Author: overtheborders

Anand Yedery, Cathay Pacific's regional head of customer travel and lifestyle for South Asia, Middle East and Africa, talks about the airline's growth trajectory, innovative in-flight services, network expansion in India and seamless connectivity. Share insights about our efforts. Hong Kong's local airline, Cathay Pacific Airways, plays a vital role in cementing Hong Kong's position as a global aviation hub connecting Hong Kong, mainland China and the world. Currently, the airline operates 35 round-trip flights per week connecting four cities in India: Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. Improved travel and connectivity in 2024 2024 was a year marked by innovations…

Australian airline Qantas has cut flights between Sydney and Johannesburg, South Africa, after the airline received a warning that debris from Elon Musk's SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket would re-enter Earth's atmosphere. It was announced that flights are being repeatedly delayed with little notice. The delay of up to six hours was caused by a last-minute change in the coordinates of Musk's space technology company's rocket re-entry location and timing. A Qantas spokeswoman said the airline had little advance warning about when and where debris would fall, leaving it with little choice but to delay flights until the risk passed. Because…

As 2025 begins, ANEW Hotels & Resorts looks back on a year of impactful strategic investments that have significantly improved service and guest experience across our hotels. Throughout 2024, the Group has significantly upgraded several key properties, resulting in the promotion of five hotels from 3-star to 4-star. This deliberate and strategic move incorporates ANEW Group's desire to become the preferred brand of choice in South Africa's luxury 4-star market. The new status of these properties has been recognized by the South African Tourism Ratings Council and demonstrates ANEW’s continued investment and commitment to understanding and delivering on what today’s…

Robust domestic market Nigeria's domestic market is robust and widely accepted by many as the largest market in Africa, and arguably one of the largest in West Africa, driven by its huge population. The Nigerian aviation industry has experienced high turnover in domestic airlines since deregulation. In general, many local airlines are short-lived, with many exiting after operating for several years. Crowded passengers at the airport Despite the rising cost of air transport in Nigeria and the constant flow of flight delays and cancellations plaguing the airline industry in recent times, the main reason why many people want to travel…

President-elect Donald Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon has launched a scathing attack on billionaire and entrepreneur Elon Musk, suggesting he is “going back to South Africa.”In a recent interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Mr. Bannon expressed his disapproval of Mr. Musk's involvement in American politics. “Why would South Africans, the most racist people on earth, white South Africans, make any comments about what's going on in the United States,” Bannon said, according to a translation of the interview by The Washington Post. Is that so?” he said.Mr. Bannon's comments underscored growing anxiety in Mr. Trump's circle about…

Remember when business travel was all about quick flights to Joburg, endless expense reports, and competition between meetings? That world is fast disappearing. As 2025 begins, if you're still running your company travel program the same way you did last year, you're already behind the curve. FCM's latest survey of 562 global decision-makers reveals important changes in the way companies approach business travel, and provides insight into corporate travel trends, particularly in the South African context. Everything we thought we knew has been upended. “Business travel has evolved significantly,” says Mamy Mafojane, FCM's production operations leader. “Travel continues to drive…

Of the estimated 45 million forcibly displaced Africans, more than 75% live in their home countries, and of those who are not, more than 95% live on the continent. Tragically, the number of forcibly displaced Africans continues to rise steadily. It has been increasing every year for over ten years in a row. In fact, the number has doubled since 2018, with more than 45 million people now forcibly displaced. However, contrary to many people's expectations, only a small percentage of these Africans make their way to Europe. According to the United Nations refugee agency, as of mid-last year, 45…

Qantas Airways has said it was forced to delay several flights to South Africa at the last minute due to warnings of falling debris from Elon Musk's SpaceX rocket as it re-enters Earth.Ben Holland, director of Qantas' operations center, said the airline's flights were delayed because there was little advance notice of where the rocket would fall in the southern Indian Ocean – a re-entry zone chosen by the space company due to its remote location. He said there were many delays. On the Sydney-Johannesburg route.”Due to advisories we have received from the US government regarding the re-entry of SpaceX…

Morocco came out on top. According to a recent report from the Ministry of Tourism, the country was the most visited country in Africa last year and is expected to become even more popular in 2025, Bloomberg reported. In 2024, the Kingdom of Light will welcome 17.4 million international tourists, overtaking Egypt for the top spot. But the continent's former tourism leader recorded 15.7 million arrivals last year, also setting a new record. In terms of volume, the number of tourists in Morocco is on the rise after the pandemic. For example, the number of arrivals in 2024 was 17.4…

As global travel demand soars in 2025, airline safety is a top priority for passengers when choosing a flight. Despite significant advances in technology and safety measures, the sector continues to contend with a variety of threats, including mechanical failure, inclement weather, and external interference. A single loss of safety protocol or incident can have devastating effects, including a damaged airline reputation, reduced bookings, and increased regulatory scrutiny. Aviation's worst moments Recent tragic incidents have heightened public concern and increased scrutiny of safety protocols. Most notably, December 2024 saw an alarming spike in fatal accidents, with at least eight accidents…