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Aviation This Week – January Edition 3

By Mark Ofosu, Aviation Enthusiast
Maritime, Port & Aviation Aviation This Week – January Edition 3
JAN 16, 2021 LISTEN

Summaries for this week’s topical aviation news compilation features events between January 11- 16, 2021.

Emirates Suspends Flights to South Africa, Australia

Between January 16th and January 28th, 2021 Emirates will be suspending all flights to South Africa. The airline cites operational reasons for its decision. For passengers who will be transiting with Emirates from Dubai, the airline intends to deny them boarding from their original point of origin within the period.

Similarly, the airline by January 20, 2021 will also be suspending flights to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne until further notice.

Affected passengers are encouraged to consider a rebooking option.

In a separate development, the airline will be resuming non-stop flights between Dubai and Seattle on February 1, 2021, with San Francisco and Dallas on March 2, 2021.

Zoomlion Disinfects Kumasi Airport

The Vector Control Services of Zoomlion has undertaken a disinfection exercise this week at the Kumasi Airport to get rid of pests and rodents.

According to Zoomlion, the exercise is to pave way for another disinfection exercise that is targeted at getting rid of bacteria and viruses at the airport.

Four Investors Plan to Operate Airlines in Ghana

Aviation Ghana says its sources at the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority have confirmed receiving an application from four investors for an Air Carrier License (ACL).

For an ACL, its requirements must be met before an Air Operators Certificate can be given for the commencement of commercial operations.

Per reports, the investors plan to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area to operate regional and domestic flights.

ACI Declares Kotoka International Airport, 20 Others Safe

Under the Airport Council International’s (ACI) Health Accreditation Program, Kotoka International Airport and twenty other airports around the world have been declared as safe to travel from/to.

The program allows airports across the globe to demonstrate how they prioritize health and safety. The program has become a necessity in a bid to encourage the safe restart and recovery of the aviation sector in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Qatar Airways Resumes Flights to Saudi Arabia

Qatar Airways has resumed flights between Doha and Riyadh as well as Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The flight resumption which begun on January 11th and 14th in the two Saudi cities respectively, marked the lifting of the blockade by the neighbors of Qatar which for many years prevented the airline from flying into or across the Saudi airspace.

With Qatar Airways operating now in Ghana, this presents a big opportunity to the Muslim Community who visit Mecca for the ‘Holy Pilgrimage’, Hajj.

US now Requires Negative COVID-19 Test for International Passengers

Effective January 26, 2021, persons travelling to the United States (US) will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or proof of recovery from the virus. The test must be done 3 days prior to the flight.

The US which for some time now did not have a general mandatory requirement for COVID-19 statuses of international passengers across all states is now implementing this measure to decrease the spread of the virus while mass vaccination of its citizens is underway.

Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways Recognized for COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways have achieved the diamond status rating in the Airline Passenger Experience Association’s (APEX) Health Safety Powered by aviation marketing consultancy, SimpliFlying.

The rating is in recognition of the measures put in place by both airlines in the prevention of COVID-19.

US Airlines to Play a Major Role ahead of Biden’s Inauguration

Ahead of the inauguration of President-elect of the United States (US), Joe Biden on January 20, 2021, passengers travelling to the US on-board US-based airlines particularly, should not be surprised to see enhanced security measures by these airlines and even at the airports.

Airlines will be on high alerts for firearms, prevent passengers from consuming alcohol on-baord, among others in the days leading to and on the inauguration day itself.

All these will be measures in place to create a safe environment for the inauguration, considering the US’ history with “9-11”, so passengers are encouraged to bear with these airlines especially Delta Air Lines (as in the case of travelers from Ghana).

Authored

Mark Ofosu ꟾꟾ Aviation Geek ꟾꟾ [email protected] ꟾꟾ

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