Between January 2025 and June 2026, the strongest annual increase in EU air transport prices was recorded in April 2025, when they were 13.7% higher than in the same month a year earlier. This was followed by more modest increases during the summer months.

The beginning of 2026 brought another period of volatility. Prices initially declined year-on-year before returning to growth in February and March. In April, they dropped sharply by 4.7% compared with April 2025, before rebounding in May and continuing to rise, albeit more moderately, in June.

The fluctuations reflect several factors affecting European aviation, including seasonal travel demand and recent geopolitical developments.

As previously reported by Travel Tomorrow, the conflict involving Iran contributed to higher aviation fuel costs earlier this year, with analysts estimating an additional €29 on shorter intra-European journeys and €88 on long-haul fares.

The pressure continued into June, when the International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that airlines faced a potential $100 billion increase in their annual fuel bill, adding further pressure to ticket prices.

More recently, however, jet fuel prices have fallen significantly. Travel Tomorrow reported in July that jet fuel prices had dropped by around 40% from their April peak, without producing an equivalent fall in fares.

International travel drives volatility

International air transport has been the main driver behind the overall price fluctuations, with annual changes proving more pronounced than for domestic flights.

International fares rose by 14.1% year-on-year in April 2025 and by 8.7% in May 2026.

In June 2026, international air travel prices increased by 4.5% compared with June 2025, while domestic air transport prices rose by 2.0%.

Sharp differences across EU countries

Price developments also varied considerably between Member States from April to June 2026.

In most EU countries, air transport prices fell year-on-year in April before rising again in May. However, substantial differences between national markets persisted.

Belgium recorded increases of 41.5% in April, 33.8% in May and 28.7% in June. Slovakia moved strongly in the opposite direction, with prices falling by 53.0%, 48.2% and 45.1% respectively over the same three months.

In June, Austria recorded a 22.3% year-on-year increase and Greece a 15.1%. At the other end of the scale, prices fell by 13.6% in Hungary and by 13.1% in Poland.

The figures underline how uneven air travel price developments remain across the EU, with international fares driving much of the overall volatility and passengers facing markedly different trends depending on the market.

L’article EU airfares rise 3.1% in June amid sharp price fluctuations est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Since their introduction in 2005, the European Union’s emissions trading system (ETS) has been obliging the bloc’s biggest polluters to buy permits to pollute. Companies have to purchase such a permit for every tonne of carbon dioxide they emit. Buying extra allowances is possible, as is trading permits, while some companies have received free permits to allow them to compete with global firms.

Over the years, the system has functioned as a global example, raising €270 billion in revenue and cutting emissions by 47% between 2005 and 2023. That money has been put towards decarbonisation, innovation, and modernisation of the energy grid. Since the start, the number of permits available for purchase or for free has been capped in order to urge companies to continue to reduce their emissions.

In order to reach the EU’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, the European Commission has been urged several times to review the ETS. Meanwhile, ten EU member states have been putting pressure on the Commission to ease the permit system, as it would allegedly lead to higher energy costs while damaging Europe’s competitiveness.

On 17 July 2026, in a Summer where Europe has been struck by historical droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires, the Commission finally published its “Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/87/EC and Decision (EU) 2015/1814 as regards driving competitiveness and cost-effective decarbonisation“.

In the document, which now needs to be adopted by the 27 member states and the European Parliament, the Commission proposes that some heavy polluters should be able to benefit from free pollution permits for longer. Instead of being phased out by 2034, free allowances for polluting sectors would continue to be distributed until 2038, under the condition that they demonstrate plans to invest in clean production in Europe.

The number of permits in circulation should also be reduced more slowly, according to the Commission. Instead of an annual reduction in the cap of 4.3%, the proposal dials this down to 3.7% from 2031, followed by 1.7% from 2036.

Furthermore, the permits would also be extended to municipal waste and to flights within a 5,000-kilometre radius of a central point in Europe – including private jets, a sector unconcerned by the ETS until now.

“The EU ETS has proven that carbon pricing works. It has cut emissions, strengthened Europe’s energy security and mobilised investment across our economy. [The] proposal on the ETS review brings together three key goals: climate action, competitiveness, and independence,” stated Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth.

Since the publication, however, climate experts and organisations have been criticising the proposal, wondering how the EU will be able to meet its 2040 goal with the new caps.

“Weakening the ETS now is a gift to polluters that have prioritised shareholder payouts instead of investing in cleaner production at the expense of citizens, future generations and those companies which already invested in climate-friendly solutions,” stated Chiara Martinelli, director of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe.

Transport & Environment (T&E), Europe’s leading advocates for clean transport and energy, have criticised the move.

“Europe has an energy dependency problem not an ETS one. The watering down of the ETS will make it near impossible to meet the EU’s 2040 target. If ETS does less work in bringing emissions down, other sectors like agriculture will have to do more. The proposal will keep Europe hooked on volatile and insecure fossil fuels for longer and will deprive governments and industry of the revenues needed to boost the innovative technologies of the future,” said Kädi Ristkok, T&E’s director of energy and climate.

At the moment of writing, the proposal still needs to be reviewed and voted on by the EU’s 27 member states and the European Parliament.

L’article EU faces climate backlash over plans to extend free pollution permits until 2038 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

As a British Overseas Territory, the enclave of Gibraltar has occupied a particular spot within Europe for a long time and the situation has only escalated since the Brexit. Located on the tip of the Iberian peninsula at a stone’s throw from the Spanish town of La Línea de la Concepción, the ties between Gibraltar and Spain have always been intense and yet heavily separated.

Anno 2026, some 15,000 Spaniards cross the border between La Línea de la Concepción in Spain and Gibraltar every morning. However, that commute is less straight-forward than one might think, as all border crossings require a passport control since the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union.

In order to address the issue, negotiations between Spain, the EU, and the UK have been taking place over the past four years. On 14 July 2026, a treaty was finally signed, putting an end to the physical border between Spain and Gibraltar.

This historic agreement delivers certainty for the people and businesses of Gibraltar, protects British sovereignty, our military facilities, and has the full backing of the Government and Parliament of Gibraltar. Our support for Gibraltar remains as solid as the Rock. This agreement opens a new chapter with the EU and Spain, supporting jobs, growth and prosperity on both sides of the border,” said the UK’s Minster of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty MP.

The EU-UK Agreement in respect of Gibraltar, as the treaty is called, was signed in Brussels by European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, British Minister of State for Europe Stephen Doughty, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, and Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.

The proposal for the signing and provisional application of the EU-UK Agreement was adopted by the Council on 1 July but the treaty still needs to be approved by the European Parliament, in accordance with the EU treaties. Therefore, the Agreement will enter into provisional application on 15 July 2026 until it is officially adopted.

“The main objective of this Agreement is to secure the future prosperity of the whole region. It will bring confidence and legal certainty to the lives and well-being of the people of the whole region. It will promote shared prosperity and closer and more constructive relations between the Gibraltar and Spanish authorities, while fully safeguarding Schengen, the EU’s Single Market and its Customs Union”, the European Commission explains.

Among other things, the treaty is expected to boost the local Spanish economy and to increase footfall in Gibraltar. Although Gibraltar has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, the Andalusian town of La Línea de la Concepción, has an unemployment rate of almost 30%.

“This is something historic, we’ve had a border fence since 1908. You have to realise that for an average company in this town a third of its income is from clients in Gibraltar,” Juan Franco, the mayor of La Línea de la Concepción, told BBC.

In practice, Gibraltar will be aligned with the European customs union and the Schengen European free travel zone. Those who arrive from outside Schengen will need to show their passports to both Gibraltarian and Spanish officials at the port or airport, while European citizens will be able to enter and exit Gibraltar freely.

L’article Spain and Gibraltar end 118 years of border controls under historic EU-UK deal est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Titled Tourism: The Invisible Engine, the paper was presented by Irish Renew MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, who has emerged as one of the European Parliament’s leading voices on tourism and serves on the Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee. It argues that tourism must become a central pillar of the EU’s competitiveness agenda as the European Commission prepares its forthcoming Strategy for Sustainable Tourism and negotiations begin on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). 

“Tourism is one of Europe’s largest export ecosystems and a cornerstone of our competitiveness. It creates opportunities in every region, supports thousands of SMEs and connects our cultural and natural heritage with global markets,” Ní Mhurchú said.

“Europe cannot afford to treat tourism as an afterthought. It must become an integral part of our competitiveness agenda and our long-term economic strategy.”

Tourism as a strategic economic sector

Renew Europe argues that tourism remains one of the European Union’s greatest economic strengths but continues to receive insufficient political attention despite its contribution to jobs, exports and regional development.

According to figures from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), cited in the paper, the travel and tourism sector employed 40.7 million people across the EU in 2025 and contributed 2.6% of the bloc’s GDP. By 2035, the sector is expected to create an additional 2.5 million jobs, accounting for one in every seven new jobs generated in the European Union.

To better reflect tourism’s economic importance, the group proposes stronger coordination across all European Commission departments with tourism-related responsibilities, a more prominent role for the Tourism Unit within the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE), greater investment in tourism research and innovation, and the creation of a dedicated tourism budget line in the next Multiannual Financial Framework to support small and medium-sized enterprises.

Ní Mhurchú said tourism “deserves a seat at Europe’s top table” because it is “a driver of competitiveness, innovation, regional development and employment.”

A roadmap for sustainable tourism

The position paper sets out a broad vision for the Commission’s future Sustainable Tourism Strategy, covering governance, sustainability, skills, digitalisation, connectivity and destination management.

Among its recommendations are stronger protection of Europe’s cultural heritage, greater promotion of lesser-known destinations to ease pressure on overcrowded tourism hotspots, increased investment in rural and inland tourism, and improved accessibility for travellers with disabilities. It also advocates expanding support for tourism research through Horizon Europe and strengthening professional training via Erasmus+. 

Labour shortages also feature prominently

Renew Europe calls for an EU-wide strategy to upskill and reskill tourism workers, strengthen apprenticeships, encourage closer cooperation between businesses and education providers, improve working conditions and make careers in tourism more attractive, particularly for young people. The paper also highlights the importance of gender equality, lifelong learning and mobility opportunities across the sector. 

Embracing digital transformation

Digitalisation is another central pillar of the proposals. The paper argues that artificial intelligence, predictive analytics and other digital tools can improve visitor experiences, help destinations manage tourism flows more efficiently and reduce administrative burdens for travellers.

Renew Europe also supports the continued digitalisation of the Schengen Area, including the Entry/Exit System (EES), the future Digital Travel Application and further digitalisation of Schengen visas. It proposes integrating practical tourism information into the Single Digital Gateway while ensuring that new technologies complement rather than replace authentic cultural experiences. 

The group also wants the European Union to strengthen its global tourism identity through initiatives such as Destination Europe, increased promotion of Visit Europe and the development of new thematic tourism routes highlighting Europe’s cultural, historical and industrial heritage. 

Supporting specialised tourism

A significant part of the position paper focuses on specialised tourism, which Renew Europe sees as an important driver of regional development and territorial cohesion.

The paper calls for stronger European support for cultural, gastronomic, wine, brewing, cycling, cruise, business, rural, health and wellness tourism, arguing that these sectors can help diversify local economies, reduce seasonality and distribute visitors more evenly across Europe. It also advocates dedicated EU support for thematic tourism networks connecting destinations across borders. 

Health and wellness tourism receives particular attention, with Renew Europe encouraging the Commission to promote European spa destinations, support investment in sustainable wellness infrastructure and increase research funding into preventive healthcare tourism, particularly as Europe’s population continues to age. 

The paper also highlights the importance of supporting islands, coastal regions and inland waterways, strengthening rural tourism, improving sustainable transport links and investing in cycling tourism, which it describes as one of Europe’s strategic tourism sectors. 

The position paper was presented during a discussion bringing together representatives from across the European tourism industry. Participants focused on identifying practical priorities that could be advanced during Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union before being carried forward by the subsequent Presidency Trio.

L’article Renew Europe calls for tourism to become central to EU competitiveness strategy  est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Pedocin has followed the same basic layout for more than a century. A white wall divides the beach into two sections, with men using one side and women the other. Children are allowed to stay on either side, while some exceptions are made, for example for parents or carers assisting a family member. Couples and friends are also free to meet in the sea beyond the buoys, where the separation ends. Visitors choose to enter the beach knowing its rules, making the arrangement a voluntary tradition rather than an obligation.

The beach officially opened in 1903, when Trieste was still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. At the time, gender-separated bathing areas were common across many parts of Europe because of public decency laws. Similar beaches could be found in countries including Germany and elsewhere in northern Europe, but they gradually disappeared as social attitudes changed. Pedocin is one of the few places where the tradition survived, turning it into a distinctive part of Trieste’s identity that has endured through two world wars, political change and shifting social norms.

The wall has not survived simply because it has always been there. In the 1950s, local authorities considered removing it in the hope of attracting more visitors and encouraging tourism. However, many residents, particularly women, preferred to keep the separation because they appreciated the atmosphere it created. Many regular visitors describe the beach as a place where generations of families return every summer and neighbours know one another. As one local visitor explained: “It’s our tradition. People from outside sometimes don’t understand it, but nobody is forced to be here.” Following the recent dispute, Trieste mayor Roberto Dipiazza also defended the beach on social media, describing Pedocin as “a unique feature of the city” and an important part of Trieste’s identity.

Trieste,
stabilimento Pedocin
2023. pic.twitter.com/7UHymofNuK

— W̾a̾l̾t̾e̾r̾ ̾l̾'̾A̾p̾o̾l̾i̾d̾e̾ 𝐏𝐡𝐃 (@ApolideL) March 19, 2023

Not everyone shares that opinion. Critics argue that a publicly operated beach should no longer separate visitors based on gender and see the wall as a reminder of social conventions from another era. During the recent disagreement, one tourist reportedly described the arrangement as “an absurd and medieval custom” after being asked to respect the beach’s rules. The incident quickly attracted attention in Italy and reopened discussions about whether historic traditions should be preserved when they no longer reflect modern society. At the same time, many Trieste residents responded by defending Pedocin as a unique part of their city’s heritage rather than a form of discrimination.

The debate comes at a time when Pedocin is also investing in its future. The beach has recently introduced a Seatrac Mover, a device that allows people with reduced mobility to enter the sea independently without assistance. Two new reading areas with bookcrossing facilities have also been created, allowing visitors to borrow, leave or exchange books while spending the day at the beach. These additions are part of a wider effort by the municipality to make the historic site more accessible, inclusive and welcoming to visitors of all ages.

Ho superato la prova costume! Come?
Nessun intervento estetico, nessuna dieta, ma solo un biglietto per Trieste. Ho deciso che il mio lido sarà il Pedocin, dove le balene femmine nuotano felici al riparo dai capitoni maschi pic.twitter.com/PoMWZPaTTt

— Susanna sicily (@SusannaSicily) June 23, 2026

The improvements appear to have been well received. A recent satisfaction survey carried out among visitors gave Pedocin an average score of 4.6 out of 5. Beachgoers particularly praised the friendliness of the staff, the cleanliness of the facilities and the comfortable environment, while the opening hours received a perfect score. More than 120 years after it first welcomed bathers, Pedocin continues to combine a tradition found nowhere else in Europe with new initiatives that respond to the needs of today’s visitors.

L’article Why Europe’s last gender-separated beach is still attracting visitors est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Another offering from European Sleeper, the train provides a “hassle-free, direct connection from Paris and Brussels to Hamburg, via Aulnoye-Aymeries, Mons and Liège,” the company says, inviting passengers to “Travel overnight and wake up refreshed, ready to explore.”

Tickets start from €69.99 in a classic shared compartment, which European Sleeper describes as “ideal for small groups, families and solo travellers.” This fare would give access to a compact couchette bed, with bedding, in a five-person compartment, with the possibility of private reservation from €209.

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Budget options, such as a reserved seat in a six-person compartment, are available too, as are upgrades to Comfort Class. The latter is, European Sleeper says, “The most comfortable travel option” and is best suited to “couples and solo travellers seeking comfort.” It includes a three-person compartment, more premium bedding, the option to go private, and a separate seating area. Women-Only compartments are also part of the proposition.

The first departure left Hamburg for Brussels and Paris on 13 July 2026. The schedule sees Hamburg departures on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and Paris departures on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

Good news! Three new stops on our #Paris–Berlin night train ⁠
⁠
From 26 March, you can now board in⁠
Aulnoye-Aymeries⁠
Mons⁠
Liège-Guillemins⁠
⁠
Where will you start your #nighttrain journey?⁠
⁠
Bookings are now open.⁠
⁠
https://t.co/byPd3Zbw5i pic.twitter.com/TG0l1ItKta

— European Sleeper (@EuropeanSlpr) March 11, 2026

As the world’s most visited destination, Paris and its delights are well-known, but Germany’s second city, Hamburg, is perhaps less so. Lonely Planet describes this gem as “one of the coolest cities on Earth,” highlighting its unpretentious vibe, history and riches stemming from worldwide trade since medieval times, its vibrant neighbourhoods, and live music.

Echoing that assessment, European Sleeper suggests itineraries including “early coffee by the water, a slow stroll through the Speicherstadt, or an evening of live music and cosy bars.” It also notes the way the old town and harbour sit alongside “bold new architecture,” with grand public spaces next door to hidden courtyards, and plenty of marketplaces, parklands, and waterways to explore.

The service is an expansion of European Sleeper’s Paris-Brussels-Berlin route, launched in March 2026, and provides a stepping stone to Scandinavia thanks to existing train lines that already link Hamburg to Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo.

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A post shared by Simply Railway (@simply_railway)

Commenting on the new connection in an interview with RailEarlier this year, Michael Otremba, CEO of the Hamburg Tourist Board, said, “The addition of Hamburg as a stop on European Sleeper’s Paris–Berlin route underlines the city’s position at the heart of Europe’s rail network. As a key gateway between Scandinavia and the rest of Europe, Hamburg offers international travellers seamless rail connections alongside a rich cultural, culinary, and waterfront experience.”

European Sleeper services are complemented (and rivalled) by Austrian rail’s ÖBB, which also operates “Nightjet” trains from the Belgian capital to Vienna.

L’article European Sleeper launches new international night train from Paris to Brussels and Hamburg est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

In a joint letter dated 7 July and addressed to European Commissioner for Internal Affairs Magnus Brunner, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland reaffirm their support for the new biometric border system but argue that its first months of operation have exposed “significant difficulties” that should not be underestimated.

Nine countries seek to maintain emergency safeguards

The letter requests that the current partial suspension mechanism, due to expire on 6 September 2026, remain available beyond that date. The mechanism allows border authorities, in exceptional circumstances, to temporarily suspend the collection of travellers’ biometric data, including fingerprints and facial scans, while continuing to register all entries and exits from the Schengen Area.

“The scheduled end of the partial suspension mechanism on 6 September is a source of serious and legitimate concern, shared not only by several member states, irrespective of their level of preparedness, but also by the transport sector as a whole,” the ministers wrote.

They added that it was “essential” for member states to retain this capability beyond September. According to POLITICO, the signatories have also requested written guarantees from the European Commission confirming that the flexibility will remain available if required.

Responding to the letter, European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert welcomed the countries’ “explicit commitment” to the full implementation of the EES and the systematic registration of all non-EU travellers. He reiterated that the legislation already contains built-in flexibility measures and said the Commission remains in “close and constructive contact” with the “few member states” experiencing difficulties at certain border crossing points.

“There is a strong joint will to make the system work everywhere,” Lammert said, without indicating whether the current emergency measures would be extended beyond 6 September.

Aviation industry steps up pressure

The latest intervention follows mounting criticism from airports, airlines and tourism organisations, which argue that the EES is already creating significant operational challenges during Europe’s busiest travel period.

As Travel Tomorrow reported earlier this month, Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, Airlines for Europe (A4E) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) jointly urged the European Commission to introduce greater flexibility after reporting border delays of up to five hours at some airports. The organisations called for border authorities to be allowed to suspend biometric checks whenever passenger volumes exceed operational capacity, warning that prolonged queues risk disrupting flights, airport operations and the overall travel experience.

Securing EU borders since 12 October: our new Entry/Exit System. Member States have caught human traffickers, stopped potential terrorists, and uncovered fraud in unprecedented ways. All thanks to our new system that collects and matches biometric data at border crossing points. pic.twitter.com/21IS4Z8H5k

— Magnus Brunner (@magnusbrunner) July 6, 2026

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) also backed a more pragmatic rollout, recommending faster deployment of the Travel to Europe app for digital pre-registration, improved communication with travellers before departure and greater operational readiness at border crossings.

Budget airline Ryanair similarly called for the system’s implementation to be postponed until September, arguing that travellers should not be “used as guinea pigs” for a border control system that was not fully prepared for the peak summer season.

Airlines and airports warn of worsening disruption

Concerns have continued to grow in recent weeks. EasyJet chief executive Kenton Jarvis described the border queues caused by the new controls as “completely unacceptable”, arguing that authorities should make full use of the flexibility already available.

“Border authorities must make full use of the permitted flexibilities now, and if this cannot be done effectively, the system must be reviewed and those flexibilities extended beyond their September cliff edge, to ensure our customers do not continue being disrupted,” he said.

Alexander Zinell, chief executive of Fraport Greece, which operates 14 airports across the country, believes the current problems reveal more fundamental weaknesses in the system.

@hannahewhitlock The new EU entry system is screwing everyone over #airport #airportcustoms #eu #europetravel #travel ♬ original sound – leah

Speaking to the Financial Times, Zinell said airports had been forced to install gazebos to shield passengers waiting in lengthy queues from the summer heat, while vulnerable travellers were being prioritised to reduce health risks. “It is very unpleasant for passengers, and even dangerous,” he said.

According to Zinell, the emergency suspension mechanism is the only reason the system has continued to function during periods of heavy demand.

“These are just temporary fixes,” he said. “The system needs to be overhauled. It needs a new version, an update, and probably a reconfiguration in order to allow people to register before they fly, before they get on a plane, before they go to the airport.”

A critical summer for the EES

The Entry/Exit System officially entered into operation on 10 April 2026, replacing manual passport stamping with the electronic registration of non-EU nationals entering or leaving the Schengen Area. The system records biometric information, including fingerprints and facial images, for travellers staying in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

While the European Commission maintains that the impact has remained limited across most border crossing points and continues to work with member states facing operational challenges, governments and transport operators argue that further improvements are needed before the emergency safeguards can safely be withdrawn. With the current flexibility mechanism due to expire in less than two months, pressure is mounting on Brussels to decide whether temporary measures should become a longer-term feature of the system.

L’article Nine European countries urge EU to extend flexibility on new border checks amid EES disruption  est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The company has submitted an updated notification to the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), outlining plans to launch two new international routes from February 2028, or as soon as operational and regulatory conditions allow.

The proposed expansion builds on Arriva’s previously announced plans to operate direct trains between Groningen and Paris, a service first expected to launch in 2026 but now postponed until at least 2027. Together, the three routes would create a broader international network serving several major Dutch cities while providing additional travel options through Belgium.

Under the latest proposal, Arriva intends to operate two daily return services between Amersfoort and Paris, with stops in Utrecht, ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Breda before crossing into Belgium. Belgian stops would include Antwerp, Brussels Airport, Brussels-South and Mons before continuing to the French capital.

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A second route would connect The Hague with Paris three times a day in each direction, calling at Rotterdam and Roosendaal before following the same Belgian itinerary.

For travellers in Belgium, the plans would introduce new direct rail links not only to Paris but also to major Dutch cities including Utrecht and The Hague, while reinforcing Brussels Airport’s role as an increasingly important international rail hub.

The Hague would also gain its first direct rail connection to Paris, improving access between the French capital and one of Europe’s leading centres for diplomacy, international organisations and international justice.

Arriva says the expansion would make use of existing spare capacity on rail infrastructure in the Netherlands, Belgium and France. However, the company acknowledged that launching new international services remains a lengthy process requiring timetable coordination, infrastructure capacity allocation and regulatory approvals in all three countries.

The operator argues that demand for international rail travel continues to grow as passengers increasingly seek sustainable alternatives to short-haul flights. It also believes that greater competition on international routes can help lower fares and improve service quality, pointing to experiences in countries such as Spain, Italy and France following rail market liberalisation.

The latest announcement follows Arriva’s earlier proposal to introduce a daily Groningen-Paris service via Brussels, first announced in 2023. As reported by Travel Tomorrow, that service was initially expected to begin in June 2026, with stops including Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport, Antwerp, Brussels Airport, Brussels Central, Brussels-South and Mons before reaching Paris. The company has since revised its timetable, with the Groningen route now expected to launch no earlier than 2027 as preparations continue.

Arriva is the largest competitor to Dutch national railway operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) and already operates cross-border services in the region through the Three Country Train, which links Liège, Maastricht and Aachen.

If approved, the expanded network would mark another step towards greater rail connectivity across north-west Europe, offering travellers more direct alternatives to flying while strengthening links between the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

L’article Arriva plans new rail links connecting Utrecht and The Hague with Brussels and Paris from 2028 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

ETIAS will bring a United States-style pre-screening approach to border security. It will see non-EU nationals who benefit from visa waivers for the Schengen Area being required to apply for pre-authorisation to travel.

Applications will take place online and will entail would-be visitors to Europe inputting their personal details, travel history, and criminal record, as well as paying a €20 processing fee. Once granted, the authorisation will be valid for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

@_perlaceron Heads up if Europe is on your 2026 or 2027 travel list ETIAS is coming…it’s NOT a visa, it’s a quick online authorization that every American will need before boarding a flight to France, Italy, Spain, Greece and 30+ other countries. Drop where you’re headed in Europe and tell me…did you already know about this?! #etias #europetravel #traveltips #travelalert #travelnews ♬ original sound – Perla Ceron | Travel Advisor

But with ETIAS due to start in late 2026 after several delays already, EU officials are reportedly becoming increasingly concerned about the system’s implementation. While the bloc continues to maintain that the last quarter of the year is still the target, eu-LISA, the agency responsible for the Etias rollout, no longer believes that timetable is achievable, according to three unnamed insiders who spoke to the Financial Times.

Part of the problem is software development, with the system still not fully functional. Adding to that is the shaky start to the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), which came online on 10 April 2026 and is a building block for ETIAS.

The EES requires third-country nationals visiting the EU to register their personal data, including biometrics, which are stored for up to three years to allow the region to better track immigration arrivals and departures. But its rollout has caused widespread travel disruption, with chronic airport queues and port delays experienced across the EU, while some countries have unilaterally suspended its implementation and various stakeholder groups have warned of catastrophic financial losses.

Against that EES backdrop, and with officials estimating that resolving the disruption could take two years, the arrival of Etias on time by the end of 2026 is looking more and more unlikely. Discussions about postponing the rollout reportedly took place in June, with a review set for September, the FT‘s sources said.

For now, though, eu-LISA is toeing the bloc’s line, telling reporters that “at this moment, the proposed entry into operation remains Q4 2026. Preparations for the launch of Etias are ongoing, in close cooperation between the European Commission, eu-LISA and Member States.”

Nonetheless, at the same time, it hinted at possible changes to the schedule to come, adding: “The exact date for the entry into operation of Etias will be proposed by the European Commission, following consultation with eu-LISA and Member States.”

L’article EU’s ETIAS travel authorisation system could be delayed beyond 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Parliament voted on Tuesday to approve changes to EU air passenger rights legislation following years of negotiations with member states. The agreement was backed by 646 members of the European Parliament, with 12 voting against and three abstaining, according to reports on the vote.

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, said the agreement “will strengthen the rights of air passengers across Europe” and “bring greater transparency and predictability for both consumers and airlines, without creating unnecessary bureaucracy for our industry. Parliament fought hard to make travel fairer and procedures clearer, and this is what we have delivered.”

Under the revised rules, passengers will continue to be entitled to compensation when a flight is delayed by at least three hours, cancelled less than 14 days before departure, or when boarding is denied. Compensation will remain linked to flight distance, with payments of €250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, and €600 for longer journeys.

Airlines may avoid compensation where disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances outside their control, such as severe weather, natural disasters, war, unruly passengers or certain strikes affecting airport, air navigation or groundhandling services.

The update also addresses baggage and ticket-price transparency. Passengers will have the right to bring one personal item on board without an additional fee, while airlines, intermediaries and search portals will have to display fares that include carry-on luggage at the start of the booking process. Airlines may still offer lower fares to travellers who voluntarily choose to fly without hand luggage.

European Parliament achieves upgrade to air passenger rights:
Securing existing compensation after 3h delay
Clearer procedure for compensation claims
Price transparency and comparability of air tickets
More https://t.co/z9rJoeOK3v pic.twitter.com/jpZ0SbhzBu

— TRAN Committee Press (@EP_Transport) July 7, 2026

For travellers affected by delays or cancellations, airlines will be required to provide electronic information on how to claim compensation within four days of the end of the journey. Passengers will have nine months to submit a compensation request, and airlines will have 30 days to pay or explain why compensation is not due. The rules state that passengers should not be required to create a user account or use a specific app to receive this information.

The agreement includes additional protections for families and passengers with reduced mobility. Airlines will have to seat children under 14 next to an accompanying adult without an extra fee. Similar adjacent seating rights will apply to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility and to pregnant passengers. Passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility will also have rights to compensation, rerouting and assistance if they miss a flight because airport assistance failed to get them to the gate on time.

Airlines will also be prohibited from charging extra fees for correcting spelling errors in passenger names or for providing a printed boarding pass when a passenger has already checked in. Passengers will have the right to receive a digital boarding pass at check-in without having to request it separately or use a specific app.

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, welcomed the vote, describing the agreement as “the first major reform of EU air passenger rights in more than two decades”. He said the new rules strengthen the rights of passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility, make it easier to claim compensation, ensure parents can sit next to their young children at no extra cost, increase transparency on fees and pricing, and put an end to unfair “no-show” practices.

He added that the agreement demonstrates what can be achieved when the European Commission, the European Parliament and the member states work together after years of negotiations to modernise the EU’s air passenger rights framework.

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