Don't we all want to be able to fly to our favourite dive destinations with a net-zero carbon emission? If our flights can be fuelled with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), we might just be able to travel long distances without a bad conscience over making climate change worse.
As more people get their first shots of Covid-19 vaccine, some airline industry traditions are coming back. Airlines are slowly returning to their old boarding policies, while quietly re-adding change fees to certain tickets.
According to Travel Weekly, the majority of major airlines will go back to assessing fees on Basic Economy fares by April 1, 2021.
The global civil aviation industry has paved the way for airlines to help neutralize their climate footprint by protecting nature. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has approved two forest-carbon programs from which airlines can purchase carbon credits. Under a UN framework known as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+), the “nature-based” credits fund protection for forests that absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere.
After closing its borders in March, the Maldives is set to reopen for tourism. According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism, a phased reopening is planned, with incoming flights to its main international airport set for July, well ahead of a planned year-end opening.
The scale of the coronavirus pandemic’s impact is outlined in a report by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which predicts a decline in international travel of between 58% and 80% in 2020. The prediction of a 58% decline is based on the gradual reopening of international borders and easing of travel restrictions in early July; the 80% figure is based on early December.
Etihad Airways has unveiled its new Business Suites that will have passengers in the pointy end facing the rear of the plane. Privacy screens will ensure passengers are not directly facing one another, while integration of the rear-facing seats in ‘dovetail’ formation allows increased business class capacity allowing 70 suites in its A380. Forward and backward facing seats will be configured 1-2-1, meaning all will have aisle access.
Travellers will be pleased that plummeting oil prices are set to have a positive impact on airline ticket prices. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced an improved outlook for industry profitability in its Economic Performance of the Air Transport Industry report.
On a per-passenger basis, airlines will make a net profit of $7.08 in 2015, more than double the $3.38 earnings achieved in 2013. As lower industry costs and efficiencies are passed through, consumers are set to benefit substantially.
The Department of Homeland Security is introducing the new system to replace the current Visa Waiver Program (VWP). All countries currently eligible to use the VWP will be legally required to obtain authorization before their departure.
Applications are free of charge and are processed in about four seconds. Approximately 14,000 people are currently registering with ESTA daily with an approval rating of 99.6%. Travelers should be aware that a number of websites that are not endorsed by the US government are charging a fee for ESTA information or application processing.
