FCO advice obn travel to United Arab Emirated

Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises high vigilance while travelling United Arab Emirates, including Dubai. Its website reads:

There is a high threat from terrorism. We believe terrorists may be planning to carry out attacks in the UAE. Attacks could be indiscriminate and could happen at any time, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests. You should maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places.

Full information is available on FCO's United Arab Emirates page, to follow, please click here.

New regulations for travel to U.S.

From 12th of January 2009 all flying to U.S. under the visa waiver programme will have to register their details online with the U.S. Government at least three days before travel.

Australia, Japan and most countries in Western Europe; including UK are involved in the US Visa Waiver Programme. It is said, that passengers will have to supply the same information they now include on immigration forms they have to fill in before entering the U.S. The online registration supposed to be valid for two years.

Lebanon travel warning

Britons have been warned by the Foreign Office against any travel to Lebanon amid running gunbattles in parts of Beirut.

Official travel advice was hardened, and those already in the country told to exercise "particular vigilance" and avoid troublespots.

The fighting between rival groups has led to the closure of the capital's international airport as well as some major roads.

The full text reads:

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office today changed its Travel Advice for Lebanon. Due to ongoing violent clashes between rival groups in Beirut, the closure of Beirut International Airport and the blockage of some other major roads we now advise against all travel to Lebanon. The relevant summary points now read:

“We advise against all travel to Lebanon. The violent exchanges on the streets of Beirut and elsewhere between opposition and pro-government groups, which began on 7 May, continue to pose a danger to bystanders. If you are currently in Lebanon you should exercise particular vigilance at this time and wherever possible avoid areas where there has been fighting in recent days. You should ensure that you are content with your personal security arrangements and keep yourself up to date with developments, including by regularly monitoring this travel advice. See the political section of this advice for more details.

You may find difficulty in travelling into or out of Lebanon. Beirut International Airport is currently inaccessible. The road to the Al Masna crossing (to Damascus) has been blocked at frequent intervals in the last two days. The road to the north (via Tripoli) and the northern crossings at Arida and Aboudieh remain clear. Roads to Syria are also subject to closure. British passport holders wishing to leave Lebanon can purchase a visa for Syria at the Lebanon/Syria border. Please seek local advice before attempting to leave by this means. See the Political Situation and Local Travel sections of this advice for more details”

Read the full travel advice for Lebanon

FCO Travel Advice can also be obtained on the following telephone number: 0845 850 2829.

FCO Travel Advice is kept under constant review. This advice is based on our latest assessment of the situation in Lebanon

Inca Trail sold out for summer 2008

Bad news for all hopefuls who planned to go trekking on Peru’s famous Inca Trail, but did not made a booking yet. The stunning walk route to Machu Picchu is completely sold out the 2008 summer travel season, with the next available opening in September 2008

The restrictions were implemented by Peruvian government back in 2005, limiting a number of daily hikers on Inca Trail to only 500.

Further restriction on travel to China

China furthers travelling restrictions with new requirements, just weeks after stopping the issuing of multiple entry visas.

Travellers to China will have to present a copy of a travel ticket both in and out of the country and a hotel voucher before a visa application is accepted. Without this supporting documentation the visa application will be rejected.

In addition, citizens of many countries will now no longer be able to apply for a visa in Hong Kong, which is a popular place to arrange travel into China and has a separate legal and visa system from the mainland.

Nationals from nearly 30 countries, including Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, will have to apply at the Chinese embassy in their home capital.

Oasis Hong Kong Airline - help information for stranded passengers

Oasis Hong Kong Airline announced yesterday its voluntary liquidation cancelling all its flights and leaving passengers stranded in Hong Kong, London and Vancouver.

Notice To Passengers

Date: 9 April 2008 – 2050h HKG time

It is with regret that Oasis Hong Kong Airlines announces that the airline has this morning applied to the Hong Kong Court to appoint a provisional liquidator. The Court has appointed Edward Middleton and Patrick Cowley of KPMG as the provisional liquidators, and they have assumed control of the airline with effect from 1400h HKG time today.

Our flight operations have been cancelled until further notice. The Provisional Liquidators are liaising with other airlines in order to help customers make alternate travel arrangements as quickly as possible.

The Hong Kong government is implementing contingency arrangements with other airlines to help travellers, secretary for transport and housing Eva Cheng told a press conference. Ms Cheng said passengers seeking compensation should approach Oasis or the Hong Kong consumer council for help.

Oasis has set up hotlines for affected passengers - 0844 482 2323 in London and +44 129 359 6633 outside the UK).

Cathay Pacific is offering to help stranded Oasis passengers

"We sympathise with the many passengers in Hong Kong, London and Vancouver who have been stranded by the Oasis’ decision, and we will do our very best to help them through this difficult and stressful period,” Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Tony Tyler said today.

Cathay Pacific is adding two extra flights to London, scheduled for the early hours on Friday and Sunday . A number of seats would be set aside on these as well as scheduled flights, where possible, to accommodate the returning students.

"We hope our contingency arrangements can accommodate as many as possible of the school children affected, and take people home who have been stranded by the closure,” Mr. Tyler added.

Special ticketing arrangements have been made to help Oasis customers who had confirmed bookings on the airline over the next two weeks – effective up to and including 23 April 2008.

A special one-way Economy Class fare at HK$2,500 (plus applicable charges) will be offered to eligible Oasis ticket holders on Hong Kong to London, or Hong Kong to Vancouver. The special fare from London to Hong Kong is GBP160 and from Vancouver CAD320.

A hotline has been established and the airline urges Oasis ticket holders to call the number on 2747 6181 to ascertain details of Cathay Pacific’s special ticketing arrangements. The Hong Kong hotline is open 24 hours and available with immediate effect until further notice. Details can also be found at www.cathaypacific.com.hk.

"We will be doing our utmost to help people out, but our efforts are complicated by the fact that our own flights are very full at the moment, and remain so for the next few weeks,” Mr. Tyler said.

China halt multiple entry visas until further notice

According to Singapore travel agents, China stopped issuing multi-entry visas and one-day travel visas from Hong Kong until further notice. There is also news of considerably slower visa processing times.

UK domestic flights passengers to be fingerprinted on Heathrow’s Terminal 5

From next month all passengers boarding flights from Heathrow’s Terminal 5 will be fingerprinted.

Heathrow’s Terminal 5 will accommodate yearly for 4 million domestic passengers. To make sure the same person who checked in boards the airplane, all passengers will our fingerprints taken, as well as being photographed, when they check in and then the procedure will be repeated while boarding.

BAA, the Heathrow’s owner, sees biometric security check as a way to prevent criminals, terrorists and illegal immigrants trying to bypass border controls and assures all biometric data will be destroyed after 24 hours and will not be passed on to the police.

If biometric is to be used to prevent immigrants, how come it is to be implemented on domestic flights terminal? Even security mad U.S. does not fingerprint their domestic passengers.

Philippines barres Dutch tourist for being rude.

The Dutch woman, Jenifer Sharmila Kalka, 42 has been barred by Philippine authorities from entering the country after she allegedly insulted the country's residents.

According to the officials at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Ms Kafka refused to answer standard set of questions from immigration and became abusive when asked to fill in a disembarkation form.

"You Filipinos are effing lazy," she allegedly said. "That is why you are poor."

The rude tourist was then put on the next available flight to her port of origin.

"A foreign tourist who exhibits arrogance and rude behavior upon his arrival in the Philippines should be turned back right away for he does not deserve the hospitality of our country and people," he Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan.

Big four say no to holidays in Kenya.

Thomas Cook, MyTravel, First Choice and Thomson have put on hold holidays to Kenya until the end of April 2008, despite the latest change in travel advice issued by the Foreign Office.

Statement issued by Thomson reads: “In light of the FCO’s advice against all but essential travel to large parts of Kenya and as the security and political situation in the country remains unpredictable, the decision has been taken to cancel both the First Choice and Thomson charter flight operation to Mombassa, Kenya for the winter season.”

Ban on holidays to Kenya lifted

The Foreign Office has changed its advice on travel to Kenya. Instead of a blanket travel ban, the Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to specific areas of Kenya: particularly the Western and Nyanza provinces, Rift Valley province between Narok and Kitale, parts of Nairobi, Uhuru Park and Mombasa town.

In response, the Kenya Tourism Federation issued a statement describing the situation in beach resorts north and south of Mombasa, including Msambweni, Galu, Diani, Bamburi, Nyali, Shanzu, Kikambala, Kilifi and on to Watamu, Malindi and Lamu as calm with open and secure linking highways.

According to a Kenya Tourism Federation announcement; “Tourists have been staying at the beach resorts throughout the last fortnight without any problems and all have travelled between the airports and their beach hotels without any incidents being reported.”

British Airways operates daily scheduled flights to Nairobi from London Heathrow. Virgin Atlantic, Kenya Airways, KLM revised their timetables. All travelers are recommended to contact their airline before leaving for the airport.

The Foreign Office is recommending that tourists visiting Kenya should avoid all public gatherings and large public meetings, any rallies, even if advertised as peaceful. Extreme caution should be exercised at all times.

U.S. substitutes

With increasing number of travel restrictions to United States, The Sunday Times has offered some fantastic alternatives.

Hong Kong instead of New York – both cities are buzzing and unforgettable. Flight to Hong Kong might be longer, however there are no queues or extensive questioning at immigration.

Disneyland Paris in place of Disney World Orlando – closer, cheaper and smaller carbon footprint.

Gauchos versus Cowboys – for true experience of harmony between horse and its rider in the middle of wild pampas try Argentina.

Forget Las Vegas, try Macau – just 55 minutes ferry trip from Hong Kong, Macau offers the largest casino in the world – the Venetian Macao with top class entertainment, just to name The Police concert in February.

St Moritz before Aspen - classier and posher, with over 100 years more tradition, St Moritz in Switzerland offers ample snow with over 300 days of sunshine a year.

Further suspension of flights to Kenya

All UK charter flights to Kenya remain suspended until and including Monday, 21st January.

Scheduled flights with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Kenya Airways continue to operate.

More U.S. travel restriction?

In yesterdays BBC interview, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael
Chertoff names Europe as the “platform for terrorism”, recommending even further security steps.

Chertoff suggested an advance travel authorisation system, which would require travellers to America to register their intentions online prior to their journey to allow authorities to clear them in advance.

Holidays to Kenya remain postponed

The suspension of holidays to Kenya has been extended once more due to the continuing political unrest in the country.

Holiday departures to Kenya will remain suspended until Friday January 18. The situation for charter flights due to leave on Saturday is still under review, and a decision is expected to be made on Wednesday afternoon.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to the country.