Nationwide Strike Grounds Flights and Shuts Down Key Transport Links Across Belgium
Flight delays at Dublin Airport strand passengers ahead of bank-holiday getaway
European Commission applauds Czechia’s rapid roll-out of EU Migration Pact
Latest News
Germany Tightens EU Blue Card Salary Thresholds for 2026 Applications
Germany has raised the 2026 EU Blue Card salary thresholds to €50,700 (standard) and €45,934.20 (reduced). Employers must adjust pending offers or risk refusals, as consulates apply the rate valid on the decision date. The move is designed to protect wage levels but could squeeze smaller firms’ talent pipelines.
Germany updates travel advisory as Brenner motorway faces full blockade on 30 May
On 23 May Germany’s Foreign Office warned travellers that Austria’s A13 Brenner motorway and the parallel B182 will be completely closed on 30 May because of a protest in Tyrol. The eight-hour blockade affects all vehicles (trucks from 09:00, cars from 11:00) and leaves no local detours, forcing rerouting via Switzerland or eastern Austria. The disruption threatens holiday traffic, cross-border supply chains and business travel between Germany, Austria and Italy.
Prague Airport launches “Check In” campaign amid record summer rush
Prague Airport expects 11.9–12 million passengers over the June–August peak and has launched a five-point “Check In” awareness drive to ease congestion. Ongoing roadworks and differing security rules between Terminals 1 and 2 will require travellers to arrive earlier and pack hand luggage carefully. The operational changes matter for corporations routing staff through Prague, as failure to follow the new guidance could result in costly delays.
Switzerland and Morocco Seal Fast-Track Return Agreement, Broaden Migration Partnership
Switzerland and Morocco have signed a technical agreement that accelerates the identification and return of Moroccan nationals without legal status in Switzerland. The pact also expands joint projects on security training, vocational education and economic development, reflecting Bern’s push for bilateral migration deals that pair enforcement with opportunities. Faster return procedures will help Swiss employers resolve compliance cases more quickly, while parallel talks on a youth-mobility visa hint at new legal avenues for Moroccan talent.
EU Entry-Exit System paused at Dover after holiday weekend gridlock
French border police suspended the EU’s new biometric Entry-Exit System at Dover on 23 May after six-hour queues developed for cross-Channel ferries. Manual passport checks cleared traffic, but the incident highlights unresolved capacity issues that could disrupt business travel throughout the summer peak.
French Police Suspend New EES Biometric Checks at Dover After Hours-Long Queues
French Police aux Frontières invoked an emergency clause to pause EU Entry/Exit System fingerprint/photo checks at Dover, cutting wait-times that had reached two hours for drivers heading to Calais. The episode exposes capacity shortfalls just six weeks after EES went live and signals potential summer-holiday disruptions unless workflows are redesigned.
Bundestag Rejects Motions to End Pushbacks and Stationary Border Controls
Parliament has voted to keep Germany’s internal Schengen border controls and continue the practice of refusing entry to some asylum seekers. The decision maintains heightened document checks for travellers and prolongs uncertainty for companies reliant on friction-free land transport.
Air Canada cancellations and delays ripple through Canada’s five busiest hubs
On 23 May, Air Canada confirmed at least nine cancellations and 55 delays affecting flights through Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Calgary and Ottawa. Concentrated on high-frequency domestic routes, the disruptions highlight the carrier’s limited recovery buffers and foreshadow further schedule volatility heading into the summer peak.
Enhanced Ebola Screening: U.S. Restricts Entry Points for Travelers From DRC, Uganda and South Sudan
As of May 23, anyone who has recently been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan must arrive in the United States via Washington Dulles, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson or Houston IAH for mandatory Ebola screening. The policy affects citizens and foreigners alike and may trigger flight rerouting and schedule disruptions, requiring corporations to update travel protocols and traveler-tracking systems.
Nation-Wide Rail Strike Cancels 80 % of Long-Distance Trains Across Germany
A six-day strike by the GDL train-drivers’ union has shut down most long-distance rail services, forcing travellers onto crowded alternative modes and disrupting freight across Central Europe. The union is demanding higher pay and shorter hours; talks are deadlocked.