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West Bengal Chief Secy meets airlines, travel agents to resume Europe flights

The state government has been urging the representatives of international airlines and senior travel agents in the city to explore the possibility of resuming direct flights between Kolkata and European countries, which got suspended earlier this year. State Chief Secretary, H K Dwivedi, recently met office bearers of three major travel agents’ bodies and the representatives of multiple airlines, including Air India, that used to operate a weekly direct flight between Kolkata and London till March 20. “The state government is concerned about the snapping of the direct air link between Kolkata and Europe. The state tourism department is taking multiple steps in this regard. We are also in talks with multiple international airlines and inviting senior officials to Kolkata to showcase the facilities and potential passenger footfall,” said Anil Punjabi, Chairman, Travel Agents Federation of India, East. The last Air India flight from Kolkata to London took off on March 20, severing the only direct connection the city had with Europe. Sources said the decision was prompted by the grounding of several Air India aircraft to get them refurbished as part of Tata Group’s efforts to reposition the airline and its brand image post takeover

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Venice postpones ‘tourist tax’ on travelers till 2023

As per the latest developments, Venice has postponed its plans to charge visitors a ‘tourist tax’ to manage over tourism. As reported earlier, Venetian authorities announced that tourists heading to Venice would be charged between $3.14 and $10.56 per day. This tourism hotspot initially approved the tourist tax in a way to help curb the ‘overwhelming number of day trippers' heading to the city, along with making up for the financial losses that the city endured during the Coronavirus pandemic. However, now this tourist hotspot has backtracked on its decision, and following a vote by the Venice town council, the authorities have decided that the booking and payment system will now launch next year. The move comes just one month after the city announced the launch of its portal for incoming tourists to facilitate their process of booking their visiting slots. The initial launch plan was part of a larger crackdown on over tourism, which the ancient canal city has been battling over the years, in addition to the problem of sinking under rising sea levels. So now, although the tax idea did manage to receive positive reactions from locals, Venice authorities have voted to delay the introduction of the fee until January 16, 2023. If reports are to go by, when the new rule comes into effect, travelers visiting the city for a day will have to pre-book their visit, as well as pay an entrance fee using a dedicated booking app. Prices will likely vary from around $3 during offseason to $11 on the busiest days.

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Germany eases COVID-19 entry rules from June 1 – Funke Mediengruppe

Starting on June 1, Germany will put an end to several of its travel restrictions imposed due to COVID-19, the German Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach, has announced. “Until the end of August, we will suspend the 3G rule on entry,” he told the Funke Mediengruppe newspaper. The 3G rule requires travelers to present a valid vaccination, recovery, or test certificate in order to enter the country. This rule will be lifted, at least for the summer season, while the number of COVID-19 infections in the country has reduced significantly, SchengenVisaInfo.com reported. However, arrivals from the so-called “virus variant areas” will remain subject to travel restrictions, such as entering a 14-day quarantine on arrival, regardless of vaccination status. Currently, no countries are considered as a virus variant area in the German list. “When such areas are defined, people entering the country have to go into quarantine. Even with lower incidences in the summer, we must remain cautious in the event of a global pandemic,” the Health Minister said. As the German media reports, the amendment to the COVID entry regulations will be voted by the federal cabinet today. In addition, during today’s gathering, the future of all vaccines approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) will be decided as currently, only those approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) are accepted for entry into the country. At present, only those fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are permitted to enter Germany, while unvaccinated arrivals cannot enter the country unless they are traveling for essential reasons. Germany, on the other hand, is one of the most vaccinated countries in Europe, as 77.6 per cent of the population has received at least the first dose of the anti-COVID vaccine while 77.5 per cent have finished the primary course of vaccinations. In addition, 59.5 per cent of the population has received a third dose. As per COVID-19 cases, Germany has registered a total of 256,374 of those during the last seven days, taking the total of infection cases in the country to over 26 million since the pandemic outbreak. Moreover, about 138,485 deaths have been registered in the country in the same time, with 57 of those being reported in the recent week.

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IRCTC introduces ‘Fascinating Leh Ladakh With Turtuk Excursion’ package for travelers

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced an amazing package for explorers, ‘Fascinating Leh Ladakh With Turtuk Excursion’. The 7 days/6 nights travel package (starting from INR 39400 per person) is for the month of August and perfect for those who have been long planning a trip to Leh and Ladakh. The first trip of this interesting air-tour package will begin on August 12, second on August 17, and the third on August 27 from Ahmedabad airport. The package includes your return flight tickets, hotels, meals and sightseeing. The journey will begin from Ahmedabad and take travelers to Leh, Nubra, Turtuk, Pangong and Leh.

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Malaysia Airlines launches Bonus Side Trip Campaign

To encourage consumers to #FlyConfidently with Malaysia Airlines and make the most of their long-haul flights, Malaysia Airlines has announced a campaign that no passenger can refuse! The airline has launched a Bonus Side Trip* campaign that allows travellers to add an extra leg to their journey from India to enjoy Malaysia’s cultural gems at a minimal cost. The offer is valid through December 31, 2022, for travel until March 31, 2023. Commenting on the campaign, Amit Mehta, Country Manager- South Asia, Malaysia Airlines India, said, “For long-haul passengers, stopovers provide an opportunity to break up a potentially gruelling flight schedule and sample another destination along the way. From sandy beaches to highland rainforests – Malaysia offers it all. Our Bonus Side Trip campaign encourages passengers to stop over to experience Malaysia’s local culture, explore hidden gems, and Fly Malaysia to one of the seven destinations on offer: at almost no extra cost. We are confident that our impeccable hospitality, coupled with the breathtaking sites in Malaysia, will make this short stopover a memorable experience.” To be entitled for the Bonus Side Trip, passengers must book a long-haul flight with Malaysia Airlines departing from India to one of the following destinations: Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Bangkok, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and the United Kingdom. Passengers will get a chance to explore one of the seven domestic getaway destinations in Malaysia as part of the Bonus Side Trip programme: Penang: Known as Malaysia’s food capital, Penang is famous for its mouth-watering dishes including Char Koay Teow and Laksa. Any trip to Penang should incorporate a visit to one of the bustling hawker street markets where you can experience local Malaysian delicacies at bargain prices. Langkawi: One of Malaysia’s best-known popular holiday destinations, Langkawi, is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea. Langkawi features a range of breathtaking resorts, making it a popular choice for couples seeking a romantic escape. Johor Bahru: Located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, Johor Bahru offers a mix of culture and city exploration. Take a tour of Istana Besar, visit the Old Chinese Temple, walk along Jalan Tan Hiok Nee or if you need to entertain the kids, opt for Legoland Malaysia and the Angry Birds Theme Park. Kuala Terengganu: Boasting a beautiful gateway to tropical islands, Kuala Terengganu offers unforgettable scenery. From witnessing the Crystal Mosque, relaxing at Lang Tengah beach and visiting the coral-fringed Perhentian Islands, it’s a must-visit stop for those looking to unwind. Kota Bharu: As the capital state and royal seat of Kelantan, Kota Bharu is known for its traditional Malay heritage and traditions. While you’re there, go on one of its many historical and craft tours, and make a stop at Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah; one of the most famous indoor markets in Malaysia featuring the best of Kelantanese produce and crafts. Alor Setar: Home to the longest royal family line, Alor Setar, the capital of Kedah, is an idyllic town against an emerald backdrop of paddy plantations and plenty more to offer. Kuantan: One of the few seaside towns in Malaysia, Kuantan is a tourist hub with hidden gems from the modern Sultan Ahmad Shah State Mosque to Sungai Pandan Waterfalls. *Bonus Side Trip differs from point of departure. Airport landing taxes in domestic Malaysia are still to be paid. # One free domestic return ticket (airfare only) is provided with taxes and surcharges to be paid by the passenger. Other terms and conditions apply. See Malaysia Airlines website for further details.

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Changi Airport to reopen Terminal 2 progressively from May 29

Changi Airport Group has announced that operations in Terminal 2 (T2) will resume on May 29, 2022, the first phase of the terminal’s reopening as Changi Airport prepares to meet the expected increase in passenger traffic in the months ahead. Closed for upgrading works since May 2020, T2’s phased reopening will augment Changi’s capacity. When completed by 2024, the expansion works will raise the terminal’s capacity by five million to 28 million passenger movements per year. In this first phase of T2’s progressive reopening, key touchpoints such as arrival immigration, baggage claim belts and contact gates at the southern wing of the terminal will be ready for flight operations. T2 will host mainly peak-hour arrival flights of airlines operating in Terminal 3 (T3). A small number of T3 departure flights may use boarding gates at T2 although passengers on these flights will continue to check-in and clear departure immigration at T3. Those coming to Changi to receive passengers are advised to check which terminal an arriving flight has been assigned to. The information will be available on the Changi Airport website (www.changiairport.com) and the iChangi app at least two hours before the flight’s arrival time. More automated lanes at immigration The expanded T2 will see a larger Arrival Immigration Hall with more automated immigration lanes and special assistance lanes. The automated immigration lanes will serve Singaporeans and residents who have enrolled their iris and facial biometrics with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, as well as eligible foreign visitors who have done the same upon their arrival in Singapore. As more passengers are enrolled, the number of automated immigration lanes will be increased. As for the special assistance lanes, these feature a wider width than conventional lanes, allowing passengers with mobility aids, as well as big family groups, to clear immigration more easily. In the Baggage Claim Hall, there will be three collection belts, with one that has been lengthened to handle more bags. Adding capacity to support travel recovery Tan Lye Teck, CAG’s Executive Vice President of Airport Management, said, “CAG is encouraged to see the strong pickup in travel demand and has worked closely with our partners to bring forward the progressive reopening of T2 ahead of the June travel peak to meet this demand. The start of flight operations at T2 will provide more capacity to support our airline partners, who are also gearing up to serve more passengers in the months ahead. T2 will reopen in phases over the next two years to support Changi’s recovery as a regional air hub.”

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