All published updates

European Commission opens infringement procedures over incomplete transposition of EU directives

The European Commission is taking action against several EU Member States that failed to notify national measures transposing EU directives by their deadlines. Letters of formal notice give the Member States two months to reply and complete transposition. Areas covered include electricity market design, the hydrogen and decarbonised gas market, the sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive, safe use of cobalt in toys, the Anti-Trafficking Directive, new psychoactive substances, the Right to Repair Directive, and industrial and livestock rearing emissions rules. If responses are unsatisfactory, the Commission may issue a reasoned opinion.

Commission takes action to ensure complete and timely transposition of EU directives

The European Commission is taking action against several EU Member States that failed to notify national measures transposing EU directives by their deadlines. Letters of formal notice give the Member States two months to reply and complete transposition. Areas covered include electricity market design, the hydrogen and decarbonised gas market, the sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive, safe use of cobalt in toys, the Anti-Trafficking Directive, new psychoactive substances, the Right to Repair Directive, and industrial and livestock rearing emissions rules. If responses are unsatisfactory, the Commission may issue a reasoned opinion.

Germany monthly air passengers: 18.9 million in May 2026

Eurostat data show Germany recorded 18,897,300 air passengers in May 2026, up from 16,302,138 in April and 14,749,733 in March, continuing a recovery from the February low of 11,968,618. October 2025 stood at 21,215,639, the highest in the listed period. These are statistical observations, not real-time passenger counts, and missing observations are excluded rather than treated as zero.

China State Council: Mid-Autumn and National Day Holiday Air Passenger Volume Expected at 31.19 Mil…

On September 24, the State Council Information Office held a press conference. Ma Bing, Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, said that from September 25 to October 7, national civil aviation is expected to transport 31.19 million passengers, averaging 2.4 million per day, up 3.6% year-on-year, with a single-day peak expected to exceed 2.6 million. Daily ticket bookings at the top ten aviation hubs exceeded 490,000, up 3.9% year-on-year;特色 tourism cities such as Hulunbuir, Dehong, and Altay are expected to drive local air passenger volume growth of over 30%. International ticket bookings increased 22.5% year-on-year, with flights to neighboring countries up 20% and…

Accor's SO/ Berlin Das Stue to Rebrand as Sofitel in Q1 2027

Accor announced that SO/ Berlin Das Stue, a 78-room boutique hotel housed in a heritage-protected former Royal Danish Embassy overlooking Berlin's Tiergarten, will transition to Sofitel Berlin Das Stue in Q1 2027, joining Sofitel's global luxury collection. The property will retain its Danish heritage and contemporary design while undergoing a curated enhancement program covering guestrooms, bedding, public spaces, signage, corridors and a reimagined lobby. The move strengthens Sofitel's presence in Germany and Europe; Accor currently operates nearly 300 hotels with more than 43,000 rooms in Germany, with around 30 projects in development.

Women in Rail Awards 2026 Celebrate Outstanding Contributions to Europe's Rail Sector

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport announced the 2026 Women in Rail Award winners, presented at the Women in Mobility Luncheon during InnoTrans in Berlin. The awards are a joint initiative of the Commission's Women in Transport Platform, EU-Rail, ERA, CER, UNIFE, EIM and ALE, recognizing individuals and organizations advancing gender equality, supporting the next generation of rail professionals, research and innovation, and operational excellence. DG MOVE Director-General Magda Kopczyńska stressed that rail needs everyone's skills, ideas and experience, and that a more diverse workforce is essential to a more innovative, competitive and future-ready se…

Condor Adds American Airlines as Interline Partner

Frankfurt-based Condor announced an interline agreement with American Airlines, effective immediately. Travelers from more than 150 cities served by American can connect to Condor's transatlantic gateways in Boston, New York JFK and Los Angeles; Chicago will be added in May 2027 when Condor launches Chicago-Frankfurt flights. Travelers can book the entire journey across both airlines on a single ticket with baggage checked through to final destinations. Condor also recently announced an interline partnership with Qantas.

European Commission: 2025 SAF supply significantly exceeded the 2% target, with 18 member states ho…

The European Commission's DG MOVE reported on 17 September 2026 on EASA's annual report on ReFuelEU Aviation implementation. In 2025, the first compliance year, EU SAF supply significantly exceeded the 2% minimum: fuel suppliers reported 39.3 million tonnes of aviation fuel at Union airports, of which SAF accounted for 1.1 million tonnes (2.8%). SAF supply rose almost six-fold from 193,000 tonnes in 2024 to 1.1 million tonnes in 2025. 84% of SAF supplied was produced within the EU; SAF reached 121 airports across all 27 member states, up from 33 airports in 2024. The number of member states with operational or announced SAF production facilities rose to 18 in 2025. EU capacity is projected…

EASA: EU SAF supply reached 1.1 million tonnes in 2025, exceeding the 2% mandate

EASA published its 2026 ReFuelEU Aviation Annual Technical Report on 17 September 2026. Aviation fuel suppliers reported 39.3 million tonnes of fuel at Union airports in 2025, of which 1.1 million tonnes (2.8%) was SAF, exceeding the 2% mandatory minimum applicable in 2025. SAF supply rose from 193,000 tonnes in 2024 to 1.1 million tonnes in 2025, nearly six times the previous volume. SAF was supplied at 121 Union airports across all 27 EU Member States, or 79% of Union airports, up from 33 airports in 2024. Using SAF instead of conventional jet fuel cut GHG emissions at Union airports by 3.33 million tonnes in 2025. EU SAF production capacity is projected to stay on track for the 6% blendi…

European Commission Daily News: SAF supply, supply chain risks and satellite cooperation

The European Commission's Daily News for 17 September 2026 covers multiple topics: EASA's report shows EU SAF supply reached 1.1 million tonnes in 2025, accounting for 2.8% of aviation fuel and exceeding the 2% mandate, with SAF available at 121 EU airports (up from 33); a joint Commission-EIB report finds tariffs and regulatory compliance are now the main barriers to EU firms' international trade, with over half expecting higher tariffs long-term; the EU and South Korea signed an administrative arrangement to strengthen secure satellite connectivity cooperation and explore integration with IRIS²; other items include cross-border renewable energy investment, a citizens' panel on democratic…

Travel Trade Delegation from 9 European Countries Explores Gansu's Silk Road

From September 15 to 21, a delegation of 31 travel trade professionals, travel media journalists, and influencers from nine European countries—the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Luxembourg, and Sweden—visited Gansu on a seven-day, six-night Silk Road exploration trip at the invitation of the International Exchange and Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. On September 15, the Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism held a dedicated tourism promotion event, where the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau and selected local travel agencies presented routes tailored to European visitors. The…

EU Adopts Fair Labour Mobility Package with Six Legislative Proposals

The European Commission adopted the Fair Labour Mobility Package, comprising six legislative proposals: the ESSPASS Regulation, the ELA Regulation, the Skills Portability Act, the Professional Qualifications+ Directive, the Delegated Directive on Physiotherapists and the Third Country National Qualifications Directive. The package moves labor mobility from paper to digital, including real-time verification of social security documents such as the Portable Document A1 via a mobile app; strengthens the European Labour Authority's inspection and enforcement capacity; digitalises qualifications from secondary school to PhD; shortens qualification recognition procedures and expands automatic rec…

Booking.com renews partnership with UEFA national team competitions

UEFA announced the renewal and expansion of its partnership with Booking.com, which will continue as the official accommodation and attractions partner across the UEFA Nations League Finals 2027, European Qualifiers 2027-28, UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027, UEFA EURO 2028 and UEFA Women's EURO 2029. The deal includes integrating Booking.com into the fan ticketing journey and the Event Guide, plus two digital content-based sponsorship and engagement programmes.

Oktoberfest Travel Trends: India and Japan Drive Growth in Munich Bookings

According to Amadeus Travel Intelligence, during Oktoberfest, air bookings from India and Japan increased by 60% and 31% respectively, while the US declined by 10%. Solo travelers accounted for 47% of air bookings, and stays of 14 nights or more rose 13% year-on-year. Hotel occupancy averaged 70.9%, with ADR slightly up to €326.

The Short-Term Rental Model for Shrinking Places

Short-term rental regulation has long focused on housing scarcity, as in New York and Barcelona. But a growing number of regions face the opposite: housing vacancy amid population decline. Japan has about 9 million empty homes, 13.8% of its housing stock. Italy's 'albergo diffuso' model converts empty homes into a unified hotel, creating jobs but hard to scale. Germany's Black Forest and others are piloting it.

EU Statement: Russia Behind Attempted Attack on Cargo Planes at Leipzig Airport

European Commission President von der Leyen met NATO Secretary-General to discuss Russia's attempted attack on cargo planes at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The German government identified Russia as behind it, using military-grade material, which could have caused enormous damage.

Impact and considerations

The incident highlights security threats to critical logistics infrastructure, potentially impacting air cargo and supply chains; businesses should monitor risks.

Talma Travel Solutions Selects Amadeus to Power Global Expansion

Amadeus and Talma Travel Solutions have signed a multiyear global agreement, establishing Amadeus as Talma's preferred technology and booking platform across key international markets including the U.S., UK, Asia Pacific, and Germany, supporting its international growth strategy.

iStay Hotels by NH Launches in Three European Cities

Minor Hotels has launched iStay Hotels by NH, with first properties in Valencia, Zaragoza, and Berlin. The brand focuses on comfortable rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, and efficient service, catering to modern urban travelers seeking convenience and value.

BWH Hotels expands boutique offerings with Aiden openings

BWH Hotels is expanding its design-driven boutique brand Aiden with new openings across North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. In the U.S., Aiden by Best Western Sacramento Downtown in California and Aiden by Best Western Kansas City Downtown in Missouri recently opened, with properties also debuting in Germany and Thailand. Additional openings are scheduled for the remainder of 2026, including Denver, Tempe, Arizona, and Pullman, Washington. Brad LeBlanc, SVP and chief development officer at BWH Hotels, said the expansion comes as travelers seek hotels with 'personality, a sense of discovery and a connection to the destination.' The Sacramento hotel, opened in May, features design elemen…

Iran War Hits TUI Profits: Stranded Cruise Ships and Higher Fuel Prices

TUI Group reported a 27% drop in quarterly EBIT to €233.8 million, with the Iran War costing roughly €20 million directly and an estimated €60 million over nine months. The conflict stranded cruise ships, drove repatriation costs, raised fuel prices, and dampened bookings, but momentum is recovering with booked revenue up 7% in the past four weeks.

Impact and considerations

Geopolitical conflicts significantly impact travel operators' finances, potentially disrupting flights and cruises; business travelers should monitor travel risks in affected regions.

Germany travel advice updated with EES information

The UK FCDO updated its travel advice for Germany, primarily regarding the European Entry-Exit System (EES) entry requirements. The advice emphasizes that no travel can be guaranteed safe and reminds travelers to obtain appropriate travel insurance.

Quality Pays: New Vrbo Research Finds Travelers Will Spend More on Vacation Rentals They Trust

Vrbo released the Built to Stay Report, surveying over 1,700 travelers across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, UK, France, Germany, and Australia. The study found that 86% of travelers would pay more for a higher-quality listing, and 81% would pay more for a property with strong trust signals. Cleanliness, reliable amenities, and quick host response are key quality signals, while verified reviews and overall scores are important trust signals.

Evotec Selects Navan to Unify Global Travel, Payments, and Expense Management

Evotec, a global drug discovery company, has selected Navan to manage its complete corporate travel and expense (T&E) program across Germany, the UK, the US, Italy, and France. The move aims to eliminate manual expense reporting and streamline processes through automation, providing real-time visibility and control to support operational excellence.

GetGoing expands platform capabilities for SMB travel and expense management

GetGoing, BCD's travel and expense management platform for SMBs, announced expanded capabilities and growth across North America and Europe. Enhancements include NDC airline content, expanded hotel inventory, and direct rail connections with Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, and UK rail providers, enabling in-platform booking. The platform can be implemented in under two hours and supports guest and non-employee bookings, leveraging BCD's global buying power and localized service.

European travelers are changing the rules

Phocuswright's Europe Consumer Travel Report 2026 reveals divergent behaviors among UK, French, and German travelers: UK travelers take more trips, Germans take fewer but spend more per trip, and France shows outsized demand for rentals, rail, car rental, and experience-led travel. Overall research decreases, with OTAs overtaking general search as the top research resource. AI usage is around 30-40%, but attitudes are polarized. Geopolitical concerns affect long-haul travel comfort, with about 40% feeling less comfortable visiting the US.