from our guests that pre-departure testing, and entry requirements are confusing, complex and inconsistent. We are confident that AZOVA’s easy-to-use self-testing options and network of testing locations will give guests the confidence they need to plan their next flight or vacation.”
“COVID testing requirements can be overwhelming and confusing with different requirements for every destination. AZOVA provides an end to end and seamless solution to enable guests to quickly identify what test is needed for any destination and to quickly purchase or schedule the tests that are needed anywhere in the world through a single application. We are thrilled to be working with WestJet and Swoop to bring this solution to guests and travellers everywhere,” said Cheryl Lee Eberting, MD, CEO and Founder of AZOVA. “Once you have received your test results, enter your AZOVA Credential ID into the AZOVA WestJet and Swoop site and receive a travel clearance on the AZOVA app for your destination. You can simply show your travel clearance at the gate with no paperwork and no confusing forms required.”
Portable Self-Administered Testing & In-Destination Lab Testing
Guests who are traveling outside of Canada for a period of more than 72 hours after November 30th will be required to present a negative molecular test taken within 72 hours of their flight. AZOVA offers an at-home RT-LAMP test, called the Lucira Check-It COVID-19 test kit with video proctoring which can be purchased and delivered to your home in Canada. These tests can be taken in the comfort of your home to meet the entrance requirements of most destinations, and can be packed and taken with you to be taken in destination to meet the requirements for return travel back to Canada.
In addition to availability in Canada, AZOVA also offers the Lucira Check-It COVID-19 test kit to be purchased and delivered to your destination in the United States.
UK Health Security Agency issued this statement:
The government is taking decisive precautionary action against a new COVID-19 variant by introducing travel restrictions on arrivals from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia from midday tomorrow (Friday, November 26, 2021).
It comes as Variant B.1.1.529 is declared a variant under investigation (VuI) by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The variant includes a large number of spike protein mutations as well as mutations in other parts of the viral genome. These are potentially biologically significant mutations which may change the behavior of the virus with regards to vaccines, treatments and transmissibility. More investigation is required.
No cases have been identified in the UK. Weโre taking these precautionary measures to protect public health and the progress weโve made so far through our successful vaccination program.
From midday on Friday 26 November, non-UK and Irish residents who have been in these countries in the previous 10 days will be refused entry into England. This does not apply to those who have stayed airside and only transited through any of these countries while changing flights.
UK and Irish residents arriving between midday Friday 26 November and 4am Sunday 28 November from these six countries will be required to self-isolate at home for 10 days. They must take PCR tests on Day 2 and Day 8 post-arrival. These can be NHS PCR tests and passengers should take them even if they have already booked or taken their lateral flow test.
UK and Irish residents arriving from 4am Sunday must isolate in a government-approved facility for 10 days. During their stay, they will be required to take a coronavirus test on day 2 and day 8.
A temporary ban on commercial and private planes traveling from the six countries will also come into force at midday on Friday until 4am Sunday to reduce the risk of importing this new variant under investigation while hotel quarantine is stood up. This excludes cargo and freight without passengers.
The UK government thanks the government of South Africa for its surveillance of this variant and its transparency.
Meanwhile UKHSA continues to monitor the situation closely, in partnership with scientific and public health organizations across the world, and we will offer to work collaboratively with the 6 countries that have been currently placed on the UK red list to understand the virus and possible mitigations.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, said:
As part of our close surveillance of variants across the world, we have become aware of the spread of a new potentially concerning variant, which UKHSA has designated a variant under investigation.
We are taking precautionary action to protect public health and the progress of our vaccine rollout at a critical moment as we enter winter, and we are monitoring the situation closely.
I want to pay tribute to our world-leading scientists who are working constantly to keep our country safe, and I urge everyone to keep doing their bit by the getting the jab and following public health guidance.
Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said:
Weโve always maintained public safety is our number one priority, which is why weโve kept in place measures which allow us to protect the UK from new variants.
Weโre taking this early precautionary action now to protect the progress made across the country, and will continue to keep a close eye on the situation as we continue into the winter.
Dr Jenny Harries, UKHSA Chief Executive, said:
Scientists at UKHSA are in constant close collaboration with colleagues around the world to identify and assess variants as soon as they emerge. This is the most significant variant we have encountered to date and urgent research is underway to learn more about its transmissibility, severity and vaccine-susceptibility. The results of these investigations will determine what public health actions may limit the impact of B.1.1.529.
This is a clear reminder to everyone that this pandemic is not over, and we all have a responsibility to do what we can to limit transmission and reduce the infection rate and prevent the emergence of new variants. This means coming forward for vaccination as soon as possible and following public health advice. Wear a face covering in crowded places where itโs difficult to avoid coming into close contact with others, try to meet people in well-ventilated areas and seek a test immediately if you have symptoms.
The first genomes of this variant were uploaded to the internationalย GISAIDย database on 22 November. Genomes have now been uploaded from South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong but the extent of spread is not yet determined.
The government has been clear it will take decisive action if necessary to contain the virus and has taken the decision to add these destinations to the red list.
We continue to work with the hospitality sector to ensure it is ready to meet any increased demand โ with hundreds of rooms on standby which can be made available to book as needed.
British nationals in these countries should check Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice and follow local guidance. The FCDO will continue to offer tailored consular assistance to British nationals in country in need of support overseas on a 24/7 basis.
The UKHSA produces risk assessments of the spread of variants of concern or variants under investigation internationally. These risk assessments cover a range of factors for each country including assessment of surveillance and sequencing capability, available surveillance and genome sequencing data, evidence of in-country community transmission of COVID-19 variants, evidence of exportation of new variants to the UK or other countries and travel connectivity with the UK.
WHO calls special meeting to discuss new Covid variant found in South Africa with โa large number of mutationsโ
Qatar Airwaysโ inaugural flight from Doha to Almaty in Kazakhstan landed at Almaty International Airport on Friday, November 19, 2021 (above), marking the launch of the airlineโs newest gateway in Central Asia.
The new direct services to Almaty will be operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft.
In other news, Qatar Airways, Official Airline of FIFA, delivered a special fly-by above all eight FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022โข stadiums with the iconic Winnerโs Trophy and a special FIFA legend on board, as part of day-long festivities to mark one year until the much-awaited tournament.
The special Boeing 777-300 aircraft (A7-BEB) (below), painted with bespoke FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022โข livery took center stage, carrying the Winnerโs Trophy. Cafu, one of the most-capped players in Brazilโs history, a FIFA World Cupโขย winner in 1994 and 2002 and a Qatar Legacy Ambassador was there to witness the fly-by and share the excitement of countdown to the iconic event.
Video:
Above Copyright Photo: Qatar Airways Boeing 777-3DZ ER A7-BEB (msn 43215) (FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022) MST (Rainer Bexten). Image: 952060.
Qatar Airways aircraft slide show:
Qatar Airways aircraft photo gallery:
Emirates has signed a codeshare agreement with airBaltic to offer customers enhanced connectivity to/from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Finland. The codeshare partnership will open new travel opportunities and offer Emiratesโ customers convenient access to the Baltic Sea region. airBalitc customersโ will also benefit from seamless access to Emiratesโ extensive network, via Dubai.
The codeshare agreement will offer customers from key markets across the Middle East, West Asia, Far East and Australia, greater access and connectivity to the Baltic States.
Emirates will place its โEKโ marketed code on airBaltic flights operated between: Dubai – Riga (Latvia); Riga – Tallin (Estonia); Riga – Vilnius (Lithuania); and Riga – Helsinki (Finland). airBalitc will also place its โBTโ marketed code on Emiratesโ routes between: Dubai – Bangkok (Thailand); and Dubai – Jakarta (Indonesia).
Emirates currently has codeshare agreements in place with 22 airline partners and two rail companies. The airline also has an interline agreement with over 115 airlines and rail companies.
Emirates has resumed passenger services to more than 120 destinations via Dubai.
WestJet, together with TELUS, trialled Trusted Boarding, a touchless process that uses safe and secure facial verification technology to verify travelers’ identity prior to boarding a flight. The trial was the first-of-its-kind in Canada and took place at the YYC Calgary International Airport.
WestJet’s Trusted Boarding trial demonstrated that the responsible use of biometric boarding technology provides sufficient document validation and prevents non-authorized individuals from boarding an aircraft. Trial guests boarded WestJet flight 8901 through facial verification with their digital identity wallet on Embross’ Canadian made biometric hardware and boarding application at Gate 88. The trial marked the first step towards the implementation of the technology as WestJet works with the Government of Canada to seek full approval for its use as a safe and secure alternative for future WestJet boarding at Canadian airports.
WestJet’s Trusted Boarding trial demonstrated that the responsible use of biometric boarding technology provides sufficient document validation and prevents non-authorized individuals from boarding an aircraft. Trial guests boarded WestJet flight 8901 through facial verification with their digital identity wallet on Embross’ Canadian made biometric hardware and boarding application at Gate 88. The trial marked the first step towards the implementation of the technology as WestJet works with the Government of Canada to seek full approval for its use as a safe and secure alternative for future WestJet boarding at Canadian airports.
You must be logged in to post a comment.