Aviation This Week – March Edition 2

Highlights for this week’s aviation industry news are relevant happenings from March 8 – 13, 2021.

PassionAir Celebrates International Women’s Day with All-Female Flight

PassionAir on March 8, 2021 as part of celebrations of International Women’s Day, operated an all-female flight. All operations at the check-in, flight dispatch, flight deck and cabin were manned by women.

This is the second flight operated by an all-female crew after the airline operated a similar flight from Accra to Tamale on February 20, 2021.

Cabinet Approves Ghana’s Partnership with Strategic Investor for National Carrier

In his presentation of the State of the Nation Address delivered on March 8, 2021, President Akufo-Addo indicated that cabinet has approved the decision for the country to partner a strategic investor for the establishment of a national carrier.

It would be recalled that, Ghana last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EgytptAir to establish a new airline. Subsequently, further plans for the airline’s establishment have been hinged on cabinet and parliamentary approvals.

Vflyair Gearing Up for Commercial Operations

Vflyair Ghana as part of its plans to commence commercial operations in Ghana has announced that its Air Carrier License (ACL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) are in process. The AOC and ACL are parts of the conditions that must be satisfied before an airline can be granted permission to commence commercial operations in a country.

The Vietnam based airline, which operates cargo and charter services, announced last year that it was hopeful of beginning operations in the first quarter of this year.

Qatar Airways Begins Usage of IATA Travel Pass

Qatar Airways has begun the trial of the IATA Travel Pass on its Doha – Istanbul route. The airline announced the usage of the ‘pass’ to help promote contactless services at airports starting March 11, 2021.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Pass is a mobile application which allows passengers to share their COVID-19 status and vaccination details with airlines and governments of the visiting countries. It also allows passengers to get updated with travel requirements by countries.

Emirates Introduces Special Fares for Vacation Planners

Emirates is giving its customers the best option to plan for vacations to the Maldives, Seychelles, Amman, Istanbul and Moscow with airfares starting around US$434. Customers have up to March 18, 2021 to make bookings for travels until June 15, 2021.

EgyptAir Offering Customers 40% Discount to/from London

EgyptAir is offering its customers the opportunity to get up to a 40% discount on tickets purchased from now till the end of March, 2021 to/from London. Tickets must be used before June 30, 2021.

Turkish Airlines Advises Passengers to Fill Online Entry Form

Turkish Airlines has announced that per regulations introduced by the Turkish Authorities, arriving passengers to Turkey must fill out an online entry form within 72 hours ahead of scheduled arrivals as of March 15, 2021.

The form requests for a traveler’s name, passport number, nationality, country of origin, residential address in Turkey and last countries visited by the traveler. Forms can be accessed on http://register.health.gov.tr

Delta Airlines to allow Passengers Pay for Onboard Purchases Digitally

As more food and beverage options return onboard, Delta is allowing its passengers to make all payments for services purchased with the use of mobile phones or contactless credit cards starting March 16, 2021.

The airline allows passengers to further enjoy contactless services through the use of the Fly Delta App.

British Airways Grants Customers on Loyalty Program 1 year Free Renewal

In appreciating its customers for their loyalty throughout the COVID pandemic, British Airways says it will be protecting the Tier status of Executive Club members for a further year. This means that any member renewing in 2021 will enjoy their status for another year, irrespective of how many Tier Points they earn.

Authored

Mark Ofosu || Twitter: M__ofosu