UK Public Sector Industrial Action – Wednesday 30 November 2011

November 25th, 2011 No Comments

Passengers on flights arriving at a UK airport between 0001-2359 BST on Wednesday 30 November 2011 will experience queues and delays at passport control as a result of industrial action by public sector staff including the UK Border Agency staff.

The management of UK Border Agency will do everything they can to minimise disruption for passengers travelling to the UK whilst ensuring that the UK Border remains secure.

Passengers who have registered for Iris or EU citizens who have an e-passport should use the automatic gates as they may provide a quicker option. It is anticipated there will be less UK Border Agency Staff on duty at the airports therefore fast track channels will not be available
For up to date information please check the UK Border Agency website at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Rebooking options for passengers due to land in London Heathrow, London Gatwick or Manchester on Wednesday 30 November 2011
Our flying programme is unaffected by the industrial action on the ground however those passengers scheduled to land in a UK Airport on Wednesday 30 November, who would prefer to avoid the strike day may change their date of travel free of charge.
Rebook to a later flight departing before 4 December 2011
Rebooking is subject to availability in the same ticket class.

Or
Rebook to an earlier flight up to and including 29 November 2011
Rebooking is subject to availability in the same ticket class

Passengers on through tickets involving other carriers can also amend their connection subject to availability in the same ticket class.
Please be aware that if passengers choose to change their date of travel, Virgin Atlantic will not be responsible for or reimburse any consequential costs or losses they may incur, this includes the cost/loss of accommodation, ground transport or connecting flights.

Refunds

As we are still operating our normal flying programme passengers holding non refundable tickets who no longer wish to travel will incur cancellation charges in accordance with the relevant fare rules.

Source – email form Virgin Atlantic dated 25NOV11

Read More »

UK “Priority Visa Service”

November 14th, 2011 No Comments

Wow so the UK have cottoned on to the African way of doing things – you want me to work faster you pay the premium:

The UK Border Agency in South Africa has introduced a Priority Visa Service in South Africa effective November 14.

Customers will now be able to pay an additional fee to fast track their visa application and have it processed ahead of others. Only a limited number of Priority Visas will be sold each day on a first come, first served basis.

The Priority Visa Service will be available for UK visit visa categories only. To apply for a Priority Visa customers must complete and submit a UK visa application online as normal and visit one of the UK’s Visa Application Centres operated by VFS Global in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth or Pretoria where they will be able to obtain further details about the Priority Service.

The cost of the Priority Visa Service will be R675, in addition to the visa application fee itself. This fee can be only paid at the Visa Application Centre by Debit/Credit Card (Visa/MasterCard).

Good on them – much needed however one must ask is this not transparent corruption? Ok seriously mean this tongue in cheek or is it a way of curbing the corruption happening already or corruption that could happen? Leave it there mean nothing by the question just a thought provoking question.

Read More »

TIC introduces local travel insurance

November 11th, 2011 No Comments

Travel Insurance Consultants (TIC) has introduced local travel insurance for South Africans travelling within South Africa, which provides a number of important benefits*. Travel always involves risk, and this applies equally to local trips as to journeys abroad. This is why it is important to consider the benefits of buying domestic travel insurance for local travel.
• The Cancellation and Curtailment cover (with a limit of R10 000) is a valuable benefit for any traveller should they have to cancel or curtail their holiday as a result of sudden illness or accident or death.
• TIC also provides R10 000 for Burial Expenses in the event of your death while on holiday.
• If you hire a car while on holiday, and have an accident, you will be held liable by the car rental company for the excess, which can be very high. Along with the stress of dealing with such a traumatic event would be the added worry of financial loss looming over your head. TIC’s local travel insurance policy has a Car Rental Excess Waiver (with a limit of R10 000) which will protect clients from having to pay high excesses should they be involved in an accident.
• TIC also provides a Car Hire benefit of R250 a day, which can go a long way to absorbing the cost of finding other forms of transportation, should your car break down while you are on holiday.
• Should you require Medical Transportation and Evacuation to hospital, TIC’s local travel insurance policy will cover you for these costs.
• Should you be hospitalised on a journey for at least 24 hours, TIC will pay you a daily inconvenience benefit of R2 500 for each complete 24 hours you remain in hospital.
Local travel insurance will cover you for all these events, as well as providing a host of other important benefits. Taking out a policy will put your mind at rest and is the perfect solution for the careful South African traveller.

https://shop.tic.co.za/travelinsurance/buynow.aspx?ref=49&types=Local

Read More »

Bus hire made easy – Bushub.co.za

November 8th, 2011 No Comments

BusHub.Co.Za is a new concept in South Africa that combines the duties of a brokerage, transport operator and people transport management facility. Through our collective bargaining power we ensure that the client are able to receive a professional service from reputable bus and coach operators throughout South & southern Africa. The philosophy of this HUB concept is based on RSVP:

  • Reliability
  • Safety
  • Value for Money
  • Professional Service

This is not a tender process for the lowest bid as bus and coach operators partake voluntary to submit a quote based on the requests received. We undertake to submit a formal quote within 24 hours of receipt thus building sound relationships with all wheels operators in South Africa. This quote contains the average of at least 3 recommended operators based on geographical area, availability, requirement, budget, & preference by the client where applicable.

We screen all participating Bus and Coach operators based on service, price, reliability, safety, legislative compliance i.e. permits & insurance, driver conduct, industry standards & reporting. Feedback on service or complaints is given to the Suppliers on a regular basis thus enhancing the relationship between all parties. We believe in positive criticism with responsible development.

BusHub’s staff is responsible for all administrative functions i.e. quotations, bookings, confirmations & payments as well as certain operational duties such as driver briefings, communications with the client and between BusHub.Co.Za and the supplier.

www.bushub.co.za

Read More »

Lanseria to George

November 8th, 2011 No Comments

We are excited to announce that British Airways operated by Comair has introduced flights between HLA and GRJ. These flights will operate between 01Dec11 and 18Jan12.

The flights will operate daily as follows:

BA6271 HLA 10:10 GRJ 12:55

BA6272 GRJ 13:25 HLA 16:00

Read More »

SAA: Use of Cell Phones ….

November 8th, 2011 No Comments

Use of Cell Phones in Flight-mode During Flights

South African Airways’ application to the South African CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) for an exemption to allow the use of cellular telephones in flight-mode during the cruise-phase of a flight has been granted. The exemption applies to all flights (domestic, regional, international) and all aircraft types.

Effective, Wednesday 9 November 2011, all SAA passengers will be permitted to use personal electronic devices such as cell phones, e-readers and electronic tablets in flight-mode or an equivalent mode.

Flight Mode is a setting available on many mobile phones and other electronic devices that, when engaged, suspends many of the device’s signal transmitting functions – thereby disabling the device’s capacity to place or receive calls or text messages – while still permitting use of other basic functions that do not require signal transmission such as calendars, address books, reading e-mail, and MP3.

To effectively manage the risk to aircraft systems, the use of PEDs on board can now be/is divided into 4 categories: Unrestricted, Limited, Restricted and Prohibited. 

After embarkation, and prior to the cabin doors being closed, the IFSC/SCCM (In-flight Service Co-ordinator/Senior Cabin Crew Member) shall make an announcement advising passengers the conditions under which Flight Mode may be used.If the cabin crew are unable to confirm that the transmitting function on an intentionally transmitting device has been disabled, then the device should be switched off. In addition, the Commander may prohibit the use of any PED, if required in the interest of safety.

Passengers will be required to select the flight mode functionality PRIOR to switching their cell phones off in preparation for the flight.

The use of cell phones in flight-mode (as per the exemption application) will be indicated by the Commander switching on and off the fasten seat-belt signs, ie, at the top of climb a cell phone in flight-mode may be used.

Please Note:

  1. If a passenger is uncertain as to how to select flight-mode on the cell phone, the passenger must be advised that the device must remain switched off for the duration of the flight;

If at any point during a flight any irregularities or interference is detected in the flight deck, Flight Mode is to be suspended IMMEDIATELY. In this event, the Commander shall make an announcement to this effect;

Read More »

Qantas resumes services

October 31st, 2011 No Comments

Qantas resumes services

As a valued Qantas industry partner, I am pleased to advise you that Qantas has resumed services from 15h40 on Monday 31 October 2011 Sydney time. Operations will resume progressively and we expect to be flying our full schedule in 24-48 hours. Safety will remain our first priority at all times.

Fair Work Australia granted the Government’s application to terminate all industrial action in relation to the Qantas dispute. All industrial action is now over. You can again book Qantas flights for your customers with confidence and certainty.

The past few months have been very challenging for the industry and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and stress this situation has caused. We will do everything we can to make things right and are will offer your customers refunds, fully flexible re-booking options and reimbursement of expenses for any travel that was affected.

We now look forward to a period of stability which will allow us to return our focus to building a stronger Qantas.

Read More »

December Vacations

October 28th, 2011 No Comments

Ok I am certainly not one to promote shopping around – ie via Travel Agents – however shopping and asking various tour operators can be adventitious as I have learned this week. Here is why – and I us Mauritius as reference in this article – various operators punt / push and sell various properties in Mauritius, so looking for 4 or 5 star properties you need to shop around various operators to see what the various hotels are offering and boy changing dates can  make an enormous difference. One can note that the peak holiday season which is in line with the school holidays or a week in either side for the peak peak times can see an increase in rates from low seaosn rates upwards of 60%, an average holiday to Mauritius for a family of 4 would comfortable be under R50 000 all inclusive however you will see this rate climb to between R75 000 and R100 000 during the peak season. Now for Mauritius various operators will offer various resorts so asking various operators and getting various resort opotions is a must when looking for the best peak season deal.

Now on the flip side if you find an agent that offers 4 quotes from 4 various tour operators then there is not much point in going to another travel agent to try and get the exact same quotes, what I am saying is the various operators have different specials not various travel agents – generally speaking, so for Mauritius you have the likes of Club Med, Beach comber, Naide, Movenpick and the likes – some with availability and some not. Also note that some operators will say you have left it late – well in a nut shell you have to have the full range however not to late to say we cannot assist you – if you get this response then find another agent. Some operators have flight location for some prime flying times – so ask around – shop around the operators not the agents – bottom line shop the various resorts as you do certainly have a plethora of options in Mauritius and yes there is still availability, not everywhere however there is still space for that December / New year vacation.

If you an operator and have allocation - drop me a mail and I will create a post with Dec availability in Mauritius to assist you in selling the seats and the viewers in getting away for Dec.

Read More »

Thailand Floods

October 25th, 2011 No Comments

Major floods are occurring during the 2011 monsoon season in Thailand, most severely in the Chao Phraya but also in the Mekong River basin. Beginning in late July and continuing for over two months, the floods have caused 307 reported deaths, over 2.3 million people affected, with estimated damages of up to 156.7 billion baht (5.1 billion USD) as of 18 October. The flooding has inundated about six million hectares of land, over 300,000 hectares of which is farmland, in fifty-eight provinces, from Chiang Mai in the North to parts of the capital city of Bangkok near the mouth of the Chao Phraya. It has been described as “the worst flooding yet in terms of the amount of water and people affected”. Seven major industrial estates have been inundated by as much 3 meters (10 feet) and estimated it will be around for 40 days.[1]

Source

Read More »

Southern Sun Hotels acquires The Grace Hotel & Office Building in Rosebank

October 7th, 2011 No Comments

Southern Sun Hotels has successfully acquired the Grace Hotel & Office Building in Rosebank from Hyprop Investments.
With a history spanning 42 years, Southern Sun aspires to be Africa’s Leading Hotel Group. Southern Sun has continued to revolutionise the local hospitality industry with their innovative spirit, dynamic management and unparalleled levels of service to both local and international travellers.

“The property and buildings that have been acquired include the Grace Hotel, situated in the Rosebank node, which has good growth potential and where Southern Sun is not presently represented. This acquisition is consistent with our business philosophy – to own and operate our own hotels” says Graham Wood, Managing Director, Southern Sun Hotels. “We are excited to add another boutique deluxe hotel to our portfolio and we intend to rebrand and re-launch the 73 room 5 star boutique hotel in the first quarter of 2012,” concludes Wood.

Southern Sun’s Hotel portfolio consists of 94 hotels throughout Africa, the Middle East and the Seychelles. Southern Sun’s strength lies in its distribution and in their brands, each able to offer a differentiated guest experience, for both business and leisure travellers. As a trusted brand that offers real guest satisfaction and intuitive service, Southern Sun remains loyal to the South African, Middle East and African hospitality industry.

This acquisition remains conditional on Competition Commission approval.

Read More »
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »
Subscribe to RSS Feed