The Kenya Association of Travel Agents held the first industry meeting this year on May 20, 2020. The meeting was held online due to the social distancing conditions occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic that has wreaked havoc on the industry since March 2020 when the first case was announced in Kenya.

KATA Chairman Mr. Mohammed Wanyoike welcomed the members to the meeting. He pointed out how the pandemic has devastated the travel and tourism industries both locally and globally. Members were informed that the board has had several engagements with the Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala through various forums to discuss the effects and mitigation measures of the pandemic in the industry.

Members were also asked to use the labour advisory as advised by KATA on making decisions on staffing based on their individual situations. Mr Wanyoike pointed out that the largest resource in the industry is labour and this has been affected as businesses are not conducting any business leading to releasing staff on unpaid leave or offering pay cuts until the end of the pandemic.

Ms Mucuha during a presentation pointed out that the effects of COVID-19 have been felt locally and globally with recently released information from International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) revealing that airline sales available for sale in Africa have gone down to 38 percent down from 71 percent reduction due to low business.

Travel agents extensively discussed ways of business recovery coming up with strategies that will see to business continuity for travel agents post COVID-19.

Emirates has announced its plan to operate scheduled flight services from 21 May to nine destinations: London Heathrow Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Chicago, Toronto, Sydney and Melbourne. The airline will also offer connections in Dubai for customers travelling between the UK and Australia.

Travellers will only be accepted on these flights if they comply with the eligibility and entry criteria requirements of their destination countries. This includes an approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) for UAE residents who wish to return to Dubai.

Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer said: “We are pleased to resume scheduled passenger services to these destinations, providing more options for customers to travel from the UAE to these cities, and also between the UK and Australia. We are working closely with the authorities to plan the resumption of operations to additional destinations. We have implemented additional measures at the airport in coordination with the relevant authorities in respect to social distancing and sanitization. The safety and wellbeing of our employees, customers and communities, remain our top priority.”

In addition to the scheduled services, Emirates will also continue to work closely with embassies and consulates to facilitate repatriation flights for visitors and residents wishing to return home. This week, the airline plans to operate flights from Dubai to Tokyo Narita (15 May), Conakry (16 May), and Dakar (16 May).

Passengers and airlines would face radical changes to the process of air travel under IATA’s guidelines for restarting the industry when the Covid-19 pandemic subsides.

While its recommendations are not binding, the association hopes that governments, airlines and airports will adopt the measures as a middle ground to allow passengers to fly safely while enabling the industry and wider economy to open up.

Describing the challenge of resuming operations as the “greatest challenge in civil aviation history”, IATA is proposing a “layered approach” to biosecurity, which will impact the customer experience even before passengers arrive at the airport.

“There is no single measure that will reduce risk and enable a safe restart of flying,” says IATA director general Alexandre de Juniac. “But a layering measure that are globally implemented and mutually recognized by governments can achieve the needed outcome.”

IATA is recommending that governments set up online portals to collect pre-flight information that can be used to asses passengers’ health status and allow contact-tracing should they become unwell.

Once at the airport, travellers face temperature-screening and physical distancing, and will be required to wear masks for the duration of their journeys.

Aircraft boarding will have to be modified to allow greater social distancing, and there will be an increase in self-scanning of documents to minimise human-to-human interaction. Carry-on luggage should also be minimised in order to smooth out the boarding process.

Once on board, passengers will be banned from changing seats and may be handed wipes to sanitise their seat environment.

However, given that passengers and crew will be required to wear masks and that aircraft are fitted with medical-grade air filters, IATA does not believe that physical distancing will be required. “Physical distancing on board, through for example blocking seats, is not necessary,” argues Nick Careen, IATA’s senior vice-president for airport, passenger cargo and security.

Under IATA’s recommendations, deplaning would take longer and increase in complexity to minimise contact between passengers.

Passengers may again face temperature-screening at their destinations, while a faster baggage-claim process will minimise contact and allow social distancing. But IATA hopes that disruption here can be minimised by mutual recognition of the origin airport’s screening measures.

Given the additional suite of biosecurity measures, passengers may find that the entire airport process is extended. “We are modelling it,” says Careen.

IATA believes this system strikes the “right compromise” between the needs to prevent the spread of coronavirus and to open up the economy, while avoiding adding too many constraints to travellers.

Yet it is also clear that such a system will add significant cost and complexity to the system, and render it daunting for many passengers.

“This can be done in the most inobtrusive way possible if we educate our passengers,” Careen contends, adding that rollout of the programme will be accompanied with a communications strategy.

The additional cost of the process should be shared between airlines, governments and airports, in IATA’s view. “We do not expect too many difficulties on that point,” says de Juniac, on the grounds that “what [we] are proposing is pretty reasonable”.

IATA highlights that the process was designed with cost in mind, and that the equipment required is either relatively low-tech, such as masks and disinfectant wipes, or already available.

The association also stresses that measures should be temporary, regularly reviewed and “replaced when more efficient options are identified or removed should they become unnecessary”. Longer-term, it hopes that coronavirus testing in airports and immunity passports can be used to smooth the travel process for travellers.

“The roadmap is the industry’s high-level thinking on safely restarting aviation. Timing is critical,” says de Juniac. “Governments understand the importance of aviation to the social and economic recovery of their countries and many are planning a phased reopening of borders in the coming months.

“We have a short time to reach agreement on the initial standards to support safely reconnecting the world and to firmly establish that global standards are essential to success.”

Source: https://www.flightglobal.com/strategy/iata-sets-out-biosecurity-roadmap-to-restarting-flights/138445.article

 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has slightly eased its emergency COVID-19 border closures by lifting a restriction on foreign residence visa holders entering the small Persian Gulf country. From June 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation says expat residents will be able to return to the UAE to be reunited with their families after they were effectively locked out of the country.

In its response to stem the spread of the novel Coronavirus, the UAE initially stopped issuing new visitor visas and then suspended its visa on arrival for nationals from 70 different countries on March 18. Officials then went one step further on March 25 by banning the arrival of all passengers into the country except for Emirati citizens.

The authorities have not indicated when travel restrictions might be eased further but there are said to be high-level discussions with some governments about the prospect of introducing mutually agreed “travel bubbles”.

Source: https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2020/05/19/the-uae-slightly-eases-travel-restrictions-foreign-residence-visa-holders-now-free-to-return/

 

Kenya Airways Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka said the price of air tickets will most likely be hiked if the government allows the national carrier to resume flights.

Kilavuka was speaking during a strategy meeting organized by the Ministry of Tourism to discuss how the industry can recover from the effects of Covid-19.

He indicated that air travel would completely change as every country comes up with new plans and policies to be adapted post coronavirus.

55 to 65 percent of people, he noted, travelled for leisure, which means between May and December airlines are missing out on this big business and income.

“Travel is not going to be cheap. 55-65% of people travel for leisure. Therefore we are going to lose 51-76% of our market between now and December as business travellers are the ones that are going to travel first,” Kilavuka said.

In addition, the social distancing between seats in the plane will be the new norm which will result in a spike in the cost of air tickets to cover for uncoccupied seats.

The KQ boss noted that among other norms will be mandatory wearing of face masks by air passengers and crew and airport staff to wear protective gear.

Tourism PS Sophia Kwekwe, who was also at the meeting, added that domestic tourism is what the government is banking on to boot the hospitality industry.

“Domestic Tourism is going to be the way forward. Road and train travel is going to pick first. We are therefore working on opening up the regions that have not been as popular as parks and the Coast. We also looking into pursuing bilateral tourism,” Kwekwe said.

Source: https://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/featured/covid-19-victims-deserve-decent-burials-experts-now-say

 

The long wait for pending bills could finally end after Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala assured travel agents that he was keenly following up on the refund of pending bills amounting to over Kes. 400 million.

Speaking at a webinar organised by the Kenya Tourism Federation on May 12, 2020, Mr. Balala assured travel agents that he is following up on the matter and hopes that the pending bills will be reimbursed in June.

Travel agents have fervently pursued the refund of the Kes 434 million owed by government as it is the crucial injection needed to boost businesses already failing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have been working closely with government ministries to ensure that these funds are remitted to agents in good time to allow the sustainability of our businesses during this COVID-19 period where the travel industry has ground to a stop. Currently travel agents are not operating as no travel is taking place. The only business we are handling right now is refunding our clients and this has led to closure of many agencies who are operating on negative right now” KATA Chairman Mr. Mohammed Wanyoike said in a previous interview.

He stated that he is hopeful that by the end of the first half of the year, travel agents will have received their refunds and will be able to work towards restoring their businesses post pandemic.

Other matters discussed during the webinar included the travellers changed habits post COVID-19. Mr. Balala noted that travellers would only be comfortable once a vaccine to contain the virus is found. He urged the industry to focus on attracting travellers especially the youth by putting special emphasis on their health, safety, price and providing a worthwhile experience.

Even as travel opens up eventually, he said, proper precaution and restrictions that has been put in place by the government have to be enforced in order to avoid the spread of the highly contagious disease.

Kenya Tourism Board CEO Ms. Betty Radier who was a panellist during the forum urged industry players to be COVID-19 ready in order to accommodate the needs of the traveller.

The webinar was hosted by KTF CEO Ms Susan Ongalo, moderated by KTF Chairman Mr. Mohammed Hersi. Mr Alex Avedi. The CEO Safarilink Aviation was a panellist at the forum.

The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) has decried the slow rate at which government and airlines are taking to remit pending bills and refunds owed to travel agents.

KATA Board Chairman Mr. Mohammed Wanyoike said that travel agents need these funds to cater for refunds to their clients.

“With the restricted movements in and out of the country occasioned by the highly contagious COVID-19, travellers have cancelled their scheduled flights. This means that no business is taking place and no revenue is coming in. Travel agents need these funds to refund travellers who have cancelled their flights,” he said.

Airlines, he further pointed out, have instructed passengers who had booked flights with travel agents to seek refunds from their travel advisors. “This puts agents in a bad position as the airlines have declined to refund tickets bought through agents,” Mr Wanyoike stated.

He noted that some airlines are issuing vouchers instead of cash refunds through agents therefore causing conflict for the agents, as customers are demanding full refunds in “cash” claiming that they have no immediate travel plans in the foreseeable future. Similarly, the travel agents cannot assign this voucher on other bookings owing to the issuing restrictions. This has also led to a bad stalemate between the customers and travel agents owing to the inflexibility demonstrated by the airlines issuing the refund vouchers.

On the other hand, Mr. Wanyoike further said, the government owes travel agents over Kes. 434 million in pending bills. “We have been working closely with government ministries to ensure that these funds are remitted to agents in good time to allow the sustainability of our businesses during this COVID-19 period where the travel industry has ground to a stop.

Currently, he added, travel agents are not operating as no travel is taking place. “the only business we are handling right now is refunding our clients and this has led to closure of many agencies who are operating on negative right now”.

He reiterated, “With COVID-19 disrupting life and business as we know it, we are bracing ourselves for a very difficult year. From a robust year where Kenya received over 2 million international guests, an increase of 37.7 percent as compared to 2018, this year we are down to zero. This has put millions of jobs at risk”.

Mr Wanyoike called upon clients and travellers owed to be calm and patient as travel agents strive to resolve the impasse. “KATA is founded on integrity, professionalism and transparency. We are pursuing the refunds and other monies owed persistently to ensure that each traveller receives their refunds,” he stated.

The third edition of the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards (ATLF) which was scheduled for 13^th to 15^th July, 2020 has been postponed due to the current Coronavirus pandemic. The event which will be held in Kigali, Rwanda is now scheduled for 19^th to 21^st October.

The move to the last quarter of the year is to allow the alignment of the content with Africa’s travel tourism sector post COVID-19 recovery strategies.

According to communication from the forum’s organisers, the new dates will allow the conveners and the host partners to re-design this year’s programme to focus on post-COVID-19 recovery and innovative business solutions through travel technology and digitalization, skills development, domestic tourism, intra-Africa travel and supporting policies.

The Africa Youth Innovation Summit aims to serve as a continental platform for youth in tourism, travel, hospitality, aviation, academia and all related industries to connect, engage, learn and grow. Interested participants are urged to enrol for the summit.

Africa Tourism Leadership Awards recognises the game-changers in the tourism sector. The awards focus on individuals and groups’ initiatives being pursued across the sector. Among the big winners in 2019 included the president of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame who won the Destination Africa Lifetime award. The public is urged to nominate gamechangers in the industry including selves and own companies for these awards.

Hahn Air has introduced a new department on Research and Development (R&D) with a new team that will be led by long standing Hahn Air Executive Mr. Mathieu Montmessin.

The new department is charged with analysing new technologies, fostering innovation and broadening Hahn Air’s product portfolio by generating new revenue streams and sales channels.

“We set up our new Research & Development department to meet the demands of a changing airline industry.  We are confident that our partner airlines and travel agency partners will benefit from our team’s innovative solutions and new distribution opportunities, especially in light of the current corona crises and the adjoining phase of recovery,” said the airline’s General Director Ms. Kirsten Rehmann.

Mathieu Montmessin who has been appointed Executive Vice President Research & Development has been previously in charge of the Hahn Air product portfolio and generating sales for Hahn Air’s partner airlines with the solutions HR-169, H1-Air, X1-Air, HR-EMD and HR-Corporate. He studied in France, UK, Spain and the Netherlands and holds a master’s degree in computer and network science. Before joining Hahn Air in 2010, he acquired in-depth GDS knowledge working with Amadeus for five years. 

“I am excited to be looking at the potential impacts of emerging technologies like NDC, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, machine learning, mobile and innovative payment options. We will also start an employee innovation programme where all Hahn Air colleagues can contribute their ideas. Innovation is all about team-work, creativity and courage and we expect to make significant impacts for our partners,” Mr. Montmessin said.

This is part of the State’s plan to gradually ease movement restrictions introduced when the country reported its first coronavirus (Covid-19) infection two months ago.

A-Zoom meeting scheduled yesterday by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) for the airline industry representatives, travel agents and stakeholders was cancelled at the last minute, after the login details and password were leaked on social media.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala yesterday said the sector remains the worst hit, observing that the Government was looking for ways to resume economic activity gradually starting with the restaurants and hotels.

 “It’s been two months since the economy was closed from Covid-19 and we want to balance between stopping the spread of the virus and saving the economy,” said CS Najib Balala.

“Players in the sector have reached out to the Government to ask for the measures to be lifted and the important thing is how we respect the protocols put in place, otherwise we’ll definitely see a spike in numbers,” he said.

JKIA Airport Manager Gilbert Gogo said the country was following the trends in the global aviation industry and putting in place measures to comply with safety and health standards once operations resume.

 “We have had consultations with the board, Transport ministry and stakeholders on how to be prepared to work post-Covid,” he said. “We have been taking advantage of the lull in the industry and in the airports to conduct maintenance and passengers will see a change once operations resume.”

However, re-opening the region’s busiest aviation hub is a daunting challenge for the Government. Kenya’s infection rates remain high with global industry trends remaining uncertain.

Some major airlines have resumed passenger flights to select countries with domestic flights resuming in others.

Emirates Airlines yesterday announced it was resuming flights to eight countries including London, Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Toronto and Sydney while South Korean national carrier Korean Air said it would resume flights to 19 destinations.

This has raised speculation that JKIA’s status as a regional hub, will pile pressure on policymakers to re-open it in coming weeks.

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicates the country’s main airports recorded 375,499 aircraft movements in 2019 with overall passenger traffic hitting 12.1 million.

The International Aviation Transport Association last week released guidelines on measures the industry should adopt to resume operations.

“Each country will have to develop their own protocols for reopening depending on their circumstances,” said Yilma Goshu, area manager for Ethiopian Airlines.

Source: https://new.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001371239/state-mulls-resumption-of-passenger-flights#