GLOBAL NEWS

Delta terminal transformation at LAX

Delta and Los Angeles International have unveiled the first phase of the $2.3 billion Delta Sky Way at the airport. The development – which connects Terminals 2 and 3 at LAX – opened on April 20 and features a centralised check-in lobby and expanded security checkpoint and baggage claim areas, as well as a 250-foot “digital backwall” with wayfinding information in English and Spanish.

Preferred Hotels Mexico boost

Three properties in Mexico have joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts since January – La Casa de la Playa (pictured), an adultsonly property on the shores of Mexico’s Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, as well as Hotel Xcaret Arte, also in Playa del Carmen and Casa Bonita Hotel & Luxury Residence in Oaxaca. Preferred is an independent hotel brand representing more than 650 hotels, resorts, and residences across 80 countries globally.

Air France to return to pre-crisis activity

Air France says it will serve close to 200 destinations and return to pre-crisis levels of activity by summer 2022. In the Middle East the French flag carrier serves Beirut, Cairo, Dubai and Tel Aviv from it two Paris airports.

yduai bumps up Italy services

flydubai will launch flights to Pisa in Italy on June 24 becoming the first UAE carrier to operate this route from Dubai. The carrier will also resume its operations to Catania in Sicily on the same day, growing its network in Italy to three points including Naples.

BA resumes Gatwick international short-haul

British Airways has resumed international short-haul services from London Gatwick Airport following a hiatus of two years due to the pandemic. Services are operating under the British Airways Air Operators Certificate (AOC) but will move to a new British Airways branded subsidiary, BA Euroflyer, later in the year. The airline is flying to 35 destinations from Gatwick, with more to be added soon.

Emirates check-in ports reduce wait time

Emirates is introducing 25 mobile Check-in Ports at Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3. These portable units will be deployed throughout the check-in halls with agents on hand to help check-in customers, weigh the bags, tag them, and provide boarding passes.

Emirates India frequencies return

Emirates has returned to “prepandemic flight frequencies” across its Indian network following “the decision by the Indian government to restore international flights to and from the country in line with established bilateral agreements from the end of March 2022”. Emirates now operates 170 weekly flights to nine cities in India, including 35 weekly flights to Mumbai, 28 to Delhi, 24 to Bengaluru, 21 to Chennai, 21 to Hyderabad, 14 to Kochi, 11 to Kolkata, nine to Ahmedabad, and seven to Thiruvananthapuram.

South Africa relaxes travel restrictions

South Africa has dropped its requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to show a negative PCR test to enter the country. Unvaccinated visitors are still required to show a negative PR “not older than 72 hours” to gain entry. At the same time, the mandatory wearing of face masks outdoors has been scrapped and vaccinated individuals or those with a negative test are allowed back into sporting stadiums and music and theatre shows operating at half capacity.

IHG opens rst Holiday Inn in Bangladesh

IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened the first Holiday Inn in Bangladesh. Holiday Inn Dhaka City features 187 rooms and suites with views of the Lake Hatirjheel or Dhaka City, designed around the concept of ‘Central Living’, providing a central space for relaxing and casual working. There is also a dedicated business centre and meeting spaces for up to 100 people.

Wyndham ramps up Asia-Pac expansion

Wyndham is on track to reach its target of 2,000 hotels in Asia Pacific by 2025, with regional openings this year including eight Wyndham

Gardens properties; at least 10 Mircrotel by Wyndham hotels in China; 10 Ramada by Wyndhams, also in China; seven new properties in Thailand, including the first Wyndham in Pattaya; new hotels in Phu Quoc and Hoi An in Vietnam; 28 properties in Australia; and new lifestyle properties in New Zealand.

Qantas to reduce carbon emissions by 25 per cent by 2030

Qantas has set targets for reducing its carbon emissions by 25 per cent by 2030. The Australian airline says it will also increase its uptake of Sustainable

Aviation Fuel (SAF) by 10 per cent by the same year, while targeting zero single-use plastics by 2027.