CATHAY PACIFIC: Airline suspends London flights until 25 January 2021

          The airline has confirmed that all flights departing from the UK to Hong Kong will continue to be suspended until at least 25 January. Cathay Pacific have said the decision is in view of the entry restrictions put in place by the government of Hong Kong on arrivals from the UK.
          Hong Kong
          United Kingdom
          Airline
          Cathay Pacific
          Business
          Leisure

          QANTAS: Airline resumes booking for international flights from 1 July 2021

          The Australian airline has said that it has started taking bookings for international flights from 1 July; Qantas had previously said that it did not expect to fly internationally until much later in the year. Ticket sales for Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore, which had been set to start in March, have been pushed back to July, while other destinations like London have been brought forward from October. New Zealand is the only overseas destination to which Qantas is currently flying.
          Australia
          Canada
          Middle East
          New Zealand
          Singapore
          United Kingdom
          United States of America
          Airline
          Qantas
          Business
          Leisure

          QATAR AIRWAYS: Airline to launch U.S. services to Seattle from 29 January 2021

          The middle-eastern airline has announced that it will bring forward the launch of four weekly flights to Seattle on its Boeing 777 aircraft to the new date of 29 January. The move will mean that the airline's U.S. network will grow to 11 gateways, surpassing the number of destinations they operated in the country pre-COVID-19.
          Middle East
          United States of America
          Airline
          Qatar Airways
          Business
          Leisure

          OMAN AIR: Airline to resume flights to Dubai from 11 January 2021

          The airline has announced that it will resume the operation of five weekly flights to Dubai from 11 January; the flights to and from Dubai will operate on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday each week. The national carrier of the sultanate of Oman has said that it will maintain its comprehensive safety program throughout all elements of the journey to ensure that passengers fly confidently.
          Middle East
          Airline
          Oman Air
          Business
          Leisure

          WIZZ AIR: Airline to launch additional flights to Greek destinations in January and February 2021

          The Abu Dhabi-based airline has confirmed it will commence flights to Athens from Abu Dhabi International Airport from 15 January, and to Thessaloniki from 4 February.
          Greece
          Middle East
          Airline
          Wizz Air
          Business
          Leisure

          QATAR AIRWAYS: Airline expands partnership with LATAM Airlines Brasil to expand available flight offering

          The middle-eastern airline has increased its São Paulo services to ten weekly flights and also expanded a partnership with LATAM Airlines Brasil, allowing their passengers to book travel on 45 additional LATAM Airlines Brasil flights and have access to over 40 domestic and international destinations on the South American carrier’s network. This includes Brasilia, Curitiba, Porto Velho, Rio Branco, Rio de Janeiro, São José, Lima (Peru), Montevideo (Uruguay) and Santiago (Chile).
          Brazil
          Middle East
          Airline
          Qatar Airways
          LATAM
          Business
          Leisure

          GERMANY: Country's government increases COVID-19 testing requirements for arrivals from risk areas

          The country's government has announced that international arrivals from COVID-19 risk areas will now be required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result prior to arrival, in addition to undertaking a second test five days after arrival following a mandatory quarantine period.
          Germany
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          UNITED KINGDOM: Country's government imposes COVID-19 'Tier 5' lockdown measures nationally

          The country's government announced yesterday evening a return to a national COVID-19 ‘lockdown’ for England following a rise in infections, which came into effect from 00.01 (GMT) today, Tuesday 5 January. Among the restrictions are a blanket closure of all non-essential retail and most leisure facilities nationwide, the closure of schools, and an increased emphasis on staying home at all times with the exception of a small number of exemptions. The devolved administrations of the UK have also made similar announcements, with a similar full ‘lockdown’ announced in Scotland; schools have also closed to most pupils in Wales and Northern Ireland.
          United Kingdom
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          SUDAN: Country extends restrictions on arrivals from South Africa, the UK and Netherlands

          The country's government has extended a ban on entry previously imposed on passengers arriving from the UK, the Netherlands and South Africa; the measure is now set to expire no earlier than 13 January, after previously being set to expire on 7 January. The restriction has been in place since 22 December following the emergence of new and more infectious strains of COVID-19 in the UK and South Africa.
          Middle East
          Netherlands
          South Africa
          United Kingdom
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          TAIWAN: Country's government suspends international airport transit from 1 January 2021

          The country's government announced on 30 December that it will impose additional entry restrictions and quarantine regulations for non-nationals, effective from 00:01 (local time at the airport of departure) on 1 January 1, 2021. Among the updates measures is a temporary suspension on transiting through Taiwan.
          Taiwan
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          AUSTRALIA: States & Territories commence closing borders

          Victoria will close its border with New South Wales (NSW) from 11:50pm on Friday, 1 January 2021. Those who arrive in the 24 hours before the border closure will still need to take a COVID-19 test. Victorians who arrive back from NSW after the deadline will need to go into hotel quarantine. Western Australia (WA) has also announced it will close its border with Victoria from midnight on Thursday, 31 December. Anyone who has entered WA from Victoria since December 21 will have to go into quarantine immediately for 14 days from their date of arrival. South Australia (SA) will close its border with New South Wales from 12:01am on Friday, 1 January. Travellers from NSW will be banned from entering SA unless they are essential travellers, returning South Australians or permanently relocating. The Northern Territory will close its border to travellers from greater metropolitan Sydney from midnight tonight. Those who arrive after midnight will go into mandatory quarantine at either Howard Springs in Darwin or in Alice Springs.
          Australia
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          WIZZ AIR: Airline to launch new summer connections from the UK

          The airline has confirmed the addition of six new flight routes to its network out of the UK. The new routes, launching in the spring, offer connections between Doncaster Sheffield, Gatwick and London Luton airports and sunshine destinations in Turkey, Bulgaria, Spain and Greece. The new holiday routes include four summer-only routes from Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
          Middle East
          United Kingdom
          Airline
          Wizz Air
          Business
          Leisure

          QATAR AIRWAYS: Airline expands partnership with Oman Air

          The airline has continued to expand its portfolio of partnerships by signing an expanded 'codeshare' agreement with Oman Air. The deal is designed to boost connectivity and provide more flexible travel options for customers. The expanded agreement is the first step in further strengthening strategic cooperation between the two airlines that first began in 2000. Sales of the additional destinations will commence in 2021.
          Middle East
          Airline
          Qatar Airways
          Oman Air
          Business

          CUBA: Country's government updates entry requirements for foreign visitors

          The country's government has announced that from 10 January, all foreign tourists travelling to Cuba will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test result obtained a maximum of 72 hours prior to departure. The certificate must be issued in two languages - the language of the passenger's country of origin, and English. Upon arrival, tourists will also have to take a second test, the result of which will be ready in a day during which time they must quarantine in hotel accommodation. Visitors must also have medical insurance with coverage for treatment for COVID-19, or purchase a Cuban medical coverage for $30USD.
          Cuba
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          INDONESIA: Country updates entry requirements for permitted travellers

          The country's government has published updated requirements, restricting entry for foreign nationals to those already holding a valid stay permit (KITAS/KITAP) until at least 14 January 2021. However, all such travellers must undergo hotel quarantine and also require a negative COVID-19 PCR test result obtained a maximum of 48 hours prior to departure. Passengers will be required to undergo a further COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in addition to quarantine requirements.
          Indonesia
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          PHILIPPINES: Country restricts entry to visitors from 20 countries

          The country's government has announced that it will close its borders to international arrivals from 20 countries, including South Africa, until at least 15 January, citing the discovery of a new COVID-19 variant internationally. In addition to the UK, locations with lower rates of COVID-19 including Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore also fall under the restriction. International passengers who transit through these locations are also not exempt from the restrictions. However, Filipino citizens will still be able to return to the country; they are required to undergo 14 days of quarantine upon arrival, regardless of COVID-19 test results.
          Philippines
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          SOUTH AFRICA: Country moves to adjusted COVID-19 alert level 'three' with immediate effect

          The country's government has announced that it has entered an adjusted COVID-19 alert level 'three' with immediate effect, from 29 December until at least 15 January. Among the amended restrictions, all indoor and outdoor gatherings will be prohibited for 14 days and a nationwide curfew will be extended and will be in place between 21.00 and 06.00 (local time) each night. Non-essential establishments must close by 20.00, and it is compulsory for every person to wear a mask in a public place. All beaches, dams, lakes, rivers, public parks and public swimming pools in hotspots will also be closed from 29 December.
          South Africa
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          SAUDI ARABIA: Country's government suspends entry for foreign nationals

          The country's government has announced that to curb the spread of COVID-19, it has temporarily suspended international flights and entry of foreign nationals to Saudi Arabia. Subject to certain restrictions, some airlines may allow foreign nationals to exit the country, however this excludes countries with the new strain of COVID-19. Passengers should contact their airline for the latest updates and follow the advice of local authorities.
          Middle East
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          CZECH REPUBLIC: Country imposes COVID-19 state of emergency and increased restrictions

          The country's government has declared that a COVID-19 state of emergency is now in force until at least 22 January, with virus-related restrictions raised to their highest (fifth) level. Updated measures include shop closures and nightly curfews between 21.00 and 05.00 (local time). Health and travel restrictions are also changing frequently, and regions may differ according to the rate of infection.
          Czech Republic
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          TURKEY: Country's government restricts entry for foreign nationals from the UK, Denmark and South Africa

          The country's government has announced that only Turkish citizens, foreign nationals with a residency permit for Turkey, state officials or diplomatic personnel will be now permitted to travel from South Africa, the UK and Denmark to the country on direct flights; passengers must also present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result obtained a maximum of 72 hours prior to their arrival. Passengers will be required to quarantine and will be subjected to a further COVID-19 PCR test seven days later. Weekday and weekends curfews also apply while in-country.
          Denmark
          South Africa
          Turkey
          United Kingdom
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure