Timefortravel: First Steps to Recovery in Ukraine As Heinemann Partnership Stores Reopen
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#TimeForTravel: First steps to recovery in Ukraine as Heinemann partnership stores reopen While “a crisis like no other” (in the words of the International Monetary Fund) rages, it is important to identify and highlight the sectors of the aviation, tourism and travel retail business that are beginning more rapidly, to recover. In this column, we bring you regular updates about how airports, airlines, travel retailers and brands are planning for and investing in the recovery; how governments are opening borders; and how various stakeholders are shaping up for the new normal. Please send your contributions to [email protected]. FOR UPDATES FROM 20 JUNE ONWARDS, CLICK HERE 20 June Ukraine Alexander Kolomytsev, Deputy Director General at the Gebr Heinemann partnership in Ukraine, BFGH Travel Retail, reports that the stores at Boryspil International, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv International and Odessa International airports have reopened. “First steps to recovery!” he writes. “The recovery path is hard and slow, but we returned stronger and prepared, proud and brand new, with an increased liquor, tobacco and confectionery Premium Taste shop in KBP (Boryspil International). We welcome all passengers of Ukraine to enjoy the modern advanced ambience of the shop, selected products and attractive price offers.” 19 June – #TimeForTravel Estonia Baltic Sea cruise-ferry company Tallink has extended the number of services on its Tallinn-Turku route this Summer due to strong demand, a move that should also boost the crucial onboard revenue shopping channel. The new temporary route, served by the Baltic Queen vessel, was only launched on Monday but a surge in bookings has led to the company adding 12 more return trips in late July and early August. Importantly for Tallink’s onboard retail business, all departures will make a short stopover in the Åland Islands, allowing passengers the opportunity for tax free shopping during the trip. Tallink Grupp CEO Paavo Nõgene said: “The popularity of the Tallinn-Turku route shows that our customers have really been looking forward to us opening this route. They are using this opportunity to travel and discover Tallinn and Estonia directly from the Turku area, or to travel directly from Tallinn to Muumin World, Naantali resort or to Western Finland in general. “Since the interest is significant and we don’t want to pack the trips too full, we have decided to add extra departures to the route to offer everyone a spacious and comfortable journey. We are very pleased that there is such a great interest in travelling between our neighbouring countries and we look forward to seeing everyone onboard.” Malta Malta International Airport will open on 1 July, with flights to selected destinations initially (see also 17 June news). These include Germany, Austria, Sicily, Cyprus, Switzerland, Iceland, Slovakia, Norway, Denmark, Hungary, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Luxembourg and Czech Republic. In recent days this list has been extended to include France (selected locations), Italy (selected locations), Spain (selected locations), Poland, Greece and Croatia. Restrictions on all other flight destinations will be lifted on 15 July, Prime Minister Robert Abela has confirmed. The Ministry for Tourism and Consumer Protection and the Malta Tourism Authority plan a “spectacular event” including a fireworks display on 1 July to coincide with the reopening of the airport to commercial flights. Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection Julia Farrugia Portelli said: “Many were sceptical that we could arrive at this stage this quickly, but we managed, thanks to the efforts of countless people. On 1 July we shall celebrate reaching this goal in the context of our promise that there will be a summer. We started delivering on that promise and our commitment towards this goal takes on a new dimension.” Germany Frankfurt Airport will be connected with 175 destinations by the end of June. The German airport has reported that in the number of weekly flights to Mediterranean holiday destinations has been increasing in the second half of June. Weekly connections to Mallorca have jumped from six to 26, and the Greek islands will be served by the airport for the first time since March from 29 June. Of the 175 destinations, about 50 of these will be intercontinental routes, with the airport opening up to further locations in the Far East and the Americas. Frankfurt Airport added that it will continue to process all traffic through Terminal 1. Diverse destinations: The Frankfurt Airport departures board on 19 June UK Scheduled passenger flights from East Midlands Airport will resume on 21 June. Passengers arriving on the Ryanair flight from Alicante at 15.20 will be the first to step inside the terminal since March. A total of 16 Ryanair flights to and from the airport are scheduled for before the end of June. “This is a really positive development,” East Midlands Airport Managing Director Karen Smart said. “I am confident that many people across the region will start using their local airport again for a quick and easy getaway to their favourite holiday destinations when conditions allow.” 18 June – #TimeForTravel Switzerland Lagardère Travel Retail has reopened both its main duty free departures store and arrivals shop at Geneva Airport. Sanitary measures are in place to ensure a safe shopping experience and Lagardère is giving the option to pre- order items for collection at the airport. The retailer added: “What an adventure the team went through to make the opening happen. We supported each other while the stores were closed and got ready for the new work environment.” Qatar/US Qatar Airways is rebuilding its US flight network and plans to run 39 weekly services by mid-July. The company will resume flights to New York JFK from 19 June (rising to ten weekly from 2 July) and to Boston, Los Angeles and Washington Dulles from 1 July. It is also building on partnerships with American Airlines and JetBlue. Existing services to Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago currently enable passengers to book onward travel with American Airlines to almost 180 destinations or 350 flights a day. This will increase to more than 600 daily flights with the addition of services to Boston, New York, Los Angeles and Washington Dulles. Qatar Airways’ New York flights and five-weekly Boston flights will also facilitate the resumption of the JetBlue codeshare. Qatar Airways has enhanced its onboard safety measures, including the introduction of Personal Protective Equipment suits for cabin crew Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker said: “With the relaunch of these additional four destinations bringing our total to six, Qatar Airways is clearly demonstrating its strong commitment to the US market. All of the six destinations will be served with a minimum of five weekly flights from mid-July, with ten weekly flights operating to JFK. Offering unrivalled connectivity via Hamad International Airport in Doha, recently voted the Best Airport in the Middle East for the sixth year in a row, passengers to and from the US can seamlessly connect with over 40 cities across Africa, Asia, Australasia and the Middle East from mid-July. “Qatar Airways has continually led the industry during these unprecedented months, accumulating unrivalled experience in carrying passengers safely and reliably. By maintaining a global network that never fell below 30 destinations, Qatar Airways has stayed up to date with the latest in international airport procedures and implemented the most advanced safety and hygiene measures onboard its aircraft and in Hamad International Airport.” Qatar Airways said it has further enhanced its onboard safety measures for passengers and cabin crew. These include the introduction of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits for cabin crew while on board, as well as a modified service that reduces interactions between the passengers and the crew inflight. Passengers will also be required to wear face coverings inflight, with the carrier recommending travellers bring their own for fit and comfort purposes. UK A survey of London City Airport customers has shown strong demand for air travel as the airport prepares to reopen on 21 June. The survey of over 4,700 customers found that: *79% were either ‘very likely’ or ‘quite likely’ to travel when they are told it is safe to do so by the government and airports or airlines – almost half of customers (48%) were ‘very likely’ to do so *42% of the airport’s customers plan to travel for leisure within the next three months. *41% of City Airport’s flyers said they will take a flight for business within the next three months. London City Airport, closed since 25 March, will serve travellers again from 21 June, initially on domestic routes London City Airport Chief Executive Robert Sinclair said: “This clear early demand from our passengers to get back to flying is really encouraging. It shows a desire to not only enjoy a holiday soon after nearly three months of lockdown, but to get back to business travel as well. “We have worked hard to create a safe environment at the airport, so they can get back to flying in confidence. At the same time, we have been careful not to sacrifice the speed through the airport which passengers have always valued and is now more important than ever, as these results show. “With the aviation market opening up across Europe this week, it is my hope that air bridges can be agreed quickly with low-risk European neighbours. This news would be a shot in the arm for the industry as well as for the wider UK economy.” London City Airport, closed since 25 March, will initially serve domestic routes, with the first flight to the Isle of Man on 21 June. New routes will begin between central London and Teesside in the North East and Dundee in Scotland on 6 July.