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Hi lumen,
1a, think of what a pilot does
1d infidels is definition, with synonyms for 'at robberies'
29d yes, just get rid of the 'n's and add one 'a instead

1a A T and the end of Greece around a 3 letter word for by way of.

1d AT for in and a 6 letter word for robberies

29d Take all n's out of Sean Penn, add 1 letter given by the clue in the middle, and you get a thresher shark.

1 Fly, verb. 'Australia', usual stuff + 'by way of' usual, usual stuff, 'Thailand'
, usual stuff and 'ending in Greece', usual stuff.

1 D. The infidels are present ?? ?????, robberies.

29 D. Yes.

Sorry 1d 'at' is synonym for 'attending' so answer starts 'at.....'

Thanks all! A plethora of suggestions. I'll let you know how I get on when I have time to get back on to it.

Yes, got those now - thanks.

I've got most of the way, but am stuck near the end of the endgame. I've identified one of the compatriots, starting with a T, but not the other. And I have no idea of how to "highlight the white cells in last year's colours". Maybe this will also make clear what the irregular yellow shape signifies (it doesn't appear to me to represent the yellow item famously associated with this activity), or the sets of red squares.

I'm in the early stages of this (after only a few hours working on it lol) - can someone confirm or otherwise if the first letter of 39a in the original grid is F?

That's what I've got, Laertes

Merry Christmas everyone!
Please could I have hints to 31d and 42a for the sake of my marriage!