December, 2020
Season’s Greetings
As the end of 2020 draws near, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your valued support throughout the year.
This year has been particularly filled with a multitude of challenges, learnings and change, yet it is together we overcome them.
We express our sincerest appreciation for your trust, support and friendship shown this year and remain committed to providing you with the highest level of support and value in your dealings with The Departure Lounge.
We look forward to working with you again in 2021. We wish all our customers a very well-deserved break.
Best wishes and safe travels for the Festive Period and most importantly, Stay safe and well.
16 Sep, 2020
International borders to open 01 October
Following the president’s announcement and move to Alert Level 1, our borders will re-open on 1st of October 2020.
The list of countries that travel will still be restricted to (for now) will be published in the next few days.
Please also check the entry requirements of your destination country. South Africa is still on the high-risk country list in most destinations. Quarantine or testing might be a requirement when flying in from South Africa.
Airlines will slowly add their flights to our booking system. We might not see all available flights immediately and we will keep on checking over the next few days.
Durban King Shaka International Airport, OR Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport will be open for international flights.
10 Sep, 2020
GLOBAL TOURISM: The bill for COVID-19 to amount to 2 trillion dollars
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that for every $1 million in lost international tourism revenue, a country’s national income could fall by $3 million. The effects on employment could be dramatic.
The global tourism sector could lose at least $2 trillion (two thousand billion), or 1.5% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), after being stranded for nearly six months due to the coronavirus pandemic, UNCTAD said in a recently released report.
The United Nations Trade and Development Organization warned that the loss could reach $2.2 trillion or 2.8 per cent of global GDP if the suspension of international tourism lasts for 10 months, in line with the expected decline in tourism predicted by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The organization projected a 60-80% decrease in international arrivals for 2020.
In the worst-case scenario, UNCTAD estimates the losses, with a 12-month interruption of international tourism, at $3.3 trillion or 4.2% of world GDP.
17 Aug, 2020
Inter-provincial travel is now permitted under Alert Level 2
All long distance intra-provincial and inter-provincial travel by private vehicles and public transport services are permitted.
Among new travel regulations, public transport is subject to several restrictions. Minibus, midibus or minibus taxi-type services are permitted to carry not more than 70% of their maximum licensed passenger carrying capacity for long distance intra-provincial and inter-provincial travel.
All international passenger flights are prohibited, except those flights authorised by the Minister of Transport. Domestic passenger flights are permitted.
5 Apr, 2020
TDL turns 15
This month The Departure Lounge celebrated its 15th birthday. We wish to thank our loyal and supportive customers, suppliers and partners that have made this possible throughout the years. Thank you for allowing us to deliver many years of service excellence!
24 Mar, 2020
SAA suspends all domestic flights
South African Airways (SAA) announced its decision to suspend all its domestic flights with effect from Friday, 27 March until 16 April 2020 (inclusive). The decision came after government announced a nation-wide lockdown for 21 days aimed at combating the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
SAA supports this national effort as announced by the government, to retard, contain, manage and disrupt the rate of transmission of the COVID-19.
Last Friday, SAA announced the suspension of all intercontinental and Africa regional flights. All these flights remain suspended until 31 May 2020.
20 Mar, 2020
SAA suspends all international flights
South African Airways (SAA) has announced that it will immediately suspend all international operations until 31 May 2020 in response to a government travel ban aimed at stopping the transmission of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
The COVID-19 pandemic and attendant travel restrictions, resulted in substantial decline in demand for air travel. The situation caused many airlines across the world to ground aircraft, release their employees, and to cancel flights. In the case of SAA, this decision means that SAA will only render services on its regional and domestic routes.
5 Mar, 2020
First case of COVID-19 Coronavirus reported in SA
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases confirmed that a suspected case of COVID-19 has tested positive.
The patient is a 38-year-old male who travelled to Italy with his wife. They were part of a group of 10 people and they arrived back in South Africa on March 1, 2020.
The patient consulted a private general practitioner on March 3 in KZN, with symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, a sore throat and a cough. The practice nurse took swabs and delivered it to the lab.
The patient has been self-isolating since March 3. The couple also has two children.