Travel & Business News

  IATA’s Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently called on all the branches of the European Union (EU) to implement a proposal advanced by the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis regarding the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 in Europe. The proposal suggests the creation and utilization of a common digital European COVID-19 vaccination certificate that will serve to facilitate intra-European movement for those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. IATA’s Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac voiced his support of the proposal in an open letter to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in which he also copied key policy-makers across the EU. In his letter, de Juniac suggested that EU member states should develop a policy capable of regenerating much needed social and economic benefits for Europe, and which will ultimately lead to freedom of movement for those who have a...

  Emirates Airline has entered a historic partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and will soon become one of the first airlines globally to implement the trial IATA Travel Pass. The IATA Travel Pass is a mobile application created to assist passengers in managing their travel according to any government requirements for COVID-19 testing. Emirates passengers will thus be able to create ‘digital passports’ to verify whether their pre-travel vaccinations or tests meet the requirements of their destinations. This information will then be shared with airlines and other authorities to facilitate travel. Before the scheme is fully implemented, Emirates will implement phase 1 in Dubai in April, during which passengers travelling from the city will be able to share information about their COVID-19 status even before they get to the airport, thus reducing their airport check-in time. Adel Al Redha, Chief Operating Officer for Emirates said, “While internati...

  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has acclaimed the announcement made by the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that it will require all travelers to the US to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test – a test which must have occurred not more than three days prior to the passenger’s departure to the US. The implementation of the above communiqué is effective 26 January. Douglas Lavin, IATA’s Vice President Member and External Relations, North America said, “Systematic pre-departure testing is key to giving governments confidence to reopen markets without quarantine. Testing will ensure that at current infection levels, aviation will not become a meaningful vector of new transmissions in the US. Furthermore, IATA traveler surveys show that passengers strongly support and are willing to undergo testing.” According to sources, IATA is encouraged by the CDC’s willingness to accept both PCR and antigen testing, which will encourage and pe...

Engr. Akin Olateru, Commissioner, AIB   Engr. Akin Olateru, Commissioner/CEO of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), has called on all workers in the Nigerian aviation industry to be twice as vigilant in the execution of their duties as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on. He said this while delivering a speech in celebration of the New Year 2021. In his address, Engr. Olateru commended staff of the Bureau for a job well done throughout year 2020. Handing out accolades to various members of staff for their contributions in AIB, Olateru said he was pleased with the Bureau’s performance in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic. He further encouraged the staff to remain dedicated to their jobs and to continue to intensify safety measures against COVID-19 including constant and correct wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Engr. Olateru went further to encourage inter and intra-departmental cooperation in order to be more productive as an organization, while ensuring that int...