Travel News
I am travelling to the EU on or after 12 October. What is changing? - THE INDEPENDENT
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British passport holders – as well as other “third-country nationals” from the US, Canada, Australia and elsewhere – are about to become subject to the European Union’s entry-exit system (EES). The digital border scheme begins on Sunday 12 October. Many readers of The Independent have posed questions about EES, and this Q&A distils the key issues.
What’s the big idea?
The long-awaited entry-exit system connects every frontier crossing point into the Schengen area (comprising all EU nations except Ireland and Cyprus, plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) with a central database. It aims to crack down on crime and enforce the limit on stays of 90 days in any 180 days that applies to British travellers and other third-country nationals.
The system will collect or check biometrics from all third-country nationals when they either enter or leave at an external Schengen border. This includes international airports, sea ports, railway stations and road crossings.
On the first occasion the traveller comes into contact with the system, it will create a digital record: registering their face and fingerprints, along with personal data from their passport. (Under-12s are excused providing fingerprints.) On subsequent crossings of the Schengen area border, the facial biometric will be checked against this record.
What is the mechanism?
Most travellers will register on kiosks installed at borders. You place the photo page of your passport as indicated and then follow the instructions.
On subsequent visits, you will either use a kiosk to confirm your face and passport match the details stored on the system, or an eGate – if they have been modified to perform the face check for non-EU travellers.
What will I notice on day one?
Probably nothing. EES is being rolled out gradually over the course of 180 days from 12 October 2025 to 9 April 2026. Initially member states only have to introduce the EES on a token basis – Germany is starting with Dusseldorf airport – and only a small proportion of travellers will be required to go through the entry-exit system.
Do I need to prepare anything in advance?
No. This is an additional layer of red tape at the port of entry. For the first six months the old-style analogue business of checking and stamping passports will continue as normal – but you may be asked for biometrics too.
It will be another year before you have to enrol for an Etias “euro visa” ahead of a trip.
What happens to EU passport holders when EES starts?
They will breeze through the frontier via special lanes where the only check will be a glance at their passport to check (a) it’s valid and (b) it’s their’s. So, as it used to be for British passport holders before Brexit. If you have an EU passport, you can wave us all farewell and be in the bar in record time.
How long does my ‘digital record’ last?
For three years after an interaction with the EES. Each new visit triggers another three years of validity of the initial registration. In other words, if you don’t cross a Schengen area frontier for three years, you will need to register again.
Renewing a passport should not require you to register again. The system should update automatically when you present your new passport and the system checks your facial biometric.
Must I provide proof of travel insurance?
Almost certainly not. While it is true that the EES kiosks in the Eurostar terminal at London St Pancras International are asking “Do you have medical insurance?”, this has been a requirement to enter France (but no other EU country) for many years, and has never been enforced for UK travellers. The kiosks at Folkestone, for Eurotunnel crossings, are not asking this question.
The UK government insists: “Medical insurance will not be a mandatory requirement for UK citizens travelling to the EU under EES. However, we strongly recommend that all passengers purchase comprehensive travel insurance, including medical cover, before travelling abroad.”
What if I am on a cruise?
If the voyage starts and ends in the UK, you should not need to use the entry-exit system. The Home Office says: “Sailings that start and finish their journey outside of the Schengen area (for example, at a UK port) will generally be exempt from EES checks, including for any day trips into the Schengen area that are part of their itinerary.”
If you are on a “fly cruise” and joining and/or leaving the ship in a Schengen area port, you will need to go through the entry-exit system at the Schengen frontier.
Air Peace denies slashing fares by 30% - PUNCH
Air Peace Limited has issued a strong disclaimer regarding a circulating social media post advertising a supposed “30% off Africa flights” promotion.
The airline, in a statement by its spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, stated that it is not running any such promotion, describing the advert as “fraudulent and not affiliated with Air Peace in any way.”
The publicist appealed to the public to disregard the misleading post and avoid engaging with its promoters, who are allegedly attempting to deceive unsuspecting individuals.
The airline said, “Our attention has been drawn to a sponsored post circulating on social media, advertising a purported ‘30% off Africa flights’ promotion and requesting members of the public to sign up to access this offer.
“We wish to categorically state that Air Peace Limited is not running any 30 per cent discount promotion. The said advertisement is fraudulent and not affiliated with Air Peace in any way. We therefore urge the public to disregard such posts and refrain from engaging with the promoters, as they are only attempting to defraud unsuspecting individuals.”
The airline also raised concerns about reports of customers trying to book tickets through the domain airpeace.com. Air Peace clarified that its only official website is www.flyairpeace.com and that it has no association with airpeace.com or any other unauthorised sites promoting false offers.
The statement added that, “For your safety and to avoid falling victim to scams, passengers are advised to use only the following official contact channels: Call Centre: +234 201 343 8133; Email: [email protected]; Website: www.flyairpeace.com
“Air Peace will not be responsible for any transactions or ticket purchases made through unauthorised websites, contact numbers, or social media pages.”
Europe's new Entry-Exit System processing times vary from three hours to 20 seconds - DAILY MAIL
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Days after the introduction of Europe's new Entry-Exit System (EES), some cities are seeing huge changes in border security processing queue times.
European airports have seen long delays, of up to three hours, following the implementation of the new electronic border system on October 12.
Travellers entering the EU are now required to register biometric details including fingerprints and photographs.
And long delays have been reported at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, as well as in German cities such as Frankfurt.
And one passenger told The Brussels Times that she was left waiting in a queue for almost three hours upon arrival at Brussels Airport on Monday.
France decided to drop the new rules completely, for the system's first six months, so that British visitors can avoid delays.
However, other European hubs have seen just the opposite, and appear to be adapting to the new system much faster than expected.
For example, travellers arriving in Prague have noted extremely short wait times - and Madrid airport has seen short queues too.
Tom McGarry, associate director of business development at Holiday Extras, travelled to Prague's Václav Havel Airport Prague on October 17, only four days after the new system came into effect.
He reports flying through the gates in just 20 seconds.
'Having just passed through the border in Prague, I was genuinely surprised at how seamless the process was - particularly given all that I'd heard about delays, not just across Europe but also in this very airport,' he said.
'I was gearing up for a long wait when I arrived at the border, but the staff there were efficient and professional, capturing my finger prints and photo and sending me on my way all in about 20 seconds.
'For any Brits planning holidays in the coming months who are wary of delays, I'd absolutely recommend visiting Prague, where in my experience at least, they've adapted remarkably well to the new EES systems.
'However, for those who'd rather avoid Europe altogether, it's best to consider alternative destinations outside the EU and Schengen Areas until the systems have settled into a smoother routine.'
The new system was designed to shorten security wait times and increase efficiency at borders.
British travellers will need to register on their first visit to a participating country after EES is introduced.
This registration is valid for a rolling three-year period or until the passport expires.
On the first crossing, it will save a digital record of the passenger's face and fingerprints, as well as personal data. On future crossings, data will be checked against this record.
The majority of travellers will register on kiosks at borders.
From the first crossing onwards, you'll either use a kiosk or eGate to get through.
Air Canada bets on new US-bound business routes from Toronto, despite trade tensions - RETUERS
By Wa Lone and Doyinsola Oladipo
TORONTO/NEW YORK (Reuters) -Air Canada is betting on business travel to support an expansion of service from Toronto's downtown airport, with new routes to the United States, in a boost for cross-border flying despite trade tensions between the two countries.
Canada's largest carrier will offer new service in spring 2026 from the country's largest city and economic hub to New York, Boston, Washington and Chicago, Chief Commercial Officer Mark Galardo told reporters at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Canadians have been slashing travel plans to the United States over President Donald Trump's tariff war and concerns over U.S. immigration policy, with airlines like Air Canada and United Airlines cutting capacity on certain U.S.-bound leisure flights.
Though the number of returning Canadian-resident trips from overseas countries by air increased 3.9% in September 2025, on an annual basis, the number of returning Canadian-resident trips by air from the United States declined 27.1% during the same period, according to data from Statistics Canada.
Air Canada's longstanding plans to double capacity to the urban airport would not be affected by politics, since business travel between the two countries has remained relatively stable, despite declines on some leisure routes, Galardo said.
"One thing we haven't seen is a reduction in business travel," he said. "In fact, Americans coming to Canada, that number hasn't dropped, and business travel overall has stayed relatively robust."
According to the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) about half of the business travelers visiting the United States from Canada during the first quarter were from the province of Ontario.
The slump in demand to visit the U.S., the largest travel and tourism economy globally, goes beyond Canadians.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, international travel spending in the United States is expected to decline about 7%, or $12.5 billion, in 2025.
(Reporting by Wa Lone in Toronto, Doyinsola Oladipo in New York. Additional reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru. Writing by Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Sahal Muhammed)
Move over Canada, India is also boycotting travel to the US
Canadians might be grabbing all of the attention for their massive boycott of travel to the United States, but Canada isn’t the only country avoiding America. India is also seeing a large drop-off in tourists heading to the US.
Alaska Airlines restoring operations after outage that grounded all flights - REUTERS
By Kanishka Singh and Ismail Shakil
(Reuters) -U.S. carrier Alaska Airlines said late on Thursday it was restoring its operations after a technology outage earlier in the evening had grounded its flights at all airports.
The ground stop also applied to Alaska Airlines' subsidiary Horizon Air, a Federal Aviation Administration advisory showed. The ground stop was requested for a period of almost three hours.
"We are still experiencing an IT outage affecting our operations that has resulted in cancellations of some of our flights this evening and into tomorrow," the airline said in the latest post on X.
Alaska Airlines earlier said it was experiencing an IT outage affecting its operations, with a temporary ground stop being in place.
The airline added that it was actively working towards restoring its operations following the outage.
The airline also briefly grounded all of its flights in July for about three hours due to an IT outage.
The airline also responded on social media to customers who were posting concerns and complaints online.
"Unfortunately, we are experiencing an error on our system, but our IT team is working to get this resolved as soon as possible," it said earlier in the evening, in response to an X user who asked if the airline's app was also having issues.
It issued a similar response to a user who asked about booking problems on the airline's website.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Ismail Shakil; Additional reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengaluru; Editing by Jamie Freed and Christopher Cushing)
India and China resume direct flights as ties improve - REUTERS
India and China resumed direct flights on Sunday after a five-year suspension, a move important both for trade and a symbolic step as Asia's giants cautiously rebuild relations.
Data from tracking website Flightradar24 showed the flight, operated by India's largest commercial airline IndiGo, took off from Kolkata's Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in eastern India at 10:00 pm (1630 GMT) for Guangzhou in China.
The neighbours -- the world's two most populous nations -- remain strategic rivals competing for regional influence, but ties have eased gradually since a deadly Himalayan border clash in 2020.
India's government said the resumption of flights will boost "people-to-people contact" and aid the "gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges".
Warming relations with Beijing come as India's ties with key trade partner Washington falter, following US President Donald Trump's order imposing punishing 50 percent tariffs.
Trump's aides have accused India of fuelling Russia's war in Ukraine by buying Moscow's oil.
There are already regular flights between India and Hong Kong, while additional services from the capital New Delhi to Shanghai and Guangzhou will begin in November.
"The direct air link will reduce logistics and transit time," said Rajeev Singh, head of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata, telling AFP it would benefit businesses.
India's eastern port city of Kolkata has centuries-old ties with China dating back to British rule, when Chinese migrants arrived as traders.
Indo-Chinese fusion food remains a beloved staple of the city's culinary identity.
"It's great news for people like us, who have relatives in China," said Chen Khoi Kui, a civil society leader in Kolkata's Chinatown district of Tangra. "Air connectivity will boost trade, tourism and business travel."
- 'Long-term challenge' -
India runs a significant trade deficit with Beijing, relying heavily on Chinese raw materials for industrial and export growth.
The thaw between New Delhi and Beijing followed meetings between their leaders in Russia last year and in China in August.
India's imports from China surged to more than $11 billion last month, up more than 16 percent compared with September 2024, according to New Delhi's commerce ministry.
Exports from India to China were $ 1.47 billion, modest by comparison, but up around 34 percent year-on-year.
Direct flights between the two countries were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, halting roughly 500 monthly services.
Relations then plummeted after the 2020 border skirmish between the nuclear-armed nations, when at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed.
New Delhi responded by tightening restrictions on Chinese investments and banning hundreds of apps, including TikTok.
India then deepened ties with the US-led Quad alliance -- also including Japan and Australia -- aimed at countering China's influence in the Asia-Pacific.
Both sides have troops posted along their contested 3,500-kilometre (2,175-mile) high-altitude frontier.
But this month, soldiers on each side exchanged gifts of sweets on the Hindu festival of Diwali, "marking a gesture of goodwill", said Yu Jing, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India.
The Indian Express, in an editorial after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China's President Xi Jinping met in August, said improving ties with Beijing "sends an appropriate signal" to Washington.
But relations still have far to go.
"Managing an increasingly assertive China remains India's long-term challenge," the newspaper added.
"These fundamental realities remain unchanged, regardless of Trump's whimsical diplomatic actions."
US Transport Chief Warns of More Shutdown-Linked Flight Delays - BLOOMBERG
(Bloomberg) -- US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that travelers will face more flight delays and cancellations in the coming weeks as the continuing government shutdown exacerbates the air-traffic controller staffing crunch.
“What I see coming forward, as we get to Monday, tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday, that you’re going to see more staffing shortages in towers, which means you’re going to see more delays, more cancellations,” Duffy told Fox News on Sunday.
Air traffic controllers were notified last week that they will not be paid because of the government shutdown, which began on Oct. 1 due to a standoff over expiring health-care subsidies. Federal employees won’t be paid until the shutdown ends, and there is no sign of any near-term deal.
Duffy said more workers are calling in sick and not showing up for work, with some employees looking for second jobs and other sources of income to help make ends meet.
”They got a big fat zero,” Duffy told Fox News of the workers. “No paycheck is coming on Tuesday. And so I’ve been out talking to our air traffic controllers, and you can see the stress.”
Democrats say they are waiting for Republicans to negotiate with them over subsidies for the Affordable Care Act known as Obamacare. Republicans say they will talk about the subsidies after the Democrats vote to reopen the government.
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Air traffic controllers warn of US shutdown strain
AFP 1 October 2025The funding halt means some 13,300 US air traffic controllers and thousands of other essential aviation safety officials must work without pay (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS) Aviation groups urged US political leaders to quickly resolve a budget impasse Wednesday, warning that the government shutdown strains air travel and delays key upgrades.
The closure has led to staff furloughs throughout the government, even as vital functions such as aviation safety proceed.
Some 13,300 US air traffic controllers and thousands of other essential safety officials must work without pay, according to a Department of Transportation (DOT) operational plan.
The shutdown could delay key initiatives to recruit additional air traffic control staff and undertake a multi-billion modernization of the US air traffic control system, said the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
"Congress must act now to end this shutdown," said NATCA President Nick Daniel.
"When the federal government shuts down it introduces unnecessary distractions and our entire aviation system is weakened. Congress must restore federal funding so that the safety and efficiency of our National Airspace System is not compromised."
NATCA said 2,350 aviation professionals in its membership have been furloughed, including aircraft certification engineers and aerospace engineers.
In all, the Federal Aviation Administration has furloughed more than 11,300 out of its 44,800 employees, according to the DOT shutdown plan.
It listed activities that will "cease" during the funding gap including aviation rulemaking, air traffic performance analysis, investment planning, and financial analysis and audit.
Airlines for America, which represents leading US carriers, urged congressional leaders to quickly remedy the situation.
"When federal employees who manage air traffic, inspect aircraft and secure our nation's aviation system are furloughed or working without pay, the entire industry and millions of Americans feel the strain," the trade group said.
"We appreciate the men and women who will be going to work, despite not receiving a paycheck, to ensure the safety and security of the traveling and shipping public."
Delta deploys Airbus A330-900neo on Nigeria route - PUNCH
Delta Air Lines has deployed its next-generation Airbus A350-900 and A330-900neo aircraft on the Lagos-Atlanta route.
The airline made this known through a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday.
The statement noted that by late November, the route will be operated with a mix of the A350-900 and A330-900neo aircraft.
Starting in early December, Delta plans to operate all Lagos–Atlanta flights exclusively with the A350-900, its flagship long-haul aircraft.
These upgraded operations, according to the airline, will continue throughout the winter season to meet the high travel and cargo demand characteristic of the holidays.
Manager, Sales, West Africa, Delta Air Lines, Mary Gbobaniyi, said, “Both the A350-900 and A330-900neo represent Delta’s latest generation of widebody jets, featuring the airline’s signature four-cabin configuration: Delta One® Suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, and Delta Main Cabin. Each cabin offers enhanced privacy, space, and personalised service for a more enjoyable flight experience.
“Deploying our A350 and A330-900neo on the Lagos–Atlanta route for the winter season enables Delta to meet growing customer demand while delivering a premium experience our travellers will love.
“The added seat capacity and cargo capability are essential during this period when families reconnect and trade activity intensifies between Nigeria and the United States.”
She further said, “The Airbus A350-900 is one of the most technologically advanced aircraft in Delta’s fleet, designed for long-haul operations with greater seating capacity, ambient lighting, and quieter cabins to reduce fatigue on extended journeys.”
According to Gbobaniyi, the aircraft also delivers improved fuel efficiency and expanded cargo space, meeting both passenger and freight needs during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
The statement further noted that “Delta One® customers can enjoy lie-flat seats, chef-curated meals paired with Taittinger champagne, and Missoni-designed amenity kits. Delta Premium Select offers wider seats with deeper recline and enhanced amenities, while Delta Comfort+ provides extra legroom, early boarding, and dedicated overhead storage.
US warns citizens in Mali to leave country immediately - REUTERS
WASHINGTON, Oct 28 (Reuters) – The United States warned Americans in Mali on Tuesday to leave the country immediately using commercial flights, as its government comes under increasing pressure from al Qaeda-linked insurgents, who are imposing a fuel blockade.
Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin militants announced a blockade on fuel imports to the landlocked West African country in early September. They have since attacked convoys of fuel tankers attempting to enter the country or reach the capital, Bamako.
The government on Sunday ordered the suspension of school and university classes throughout Mali for two weeks due to the fuel shortage. “Persistent infrastructure challenges in Mali including continued disruptions of gasoline and diesel supplies, the closure of public institutions such as schools and universities nationwide, and ongoing armed conflict between Malian government and terrorist elements around Bamako increase the unpredictability of Bamako’s security situation,” the U.S. embassy in Mali said in a statement.
Analysts have described the fuel blockade as part of a pressure campaign on Mali’s military-led government by militant groups, who want to cut off the country’s economic oxygen.
The airport in Bamako remains open, the embassy said, advising Americans to depart using commercial flights rather than traveling over land to neighboring countries due to the risk of “terrorist attacks along national highways.”
U.S. citizens who choose to remain in Mali should prepare contingency plans, including for sheltering in place for an extended period, it said.
The embassy is not able to provide support to Americans outside the capital.
On Friday, the State Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members from Mali due to safety risks.
The travel advisory level for Mali is level 4, or “do not travel”.
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