Canada will ease entry requirements for fully vaccinated travelers on February 28, including ending the requirement of molecular tests taken with 72 hours of departure, reports Business Travel News. Beginning February 28, fully vaccinated travelers can choose between a rapid antigen test taken the day before their flight or arrival at a land or marine border, or getting tested with a molecular test within 72 hours of their flight or arrival. Previously, all travelers 5 years and older were required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test. Travelers who choose to take a rapid antigen test must do so at a laboratory, healthcare facility, or with a telehealth service. Unvaccinated foreign nationals will still be unable to enter Canada except in certain circumstances, and arriving unvaccinated travelers will be required to get tested upon arrival, get tested again on day 8, and quarantine for 14 days. Additionally, the global travel advisory for Canadians is also being changed. Previously the government recommended against all non-essential travel, and now it is only urging citizens to take precautions. International flights, which currently are allowed to land only at 18 Canadian airports, will be allowed at all airports that normally receive such flights as of February 28 as well, according to Transport Minister Omar Alghabra.

Greece and Portugal are joining other countries in relaxing their COVID-19 restrictions as the number of positive cases continues to drop around the world, reports Travel Pulse. Portugal’s new requirements state that vaccinated travelers will no longer need to provide a negative COVID-19 test in order to enter the country; unvaccinated travelers, however, still need to provide one. Greece has similarly dropped pre-departure test requirements for fully vaccinated travelers, although if more than 270 days have passed since being fully vaccinated, proof of a booster shot will be required. France has also waived all pre-departure testing for fully vaccinated travelers entering the country. Outside Europe, as of February 7, Morocco accepted international visitors for the first time in four months, and Australia announced it would reopen its borders to fully vaccinated travelers for the first time in almost two years, beginning February 21.

Vietnam has removed its COVID-19 restrictions on international passenger flights, reports Reuters. As of February 15, there are no longer any limitations on the number of flights to Vietnam, with frequency being restored to pre-pandemic levels, as reported by the state-run Tuoi Tre newspaper. Vietnam has informed its travel partners in 15 markets about the new policy; only China has not yet agreed to resume commercial flights with Vietnam. The country had already begun gradually resuming international flights beginning in January, while easing quarantine requirements, with vaccinated travelers now needing only three days of quarantine.

Singapore Airlines has announced that its flagship A380 will be deployed on service to New York via Frankfurt beginning March 27. The flight will operate daily as a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flight, which offers quarantine-free entry into Singapore. US travelers on VTL flights to Singapore only need to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test within one day of departure to enter the country. Additional information about VTL flights and eligibility requirements can be found on Singapore Airlines' Vaccinated Travel Lane page. The A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft, will also debut the carrier’s newest first class Suites to the US market for the first time, offering semi-private cabins with expanded personal space. The A380 is configured with 471 seats in four classes: six Suites and 78 Business Class seats on the upper deck, as well as 44 Premium Economy Class and 343 Economy Class seats on the main deck. The six semi-private Suite cabins offer unparalleled privacy and luxury, complete with privacy doors, an independent swivel chair, and a stand-alone bed with hotel-style evening turndown service. The new Business Class seats can be combined to create fully lie-flat double beds, all forward-facing and with direct aisle access. All cabins also enjoy award-winning cuisine, extensive inflight entertainment, and the famous Singapore Airlines cabin crew service. Click "Read More" to learn more about the Airbus A380 aircraft.

Hawaii has halted its plans to require vaccinated travelers to have a booster shot as a part of its Safe Travels program, reports Travel + Leisure. While Hawaii's governor David Ige initially stated a booster vaccine protocol would be implemented, he has now announced the Safe Travels program will remain unchanged at this time, and booster shots will not be required. Ige stated, “In making this decision, we considered declining COVID-19 case counts in Hawai'i, the continental U.S. and Europe. […] At this time, we will also maintain the indoor mask mandate and other rules that have helped us manage this pandemic while reopening the economy.” The program, created in October 2020, allows domestic travelers to skip quarantine if they are fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative test before traveling. International travelers must still be fully vaccinated and get tested within one day of arrival.

Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has announced its first carbon policy, incorporating various green measures to reduce emissions, reports Airport Technology. ATL has committed to reaching the City of Atlanta’s 100% Clean and Renewable Energy by 2035 objective and the ACI Net Zero goal by 2050. Scope 1 and 2 emissions will be controlled with the help of energy retrofits, timely maintenance, and all-electric building systems. ATL has also teamed with Georgia Power in a program that evaluates metered energy data and offers recommendations on energy conservation measures, renewable energy, and load-shedding prospects. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said: “The airport’s plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is both ambitious and necessary. Accomplishing this goal will allow us to position the Airport as the world’s leader in passenger volume, efficiency, and sustainability.”