Weekly Yacht Crew Travel News & Updates

Want to keep up to date with the latest visa regulations, border closures and strike info? Blue Marine Travel provide weekly updates on worldwide travel news so yacht crew can stay in the know.

Blue Marine Travel is dedicated to bringing yacht crew the latest travel updates, for those who are always moving, whether by air or sea.

Here is this week’s roundup of the most recent worldwide travel updates brought to you by Blue Marine Travel

Travel News For Week Starting Monday 27th February:

Spain to Abolish Carry-on Liquid Restrictions at Airports From 2024

Authorities in Spain plan to abolish the carry-on liquid rules in 2024, permitting passengers through some countries airports to take over 100 ml liquids in their hand luggage without being subject to restrictions.

According to the announcement of Aena, the state-owned company in charge of general interest airports in Spain, from 2024, liquid restrictions will be abolished at Madrid- Bajaras and Barcelona-El Prat airports,  SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

After Madrid and Barcelona, the scanners will be introduced at airports of Palma de Mallorca as well as Málaga-Costa del Sol from 2025 and in the year 2026 in Gran Canaria, Tenerife Sur and Fuerteventura, among others, Murcia Today report notes.

The same noted that travellers will also be eligible to leave electronics in their luggage after new 3D X-ray technology is installed. The new rules mean that passengers are also eligible to take their bottles of wine or olive oil in their hand luggage.

Aena said that it would make a significant investment in the Explosive Detection System for Cabin Baggage (EDSCB) projected to generate a 3D image of the content of suitcases. The new project is designed to save travellers time without compromising security in airports.

UK Issues Travel Warning for Travellers to France as Major Transport Disruptions May Occur

The British authorities have issued a travel warning for its citizens planning to visit France in the following weeks, due to a mass strike action expected to occur on March 7.

More specifically, Unions around France have warned that the mass strike action, might impact tourism and cancel flights, as it is the main target of the action.

“Several unions have called for cross-sector strike action and demonstrations across France on Tuesday, March 7. Industrial action may start the evening before a strike day and run until the morning after” – a statement regarding the action pointed out.

Looking back at previous strikes, many workers from the transport, education and energy sectors walked out, which caused major infrastructures to happen. Last month, the industrial action saw many transport workers walking out, which resulted in flight cancellations by Eurostar, Ryanair, easyJet and British Airways.

EU Postpones Launch of ETIAS to 2024’

The European Union has once again postponed the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), this time for the year 2024, without giving an exact date, or even month.

The delay of the ETIAS roll out date has happened without any warning by the EU, by simply, changing the date in the EU Commission’s Migration and Home Affairs website to 2024, instead of November 2023, as it has been before. The EU Commission’s Migration and Home Affairs website now also lists travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en as the official ETIAS website, and travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en as the official website of the Entry/Exit System, (EES).

The latter was also supposed to become effective on May 2023, but it has been postponed for the end of the year. The exact date for the EES roll out remains unknown as well.

Air New Zealand unveils Economy Stretch product

New Zealand has unveiled a new economy product with additional legroom on its B777 aircraft.

The ‘Economy Stretch’ seats are located in the first four rows of the cabin, with 42 seats offering up to 39 per cent more legroom than the standard economy seat and 35-inch seat pitch (rather than 31 inches in standard).

Costing an extra NZD$175 for a one-way trip, the product is a revamp of the current economy seat with ‘sculptured upholstery’ and a flexible headrest. Passengers will also benefit from upgraded headsets and a pillow designed for long-haul travel, along with free advanced seat selection and early disembarkation.

The product will debut on the Auckland-Los Angeles route, operated by a B777-300, from February 27, though the airline hopes to introduce the product on its Houston route ‘as part of phase two’.

Chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty commented: “Customers have told us they want more room to relax, and at a competitive price. Economy Stretch answers this challenge, with some luxury for the legs all while enjoying our renowned in-flight service, Kiwi cuisine and wine, and seat-back entertainment.”

“Through innovations such as the Economy Skycouch and with Economy Skynest launching later next year, Air New Zealand continues to push boundaries in Economy travel.”

“The Economy cabin welcomes the most diverse group of travellers. The introduction of Economy Stretch means we are providing more choice for customers at an Economy price point that will meet the needs of families, solo travellers, as well as those just looking for that little bit extra of extra comfort.”

American Airlines Cuts Nearly 50,000 Flights From Summer Schedule

American Airlines has cut almost 50,000 flights from its summer schedule, with June and July being the most affected months. According to the airline, this is standard as it finalises schedules closer to the upcoming season.

As airlines worldwide prepare for a busy summer, many expecting to reach pre-pandemic levels, some must make cuts. Earlier this week, German carrier Lufthansa announced it was cutting more than 30,000 flights from its summer schedule. European airports are also placing daily passenger caps, like the ones imposed at London Heathrow and Amsterdam Schiphol last year.

For any crew who have flights booked with AA in June and July, please keep in regular contact with the airline or your travel provider

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