Nation-Wide General Strike on 29 May to Disrupt Air, Rail and Local Transport Across Italy
Hong Kong International Airport’s brand-new Terminal 2 begins operations, promising faster departures and smoother immigration
Ireland unveils ‘Temporary Protection Transition Scheme’ for 70,000 Ukrainian refugees
Latest News
Berlin’s BER Airport scraps “Runway” security-slot service as new CT scanners speed passenger flow
BER terminated its free “Runway” security-slot reservation service on 26 May 2026 because most passengers now prefer the faster CT-scanner lanes. The change removes a popular queue-jumping option but signals shorter, more predictable security times overall. Companies should adjust travel guidance and allow extra buffer for group or VIP moves until the older lanes are upgraded in the autumn.
Switzerland to re-impose Schengen border checks for 10–19 June G7 summit as Netherlands & Italy prolong controls
Switzerland will re-establish border checks with France from 10 to 19 June 2026 to secure the G7 summit in Évian, joining a wider trend of renewed Schengen internal controls. The Netherlands and Italy have just prolonged similar measures through late-2026. Business travellers and logistics operators transiting Switzerland that week should expect passport inspections and delays, and adjust routings and schedules accordingly.
Belgium rules out new evacuation flights for 1,400 Gaza-based Belgian visa-holders
Belgium’s Foreign Minister ruled out launching new evacuation flights for the estimated 1,400 people in Gaza who already hold Belgian visas, citing unmanageable security and logistical hurdles. The clarification means Belgian visa status alone does not guarantee repatriation assistance, leaving families and employers to seek private solutions. The stance highlights the limits of consular support in conflict zones and underscores the need for robust contingency planning by international assignees and multinational firms.
Swiss vote on ‘No-to-Ten-Million’ immigration cap draws Brexit warnings
A June 14 referendum could force Switzerland to cap its population at ten million by 2050, potentially dismantling the country’s free-movement agreement with the EU. Analysts interviewed by SWI Swissinfo warn that the UK’s Brexit experience shows migration may simply shift rather than shrink, while employers could face acute skills shortages and longer work-permit lead times. Corporates are already scenario-planning for higher compliance costs and possible relocation of roles.
President Stubb Ties Reopening of Finland–Russia Border to Kremlin Guarantees
President Alexander Stubb said on 26 May that Finland will reopen its land border with Russia only if the Kremlin provides firm guarantees to stop orchestrated migrant flows. The continued closure, in place since December 2023, is costing eastern Finnish businesses an estimated €160 million a year and forces travellers to reroute via Norway or Estonia. Mobility planners should assume the shutdown will persist.([rustourismnews.com](https://www.rustourismnews.com/2026/05/26/finland-will-reopen-russia-border-only-with-kremlin-assurances-says-president-stubb/))
Italy Sets €4,938 Bank Guarantee for Asylum Seekers to Avoid Detention in Border Centres
Italy has introduced a €4,938 bank/insurance guarantee that certain asylum seekers must pay to avoid detention in CPR facilities during fast-track border procedures. The rule, published 26 May 2026, targets applicants from ‘safe’ countries and has sparked fierce criticism over its legality and humanitarian impact. Mobility managers should be alert as failure to meet the requirement could see even work-related travellers detained. Implementation details are expected within a month.
Global airport-security chiefs meet in Hong Kong to align on new ICAO rules and biometrics
The Airports Council International World Security Standing Committee released its Hong Kong meeting outcomes on 26 May. Key points include preparing for a new ICAO limit of two power banks per passenger, accelerating biometric e-Channel adoption and creating global micro-training for security staff. The decisions will influence screening procedures worldwide, affecting how companies equip and brief travelling employees.
Spain readies 3,301 reception places to launch EU border-asylum procedure on 12 June
Madrid told senators it will have 3,301 beds ready by 12 June to run the EU’s new border-asylum procedure. The capacity forms part of Spain’s implementation plan for the Migration & Asylum Pact, with legal tweaks and an Ombudsperson oversight mechanism also unveiled. Faster frontier processing could both speed decisions for applicants and increase operational pressure at key entry points—issues that HR and mobility teams should monitor.
Helsinki Airport Stages Large-Scale SAR2026 Emergency Exercise
Helsinki-Vantaa carried out its SAR2026 mass-casualty exercise on 26 May 2026, bringing together 14 aviation, medical, law-enforcement and border-control agencies to rehearse a wide-body crash response. The drill, which did not disrupt commercial flights, incorporated fresh lessons from this month’s drone-related airport closure and highlights Finland’s commitment to crisis readiness and passenger safety.([aerotime.aero](https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/helsinki-airport-stages-sar2026-major-accident-exercise-with-14-finnish-agencies))
Brazilian Congress fast-tracks Mercosur migration-data accord and new free-trade pacts
Brazil’s Mercosur delegation votes today (26 May 2026) on an accord that will link migration databases across the bloc and on free-trade pacts with Singapore and EFTA that contain business-mobility chapters. The package promises quicker border clearance, shorter work-permit processing and mutual recognition of professional credentials—changes that could immediately lower assignment costs for multinationals operating in Brazil.