The ongoing conflict in the Middle East remains extremely worrying and continues to cause immense disruption for travellers, and work and pressure for the members. This past week, the repatriation operation was able to begin with some airspace re-opening; however, many members still have customers stuck abroad waiting for flights home. 

ABTA continues to support members, not least through the discussions with the FCDO, airlines and destinations so we can provide the most current guidance. The team continue to carry out interviews in the national media, aiming to reassure travellers and explain consumers’ rights, alongside keeping information updated across both ABTA's website and social channels.

Before the Middle East conflict began, ABTA already knew they would need to support members trying to navigate the changes to travel in Europe ahead of the Easter period. For many of your customers travelling over Easter, the EES will come fully into effect.

ABTA has a lot of information available for members, but the biggest impact will likely be on waiting times on arrival and departure. ABTA continues to urge authorities to make full use of any mitigation measures they may have to minimise queues. 

In addition to this, member video conference call this week saw Frontex – the European Border and Coast Guard Agency – present on the upcoming European Travel Information Authorisation System (ETIAS) ahead of its planned launch later this year. There were plenty of member questions which were addressed directly, and I hope those who attended found it helpful. For those who couldn’t join, the recording is now available to watch back in the Member Zone.

As ever, the travel industry has to respond and adapt to an ever-changing landscape, but for whatever lies ahead, ABTA remains on hand for members.