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.

The four new Rosenbauer crash tenders are now operational and have joined the airport’s in-house fire service fleet. They replace five older units that had reached the end of their operational lifespan and are specifically designed for rapid intervention during aircraft emergencies on the airfield.

Weighing 39 tonnes, the new vehicles can reach speeds of up to 115 km/h, allowing firefighters to respond quickly across the airport site. Each crash tender carries 12,500 litres of water, 1,500 litres of extinguishing foam and 225 kilograms of dry powder. Their roof-mounted water cannons can discharge up to 5,200 litres of water per minute, providing firefighters with the capacity needed to tackle large-scale aircraft fires. One of the new vehicles is also equipped with a steel-piercing nozzle, which allows extinguishing agents to be injected directly into an aircraft cabin or cargo hold to fight fires more effectively.

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The modernisation of the fleet is part of Brussels Airport’s ongoing efforts to ensure that its emergency services continue to meet the highest safety requirements. The airport fire service operates 24/7 and is responsible for responding to aircraft-related incidents and other emergencies within the airport environment.

Alongside the new vehicles, Brussels Airport has also invested in a dedicated training simulator. The simulator recreates realistic emergency situations, enabling firefighters to practise their response procedures in a controlled environment and further develop their skills without affecting airport operations.

The investment in new equipment and training infrastructure aims to support the airport’s fire service in maintaining a high level of preparedness and ensuring efficient responses in the event of an emergency. This forms part of Brussels Airport’s broader efforts to continuously enhance safety across its operations.

The airport is also upgrading its security screening systems with next-generation technology, including body scanners for passengers and CT scanners for hand luggage. Set to be introduced from 2028, the new equipment will allow travellers to keep liquids and electronic devices in their bags during screening, while enhancing security efficiency and improving passenger flow.

L’article Brussels Airport invests €6 million in four new specialised airport fire vehicles est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The remains of the Douglas DC-4, known as the Clipper Endeavor, were discovered approximately 2,000 feet (610 metres) below the surface off Puerto Rico’s northern coast by a team led by the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation in partnership with deep-sea exploration company Deep Sea Vision and Discovery Channel’s Expedition Unknown. The wreckage was found on 2 June after years of archival research and underwater searches.

@tmz

FOUND AT LAST! Pan Am Flight 526A's wreckage has been found 74 years after the crash tragic 1952 crash.

♬ original sound – TMZ

The aircraft was operating Pan Am Flight 526A from San Juan to New York on 11 April 1952 when it suffered the failure of both right-side engines shortly after take-off. The crew attempted a controlled water landing, but the aircraft sank within minutes. Although all 69 passengers and crew initially survived the impact, only 17 people were ultimately rescued, while 52 lost their lives. Thirty-nine victims were never recovered. 

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According to reports, the tragedy exposed shortcomings in passenger safety procedures at a time when pre-flight safety briefings were not routinely provided. Investigators later concluded that confusion during the evacuation, difficulties using flotation equipment and a lack of safety information contributed to the high death toll. The accident became a catalyst for major aviation reforms, including mandatory pre-flight safety demonstrations and improvements to emergency flotation equipment.

“Every time you step onboard an airplane today, you are safer because of what happened to Clipper Endeavor and her passengers three-quarters of a century ago,” said Expedition Unknown host Josh Gates.

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Публикация от The Explorers Club (@the_explorers_club)

Russ Matthews, president of the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation, began investigating the crash in 2019 after learning about a luggage tag from the flight that had washed ashore in Florida. Working with researchers, historians and underwater exploration specialists, the team narrowed the search area using historical records, crash reports and old maps.

“We are all stunned and elated by this discovery, yet also humbled to remember what happened in that place so long ago,” said Matthews. 

The breakthrough came with the use of an autonomous sonar-equipped underwater vehicle operated by Deep Sea Vision. Images from the seabed revealed parts of the aircraft split into two sections, including landing gear, an engine and the distinctive Pan Am logo, which remained visible despite spending 74 years underwater. 

The discovery will be featured in an upcoming episode of Expedition Unknown this Autumn, closing one of the longest-running searches for a missing commercial aircraft in US waters.

L’article Pan Am plane wreck discovered 74 years after fatal crash off Puerto Rico est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Trump announced the decision on Tuesday, 21 July, following a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House. Direct flights between the two countries have been suspended since 1985.

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“I am hereby directing my Administration to allow all US airline carriers to fly directly to Lebanon so that Americans can easily visit this beautiful land,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

The move could eventually restore an important direct connection between Lebanon and the United States, home to a sizeable Lebanese diaspora. However, no airline has yet announced a route or a date for the resumption of services.

Before direct flights can begin, US authorities are expected to conduct an extensive security assessment of Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport and certify that the necessary safety requirements are met.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) welcomed the decision, saying it looked forward to working with airlines and other government agencies to implement the presidential directive and “support the safe return of flights to Lebanon.”

Flights suspended since 1985

Direct US-Lebanon services were suspended under President Ronald Reagan’s administration in 1985 following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847.

The flight, travelling from Athens to Rome, was hijacked shortly after take-off and diverted to Beirut. During the hostage crisis, which lasted more than two weeks, US Navy diver Robert Stethem was killed and dozens of passengers were held hostage.

1985 TWA Flight 847 Hijacking: The Attack That Turned Beirut Into a Global Symbol of Air Terrorism

In June 1985, Hezbollah operatives hijacked Trans World Airlines (TWA) Flight 847, holding 145 passengers and crew hostage for 17 days in one of the most infamous acts of… https://t.co/9yXNXVHQfq pic.twitter.com/ETTDEAhaaS

— Özer ARSLANPAY (@arslanpaytr) July 22, 2026

The episode contributed to Washington’s decision to prohibit direct air services between the United States and Lebanon, a restriction that has remained in place for more than 40 years.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed Trump’s announcement, saying it represented “a significant opportunity to enhance travel and connectivity between Lebanon and the United States, and to support the Lebanese economy.”

The announcement also came during the first visit to Washington by a Lebanese president since 2009. Aoun travelled to the US seeking support for greater stability in Lebanon following successive periods of conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah.

Security concerns remain

Despite the announcement, significant obstacles remain before passengers can board a direct US-Lebanon flight.

Lebanon currently has one operational international passenger airport, Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, located south of the capital. The airport continued operating through much of the recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, although services were disrupted during periods of heightened military activity.

Lebanon has also begun work to convert the Qlayaat airbase, near the Syrian border in the north of the country, into a civilian passenger airport, potentially giving the country a second international gateway.

Whether US airlines will be willing to launch services to Beirut in the near future also remains uncertain given continuing security concerns and instability affecting aviation across parts of the Middle East.

The US State Department continues to advise Americans against travelling to Lebanon, citing risks including armed conflict, terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest.

Trump nevertheless expressed hope that the US decision would encourage other countries to strengthen their air links with Lebanon.

The reopening of the US market would mark a major symbolic change for Lebanon’s international connectivity after more than four decades without direct passenger flights to the United States. The next step will be the completion of US security assessments and, crucially, whether airlines decide there is sufficient demand and operational certainty to launch routes.

L’article Direct flights between US and Lebanon set to resume after more than 40 years  est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Walloon Minister-President Adrien Dolimont said the announcement showed why Charleroi Airport needed to attract a wider range of airlines. Diversifying its operators would make the airport less dependent on decisions taken by one dominant carrier. “We are familiar with Ryanair’s communication, which is regularly aggressive,” Dolimont told Belgian news agency Belga. “I have no intention of trembling at each of their statements.”

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From 1 January 2027, Belgium’s federal tax on departing passengers taking flights longer than 500 kilometres will rise from €5 to €7. The increase amounts to 40% compared with the current rate. Flights of up to 500 kilometres are already subject to a €10 charge. The government had originally planned to introduce a €10 tax for longer flights as well but reduced the amount following pressure from airlines, airports and regional authorities.

Dolimont was involved in the discussions that led to the lower increase. He said the Walloon government had helped Charleroi Airport avoid around €30 million in additional taxes. This included approximately €15 million in proposed municipal charges and another €15 million connected to the federal tax plans. “Claiming that we can go even further would be unrealistic in the overall context,” he said.

The Walloon government had already intervened in a separate dispute over a proposed regional passenger tax at Charleroi. The measure would have charged €3 for every passenger using the airport and was expected to raise around €15 million per year. After the proposal was abandoned, Ryanair restored its full Charleroi schedule for Summer 2026. The airline promised 7.5 million seats, 112 direct connections and a 9% increase in capacity.

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However, the reversal of the regional tax did not end Ryanair’s dispute with the federal government. Despite the decision to limit the federal tax to €7 instead of €10, the airline has now confirmed its planned cuts. “Their decision is theirs to make,” said Dolimont. “We have done our utmost at the Walloon government level, notably thanks to excellent coordination with the federal authorities, and everyone needs to recognise the effort.”

Ryanair continues to demand the complete abolition of the federal aviation tax. It argues that the charge makes Belgium less competitive than European markets where aviation taxes or airport charges are being reduced or removed. The five aircraft withdrawn from Charleroi will be transferred to markets the company considers more competitive. However, Ryanair has not yet revealed which Belgian destinations or flight frequencies will be affected.

Regional Airports Minister Cécile Neven also expressed regret over Ryanair’s announcement. She said the Walloon government had acted within its powers to protect the competitiveness of regional airports and the thousands of jobs that depend on them. The government remains in contact with Charleroi Airport and says it will monitor the situation closely. No details have yet been provided about which other airlines the airport could target as part of its diversification plans.

It also remains unclear how the two million-seat reduction will be divided between Charleroi and Zaventem. The figure describes capacity that Ryanair will not put on sale and does not mean two million existing bookings have been cancelled. Ryanair currently carries around 11.6 million passengers per year across its Belgian network. Travellers will have to wait for the detailed schedules to learn which routes and frequencies will be removed.

L’article Wallonia calls for more airlines at Charleroi Airport after Ryanair cuts two million seats est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

From 1 January 2027, the tax on departing flights longer than 500 kilometres will rise from €5 to €7 per passenger. This represents a 40% increase compared with the current rate. The government had initially planned to raise the charge to €10 but reduced the increase following pressure from airlines, airports and regional authorities. Flights of less than 500 kilometres are already subject to a €10 tax, meaning the amount passengers pay depends on the distance of their journey.

Despite the government’s compromise, Ryanair continues to call for the federal tax to be abolished entirely. The airline argues that the charge makes Belgium less competitive than European markets where aviation taxes and airport charges are being reduced or removed. It says the aircraft withdrawn from Charleroi will be transferred to countries where operating costs are lower. However, the company has not yet revealed which Belgian routes or frequencies will be affected.

“We warned Prime Minister De Wever that an increase in Belgium’s aviation tax would lead to a decline in traffic, but he did not listen,” said Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson. “As a result, Ryanair will remove five aircraft from its Charleroi base and cut two million seats from its Charleroi and Zaventem schedules for Winter 2026 and Summer 2027.” The airline claims the reduction will also affect tourism and employment in Belgium. No specific redundancies or confirmed estimates of job losses have been announced.

The changes will begin when the Winter 2026–2027 aviation season starts at the end of October, more than two months before the new tax comes into force. Airlines normally prepare and finalise their schedules several months in advance, meaning decisions about aircraft and routes must be made before a tax starts to apply. However, the timing has also raised questions about whether the tax increase is the only reason for the reduction. Ryanair had already threatened to remove the same five aircraft when the government was still planning to increase the tax to €10.

“Ryanair always has between 11 and 18 aircraft at Charleroi,” aviation economist Wouter Dewulf of the University of Antwerp told Belgian broadcaster VRT. “In winter, it traditionally withdraws aircraft because demand is lower or because the aircraft require maintenance.” Charleroi also remains one of Ryanair’s most profitable bases, according to Dewulf, making a complete withdrawal from the airport unlikely. He expects some weaker routes outside the airline’s main winter network to be discontinued in the coming months. These routes may no longer be profitable due to higher fuel prices and the effects of the continuing conflict in the Middle East. Ryanair’s profit reportedly fell by 34% to €593 million during the most recently reported quarter, with rising fuel costs putting additional pressure on its results.

The dispute follows an earlier confrontation over a separate regional passenger tax at Charleroi. Wallonia had considered charging €3 for every passenger handled by the airport, with the measure expected to raise around €15 million per year. Ryanair responded by threatening to cut one million seats from its Summer 2026 schedule. After the Walloon government abandoned the proposal, the airline restored its full Charleroi schedule, promising 7.5 million seats, 112 direct connections and a 9% increase in capacity.

That reversal did not end Ryanair’s separate dispute with the federal government. In December 2025, the carrier announced plans to cut around one million seats during Winter 2026–2027 in response to the proposed €10 federal charge. The latest announcement extends the reductions into Summer 2027, bringing the stated total to two million seats across the two seasons. The figure refers to capacity that Ryanair will not put on sale and does not mean two million existing passenger bookings have been cancelled.

At the time of the announcement, neither the Belgian federal government nor Brussels South Charleroi Airport had issued an official response. It also remains unclear how the two million-seat reduction will be divided between Charleroi and Zaventem. Ryanair currently carries around 11.6 million passengers per year across its Belgian network. Travellers will need to wait for the airline’s detailed schedules to learn which destinations and flight frequencies will be removed.

L’article Ryanair reduces Belgian network by two million seats over higher aviation tax est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Blocked middle seats are a common sight on many European airlines’ short- and medium-haul business class cabins. However, in the U.S., the option can only be found at Frontier Airlines, which has been offering a blocked middle seat option called UpFront Plus since the spring of 2024.

Starting from the fall of 2026, travellers will be able to find the same feature aboard United Airlines’ new Airbus A321XLR aircraft. In one row of the Economy Plus cabin, the middle seats will be replaced with an armrest-to-armrest shared table with cup holders, offering more room to both passengers than a normal setup.

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“We’re investing nose-to-tail across our fleet and giving customers choice and value in every cabin. The XLR is our newest aircraft and not only offers all-aisle access lie-flat seats in United Polaris but now also includes seats in Economy Plus with extra leg and elbow room. Our customers are going to love all these new options,” Andrew Nocella, United’s executive vice president and CCO, said in a statement.

When the new option is launched, United Airlines will be offering six distinct seating options: Polaris business class, Premium Plus premium economy, blocked middle set Economy Plus, Preferred Seating at the front of the United Economy cabin, and United Economy.

At the moment of writing, United Airlines has not yet shared an exact launch date for the new aircraft nor details about how much passengers will need to pay extra in order to enjoy the option. However, the Airbus A321XLR is expected to join United Airlines’ fleet in the fall of 2026.

Overall, United has ordered 50 Airbus A321XLRs, some of which will serve new routes, while others will replace the airline’s Boeing 757s. The aircraft will initially be used exclusively on domestic flights before extending to short- and medium-haul international routes at the start of 2027. By 2028, about 25 of the new planes should be in service.

Aside from the blocked middle seat option in Economy Plus, other details have been unveiled about United Airlines’ new Airbus A321XLR. Not only will the plane feature the United Polaris lie-flat seats with privacy doors, but it will also boast 4K OLED entertainment screens with Bluetooth connectivity throughout the aircraft, as well as a self-service snack station in the economy cabin and larger overhead bins.

The news of the new blocked middle seat option comes months after United Airlines announced the addition of yet another seating possibility, called Relax Row. The feature should be launched aboard the airline’s Boeing 787 and 777 in 2027, allowing travellers to purchase a row of three seats located between Economy and Premium Plus. Using adjustable leg rests, it will also be able to transform into a couch.

L’article United Airlines takes inspiration from European business class with blocked middle seat est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, successfully trialled electric operations with US aerospace firm BETA Technologies in March this year, when it undertook a number of demonstration flights across Scotland’s mail routes, including between Glasgow and Dundee, and in the skies over Aberdeen, Inverness, Orkney and Wick.

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It has now signed a deal to purchase the Beta Alia CX300 all-electric plane, with an option for a further five. The contract was confirmed on the opening day of the Farnborough Airshow on 20 July.

Most of Loganair’s flights are around 160 km, the carrier said, well within the CX300’s 622-km range. Importantly, the planes can use existing runways, and another key factor for Loganair will have been the turnaround time. With a recharge delay of just 20 to 40 minutes, the planes allow the carrier to maintain what Loganair chief executive Luke Farajallah called the “reliable regional connectivity our customers and communities depend on.”

With aircraft fuel prices soaring this year amid the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East, the all-electric operation of the CX300 gives Loganair “the potential to reduce operating costs by up to 80%,” Farajallah said.

He also described the deal as a reflection of Loganair’s “confidence in the technology, our partnership with Beta, and our ambition to remain at the forefront of sustainable regional aviation.”

Meanwhile, Kyle Clark, founder and chief executive of BETA Technologies, underlined the company’s credentials, saying the aircraft manufacturer had met Loganair’s “high” standard “the only way it can be met, by flying more than a thousand nautical miles across their network, on their routes, and in their conditions.”

Simple Flying reports that the ALIA CX300 is a competitor to the Cessna Caravan and similar planes. While BETA advertises 5.77 m³ of interior space, which is less than the Cessna’s, the CX300 is “much cheaper to operate,” the outlet said.

The Pipistrel Velis Electro, launched in 2020, was the first fully certified production plane with electric propulsion. Since then, competitors have been lining up, including the Eviation Alice, which is currently seeking funding, and Sweden’s hybrid-electric ES-30 from Heart Aerospace.

Commentators note that electric planes present a game-changing option for operators of short commuter or freight routes, offering substantial benefits both in terms of decarbonisation and lower operating costs.

L’article Scottish airline to become the first European airline to operate electric commercial planes est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The system helps airport operators and passengers beat the queues by deploying smart cameras and biometrics to recognise and clear up to 10 passengers at the same time. It is now able to be used by other airport users, following an initial test phase in the hub’s Terminal 3.

Travel pro tip: check before you queue
When travelling through #DXB, you can now quickly scan your passport to check if you can use the @GDRFADubai Smart Gates, or if you need to head to the Passport Control desks instead.

The Smart Gates PreCheck tool is available to use… pic.twitter.com/7T1jLvveba

— DXB (@DXB) July 16, 2026

Well over 26 million travellers benefitted from the Smart Gates last year. UAE and GCC nationals, UAE residents, and visa-on-arrival guests with biometric passports are all eligible to use them, both at arrivals and departures, where officials say they will “pass through passport control swiftly, typically within seconds, thanks to their enhanced features and contactless process.” (Though it’s worth noting that families with children and people under 1.2-metres tall cannot use the service).

The use of the tech at Dubai is a world-first, linking to the airport’s advanced systems including integrated flight data and AI passenger registrations. Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, told Times reporters the aim was to improve the passenger experience in the airport and “make the security process no less rigorous but far less intrusive.”

Griffiths said: “We’ve invested in camera technology, whereby you can continue to walk through a space and be verified as OK to enter or leave the country, so no passports in your hand, no gate readers, no difficulty with the whole process.”

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Gulf News explains that passengers using Dubai International can already sign up to use Smart Gates via the Smart Gates Pre-Check, accessible from anywhere in the world before travel and allowing passengers to confirm their eligibility before arriving at the airport. Registration involves travellers scanning their passport photograph. In addition, travellers already in situ at DXB, can scan QR codes displayed throughout the Arrivals and Departures passport control areas to navigate to the same service.

But the “red carpet” clearance system now goes beyond even the Smart Gates in terms of performance, in some instances clearing passengers in as little as three seconds. The airport is also speeding up passenger journeys to and from the airport with the anticipated launch of Joby air taxis. After a difficult year in 2026 so far, following aviation disruption in the Middle East due to the Iran-US-Israel conflict, Dubai will be looking for ways to improve its passenger flows and throughput to retain its position at the head of the world’s busiest airport rankings.

L’article Dubai airport trials AI-powered biometric system cutting terminal wait times by over 60% est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Supporters of the bill, officially called the Sunshine Protection Act, claim that longer, brighter winter evenings would encourage outdoor activities and boost the economy, and that ending the twice-yearly clock change would reduce sleep disruption and accidents. However, major airline advocacy groups, including Airlines for America (A4A), claim that adapting to the change would take years and be costly.

The House of Representatives passed the bill by 308 votes to 117, sending it to the Senate. If it is also passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Donald Trump, most of the US would stay on daylight saving time, or the “summer clock”, all year round.

BIG NEWS The US House just PASSED a major bill to make Daylight Saving Time PERMANENT, ending the two times a year clock changing madness for good 308-117!

The passed house bill now heads to the Senate, with President Trump strongly backing the move.pic.twitter.com/cPJUCS22Te

— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) July 15, 2026

A4A has warned that “changes to existing daylight saving time would have considerable implications for aviation”, including “passenger disruption, crew and aircraft positioning, and domestic and international connectivity issues”.

“Airlines operate expansive, interconnected domestic and global networks that rely on stability and predictability,” the group said, adding that any change would require a timetable for implementation that reflects these complications.

The group urged lawmakers to allow sufficient time for preparation, arguing that, unlike the twice-yearly clock change that airlines already handle, this shift “could not be implemented overnight”.

According to VOZ, the existing switches are already causing confusion within the industry. Aviation analyst Henry Harteveldt told the outlet that the transition would affect booking, maintenance and crew scheduling systems. He warned that without proper technical support, failures could “multiply on an unprecedented scale”.

The United States has already experienced what permanent daylight saving time would entail. Introduced in January 1974 in response to the global energy crisis, it proved so unpopular that Congress reversed its decision just 10 months later.

“It’s comical how no one understands that we already did this in 1974,” commented meteorologist Pat Cavlin. “It ended up being such a bad idea that it only lasted ten months before it was quickly changed back.”

More recently, in March 2023, Lebanese airline Middle East Airlines was forced to change its schedule after the government abruptly postponed the country’s move to daylight saving time, only to reverse its decision days later. This last-minute political U-turn caused widespread confusion and technical chaos not only for airlines, but also for banks and phone networks. It took the airline a month to return to normal.

However, readers responding to the US airline industry’s warning appeared to have little sympathy. One dismissed it as “nonsense”, adding: “Whatever the change might do, it doesn’t compare to the endless cycle of stupidity we endure today.”

pic.twitter.com/q3geyrs6w0

— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) July 15, 2026

“Everyone loves this idea until they’re driving to work in complete darkness at 9 a.m. in December,” wrote one sarcastic X user.

Another user pointed out the absurdity of the claim, saying, “It takes 10 seconds to change a clock if it isn’t an automatic clock that already changes by itself”.

However, adjusting a household clock is not quite the same as changing an interconnected global aviation network. For airlines, it would be a logistical nightmare. In addition, there are reasons why daylight saving time was introduced.

The reason we change the clocks at all largely traces back to a simple idea: saving energy. Benjamin Franklin proposed an early version of this concept in a satirical 1784 essay about the wastefulness of burning candles when daylight was available.

A 1975 study by the US Department of Transportation estimated that daylight saving time reduced electricity consumption by around 1% during the periods of transition. However, later research has called these savings into question.

L’article US airlines warn permanent daylight saving time could disrupt global schedules est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.