Authorities Warn of Holiday Travel Crunch Across Swiss Roads, Rails and Skies
Spain sets 19 January launch date for nationwide €60 transport pass
Poland finalises MOS e-portal mandate and quadruples immigration fees for 2026
Latest News
Drug seizures at Brussels Airport soar, prompting tighter passenger screening
Belgian customs reported on 16 December that cannabis and ketamine seizures at Brussels Airport more than doubled this year, with passenger interceptions up 50 %. Longer security checks and new covert patrols are being introduced, meaning potential delays for business travellers and expatriates transiting through the hub.
Finland Automatically Extends Ukrainian Temporary-Protection Permits to March 2027
Migri will prolong all Ukrainian temporary-protection permits until 4 March 2027, affecting some 66 000 people. Holders will receive a confirmation letter in January and need take no action unless their card is damaged or their name has changed. The automatic extension gives employers, schools and municipalities a full extra year of certainty and aligns Finland with the EU’s decision to maintain protection.
UAE rolls out ‘Taqdeer’ package to auto-renew passports and Emirates IDs for seniors and people of determination
ICP’s new “Taqdeer Package” automatically renews passports and Emirates ID cards for Emirati seniors and people of determination, eliminating applications, fees and in-person visits. The pilot, launched on 16 December, cuts renewal touch-points from three to zero and signals future auto-renewals for other resident categories. Employers should prepare their HR and travel systems for unsolicited document updates.
Swiss Health Authority Issues Covid-19 Holiday Travel Advisory
FOPH warns of a ‘strong Covid-19 wave’ just days before peak holiday travel. No national entry restrictions are planned, but cantons may tighten mask rules and a positive test still triggers five-day isolation. Business travellers face schedule risk and are urged to build buffers, check insurance and allow extra time for Schengen Entry/Exit kiosks.
Home Office hikes Immigration Skills Charge by 32 % from today
From 16 December 2025 the UK Immigration Skills Charge rises by 32 %. Sponsors now pay £1,320 per skilled worker per year (or £480 for small/charitable sponsors), adding up to £1,600 to a typical five-year visa. The steep increase will raise employer costs, requiring immediate budget reviews and prompting some companies to accelerate or rethink recruitment plans.
Cyclone-Triggered Blackout Grounds Nearly 400 Flights in São Paulo, Derailing Year-End Business Travel
A week after an extratropical cyclone hit south-eastern Brazil, Congonhas and Guarulhos airports have cancelled almost 400 flights and continue to experience rolling delays. Power cuts, flooded roads and crew mis-positioning are paralysing corporate travel at a critical year-end period, prompting airlines to issue flexible re-booking policies and forcing companies to activate contingency plans. The prolonged disruption underlines the vulnerability of Brazil’s main business hub to extreme weather and infrastructure fragility.
Nation-wide four-hour aviation strike to hit Italian airports on 17 December
Unions representing air-traffic controllers, ground-handling staff and multiple airline crews will shut down Italian airports for four hours on 17 December (13:00-17:00). ENAC warns of widespread delays and cancellations that could strand up to 6,000 passengers and disrupt cargo flows. Business-travellers and assignees are urged to re-schedule flights or build in buffers.
Dense fog cripples North India’s aviation hubs, 220+ flights cancelled at Delhi IGI alone
A dense fog episode on 15-16 December paralysed aviation across North India, forcing Delhi IGI Airport to cancel 228 flights and delay hundreds more. IndiGo alone axed 50+ services. The disruption highlights the vulnerability of winter schedules and underscores the need for flexible booking and buffer time for business travellers.
EU enforces single-entry rule for many Russian Schengen visas, impacting travel to Germany
From 16 December 2025, Russian nationals applying for Schengen visas inside Russia—including at German consulates—will generally receive only single-entry permits. The shift adds cost and lead time for German firms that still host Russian clients or employees and is part of the EU’s broader sanctions and security posture.
New Czech Government Rejects EU Migration Pact, Signals Hard-Line Shift
On 16 December the just-installed Czech government rejected the EU’s migration pact, saying it will not implement mandatory relocation or solidarity payments. The move heightens the risk of legal action from Brussels and foreshadows stricter scrutiny of future humanitarian and work-visa applications. HR and mobility managers should prepare for tougher compliance checks and potential quota squeezes in 2026.
FAA Fast-Tracks $6 Billion Overhaul of U.S. Air-Traffic Telecom and Radar Systems
The FAA unveiled a three-year, $6 billion plan to replace antiquated copper telecom lines and upgrade radar sites that underpin U.S. air-traffic control. The fast-tracked modernization—overseen by contractor Peraton—aims to cut delays, improve safety and save airlines billions in fuel and crew costs. Business travelers and global-mobility teams should prepare for short-term construction-related disruptions but can expect more reliable flight schedules once the overhaul is finished.
Dubai International forecasts record 312,000 passengers on 28 December; issues peak-travel guidance
DXB now expects an unprecedented 312,000 passengers on 28 December. Airport management has activated its peak-season plan and is urging travellers to check in online, arrive no earlier than three hours before departure and use Smart Gates. Mobility managers should build in extra transfer time to avoid costly delays for assignees and business travellers.