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French ATC strikes disrupt flights on Thursday and Friday

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6 days ago

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Hundreds of flights have been cancelled and thousands of travellers disrupted due to an air traffic controller strike in France planned for Thursday and Friday (3 and 4 July).

More than 900 scheduled flights have been cancelled so far on Thursday – equating to 22 per cent of all arrivals and 22 per cent of all scheduled departures from French airports, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Low-cost carrier Ryanair on Thursday confirmed it had cancelled 170 flights due to the strike, which is expected to affect 30,000 travellers, while easyJet has reportedly cancelled 274 flights.

Ryanair warned the strike will also affect all French overflights, with CEO Michael O’Leary reigniting calls for the European Commission to “take urgent action” to reform EU air traffic control services.

“It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en route to their destination are being cancelled/delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike. It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays,”  O’Leary said in a statement.

Travel disruption is expected to continue on Friday, with the French Civil Aviation Authority advising airlines to reduce flight schedules by 50 per cent at Nice airports, by 40 per cent at Paris CDG and Orly and by 30 per cent at airports in Lyon, Marseille and Montpellier.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of UK-based Advantage Travel Partnership, advised travellers to speak with their travel agent or check their flight status online before travelling to the airport. 

“Under UK Law, when flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines have a duty to look after their passengers be that by providing meals, accommodation with an obligation of getting you to your destination as soon as possible, even if that’s on an alternative airline,” she said.

“However, customers can also choose to have a full refund if this is preferred. Extra compensation however tends to be offered when the airline is at fault.”



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Are you still required to move your shoes at the airport?

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3 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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More than 11,000,000 travelers passed through Southwest Florida International Airport in 2024, a new record for that statistic.

According to TSA security measures, all of them were required a checkpoints.

Not anymore. Shoes off has gone to shoes on.

As of July 8 you will no longer have to take your shoes off at RSW or any U.S. airport security checkpoints.

“TSA will no longer require travelers to remove their shoes when they go through our security checkpoint,” said Kristi Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Here’s what you should know.

TSA ends shoes-off policy at RSW checkpoints

Noem announced July 8 that a new policy which will allow passengers traveling through domestic airports to keep their shoes on while passing through security screening at TSA checkpoints.

When will new TSA shoe policy start at RSW?

The new policy allowing travelers to keep their shoes on is effective immediately, the TSA said.

Why did TSA end the shoes-off policy at RSW, other airports?

“The new policy will increase hospitality for travelers and streamline the TSA security checkpoint process, leading to lower wait times,” the TSA announced on its website.

“Ending the ‘Shoes-Off’ policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation’s airports,” Noem said.

“We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience.”

Will passengers remain safe at RSW if everyone can keep their shoes on through screening?

“As always, security remains our top priority,” Noem said.

“Thanks to our cutting-edge technological advancements and multi-layered security approach, we are confident we can implement this change while maintaining the highest security standards.”

Some things haven’t changed at RSW’s TSA checkpoints

“Other aspects of TSA’s layered security approach will still apply during the TSA checkpoint process,” the TSA said.

“Passengers must still clear identity verification, Secure Flight vetting, and other processes.”

When did the TSA shoes-off policy start and why?

The shoe removal policy was put into place in 2006 in response to a December 2001 attempt by an airline passenger to conceal a bomb in his shoe. 

Since then most passengers had to remove their shoes as part of the standard security screening. There were a few exceptions:

However, if the alarm goes off during the security screening, “you may be required to remove your shoes for further screening or undergo a pat-down,” the TSA said.

Other recent changes implemented by TSA at RSW

On July 2, the TSA announced a program called “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease,” which provides special benefits to uniformed service members and their families, including a TSA PreCheck enrollment discount and expedited access lanes at select airports. 

The program is free for Gold Star families and a $25 discount for military spouses with expedited travel lanes for service members.

REAL ID implemented in May with high compliance rate

REAL ID went into effect May 7. The TSA said there’s been a 94 percent compliance rate, “which has led to a more efficient security process.”

A REAL ID is a federally approved, state-issued driver’s license or ID that meets security standards enacted by Congress after 9/11. 

A REAL ID-compliant identification or a valid passport or passport card is required for any adult U.S. resident to:

Enter nuclear power plants

Board federally regulated commercial aircraft

Access federal government facilities or military installations



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Travel Blue amplifies Gen Z focus; explores in-store expansion across APAC

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1 day ago

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July 8, 2025

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A major focus for Travel Blue this year in Asia Pacific travel retail is dialling up its focus on Gen Z, as the company continues to work closely with retail partners to explore expanding its spaces in stores across the region.

Speaking to TRBusiness at the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference in May, Travel Blue Managing Director Daniel Levin explained how he believes the opportunities for in-store space expansion reflect a growing consumer demand for more affordable and practical purchases.

“Specifically, we see trends becoming less luxury and more reasonably priced, with value for money and high quality,” he said.

“People work hard for their money. They want to spend it on something that will last them longer and something also to self indulge – something for them to use while travelling.”

New to the Travel Blue assortment is a range of affordable, lightweight, high-quality backpacks in vibrant new colourways (priced at €59-€99).

Plus, there’s the ‘memory collection’ of pins, patches and pillows, aimed especially at Gen Z who want to collect memories while travelling.

Hit play to find out more…

Travel Blue occupied a larger-then-usual stand at TFWA Singapore this year in order to accommodate its growing travel accessories collections.

The Travel Blue range also includes on-board luggage, hot-cold water bottles, ergonomic neck pillows and essential electronics, such as cables, adaptors and chargers.

READ MORE: Travel Blue to arrive at TFWA Singapore with larger stand to present ranges

READ MORE: Travel Blue to show Memory Collections range for Gen Z at TFWA Singapore

READ MORE: Travel Blue joins forces with CDFG to bring latest pop-up to Hangzhou Airport





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Women, transgender Delhiites to get free bus travel with new ‘Saheli Smart Card’

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1 day ago

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July 8, 2025

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News Desk

08 July 2025, 08:49 PM IST

Delhi launches Saheli Smart Card for free DTC & cluster bus rides for women & transgender individuals aged 12+.

Delhi Transport Corporation buses | Photo: AP

New Delhi: The Delhi Government is preparing to launch a new digital travel pass called the ‘Saheli Smart Card’ for women and transgender persons in the capital. Scheduled for rollout by August 15, the initiative is aimed at offering free rides on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses to eligible beneficiaries aged 12 and above.

The upcoming smart card system will replace the current pink ticket method and will function under the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) framework. A senior official confirmed that the card would require activation via the Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS). “EOI in papers for empanelment of banks for this purpose has been issued and hopefully it will be rolled out by 15th August,” the official added.

Registration and KYC mandatory

To avail of the Saheli Smart Card, beneficiaries must register through the DTC portal and complete Know Your Customer (KYC) formalities at an authorised bank. Required documents include Aadhaar, PAN, proof of residence, and a passport-sized photograph. After registration, the card will be delivered by post. In case it is lost, a duplicate can be requested. Though travel will be free under the scheme, banks may levy a nominal service charge for issuing the card.

Background and impact of the pink ticket scheme

The pink ticket initiative, which the Saheli Smart Card will now replace, was introduced on October 29, 2019, by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to promote safer and more accessible public transport for women and transgender individuals. Introduced during the Bhai Dooj festival, the scheme has had a significant impact.

“In 2022, free travel for women via Pink tickets contributed to nearly 32 per cent of the total number of passengers travelling in a month,” a source stated.

Delhi’s public transport ridership, which stood at over 160 crore in 2019-20, declined sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. It dropped to 71 crore in 2020-21, with a slight recovery to 93 crore in 2021-22. “Since April 2022 till today, it has reached nearly 125 crores, almost 75 per cent of the pre covid numbers,” according to a statement.

Political backlash

Despite its popularity, the scheme has not been without criticism. On March 29, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the AAP-led Delhi Government of mismanaging the programme. The party claimed that the free bus travel scheme and the broader operations of the Delhi Transport Corporation had resulted in a staggering financial loss of ₹70,471 crore.

(With inputs from ANI)

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