Airlines

Air India issues advisory for passengers from China, 5 other countries

Air India announces special sale fares on Singapore & Bangkok routes

Air India on Thursday issued a new travel advisory for all passengers departing from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand in light of the rapid Covid increase in various nations.

EasyJet’s renowned Fearless Flyer course returns for winter(Opens in a new browser tab)

According to the advisory, travellers from these nations will now be required to take a required RTPCR test within 72 hours of their flight and upload their reports to the Air Suvidha portal starting on January 1st, 2023.

#ImportantAnnouncement
Effective 1st Jan 2023, all passengers travelling from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand to India have to undergo a mandatory RTPCR test within 72 hours of the journey, and upload its report on the Air Suvidha portal. #AirIndia pic.twitter.com/HIPELHMTM3
— Air India (@airindiain) December 29, 2022
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This requirement is in addition to the random 2% testing of all international passengers on all arriving international planes upon their arrival in India, regardless of port of departure. This is being done in light of how COVID19 is now affecting the world, particularly in the aforementioned countries.

In response to an increase in coronavirus cases in various nations, the government has issued an alert, strengthened Covid standards, and advised states and Union territories to be ready for everything.

According to data from the Union Health Ministry published on Thursday, India saw 268 new coronavirus infections, while the number of active cases increased to 3,552.

Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.