Snowstorm forces 30 % flight cuts at Paris-CDG and 20 % at Orly
Digital Border Era Begins: Poland Implements Full EES Checks for Ukrainians Crossing the Frontier
‘Status cliff’ looms as 1 million Indian work permits expire in Canada through 2026
Latest News
Mainland tourists pour into Hong Kong as nine-day Lunar New Year ‘Golden Week’ begins
Hong Kong processed more than 240,000 arrivals by mid-afternoon on 15 February, as the mainland’s nine-day Lunar New Year holiday began. About 113,000 of the visitors were from mainland China, testing the city’s border control capacity. Smooth clearance times and robust tourism spending could boost confidence in Hong Kong’s ability to host large-scale events and support the local economy.
Department of Justice data show 63,000 Irish visa refusals over two years
FOI figures released 15 February show nearly 63,000 Irish visa refusals in 2024-25, with huge variation between source countries. Authorities cite forged or incomplete financial documents, urging officers to “trust instincts”. Multinationals are advised to tighten document checks to avoid costly refusals that can complicate future travel.
Snowstorm Grounds Scores of Flights at Brussels Airport, Forcing Mobility Teams into Crisis Mode
A fast-moving snow front forced airlines at Brussels Airport to cancel or delay dozens of flights on 15 February. Eurocontrol imposed traffic-flow restrictions, while the IRM issued a code-yellow snow alert. Mobility and HR teams scrambled to rebook travellers and protect time-sensitive cargo, underscoring the need for robust winter-weather contingency plans.
Flight chaos at Brazil’s three busiest hubs as storms and staffing issues trigger 25 cancellations and 166 delays
Brazil’s three busiest airports recorded 25 cancellations and 166 delays on 15 February, hitting LATAM Brasil and GOL hardest. The knock-on effects are squeezing hotel capacity during Carnival and prompting fresh debate over slot-management reforms and passenger-rights rules.
China Grants 30-Day Visa-Free Entry to Canadian and British Nationals Starting February 17
Beijing has added Canada and the United Kingdom to its unilateral visa-free list, allowing ordinary passport holders to enter China for up to 30 days without a visa from 17 February 2026 until 31 December 2026. The move slashes lead-times for short-term business travel and signals China’s intent to deepen trade and people-to-people ties with two major G7 partners.
Germany Extends Land Border Checks Until at Least September 2026
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has extended Germany’s internal Schengen border checks for another six months, pushing the end-date to mid-September 2026. The move keeps ID spot-checks in place at all nine land borders and is justified as part of a broader migration clamp-down. Businesses face continued delays for freight, commuters and business travellers, and must ensure staff carry passports or IDs and allow extra journey time. The decision underscores how temporary border controls are becoming semi-permanent in Germany.
Hong Kong International Airport posts 5.5 million passengers in January, braces for 210,000-passenger peak days over holiday
HKIA handled 5.51 million passengers in January 2026, up 4.5 per cent year on year, and expects up to 210,000 passengers per day during the Lunar New Year rush. The figures underscore a solid recovery in both passenger and cargo traffic and signal potential capacity pinch-points for business travellers over the holiday peak.
Air-traffic-controller shortages threaten summer schedules at Dublin and Cork airports
IATCA warned on 15 February that controller shortages may force flight cancellations this summer. Recent staffing gaps have already limited runway movements at Dublin and closed Cork overnight. The government has called for urgent talks, while companies are urged to build extra buffer time into travel itineraries.
China Grants 30-Day Visa-Free Entry to UK Citizens From 17 February
From 17 February 2026, British passport holders can enter China without a visa for business or tourism stays of up to 30 days. The waiver will cut costs and lead times for UK corporates expanding in China but does not replace work-permit rules for longer assignments.
China grants 30-day visa-free entry to Canadians from February 17 – December 31 2026
Beijing has added Canada to its unilateral visa-free scheme, allowing Canadians to travel visa-free to China for stays of up to 30 days between 17 February and 31 December 2026. The move slashes costs and red tape for Canadian tourists and companies, and could quickly restore air-service levels and trade missions to pre-pandemic norms.
Immigration sweep nets 31 irregular migrants as Cyprus accelerates deportations
Police arrested 31 undocumented migrants in a nationwide sweep on 15 February, deporting seven the same day and fast-tracking the rest. The action highlights Cyprus’ strategy of daily micro-operations and has pushed 2025 deportations to record levels. Employers face steeper penalties if caught with irregular workers, making strict document controls essential.
China extends visa-free entry for French citizens until 31 December 2026
China confirmed on 15 February that French citizens will keep their 15-day visa-free access until the end of 2026. The move removes an administrative hurdle for exporters and corporate travellers, and is expected to stimulate demand on Air France’s China routes.
Australian Opposition Floats UK-Style Visa Bans as Liberal Party Tilts Right
Leaked discussions show the Liberal Party considering legislation that would let Australia deny visas to citizens of countries that refuse to repatriate deportees. The proposal signals a sharper, populist turn on immigration under new leader Angus Taylor and could add a fresh layer of complexity for employers who source talent offshore.