Air traffic in Europe hits record high Ian Taylor
European air traffic hit record levels at the end of August, with 35,756 flights a day producing a weekly total up 0.7% on the previous week and 4% higher than the same week last year. The records tumbled despite
“severe convective weather [in] significant parts of the network”, according to air traffic management body Eurocontrol. Thunderstorms pushed delays
up by 31% on the previous week, but 71% of flights still arrived on time – a 3.1 percentage point improvement on the equivalent week in 2024, which Eurocontrol attributed to “increasing network robustness and
improved planning, coordination and consistent network procedures being applied across European airspace by air navigation service providers, airlines and airports”. Bad weather was “the main driver”
behind an increased number of delays, with 63,000 flights in the week or 25% a day affected by weather- related air traffic control restrictions. Almost one-third of network
delays in the week were generated over France, due to continuing staff issues, 12% by Greece and 10% by Spain, which was affected by high demand and poor weather. The Marseille Area Control Centre remained the worst affected, followed by Belgrade in Serbia due to industrial action. Eurocontrol reported a “much
Trade has ‘duty’ to aid clients with EU’s new border system
Travel Weekly reporters
The trade is ramping up efforts to prepare customers for the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) next month as the government’s official public awareness campaign begins. From October 12, UK travellers
and other non-EU nationals will have to register their passport and have their photograph and fingerprints taken on arrival in the EU. Subsequent visits in the following three years will require only a fingerprint or photo. As part of a UK government
campaign, unveiled this week, messages about the new border
4 11 SEPTEMBER 2025
checks will be shared on government social media channels, by transport operators and on travel websites. The Travel Network Group
(TTNG) director of membership services Stephanie Slark said: “We welcome the government’s initiative to raise awareness with consumers, as this will help ensure they are not caught off guard when it begins.” TTNG offers its members EES
guidance via its digital assistant and is creating a document that agents will be able to share with clients. “Our focus is on supporting
our members with the tools and information they need so that they can reassure their customers and
35,756 Daily flights in last week of August, up 4% YoY
improved year-on-year performance” over the whole summer (June 1 to August 31) despite 3% more traffic than last summer and 1% more than in 2019. Arrival punctuality improved by 6.5 percentage points on last summer to 71%, although it remained 1.5 percentage points down on summer 2019 albeit with increased traffic. Air traffic management delays
remained above target levels at an average 3.9 minutes per flight, but with 27% fewer delays than in
summer 2024 and a 34% drop in en route delays. Eurocontrol blamed this on an
“ongoing lack of capacity, largely driven by a lack of air traffic controllers” in some control centres and a “need to improve airspace design and accelerate technological modernisation”. UK air traffic control system
Nats barely rated a mention in the Eurocontrol report despite Ryanair singling out Nats for criticism for its “mismanagement and staff shortages” last week. The carrier claimed it had been “another summer of record air traffic control delays”, with chief executive Michael O’Leary insisting there had been “zero action to fix failing air traffic control services”.
EU border control will require photographs and fingerprints
ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience,” Slark added. Advantage Travel Partnership
chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said said the consortium was undertaking “comprehensive communications” with members and would also be using social media to let travellers know about rule changes. She added: “There is a duty of
care for all travel agents and travel companies to share the changes with travellers. Everybody can do their bit to ensure the transition goes as smoothly as possible.” Over-50s specialist agency Silver
Travel Advisor confirmed it had also been “proactively” advising
clients about the new requirements. Managing director Kerry
Gallagher said: “There’s a lack of awareness about the new rules, but with some clear guidance we are making sure customers understand that it’s not a barrier to travel.” The EES will be launched over six
months, with at least 10% of border crossings operating the rules from day one and 50% by day 90. The Foreign Office has advised
travellers to the EU that they “may experience longer queue times”. Abta hosted a call with members
this week to discuss the rollout of EES and encouraged agents to use the government’s toolkit.
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURE: Shutterstock/ SubstanceTproductions
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