Government

Abta seeking ‘pragmatic solutions’ as EU confirms start date for new border rules

EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson has confirmed the EU’s new biometric border checks will take effect from 10 November, with its proposed new visa waiver scheme to follow in 2025

Huw Merriman: ‘I will always have admiration for travel agents’

Huw Merriman was one of travel’s few friends in Westminster during Covid. Writing for TTG after opting not to seek re-election in July, Merriman reflects on his efforts – and those of parliament’s transport committee – to support outbound travel during the pandemic

Court Line at 50: how travel's then biggest failure shaped its future for the better

Court Line’s failure 50 years ago changed travel’s trajectory for ever – this month, Dave Richardson explores the lessons the industry and the trade learnt

Abta: 'It’s clear many of the industry’s priorities have been heard'

One month to the day since Labour took power after 14 years in opposition, Abta’s director of public affairs Luke Petherbridge assesses the party’s actions since forming a new government – and what its priorities mean for travel’s prosperity

OTA sector bands together to lobby new govt and 'shape the future of travel'

Online Travel UK says it will collaborate with government, policymakers and regulators to advocate for an ’innovative, competitive and consumer-centric travel and tourism industry’

UK 'may not be ready for new EU border rules by next summer' – Labour

Immigration minister Seema Malhotra said the new Labour government was ’not content’ with the Conservative government’s level of preparation for the introduction of the EU Entry-Exit System

French border officials to be deployed in Dover to speed up checks

The Home Office is to introduce legislation that will enable French border officials to operate within an expanded control zone at Dover

Travel's pleas for dedicated ministerial representation fall on deaf ears – for now

Rhondda and Ogmore MP Chris Bryant handed tourism portfolio at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, along with five other responsibilities, meaning no dedicated MP for travel

Limited failures sees Air Travel Trust pot rebound to nearly £200 million

The Air Travel Trust Fund stands at £199 million following a few small failures in 2023/24, the CAA has confirmed in its annual report – albeit still well down on pre-Thomas Cook levels

SAF investment and rail reform: how travel reacted to the King's Speech

New Labour government’s first King’s Speech outlines plans to support the sustainable aviation fuel industry and progressively renationalise Britain’s railways

Agency shut down after failing to refund customers almost £600,000

Insolvency Service chief investigator Cheryl Lambert said it ’had no option’ but have the company wound-up to protect future customers

CAA tells airlines to abide by EU261 after BA crew sickness ruling

The CAA has told airlines they must pay consumers who lodged EU261 claims that depended on the outcome of a case involving British Airways after a flight was cancelled following crew sickness

'Tens of thousands of Brits' cannot use eGates, says former home secretary

Lord David Blunkett called for ’joined-up’ training to help improve passengers’ experiences at airports, airlines and at the UK border

Regulators tell Boeing to check another safety issue with its 737s

US safety officials order Boeing to inspect 737s after concerns passenger oxygen supplies could fail in an emergency

How to explain this summer's high prices to your clients

More flights and holidays are on sale this summer despite a supposed dip in demand this year, but costs remain steep for those booking an escape. Gary Noakes reports

Keir Starmer names new govt's first transport and culture secretaries

The new prime minister revealed the first cabinet of his premiership on Friday afternoon (5 July)

Travel trade's top priorities for new Labour government revealed

Ahead of the general election, TTG conducted a snap poll of travel trade voting intention and objectives for the next government. James Chapple and Sarah Dennis report

'Time is of the essence': Travel seeks 'urgent action' from new government

Abta, the Advantage Travel Partnership, the Travel Network Group and the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association react to Labour’s landslide general election win

What does travel want – and need – from the next government?

As the country heads to the polls, TTG examines what the major parties have planned for the industry – and what the trade wants from the next government

Transport sec Mark Harper and predecessor Grant Shapps lose seats

Tourism minister Julia Lopez retains seat in Westminster during a chastening night for the Conservative Party

Poll: Have your say in TTG's snap general election survey

Who are you going to be voting for? What are the key issues at stake for travel? And what are your thoughts on the next five years of government? Let us know in our completely anonymous general election survey

Lufthansa Group buys into Italy's ITA Airways

Lufthansa Group has added ITA Airways to its stable after securing European Commission approval for a minority stake in the carrier

European airports 'unprepared for Entry-Exit scheme', Iata warns

Iata is worried European airports, especially smaller ones, may not have enough time or resources to operate the new system properly when it launches in October

Nearly a third of Brits changing their holiday plans due to the general election

The survey of 2,000 respondents found 16% of Brits altered plans so they could vote in person, while a further 14% changed their holidays to be in the country for the election build-up.