Queenstown’s intention to preserve its status as one of the most visited tourist towns in New Zealand is going to be aided by a more comprehensive Covid-19 testing regime at its airport, ports and maritime borders. Therefore, more visitors could be experiencing arguably the most panoramic backdrop of any air taxi ramp in the world.

No complacency at all costs

There have been no new Covid-19 cases in Queenstown and indeed the South Island since April 2020. However, it is important to note that a recent spike in cases in the North Island has caused a need to reinforce compliance measures in the south of the country.

The Southern District Health Board (responsible for the region’s healthcare) has reiterated that their Covid-19 case-free results were due to mandates in place to manage Covid-19 compliance implementation at major regional events (including concerts) and for the likely influx of tourists during the peak holiday season.

The Director of the Southern District Health Board, Lisa Gestro, said: ‘‘It is imperative that the ongoing requirement to maintain sufficient surveillance in our community, as well as undertake the required level of port and border testing, alongside the need to deliver regular pop-ups in high tourism areas, such as Queenstown, means that we need to transition Covid-19 testing into more of a business-as-usual approach.’’

Cost-efficient strategy going forward

The absence of Covid-19 cases in the South Island in the past nine months has resulted in a reduction in funding for testing regimes. Furthermore, health service personnel that were previously involved in the Covid-19 testing implementation have now had to relinquish their duties. This is so they can facilitate other health departments in catching up with their oversubscribed waiting lists.

Furthermore, the travel corridor between Australia (another example of a country with successful Covid-19 implementation) and the South Island has resulted in the need to reassess Covid-19 testing requirements for travellers between the two regions. This includes testing implementation plans for Queenstown Airport that will require further manpower as and when such initiatives are rolled out.

Pune Airport (in the state of Maharashtra, India) will be subjected to a two week shutdown from 26th April 2021 to 9th May 2021, due to the urgent need to resurface its runway, the Indian Airports Authority (AAI) has announced. “As per information received from Indian Air Force (IAF), due to runway resurfacing works, Pune Airport will have no flight operations for 14 days from 26th April 2021 till 9 May 2021,” said the AAI.

The runway resurfacing works started on 26th October 2020. IAF have confirmed that it must complete this maintenance project as high priority, without the interruption of flight operations . At present, the works take place between 20.00 and 08.00 daily and were due to finish by October 2021. Currently this has caused a minimum of ten flights to be rescheduled from night time to day time operations.

Pune Airport currently witnesses an average of 10,000 passengers arriving and departing per day. This includes notable domestic and international flights (the latter largely coming from the Middle-East). Consequently, renovating the current airport terminal and indeed runway have become demands by default.

Airport Gentrification Imminent

The new proposed terminal building will include an in-line baggage handling system able to process 2,300 passengers during peak time. The airport expects completion by March 2022 at a cost of Rs 475 Crores (approximately US $65 million).

Furthermore, a magnificent multi-storey car park that can cater for up to 1,024 cars is planning to open by April 2022. The total cost of the facility will be Rs 120 Crore (approximately US $16.5 million).

“Keeping in mind, growing traffic from Pune, AAI’s Pune Airport has started working on a Multi-Level Car Parking (MLCP) including 2 basements & rising three levels above the ground floor. This will not only add to airport facilities but will aid travellers’ convenience,” the AAI had said last year.

Should Pune Airport recapture its pre-Covid tally of 170 daily flight movements, then the aforementioned works will all be worthwhile.

The Serbian Capital’s Nikola Tesla Airport witnessed the conclusion of its renovation turned innovation project. Indeed, they recently receive Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) from the Airport Council International (ACI) and complemented that with a plethora of new restaurants and duty free shops, as well as glitzy lighting, wall art and furniture.

The Investment in Full

The overall investment took five months to complete at a cost of €2 million. It will ensure that post-passport control, passengers will have a seamless experience throughout their duration in the airport. There are exclusive relaxation and gaming zones, family friendly areas near Gates A5 and A6, and walk-through duty free shops covering 876m².

WI-FI is now available across the breadth of the passenger terminal, on an unlimited basis for both business and leisure passengers. The latest trending video games can be played without incurring costs for such an interactive experience.

The redesigning initiatives of the aforementioned services were driven by the Airport’s parent company, VINCI, who oversee the operations of 45 airports worldwide. As such, Nikola Tesla Airport is in line with VINCI’s best practices.

In relation to obtaining AHA, the CEO of Belgrade Airport, Francois Berisot, stated:

“We have always been fully dedicated to making passenger protection and safety our priority, which is crucial nowadays, more than ever. This accreditation shows our commitment to maintaining safe operations, and can reassure the travelling public that all of the necessary prevention measures at the airport are in place.”

Passengers can now be assured of a Covid-19 compliant environment, with luxury and comfort remaining at the forefront of the epicentre of Belgrade’s commercial flight operations. Furthermore, it appears that Norwegian Air may start operating flights to Belgrade from 05-June-2021, and hence the timely manner of Nikola Tesla Airport’s upgrades.

KLM can look forward to a resumption of their Long Haul Flight Operations, due to relaxation measures by RIVM (the Dutch National Institute for Public Health & the Environment) on the requirements for Air Crew to produce a negative rapid Covid-19 Antigen test before flight departure from ‘high risk’ countries.

Resumption of Long Haul Flights

After a consultation took place between KLM and RIVM, it was agreed that Air Crew will undertake a rapid Covid-19 Antigen test before departing the Netherlands and can take the same test upon returning to the Netherlands. Consequently, this eliminates the risk of Air Crew not being able to board return flights from ‘high risk’ countries and therefore potentially being stranded abroad for a period of time until they could satisfy the previous requirements.

That being said, passengers travelling from ‘high risk’ countries to the Netherlands, will still be required to present a negative rapid Covid-19 Antigen test, as well as a negative PCR test that is conducted no more than 72 hours prior to travel. This could become problematic in countries that do not have such comprehensive rapid Covid-19 Antigen testing facilities. However, KLM said they will try to support passengers in such predicaments as much as possible.

The Road Ahead

It is also important to note that the resumption of Long Haul routes, will enable KLM’s Cargo Operations to continue to transport Covid-19 vaccine supplies back to the Netherlands. KLM remains intent on stringent measures to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, and they can now achieve this in an environment that does not completely hinder their Long Haul Flight Operations.

Malta International Airport’s decade long growth in airport passenger traffic came to a grinding halt in 2020, dropping to just 1,748,050 compared to a high of 7,310,289 in 2019.

Whilst the island has a storied diving scene, the dive in airport passenger traffic took precedence in 2020. Consequently, Malta International Airport PLC (who took over the management of the airport’s terminal back in 2002) has recorded its lowest passenger traffic under its management.

The Comeback

That said, Malta is targeting a summer 2021 surge in passenger traffic, with plans to rollout a comprehensive fast-track vaccine program complemented by a robust Covid-19 testing program.

“In order for this prediction to materialise it is imperative that, over the next weeks, measures aimed at boosting consumer confidence take centre stage. A faster vaccine roll-out should be complemented by the establishment of much-needed uniform testing regimes and travel requirements at a European level,” said Malta International Airport CEO Alan Borg.

Such statements are a clear indication that should these parameters not be met with immediate effect, then 2021 could be a continuation of 2020’s lack of tourist footfall, thereby putting local livelihoods at risk of insolvency.

All eyes will now focus on the Airport’s Board of Directors meeting on 24th of February 2021, where further discussions will take place on implementation and effectiveness of Covid-19 compliance measures.

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When it comes to the viewing Queenstown, New Zealand, in freefall, the ethos of ‘Live More, Fear Less’ comes to the party!

Indeed, I refer to the highest Bungy jump platform in New Zealand, The Nevis, at the small matter of 500 feet tall. The build up to the dropping platform begins at ground level in the town centre and you have several hours to manage your nerves, excitement or a combination of both.

Upon completion, you can say that you have experienced Queenstown in its entirety by fulfilling this obligation to jump. Furthermore, on completion you are provided with a certificate and t-shirt to proudly and continuously display your achievement to the outside world!

One food for thought, is that on the Bungy platform, do not fear the height you have ascended or will descend to, but rather pick a reference point upon the vast mountainous landscape, to be able to bask in the glory of the panoramic views that await!