JANUARY 2022 | ISSUE

CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS TURKMENISTAN TO EXTINGUISH FLAMES OF THE GATES OF HELL

THE DARWAZA GAS crater, otherwise known as ‘The Gates of Hell’, has been one of Turkmenistan’s most popular tourist sites for over 50 years. Now, due to mounting fears of its negative impact on the environment, the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, has ordered that the natural gas pit in the Karakum Desert be extinguished. This was due to both environmental concerns and potential health damage for those living near to the crater.

It is supposed that the crater first began burning during a Soviet drilling accident in 1971, releasing hazardous fumes. At the time, scientists set the natural gas alight, believing that it would soon burn off, but the flames continue to burn to this day. Experts are now being consulted to find a solution.

AVIATION NEW EUROPEAN ROUTES LAUNCHED FROM LONDON CITY FOR SUMMER 2022

BRITISH AIRWAYS’ ‘BA CityFlyer’ network is launching four new routes across Europe in time for summer. Flying from London City Airport, the new flights will connect the UK capital with Barcelona, Luxembourg, Milan, and Thessaloniki. The Luxembourg and Milan schedules are set to launch in late March with daily departures, followed by Luxembourg and Barcelona in June ahead of the summer holidays. All flights will operate on the Embraer E190 aircraft, with weekly departures to Luxembourg and flights to Barcelona six days a week.

Offering affordable fares, the locations have been added to CityFlyer’s routes having been identified as the most popular European summer destinations.

HEALTHCARE

BRITAIN PUSHES FOR GLOBAL VACCINE PASSPORTS AT G7

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER Boris Johnson has confirmed that the UK will leverage its presidency of the Group of Seven economic powers to encourage an international system of vaccine passports to encourage world travel. Despite earlier claims that it was not considering issuing such passports for inoculated travellers, the British government is now reviewing COVID-status certification to streamline worldwide travel in a bid to revivify the global tourism economy. Through this, Britain will work with the World Health Organization to establish a clear framework with consistent standards for both passengers and the industry itself.

AVIATION

NEW GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER FOR FLIGHT CENTRE

IN A NEW move that is reflective of the company’s environmental commitments, Flight Centre Travel Group has employed long time staff member, Michelle Degenhardt, in the newly created role of Sustainability Officer. This comes as Flight Centre’s travel management company, FCM, seeks to embed sustainability as a core pillar of its offerings to corporate clients.

Degenhardt will be responsible for developing and undertaking initiatives related to Flight Centre’s sustainability goals by liaising with the leadership team, suppliers, and stakeholders. She comes with proven experience in this area, having previously developed Flight Centre’s Responsible Travel charter and establishing a waste reduction programme across office facilities.