EU Grants France Flexibility on Biometric Border Checks Amid 2026 Holiday Rush
The European Union has granted France temporary flexibility regarding biometric border checks, allowing for manual passport stamping to alleviate anticipated congestion at French airports and terminals during the 2026 holiday season. This move comes as the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) faces operational challenges during its phased rollout, which began in October 2025 and was set for full implementation by April 2026.
Malaga Taxi Drivers Under Siege After String of Armed Robberies
Malaga's taxi community is in alarm after a series of armed robberies, including two in less than a week, targeting drivers in the Palma-Palmilla district. Drivers are demanding increased security measures and financial aid for surveillance cameras.
Central Canada Air Travel Recovers After Record-Breaking Snowstorm
Air travel in Central Canada is steadily recovering following a record-breaking snowstorm that hit on January 25, 2026. Toronto Pearson International Airport, which saw 46 cm of snow, experienced hundreds of cancellations, with other major hubs like Montreal-Trudeau also significantly impacted. Recovery efforts are underway, though delays persist.
Five Passengers Deported from Spain After Gibraltar Flight Diverted to Malaga
On January 26, 2026, five passengers on an EasyJet flight from London Gatwick to Gibraltar were deported by Spanish authorities from Malaga Airport. The flight was diverted due to adverse weather, and the passengers were denied entry into Spain for lacking valid Schengen visas, despite holding valid documentation for their intended destination of Gibraltar.
IndiGo Flight 6E 2608 Receives Hoax Bomb Threat Upon Arrival in Pune
IndiGo flight 6E 2608, traveling from Delhi to Pune, received a bomb threat on January 22, 2026, after a handwritten note was discovered in the aircraft's lavatory upon landing. Following established protocols, the aircraft was moved to an isolation bay, and all passengers and crew were safely disembarked. Thorough security checks by bomb disposal squads found nothing suspicious, declaring the threat a hoax. This incident marks the second such hoax for IndiGo within five days.
Austria Unveils Stricter Asylum Measures, Extending Airport Procedures and Introducing 'Charter of Values'
Austria's government has announced new national measures to implement the EU's Common European Asylum System. These include extending airport detention for asylum seekers to 18 weeks, centralizing procedures in Vienna, and requiring a 'Charter of Values' with sanctions for non-compliance. The reforms aim to streamline migration management and deter illegal entry.
Canada and U.S. Advance Two Key Preclearance Projects in 2026
Canada and the United States are moving forward with two significant preclearance projects in 2026, including a new U.S. preclearance facility at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Canada's first preclearance operation on U.S. soil at Cannon Corners, New York, aiming to streamline cross-border travel and enhance security.
Two Flights from Keflavik to Oslo and Amsterdam Cancelled, Disrupting Travel
Keflavik International Airport experienced travel disruptions on Monday, January 5, 2026, as two flights to Oslo and Amsterdam were cancelled. Icelandair flight ICE500 to Amsterdam and SAS flight SAS4786 to Oslo were affected, impacting numerous passengers.
Widespread Flight Disruptions Hit Italy: 50 Cancellations and 811 Delays Impact Thousands
Thousands of passengers across Italy faced significant travel disruptions on January 5, 2026, with 50 flights canceled and 811 delayed at major airports including Rome, Milan, and Naples. The widespread issues affected numerous airlines, stranding travelers.
US Implements Stricter Visa Waiver Program for Iceland and European Nations in 2026
Starting in 2026, the United States will introduce significant changes to its Visa Waiver Program, impacting Iceland and over twenty other European nations. Travelers will face expanded data collection, including mandatory social media disclosures, and new biometric requirements at entry and exit points, alongside a more demanding Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) process.
EasyJet Cabin Crew Strike in France Set to Disrupt New Year's Day Travel
EasyJet cabin crew in France, represented by the UNAC union, are striking on January 1, 2026, over scheduling disputes. This action is expected to cause significant flight disruptions at major French airports on New Year's Day.
Adelaide Airport Experiences Significant Surge in International Passenger Numbers and Capacity
Adelaide Airport has reported a substantial 32% increase in inbound seat capacity and welcomed over 1.1 million international passengers in the year leading up to November 2025. This growth is attributed to the restoration of pre-pandemic routes and the introduction of new long-haul services, positioning the airport as a key international gateway for South Australia.
Multi-Agency Police Pursuit Concludes with Crash and Arrest Near Salt Lake Airport
A multi-agency police pursuit spanning the Salt Lake Valley ended Friday night near Salt Lake City International Airport. Officers utilized a PIT maneuver on Terminal Drive to stop a fleeing driver, who had previously rammed a police vehicle, leading to an arrest.
UK Airports Experience Record-Breaking Christmas Eve Demand in 2025
UK airports witnessed their busiest Christmas Eve ever on December 24, 2025, with over 335,000 passengers, a 5% increase from the previous year. Heathrow anticipated its most crowded December, contributing to a projected record of over 300 million annual passengers for UK aviation. The surge reflects a strong post-pandemic recovery and heightened travel demand.
Riyadh-Bound Flynas Flight Receives Hoax Bomb Threat at Hyderabad Airport
Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport received an email bomb threat for Flynas flight XY 325, destined for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Security protocols were immediately activated, and the flight landed safely. After extensive checks, the threat was declared a hoax, prompting an investigation into its origin.
Kenyan National Cholo Abdi Abdullah Receives Life Sentence for Al-Shabaab Terror Plot in New York
Cholo Abdi Abdullah, a Kenyan national and al-Shabaab operative, has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms in a New York court for plotting a 9/11-style attack. He trained as a pilot to hijack a commercial airliner and crash it into Atlanta's Bank of America Plaza. Abdullah was convicted on multiple terrorism-related charges.
Germany Records Over 1,000 Suspicious Drone Incidents in 2025, Intensifies Countermeasures
Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) has reported over 1,000 suspicious drone flights in 2025, primarily targeting military installations, airports, and critical infrastructure. In response, Germany is implementing significant countermeasures, including new defense centers, specialized police units, and substantial funding for advanced drone defense technology, amid concerns of state-controlled espionage.
Madrid Airport Ground Handlers Announce Strikes Over Holiday Period
Ground handling staff at Madrid-Barajas Airport, linked to IAG, have scheduled strikes for December 23, 26, 30, and January 2, 7. Unions USO and CGT cite issues with pay and working conditions. The partial walkouts during peak hours are expected to cause significant flight delays and cancellations for airlines including Iberia, British Airways, and Vueling.
Madrid Airport Ground Handlers Commence Strikes Amidst Holiday Travel Rush
Ground handling staff at Madrid-Barajas Airport, employed by South Europe Ground Services, have initiated strikes on December 23, 26, 30, 2025, and January 2, 7, 2026. The industrial action, called by USO and CGT unions, protests workloads, underpayment, and working conditions, and is expected to cause significant flight delays and cancellations for IAG airlines during the peak holiday season.
Widespread Flight Disruptions Hit Brazilian Airports Amid Operational Instability
Major Brazilian airports, including Guarulhos and São Paulo, are experiencing significant flight disruptions, with 31 cancellations and 273 delays reported. The instability, affecting key carriers like LATAM Brasil and Azul, follows recent severe weather and ongoing operational challenges across the national aviation network.
