Coronavirus: Latest news and updates [Archive]

nbul from June 8-10 but is now scheduled for September 21-23.

---

 

 

SAA suspends international flights

South African Airways has suspended all international operations until May 31 as the country’s government has limited travel to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

 

 

New rules preventing the arrival of foreign visitors were brought in yesterday after the South African government declared a state of disaster.

---

 

 

‘Demand won’t return quickly’, warns Lufthansa chief

 

 

There will be no rebound this summer to pre-crisis levels of demand and no quick return to business as usual, says Lufthansa Group head Carsten Spohr.

---

 

 

Not Just Travel agent cares for husband with coronavirus

 

 

Caerphilly-based Not Just Travel agent Emma Summerill, speak to Travel Weekly about trying to remain upbeat despite not knowing how long the global virus pandemic will last.

---

 

 

Airlines in ‘critical’ state demand state aid

 

 

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, warned: “The situation is now truly critical. COVID-19 risks a lasting and irreversible effect on the aviation industry.”

---

 

 

Four on Ruby Princess test positive in Australia

 

 

Three passengers and a crew member on Ruby Princess have tested positive for Covid-19 after it docked in Sydney.

 

 

Reports say the authorities in New South Wales are racing to find the 3,800 people who had been onboard and were allowed to disembark after a short cruise to New Zealand.

---

 

 

Cathay Pacific capacity slashed by 96%

 

 

Just 4% of Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon flights will operate over the next two months in reaction to a dramatic drop in demand.

 

 

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic and multiple government travel restrictions that form part of the global health response plan has led to the sister carriers slashing capacity by 96% in April and May.

---

 

 

CMV moves passengers as Columbus heads back to UK

 

 

More than 200 passengers were transferred between two Cruise & Maritime Voyages ships off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, as part of the line’s repatriation operation.

 

 

Following CMV’s decision to suspend all sailings until April 24, tender boats were used to move British passengers from Vasco da Gama to Columbus which is sailing back to the UK via Colombo, Sri Lanka.

 

 

 

 

Columbus is now carrying 602 British passengers.

 

 

Vasco da Gama is sailing directly to Fremantle, Australia.

---

 

 

Red Sea repatriates Egypt clients

 

 

Egypt specialist Red Sea Holidays has repatriated 600 of clients following the Egyptian government’s suspension of flights to and from the country.

 

 

On Monday (March 16), the Egyptian government said all flights would stop by Thursday March 29, so the operator secured aircraft to bring almost all of its clients back by the deadline.

 

 

A small number of clients remain in the country who will be returned home in the coming days.

 

 

Andrew Grant, managing director, said: “Chartering aircraft at such short notice was quite a challenge.

 

 

“We were aware that the coronavirus crisis could affect travel and had well-rehearsed contingency plans in place, but it was still surprising to see just how quickly events have unfolded.”

---

 

 

‘Totemic moment’ in EU air travel collapse

 

 

Up to 48,200 flights and 10.2 million airline seats are at risk in a ‘totemic moment’ triggered by a 30-day closure of EU borders, according to latest estimates.

 

 

Air France, which has around 800,000 seats between the EU and other world regions, is expected to suffer the worst from the restrictions.

---

 

 

Kuoni makes 70 staff redundant

 

 

Kuoni has announced it has made 70 staff redundant, in addition to asking employees to take voluntary pay cuts, unpaid leave and voluntary redundancy.

 

 

The company said the non-voluntary redundancies had affected around one person per store across the UK. The company operates 48 stores and employs a number of staff at its Dorking head office.

---

 

 

MSC Cruises promises to repatriate Splendida passengers

 

 

MSC Cruises is working with authorities to ensure all MSC Splendida’s passengers can fly home after the ship’s current voyage was cut short amid the coronavirus outbreak.

 

 

Last week, the line suspended all sailings until April 30 due to the coronavirus pandemic midway through MSC Splendida’s Grand Voyage which departed Singapore on February 14.

---

 

 

One million travel jobs being lost every day

 

 

As many as one million travel and tourism jobs are being lost every day due to the sweeping effect of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the latest estimates.

 

 

The growing job losses are affecting every level of the industry and are gathering pace, as countries go into lockdown to tackle the virus.

---

 

 

Consumer refunds latest advice

 

 

Travel Weekly has received a range of questions from readers for its panel of industry, business and legal experts on Friday afternoon. Given the pressing nature of questions relating specifically to consumer refunds, Travel Weekly executive editor Ian Taylor has picked out a selection and outlined his understanding as of Thursday evening.

---

 

 

Government ‘poised to deliver rescue package for ailing UK airlines’

 

 

A series of measures are reported to be under consideration as part of a multi-billion pound government rescue plan for ailing UK airlines.

 

 

The plea for financial support has led to leading City bank Rothschild being requested to advise ministers on a package of measures due to be unveiled within days, according to Sky News.

---

 

 

Heathrow to remain open in face of ‘seismic challenge’

 

 

Heathrow has pledged to remain open in the face of a “seismic challenge” facing the global aviation industry.
The London hub and base of British Airways is taking steps to re-organise and shrink its operation to remain open throughout the crisis.

---

 

 

Agents call on operators to delay balance due dates

 

 

Agents are urging operators to delay balance payments to four weeks before departure to give clients more time to decide if they still wish to travel.

 

 

Balance due dates are now coming up for departures in June. Most balances are due at least ten weeks ahead of travel.

---

 

 

Norwegian Air set to win state aid lifeline

 

 

Norwegian Air is to gain a state lifeline as part of state efforts to stave off collapses in the Scandinavian airline sector as a resut of the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

The government in Norway has agreed to back airlines with credit guarantees worth up to Nok6 billion (£460 million), half of it to Europe’s third largest low cost carrier.

---

 

 

Carnival Corporation offers ships as floating hospitals

 

 

Carnival Corporation is to make ships available as floating hospitals to support healthcare systems around the world.

 

 

The world’s largest cruise group said selected vessels from its global cruise line brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia, will be made available to communities for use as temporary hospitals.

---

 

 

Carnival Corporation warns of annual loss as virus hits

 

 

The ongoing impact of coronavirus will have a “material negative” impact on the world’s largest cruise company.
Carnival Corporation today reported a halving of adjusted first quarter net income to $150 million in the three months to February 29 from $338 million in the same period last year.

---

 

 

Deloitte warns of long-term impact on travel sector

 

 

The travel sector is expected to bounce back but must be prepared for significant long-term impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, according to global accountancy giant Deloitte.

 

 

Speaking in a weekly coronavirus webcast yesterday, Alistair Pritchard, lead partner travel and tourism at Deloitte, said the industry is at a “critical juncture” and needs critical government support.

---

 

 

Cruise.co and Saga team up for repatriation effort

 

 

Cruise.co has teamed up with Saga to try and repatriate almost 80 passengers stranded in Lima due to the Coronavirus outbreak – but desperately needs the support from more travel organisers for a rescue flight home to operate.

 

 

The cruise retailer had 58 passengers booked on a trip combining the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu, followed by a cruise from Rio back to Venice with MSC Cruises.

---

 

 

Thursday March 19

 

 

Atas members call for immediate government support

 

 

The Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers (Atas) is calling for urgent support from government to help members survive the coronavirus crisis.

 

 

In addition to financial backing, Atas members are asking for Package Travel Regulations to change, to allow credit in lieu of cash refunds.

 

 

The association also wants salary support to help employers guarantee jobs and a payment holiday for workers paying their mortgages.

 

 

Haven to close its holiday parks until April 16

 

 

Bourne Leisure brand will close its holiday parks tomorrow, and they are expected to remain shut until April 16.

 

 

A statement from the UK resort operator today said: “We are contacting everyone who has a break booked during this period, but we shall prioritise those who are booked to travel within the next seven days. We would like to thank our guests for their patience whilst we work through this as quickly as we can.

---

 

 

Aito calls for clarity on chancellor’s business first-aid package

 

 

Association welcomes measures aimed at maintaining firms’ cashflow and the health of the UK economy but warned “there is usually a sting the tail”.

---

 

 

Saga offers cruise ships to ease pressure on NHS

 

 

Saga Sapphire and Spirit of Discovery could be used as floating hospitals

---

 

 

Business travel agencies unite to bring Brits home

 

 

Focus Travel Partnership consortium members provide emergency repatriation service called ‘Helping You Get Home’

---

 

 

Package holiday customers advised to take credit notes

 

 

The European Commission is now advising that customers take credit notes for package holidays cancelled as a result of the coronavirus, as long as they can ask for a full refund eventually.

 

 

Abta called on the UK government to follow the same lines in its own guidance on the Package Travel Directive (PTD).

---

 

 

Hays Travel agents to work every other week

 

 

Hays Travel’s retail staff have been made to work only every other week, while some foreign exchange staff and recent starters have been reduced to zero hours.

 

 

The temporary measures have been put in place by the UK’s largest travel retailer as it battles the impact of the coronavirus on travel.

 

 

Shops will be open from 10am to 4:30pm with staff also taking a 50% pay cut to reflect their reduced hours. Hays Travel expects the mesures to be in place for four weeks.

---

 

 

Tui to cut staff pay by up to 50%

 

 

Non-retail Tui staff are to receive up to a 50% reduction in pay as the travel giant looks to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

Staff required to work will receive a 30% reduction in basic pay and contracted hours.

 

 

Staff required to work less than 50% of their hours, or not at all, will receive a 50% reduction in basic pay and contracted hours.

---

 

 

Midcounties Co-operative Travel to temporarily close all branches

 

 

Midcounties Co-operative Travel is to close its 57 Co-operative Travel branches temporarily with agents helping out in non-travel parts of the business.

 

 

Some branches will be converted into virtual call centres or administration centres with staff to handle enquiries and bookings over email, phone and social media.

 

 

Chief retail officer for Midcounties, Alistair Rowland, said the decision would protect travel agents jobs.

---

 

 

Fred Olsen suspends ocean cruises, delays start of river sailings

 

 

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has suspended ocean cruises until May 23 and delayed the start of its river cruise season.

 

 

Its river cruise vessel Brabant had been due to start on the Floral Holland in the Spring cruise on April 6 but it has been cancelled.

 

 

All Brabant 2020 cruises departing after April 15 are currently scheduled to sail as planned.

 

 

Fred River Cruises brand Amadeus River Cruises has cancelled all departures up to and including April 15.

 

 

Guests can transfer their booking to an alternative departure without penalty or receive 115% future cruise credit valid for 24 months.

 

 

 

---

 

 

Kuoni parent to implement voluntary pay cuts and unpaid leave

 

 

Kuoni parent Der Touristik UK is asking staff to take voluntary pay cuts, unpaid leave and voluntary redundancy “across the board”.

 

 

Derek Jones, chief executive, has briefed staff today on a raft of cost-cutting initiatives to cope with the coronavirus crisis. He will take a voluntary 30% pay cut.

 

 

Other Der Touristik UK brands include Carrier, CV Villas, Jules Verne, Kirker and Journey Latin America.

---

 

 

CAA extends Atol-renewal deadline

 

 

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has delayed the Atol renewal deadline to April 28, as reported by Travel Weekly on Monday.
This is only the second time in the CAA’s history the Atol deadline has been extended after it was pushed back for the first time in October following the collapse of Thomas Cook.

 

 

Atol holders had been due to renew their licences by April 1.

---

 

 

Ffestiniog Travel suspends all holidays until the end of June

 

 

Rail holiday specialist Ffestiniog Travel has cancelled all holidays until the end of June because of the coronavirus crisis.

 

 

Maria Cook, general manager, said customers will be refunded and the operator hopes to run the cancelled tours again in its 2021 programme.

 

 

She said the decision was taken in light of travel bans around the world and the likelihood that the UK government may shortly issue advice to everybody over the age of 70 – a large proportion of the firm’s customers – to stay at home.

---

 

 

Agent Diary: ‘Build on existing sales during this downturn’

 

 

Clare Dudley, managing director, Ponders Travel, Cambridge, advises how to suggest upgrades without being pushy

---

 

 

Warner Leisure Hotels suspends breaks

 

 

Bourne Leisure hotel chain says it will not be operating short breaks at its properties from March 20 until April 16

---

 

 

Reuben’s Retreat puts building works on hold

 

 

Charity supported heavily by the travel industry said it felt it was important to “pause to protect” in order to put families first as the country deals with the coronavirus pandemic.

---

 

 

Pound falls further

 

 

The pound has fallen to its lowest level against the dollar since 1985, trading at $1.15.

 

 

It has fallen almost 5% in 24 hours.

 

 

Against the euro, the pound remains at €1.07 – the same as on Wednesday.

 

 

The FTSE 100 index closed down 4%, with travel firms among the worst affected.

---

 

 

Agents could face ‘sting’ if no clarity on refunds given

 

 

Travel agents offering credit notes rather than refunds could face a “sting” as customers look to credit card companies to get their cash back.

---

 

 

Comment: ‘Refunds are threatening to send airlines and operators to the wall’

 

 

Holidaysplease marketing director Charles Duncombe says all agents would prefer customers to postpone rather than issue refunds, but they can only do this if the client has faith they will get their money back in the future.

---

 

 

Future of aviation ‘can’t be guaranteed’ without state aid

 

 

Lufthansa  is reacting by cutting costs through “far reaching” capacity cuts and short-time working by staff.

 

 

Chairman Carsten Spohr said: “The spread of the coronavirus has placed the entire global economy and our company as well in an unprecedented state of emergency.”

---

 

 

Jet2holidays to issue rebooking vouchers

 

 

The policy applies to Jet2holidays bookings departing in April, as all flights are suspended until at least May 1 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

The operator will issue a ‘Rebook Voucher’ per booking with a unique code for agents to pass to the lead passenger on the booking.

---

 

 

Three Atol holders cease trading

 

 

The CAA is sending out claims forms to affected customers.

---

 

 

‘Coronavirus is opportunity to pivot from commission to fees model’

 

 

Gemma Antrobus, who owns agency Haslemere Travel and is chair of Aito Agents, calls for travel agents to be paid in fees rather than commission.

---

 

 

Jet2 suspends all flights and moves to bolster finances

 

 

Parent company Dart Group yesterday confirmed the suspension of Jet2 flights until at least May 1.

---

 

 

Comment: The coronavirus crisis and customer refunds

 

 

Repatriating customers and refunds on cancelled bookings of Atol-protected holidays dominate the industry’s response to the Covid-19 crisis, and agents and operators urgently need guidance, says Ian Taylor.
Read more

---

 

 

Air Transat stops sales in wind-down

 

 

Repatriation flights will still be operated during the next two weeks to take customers back to their home countries.

 

 

Abta urges changes to refund rules

 

 

Association to meet representatives of the Departments for Transport (DfT) and Business (BEIS) today to discuss urgent changes to refund rules for cancelled holiday bookings.

 

 

The current requirement to refund customers within 14 days of cancellation threatens to put many firms out of business after the Foreign Office advised on Tuesday against all overseas travel.

---

 

 

Qantas suspends international flights

 

 

Qantas will suspend all international flights from the end of March with two-thirds of all 30,000 staff being stood down.

---

 

 

US
set to lose 4.6m travel jobs ‘by end of April’

 

 

The estimate by the US Travel Association updates a previous projection of “catastrophic losses” of $355 billion and 4.6 million travel-related jobs this year.

---

 

 

Air New Zealand to close London cabin crew base

 

 

Carrier brings forward closure of its London cabin crew base of 130 flight attendants due to the impact of COVID-19 and travel restrictions imposed by governments around the world.

 

 

London-based cabin crew will operate their final service on the route on 20 March.

 

 

Air New Zealand had planned to close the cabin crew base with its withdrawal from the route in October 2020.

---

 

 

Fred Olsen passengers to be flown home tonight

 

 

Passengers on Fred Olsen Cruise Lines vessel Braemar will start to fly back from Cuba to the UK tonight.

 

 

All 682 passengers are currently being transferred from Port of Mariel in Havana to Jose Marti Airport.

 

 

Three flights have been chartered with the first one due to take off tonight at 10pm (UK time).

 

 

On March 10, one passenger and four crew members tested positive for coronavirus. As a result, Braemar was unable to disembark passengers in Barbados two days later.

 

 

The ship spent three days in the Bahamas before Cuban authorities granted permission for passengers to be repatriated by air from Havana.

 

 

It is understood that 28 passengers are in isolation after showing influenza-like symptoms.

---

 

 

DFDS to suspend Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry service

 

 

DFDS will suspend its Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry route at the weekend, until at least April 13.

 

 

The last sailing from Amsterdam will be on March 21 and the last from Newcastle on March 22.

 

 

Operator DFDS is consul

ty. In support of government recommendations, we have sadly taken the decision to temporarily close all three resorts.

 

---

 

 

 

 

Travel’s Good Deed Feed

 

 

Travel Weekly has created an online feed of positive news stories and messages from the travel industry in response to requests from readers.

 

 

We will endeavour to update this feed alongside our rolling news in order to support readers in these difficult circumstances.

 

 

If you have any submissions for the Travel’s Good Deed Feed, please email them to eleanor.kirk@travelweekly.co.uk.

---

 

 

Atol association hits out at airlines for ‘refusing customer refunds’

 

 

The Association of Atol Companies has hit out at airlines refusing to refund customers for flights cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions.

 

 

The AAC declined to identify carriers refusing cash refunds but said in a statement: “A number of airlines have cancelled flights but refuse to offer refunds to customers or their agents.”

---

 

 

‘Trust in agents will wane without clarity on refunds’

 

 

Fears are rising that consumers’ trust in travel agents will wane without urgent clarity about refund payments on cancelled bookings.

 

 

Travel agent Oliver Broad, director, RB Collection in Lichfield, joined calls for a fast response on the issue of refunds as retailers face increasing questions from clients who want their holiday payments returned.

---

 

 

Ryanair fleet to be grounded by Tuesday

 

 

Ryanair Group Airlines expects “most if not all” its flights will stop by midnight on Tuesday March 24.

 

 

The low-cost airline group – which includes Ryanair, Lauda, Buzz and Malta Air – is cutting its flight schedules by more than 80% between March 18 and March 24.

 

 

It is in contact with European governments and may operate repatriation flights for EU citizens where possible.

---

 

 

Abta and CAA strive for agreement on refunds

 

 

Abta was locked in talks with the CAA on immediate financial relief for firms on Tuesday as the government unveiled unprecedented measures to support business but advised against overseas travel.

 

 

The talks focused on relaxing requirements to refund customers within 14 days of cancellation, which threaten to put many firms out of business. The aim is to replace cash refunds with credit notes.

---

 

 

Red Funnel passengers to remain in cars on some ferry crossings

 

 

Isle of Wight ferry company Red Funnel will allow passengers to stay in their cars on some crossings from tomorrow, to help with social distancing.

 

 

It will operate several special “vehicle deck only” crossings, during which the main passenger accommodation areas will be closed, and passengers must remain in their vehicles.

 

 

The decks will be on selected Southampton and East Cowes departures. Click here for details.

---

 

 

Air Transat introduces ‘return home early’ policy

 

 

Air Transat has a new policy for its customers in Canada who wish to return to the UK early.

 

 

Passengers can now change their flights from Canada to the UK with no change fees or price difference, subject to availability.

 

 

The airline is gradually suspending flights until April 30 but some will continue for a few more days to repatriate customers.

 

 

Agents making changes via GDS should use the following waiver code: COVIDCHG16MAR and for additional support, they can contact
salessupportUK@transat.com

 

 

Click here for details.

---

 

 

Cyprus shutdown

 

 

The Cyprus government has instructed all hotel and tourist accommodation to shutdown from the weekend.

 

 

They will remain closed until April 30 as part of restrictions imposed by Cypriot authorities in reaction to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

All tourists will need to leave their accommodation by March 21, the Foreign Office said in updated travel advice.

 

 

The FCO said: “British nationals in Cyprus should follow the advice of the Cypriot authorities, which includes vacating their tourist accommodation by 21 March.

 

 

“The British government is discussing this requirement with the Cypriot government and asking airlines to offer more flights.

 

 

“We recommend that British nationals who wish to leave Cyprus contact their travel operator to make arrangements to do so as soon as possible.”

---

 

 

easyJet releases winter schedule early

 

 

Low-cost carrier easyJet has launched its winter schedule early, and easyJet holidays for the winter 2020-2021 season will be available to book tomorrow (March 19).

 

 

It said: “Due to the unprecedented circumstances, we’re launching our winter schedule early so that if you have an existing booking you can change to a flight for travel up until February 2021.

 

 

“We’ve waived our change fees until further notice, so you can currently amend the date and/or destination of your existing flight booking for free.”

 

 

Until midnight on Tuesday March, fares for flights from October 25, 2020, until February 28, 2021, will be available at or below £29.99 one-way per person.

---

 

 

Air Malta suspends all flights

 

 

Commercial flights will be suspended “until further notice” in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

Non-Maltese nationals are being urged to contact their respective embassies.

---

 

 

Peru gathers data on stranded British tourists

 

 

The Peruvian Tourism Ministry is consolidating information on tourists who have not managed to leave the country, after its borders were closed on March 16.

 

 

The British Embassy in the Peruvian capital Lima has tweeted a link to the form that travellers must fill in. The Twitter feed is @UKinPeru.

 

 

British nationals in Peru who wish to return home should contact their airline or tour operator about possible outbound flights.

---

 

 

Qantas cuts international capacity by 90%

 

 

Australia’s Qantas Group will cut its international services by 90% until at least the end of May – up from a 23% reduction announced last week.

 

 

Its workforce of 30,000 faces periods of paid and unpaid leave in addition to measures already announced, including three months of no pay for the chief executive and chairman, significant pay cuts for other executives.

---

 

 

Elegant Resorts forms dedicated coronavirus team

 

 

Staff at luxury tour operator Elegant Resorts have formed a dedicated team of 12 to help clients and travel agents affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

 

 

Based at the operator’s headquarters in Chester, they are reviewing, amending and rescheduling all imminent holiday plans.

 

 

Managing director Lisa Fitzell said: “We have decided to create this new service to help our clients and agent partners navigate the constant changes we are facing regarding current and future bookings.”

---

 

 

Heathrow Express offers flexibility on tickets

 

 

Heathrow Express is offering customers with fixed date tickets, including Duo Saver and Group Saver tickets, the option to change their travel date for free.

 

 

If customers have a Fixed Day Single Standard ticket for travel up to April, they can exchange it for another day up to six months from the date shown free of charge by contacting the customer relations team.

---

 

 

Loganair cuts half of network

 

 

The reductions for April and May come as bookings continue to fall “dramatically”.

 

 

Staff have been asked to consider a series of measures aimed at protecting employment levels – including reducing working hours by 20% and accepting a 20% reduction in salary as a result or taking a period of unpaid leave.

---

 

 

Braemar passengers to be flown home from Cuba

 

 

Passengers stuck on coronavirus-hit cruise ship Braemar in the Caribbean are to be flown home today.

 

 

The vessel has 28 passengers in isolation, having shown influenza-like symptoms.

---

 

 

US travel ban hits 3.3m airline seats

 

 

The UK is set to be hit worst by the restrictions imposed to limit the spread of coronavirus, travel analytics firm ForwardKeys revealed.

---

 

 

Liverpool airport warns of redundancies and lay-offs

 

 

The Merseyside airport revealed that “all cost reduction opportunities are being pursued” with capital expenditure also being deferred.

---

 

 

Concern over travellers stranded overseas

 

 

Consumer group Which? Travel revealed it had been contacted by an increasing number of passengers who have been asked to pay “extortionate” flight change fees or left stranded by airlines in countries placed under lockdown or where travel restrictions are being introduced.

---

 

 

 

 

Special Report: Travel Weekly coronavirus round-table

 

 

Senior industry figures came together to discuss how to handle the biggest crisis the sector has seen. Ian Taylor reports

---

 

 

Calls for swift to support travel and aviation

 

 

Government urged to act immediately with emergency measures as part of chancellor Rishi Sunak’s £330 billion bailout to keep businesses alive during the coronavirus epidemic.

 

 

Abta, unions and aviation bodies have urged ministers to release details of what support will be available and to implement it without delay.

 

 

Tuesday March 17

---

 

 

A message from Sky Princess

 

 

Last week, Princess stated it was voluntarily pausing its global operations for 60 days in response to the coronavirus crisis.

 

 

Sky Princess will return to sail a season across Scandinavia and Russia after this time. Three other ships will be based in the UK.

---

 

 

Government to suspend business rates for retail and hospitality sectors

 

 

Chancellor ditches business rates for those in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors for the rest of the year amid “unprecedented package” of £330 billion to support UK companies of all sizes through the coronavirus pandemic – amounting to about 15% of the UK’s GDP.

---

 

 

Advantage calls for immediate finance aid for SMEs

 

 

Consortium says the government needs to sanction immediate financial aid for small and medium sized businesses to survive the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

Fears raised that the government was not acting fast enough, with all support measures to date not providing funds immediately in members’ bank accounts.

---

 

 

Gatwick airport is axing 200 jobs

 

 

Airport is also cutting the pay of bosses by 20% as it battles to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

It said it has taken the “very difficult decision” to terminate the employment of 200 staff employed on temporary fixed-term contracts and contractors.

---

 

 

Vail’s North American resorts to remain shut for this season

 

 

Vail Resorts will keep its North American resorts closed for the 2019-20 winter ski season.

 

 

It will consider reopening Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado, Heavenly Mountain Resort in Lake Tahoe and Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia in late April/early May, depending on the coronavirus situation and weather conditions.

---

 

 

Puy du Fou show postpones opening to April 18

 

 

French attraction Puy du Fou has postponed the launch of its 2020 season from April 4 to April 18 and will remain open until November 1.
Meanwhile, in Spain, it has postponed the opening of Puy du Fou España’s large-scale night-time show El Sueño de Toledo until April 25.

---

 

 

Tipto cancels events in March

 

 

Supplier marketing organisation Tipto has postponed events planned for the rest of March.

 

 

It said: “Due to the current situation with Covid-19, and following feedback received from Tipto members and its agents, it is with regret that we have taken the decision to postpone the following events: March 19 in Sunderland; March 24 in Edinburgh; and March 31 in Belfast.

 

 

“These events will be moved to dates later in the year when we have more information on the evolving Covid-19 situation and its impact.”

---

 

 

Travel agent makes plea to public to support industry

 

 

Luxury Travel Gurus owner Jenny Jackson warns:

 

 

“After all this is over everyone will want to get away and unless we support our travel industry now we will have no airlines, overseas hotels or attractions left. Please help us save our travel industry,” she said.

---

 

 

Ryanair ‘severely’ reduces Spanish services

 

 

Ryanair has told passengers travelling from Spain that those booked to fly from March 21 to March 28 need to move to an alternative date.

 

 

It said today: “In response to the decision of the Spanish government to ‘lock down’ the entire country to contain the spread of the covid-19 virus, Ryanair Group Airlines – including Buzz and Lauda – has been forced to severely reduce flights to/from Spain, the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands from 24:00 Sun 15 Mar until 24:00 Fri 20 Mar.

 

 

“Customers that were already checked-in for their return flight may have experienced difficulties to change their booking.

 

 

“Today we are unchecking all customers booked on flights exiting Spain from 21 Mar to 28 Mar and advising them to apply for a free move on an alternative date via our online service.”

---

 

 

Britons advised to avoid foreign travel for 30 days

 

 

The UK government has advised all Britons to avoid non-essential travel overseas for an initial period of one month effective immediately.

 

 

British people overseas are not being asked to immediately return to the UK, except for a few countries detailed in the Foreign office travel advice, but have been urged to “keep in mind that flights may be cancelled at short notice or other travel restrictions may be put in place by foreign governments”.

---

 

 

Travel Weekly Coronavirus Crisis Advice Panel

 

 

 

 

Travel Weekly has gathered a panel of industry, business and legal experts to answer your questions as you try to run your businesses during the coronavirus crisis.

 

 

They are: Mark Tanzer, chief executive of Abta; Nikki
Spoor, accountancy, business and regulatory advisor at White Hart Associates; and Matt
Gatenby and Ami Naru, travel and employment law specialists respectively, from Travlaw.

 

 

Submit
your questions here

---

 

 

Travel Network Group to make 15 roles redundant

 

 

In a letter to members, chief executive Gary Lewis said the group had been “pulling together a plan on how to protect its business” in the current climate.

 

 

Speaking to Travel Weekly, he said: “We have had to put 15 people at risk of redundancy. All different parts of the business have been affected. We have also frozen all new recruitment.

---

 

 

Operators suspend tours around the world as crisis escalates

 

 

A host of tour operators have announced more holiday departures are being cancelled as coronavirus travel restrictions tighten around the world.

 

 

Affected suppliers include AAT Kings, Exodus, Headwater, Ramblers Walking Holidays, Topdeck and Back Roads Touring.

---

 

 

Bulgaria travellers should arrange to leave

 

 

British travellers in Bulgaria should arrange to leave as a state of emergency was declared over coronavirus.

 

 

The Foreign Office now advises against all but essential travel to the country after “stringent measures” were introduced by the Bulgarian government.

 

 

The FCO said in updated travel advice: “We recommend that British nationals who wish to leave the country make arrangements to do so as soon as possible.

 

 

“The Bulgarian government has introduced a number of measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

“These include a temporary travel ban for British nationals entering Bulgaria starting from midnight March 17-18.

 

 

“This does not apply to British nationals with permanent or long-term residence in Bulgaria.”

---

 

 

Seychelles travel advice updated

 

 

The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Seychelles.

 

 

It will not be possible for travellers coming from, or having transited through, the UK or European Union to enter the Indian islands nation from 8pm on Wednesday.

 

 

Returning residents are exempt but will be placed in mandatory quarantine in government quarantine centres for 14 days on arrival.

 

 

No ship will be allowed to enter Seychelles waters if any passenger on board has been to the UK, EU, China, South Korea or Iran in the last 14 days.

 

 

The new FCO travel advice is due to restrictions put in place by the Seychelles government in response to the outbreak of coronavirus.
Cases of the virus have been confirmed in Seychelles and local authorities have introduced a number of precautionary measures to limit the spread.

---

 

 

Government urged to become ‘insurer of last resort’

 

 

Accountancy and advisory firm BDO warned that the industry faced “unprecedented difficulty” in the weeks ahead.

 

 

Prime minister Boris Johnson yesterday urged people to avoid unnecessary social contacts, to work from home where possible, and to stay away from pubs and restaurants.

---

 

 

Jet2 lays on rescue flights as coronavirus shuts down destinations

 

 

The carrier is laying on rescue flights in an effort to repatriate holidaymakers facing the prospect of being stranded overseas as countries shut borders to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

While flights are suspended to many destinations, aircraft are being redeployed to fly people home.

---

 

 

UKinbound asks for ‘urgent and aggressive’ government intervention

 

 

Trade association said urgent measures need to include guidance on how businesses can apply for Business Interruption Loans.

---

 

 

UK airports ‘face shutdown within weeks’ unless ministers intervene

 

 

The Airport Operators Association fears imminent closures unless ministers intervene.

 

 

Call follows airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, easyJet and Ryanair slashing schedules in the face of a slump in demand due to the coronavirus pandemic.

---

 

 

Travel Counsellors founders offers free advice

 

 

Travel Counsellors founder David Speakman and colleague Richard Mathias, chief executive of their company Genus – are offering advice or mentoring to anyone in need of help or support.

---

 

 

Designer Travel offers free advice to self-employed agents

 

 

Founder and managing director Amanda Matthews has produced a fact sheet of advice for her own 90 homeworkers to help them support customers and keep their businesses afloat over the coming months.

 

 

But she decided to make it more widely available to the rest of the industry, offering to share her advice sheet with anyone on Facebook. Here it is in full below:

---

 

 

High street travel agencies close doors

 

 

Independent high street miniples Miles Morgan Travel and Tailor Made Travel have shut their doors following government advice to limit non-essential movements

---

 

 

Shearings and Titan cancel tours

 

 

Tour operators Shearings Holidays and Titan Travel have announced cancellations because of the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

Shearings Holidays has cancelled coach and self-drive breaks, while Titan said it will suspend all of its touring and cruising programme – both until April 30.

---

 

 

British travellers urged to leave Tunisia as travel restrictions spread

 

 

Air services between the north African nation and all other countries, including the UK, will be suspended on Wednesday, the Foreign Office warned.

---

 

 

Global airline alliances appeal for ‘extraordinary support’

 

 

The British Airways-backed Oneworld grouping, SkyTeam and Star Alliance, which contribute more than half of global airline capacity, have demanded government action to “alleviate the immense pressures” caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

Virgin Atlantic, whose US partner is SkyTeam member Delta Air Lines, last week called for UK government support for the sector including emergency credit of up to £7.5 billion.

---

 

 

Carnival Corportion agrees $3bn in borrowing as cruises halted

 

 

Tapping the credit facility will increases the group’s cash position and “preserve financial flexibility in light of current uncertainty in the global markets resulting from the Covid-19 outbreak”.

 

 

The proceeds from the borrowings will be available to be used for working capital, general corporate or other purposes, the corporation said.

---

 

 

Atol renewal deadline ‘to be extended’

 <

---

 

 

A-Rosa adds Rhine to list of suspensions

A-Rosa River Cruises has suspended its cruises on the Rhine, in addition to earlier announcements about the Danube, Rhone and Seine.

 

 

It will stop sailings on the Danube and Rhine until April 3 and on the Rhône and Seine until April 15.

 

 

The port of Amsterdam has been closed to all cruise ships and Germany has closed its borders to five countries.

 

 

A-Rosa is liaising with tour operator and travel agency partners about cancelled sailings.

---

 

 

Etihad suspends more services

 

 

Etihad Airways has suspended a number of services from Abu Dhabi to numerous cities, including Milan, Rome, Madrid, Hong Kong and Seoul. See the full schedule of changes here

---

 

 

Braemar heads to Cuba to repatriate passengers

 

 

Fred Olsen ship Braemar is sailing from the Bahamas to Cuba, where passengers will be allowed to disembark and fly back to the UK.

 

 

Five people on Braemar, including four crew members, had tested positive for Covid-19 at Willemstad, Curaçao, on March 10.

 

 

The cruise line is working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about onward travel arrangements and with Public Health England about requirements for passengers once they return to the UK.

 

 

There are currently 22 guests and 21 crew who are in isolation, after displaying influenza-like symptoms.

---

 

 

Air New Zealand cuts capacity by 85%

 

 

Air New Zealand is reducing capacity by 85% and has placed itself into a ‘trading halt’ with redundancies likely.

 

 

The airline said it would operate a minimal schedule to allow passengers to return home, with full details to be released in the coming days

 

 

It confirmed it will be suspending flights between Auckland and Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Buenos Aires, Vancouver, Tokyo Narita, Honolulu, Denpasar and Taipei from 30 March 30 to June 30. It is also suspending its London- Los Angeles service from March 20 and 21 March until June 30.

 

 

Customers are being advised not to call the airline unless they are travelling within the next 48 hours.

 

 

As a result of the downturn, the airline is also reviewing its cost base and said it would need to start the process of redundancies.

---

 

 

Abta warns travel job losses could reach ‘tens of thousands’

 

 

Abta warns travel businesses employing tens of thousands of people could go bust unless the government gives urgent support to the sector.

 

 

The association has also written the prime minister and the business secretary calling for immediate, temporary changes to the UK Package Travel Regulations at European and UK government level.

---

 

 

Norwegian cancels 85% of flights and lays off 90% of staff

 

 

Norwegian is cancelling 85% of its flights and temporarily laying off 7,300 staff – 90% of its workforce.

 

 

The airline said in a statement: “The Covid-19 situation is escalating by the hour and due to stagnating demand and enforced travel restrictions by authorities worldwide, Norwegian will gradually cancel most of its flights and temporarily lay off a major share of its workforce.”

---

 

 

Jet2 suspends Dubrovnik and Amsterdam services

 

 

Jet2 is suspending all flights to Dubrovnik up to May 31, while its services to Amsterdam will stop on March 18 until April 30.

 

 

Services to Pula, Split and Zadar remain unaffected.

 

 

The airline said it will contact all customers due to be on Dubrovnik or Amsterdam flights.

 

 

The airline has already axed services to Services to Italy, mainland Spain, the Balearic, Canary Islands, Nice, Paris, Grenoble and Lyon.

---

 

 

Ryanair axes flight change fees

 

 

Ryanair passengers can now move their flight, free of charge, to a date in the future.

 

 

The airline will waive the usual flight change fee and customers will only have to pay the difference in fare.

 

 

Ryanair also advises customers not to try to change to another date in April.

---

 

 

FCO advises against Cyprus, Norway, Slovenia and Montenegro; St Lucia and Mauritius extend bans

 

 

The Foreign Office has today said it advises against all but essential travel to Cyprus, Norway, Slovenia and Montenegro, while Saint Lucia and Mauritius have extended travel bans to include visitors from the UK.

 

 

The updated advice about Cyprus says tourists on the island should leave their tourist accommodation by March 21 as hotels and other tourist accommodation must close from March 21 to April 30.

 

 

The Slovene government has announced the cancellation of air traffic from 23.59 on March 16, including passenger flights to and from the UK.

 

 

The advice about Montenegro and Norway follows new government measures limiting travel.

 

 

Mauritius has extended its travel restrictions to include visitors from the UK, who will not be allowed entry or transit from March 18, for a period of 14 days.

 

 

Saint Lucia has also extended its restrictions to those who have been in the UK. The ban comes into force on March 17.

---

 

 

Virgin Atlantic to cut capacity by 80%

 

 

Virgin Atlantic is cutting its capacity by 80% and pulling its Heathrow-Newark service for good.

 

 

The transatlantic carrier said it would only operate core routes based on customer demand.

 

 

Approximately 80% of daily flights will be cut until March 26 and 75% of its fleet parked. In April, up to 85% of its planes will be grounded.

---

 

 

Rendez-vous Canada trade show cancelled

 

 

Destination Canada and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada have cancelled the Rendez-vous Canada 2020 trade show, scheduled to take place in Quebec City from May 5-8.

 

 

In a joint statement, the tourism board and association said: “Our decision on this was made clearer last Friday (March 13) when the prime minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and several of his ministers announced tightened restrictions and enhanced guidelines on international travel, border control measures, mass gatherings, among other tourism-related areas.”

 

 

It is now looking at refunds for those who had registered, and virtual appointments for buyers and sellers.

---

 

 

CroisiEurope suspends all cruises until April 15

 

 

River cruise operator CroisiEurope has postponed all of its cruises until and including April 15.

 

 

Affected passengers will receive full credit for cruise at a future date plus a £150 voucher for a future cruise.

 

 

For all new bookings made between March 16 and May 1 for all departures until August 31, passengers may cancel free of charge up to 30 days from their departure date.

 

 

The launch of its new ship La Belle des Océans, due to take place on April 16 in Nice, has also been cancelled.

 

 

Meanwhile, Asia river cruise operator Pandaw said clients booking for next season can change their dates or itinerary in return for a credit on another sailing.

---

 

 

Dnata begins ‘widespread review’ of business

 

 

Dnata Travel Group has begun a “widespread review” of its business in response to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

In a letter issued to suppliers on Monday, the Gold Medal and Travel2 parent said it was “looking hard at where processes can be streamlined, investments made and efficiencies delivered for the benefit of all our stakeholders”.

---

 

 

Alitalia asks passengers to wear face masks

 

 

Italian carrier Alitalia says passengers are required to wear protective breathing masks on board its flights.

 

 

It says on its website: “Alitalia informs passengers that, before boarding, they will be required to have their own protective mask to be worn in case a large number of travellers on board would not allow to respect the one-metre interpersonal safety distance.

 

 

“Alitalia could deny boarding to passengers who are not be in possession of their own personal protective device.”

 

 

The airline also recommends travellers wear a protective mask while at airports and during boarding and disembarking.

 

 

Most carriers have now stopped direct flights between Italy and the UK. Alitalia continues to operate flights on a reduced basis.

 

 

Elsewhere, Ukraine International announced it will suspend all scheduled international flights from March 17 to March 31.

 

 

It follows the decision by the government of Ukraine to temporarily ban foreigners from entering the country, until April 3.

---

 

 

Launch of Tui River Cruises postponed to May 2

 

 

Tui has postponed the launch of Tui River Cruises and cancelled all sailings until and including May 2.

 

 

The first public sailings were due to depart on March 29, with three ships operating itineraries on several European waterways.

 

 

Customers booked on affected sailings will get a full refund or can re-book onto any other available sailing until October 31.

---

 

 

Ryanair warns it could ground entire fleet

 

 

Ryanair is to ground the majority of its fleet in the next seven to 10 days and warned all flights could be stopped in April and May.

 

 

In the last week a swathe of European countries have closed borders and banned flights.

---

 

 

P&O, Cunard, Seabourn and HAL suspend sailings

 

 

Four Carnival-owned cruise lines – Cunard, P&O Cruises, Seabourn and Holland America Line – are temporarily suspending global operations because of the coronavirus outbreak.

 

 

Cunard and P&O Cruises will suspend new cruises until April 11, while Holland America Line will stop cruises for 30 days, affecting sailings scheduled to depart until April 14, 2020.

 

 

Seabourn has paused global operations of its five cruise ships for 30 days, from March 14.

---

 

 

Jet2holidays offers money off re-bookings

 

 

Jet2holidays is offering agents’ customers who are affected by recent route cancellations £60 off re-bookings.

 

 

They should use promotion code REBOOK60 to receive the saving.

 

 

The offer is valid for travel in all seasons, minimum two adults.

---

 

 

Miles Morgan Travel offers to do shopping for elderly clients

 

 

Travel agency owner Miles Morgan said he had made the decision to help customers in this way following news the government plans to ask people over the age of 70 to self-isolate in the near future because of the coronavirus. The agency chain has 17 shops and three homeworkers.

---

 

 

Comment: Standing with you
all

 

 

The impact of this crisis is devastating for the entire industry and Travel Weekly stands in support of you all, says editor-in-chief Lucy Huxley

---

 

 

Best Western offers hotels for temporary NHS beds

 

 

he UK’s largest independent hotel chain, Best Western, is to enter discussions with the government about turning its properties into temporary hospitals.

---

 

 

Fred
Olsen’s Braemar awaits medical supplies in The Bahamas

 

 

Fred Olsen ship Braemar has been given safe haven in The Bahamas after 20 guests and crew were taken ill with flu-like symptoms.

---

 

 

FCO advises against all but essential travel to South Africa

 

 

The move came as South African authorities introduced measures restricting individuals entering South Africa if they have come from countries affected by coronavirus including UK. The new measures will come in to force on March 18.

---

 

 

EasyJet calls for government backing to secure future of sector

 

 

Low cost carrier easyJet has called for backing from governments in Europe to ensure the survival of the aviation sector after the coronavirus pandemic.

---

 

 

IAG’s Willie Walsh to delay retirement

 

 

BA parent IAG has put planned management changes on hold as it battles to cope with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

---

 

 

Tui Group suspends ‘majority of travel operations’ due to coronavirus

 

 

A statement on Sunday evening from the Hanover-based giant said the suspension was in line with government guidelines and would include package travel, cruises and hotel operations.

---

 

 

SAS to halt flights

 

 

The Foreign Office is warning that Scandinavian airline SAS “will halt most of its traffic from March 2020 16” and urges passengers to check the airline’s website if planning to travel.

---

 

 

Latest FCO travel advisories

 

 

The FCO is now advising against all but essential travel to Morocco, the Dominican Republic and Indonesia.

---

 

 

Sunday March 15

 

 

Advice: How to ensure your business survives the current crisis

 

 

Travel, audit and tax director at travel specialist accountancy firm White Hart Associates, Nikki Spoor, says businesses need to take decisive action to survive.

---

 

 

Advice: Could your business run out of cash? Act early and contingency plan

 

 

Henry Wells, managing director, M&A Advisory, and Phil Dakin, managing director, Corporate Advisory at Duff & Phelps, outline what practical steps travel firms can take to stay afloat during the pandemic.

---

 

 

Ronaldo to convert Madeira hotels into makeshft hospitals

 

 

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly going to allow his hotels in his native Portugal to temporarily convert into hospitals to care for people with coronavirus.

 

 

The Juventus forward, and five-time Ballon d’Or winner, is to cover the costs of turning his CR7 brand properties in Madeira into hospitals, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.

 

 

The UK Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Madeira.

---

 

 

FCO advises against travel to Norway

 

 

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is now advising against all but essential travel to Norway “due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and in line with various controls and restrictions imposed by the Norwegian authorities.”

 

 

British nationals in Norway have been asked follow the advice of the Norwegian authorities.

---

 

 

Silversea isolates passengers on two ships

 

 

Passengers test positive for COVID-19 on board Silver Explorer, which is docked in Chile, and Silver Shadow, currently in Brazil.

 

 

Confirmed cases have been ‘medically disembarked’ while remaining passengers isolated in cabins.

---

 

 

Jet2 suspends flights to French destinations

 

 

Services to Nice, Paris, Grenoble and Lyon to be halted, with customers flown home.

---

 

 

CAA warns of ‘threat to survival’ of some travel businesses

 

 

The Civil Aviation Authority has warned of the “threat to the survival of some businesses” as a result of the impact of coronavirus.

 

 

The aviation body says the “underlying consumer desire” for travel is “strong” but warned travel companies to take “very difficult actions” to prepare for “the most challenging period for aviation and package holiday businesses we have witnessed”.

---

 

 

FCO advises against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka

 

 

Sri Lanka is the latest destination that the UK Foreign Office is advising citizens not to travel to.

 

 

In updated guidelines, the FCO said: “The Sri Lankan Government has decided that people arriving from the UK, or having travelled through the UK, will not be allowed to enter Sri Lanka from midnight on March 16 (1830 GMT March 15).

 

 

“We therefore advise against all but essential travel if you are travelling from or via the UK.”

---

 

 

Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to US

 

 

The change in travel advice follows the US government extending its transatlantic flight ban from 26 European countries to include the UK.

 

 

The US restrictions will be enforced from the early hours of March 17 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

The FCO said: “From 23:59 eastern daylight time on 16 March (03:59 GMT 17 March) it will not be possible for many British nationals to enter the USA.

 

 

British travellers in the US will be allowed to leave.

---

 

 

Singapore issues ‘stay at home’ order

 

 

All travellers entering Singapore with a recent travel history to Asean countries, Japan and Switzerland and the UK will be issued with a 14-day “stay at home” order from Monday.

 

 

They will also be required to provide proof of where they will serve the order, for example, a hotel or private residence, the Foreign Office said in updated travel advice.

 

 

They might also be swabbed on arrival to test for coronavirus.

 

 

The latest measures come as the Singapore government seeks to limit the spread of the virus.

 

 

Travellers from the UK are being urged to check with their travel provider before departure.

 

 

Around 450,000 British tourists a year visit Singapore.

---

 

 

Ryanair cuts Spanish flights from Monday

 

 

All Ryanair airlines, including Buzz and Lauda, have been forced to “severely reduce” flights to and from mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and Canaries until March 19.

 

 

Europe’s largest budget airline group is making the cuts in response to the Spanish government’s state of emergency imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus.

 

 

Ryanair said: “We are contacting all affected customers by email to advise them of their options and we urge customers not to call us.

 

 

“This is a fast-moving and complex situation and the safety and well-being of our people and customers is our main priority.

 

 

“We will continue to comply fully with all WHO and EASA guidelines and we will follow any travel restrictions that are imposed.

 

 

“Ryanair Group Airlines apologises sincerely to all customers affected by these restrictions introduced by the Spanish government which are necessary to combat the Covid-19 virus.”

---

 

 

Leger Holidays reviewing all March departures

 

 

Leger Holidays is allowing holidaymakers due to travel on European coach tours in April to switch to a date later in the year or in 2021.

 

 

The operator is reviewing all departures between March 16 and April 1 “following recent FCO advice and anticipating further changes to current advice in the near future”.

 

 

The company added: “We are proactively working to contact all customers directly in departure date order with more information and to discuss alternative travel arrangements.

 

 

“During this time we expect our phone lines to be extremely busy with a high volume of calls and we politely ask that you await our communication and urge you not to contact us where possible.

 

 

“This is a fast-paced and complex situation and we are doing all we can to ensure we can re-arrange your travel plans as quickly as possible.”

---

 

 

A-Rosa suspends cruises on three European rivers

 

 

A-Rosa River Cruises is temporarily suspending its cruises on the Danube, Rhone and Seine.

 

 

The company made the decision after the French health ministry issued a decree prohibiting cruise ships with more than 100 passengers on board from calling at French ports until April 15.

 

 

All A-Rosa cruises on the Seine and Rhone will be cancelled until that time.

 

 

Sailings on the Danube will also be cancelled up to April 3 due to tighter entry restrictions imposed in Austria, which do not allow guests to travel to the departure point of the line’s ships.

 

 

A-Rosa said: “We are currently liaising with all our tour operator and travel agency partners to provide them with all the latest information for their customers.

 

 

“We are offering free re-booking to a later date in either the 2020 or 2021 season and guests will receive an additional on board credit of €50 per person.

 

 

“They will also receive a special discount of 30% off a future A-Rosa cruise.”

---

 

 

Inghams cancels ski programme

 

 

Ighams has urged customers due to travel to France not to go to the airport today as ski lifts in resorts are being closed for the rest of the season.

 

 

This follows many authorities across Austria, Andorra, Italy and Switzerland closing ski lifts and resorts as a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus in Europe.

 

 

The company said on Friday afternoon: “Even though the Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice has not changed for all countries, as a responsible tour operator, we will not be operating Inghams ski holidays to resorts in any of these countries for the rest of the 2019/2020 winter season.”

 

 

Inghams has also been forced to cancel its winter ski programme to Canada after authorities changed entry requirements.

---

 

 

Travel restrictions imposed as Spain declares state of emergency

 

 

A clampdown on travel to Spain has been imposed overnight after a state of emergency was declared in the country for at least two weeks to fight coronavirus.

 

 

The Foreign Office changed its travel advice shortly after midnight to advise against all but essential travel to Spain, which attracted 18 million British holidaymakers last year.

 

 

The state of emergency announced on Saturday introduced a series of measures including “significant restrictions” on movement throughout the country in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

 

 

Spain has recorded more than 6,300 cases of the virus with more than 190 deaths, the worst-hit country in Europe after Italy.

---

 

 

UK airlines need emergency cash injection to survive

 

 

Emergency government action is needed to prevent the UK aviation sector being wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

Virgin Atlantic is to request an industry bailout of £7.5 billion in a direct plea to prime minister Boris Johnson.

 

 

And trade body Airlines UK has appealed for a support package worth several billion pounds.

---

 

 

Coronavirus: Tui increases cancellations as travel restrictions bite

 

 

Tui is cancelling holiday programmes to a raft of countries as strict travel restrictions are imposed in an effort to combat the spread of coronavirus.

 

 

The UK’s largest operator is offering refunds but warned that it is receiving a high volume of calls and urged for “patience as we work through them”.

 

 

Holiday have been cancelled to the US, Spain, Jamaica, Cypru