Business Traveller (Middle East)
AIRLINE NEWS
SAUDI RESUMES FLIGHTS
Saudi Arabia partially resumed international flights on September 15, allowing “exceptional categories” of citizens and residents, including some businesspeople, to travel in and out of the kingdom. However, the complete lift of restrictions on the departure and return of citizens and the “opening of air, sea and land outlets” will not be permitted until January 1, 2021, an Interior Ministry official told state news agency Spa.
OMAN OPENS UP
Oman will reopen to international flights on October 1, Oman Airports and the Sultanate’s Civil Aviation Authority confirmed in a statement. Muscat International is currently operating flights to select regional destinations for Omani residents only, but under the new directive, overseas arrivals and departures will be permitted from this month.
LUFTHANSA TEST UPDATE
Lufthansa has delivered more than 150,000 PCR tests at Frankfurt Airport since June after partnering with biotech company Centogene. Passengers departing from or arriving at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) can pay €59 (US$69) for the test, with results arriving in six to eight hours, and €139 ($163) for results within three hours.
CONTACT LESS SC HIP HO L
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has launched a new contactless service allowing customers to order food and drink online and pick it up after security. Travellers scan a QR code via banners or media screens located at and after security checkpoints, enabling them to order, pay online and choose a time to pick up their purchases. Schiphol says it is “one of the first airports in Europe” to offer the service.