Travel

Swiss Air Cancels Over 1,400 Flights Amid Europe-Wide Pilot Shortage

Published

9 months ago

May 29, 2025

Travellers planning to fly through Switzerland this summer may face unexpected disruptions as Swiss International Air Lines, the country’s national carrier, confirmed it will cancel approximately 1,400 flights between now and October due to an ongoing shortage of pilots.

The airline announced that the schedule reductions will impact numerous short-haul routes departing from Zurich and Geneva, with several long-haul services—such as those to Chicago and Shanghai—also being scaled back. Seasonal routes, including summer flights to Hurghada in Egypt, have been suspended entirely.

In a statement, Swiss said it “deeply regrets” the cancellations and is implementing a series of short-term measures to mitigate the pilot shortfall. These include a voluntary retirement deferral programme, a vacation buyback scheme, and an appeal for part-time pilots to increase their hours. The airline is also collaborating with its pilot union, Aeropers, to improve roster flexibility and reduce fatigue-related last-minute absences.

Swiss estimates it needs around 70 additional full-time pilots to meet current demand. The airline has pledged to notify affected passengers as early as possible. Rebookings will be offered across Swiss, the wider Lufthansa Group, and Star Alliance partners—or on any available carrier if necessary. Full refunds are also being offered.

The announcement comes as several European airlines grapple with similar staffing constraints, raising concerns that this summer could see widespread flight disruptions across the continent.

KLM, the Dutch national carrier, recently revealed it is struggling to staff long-haul flights despite having a record number of pilots on its roster. In response, some Air France pilots are temporarily flying select KLM routes, including the busy Amsterdam–New York corridor, from July through October.

Meanwhile, British Airways and easyJet are actively recruiting and offering competitive packages to attract new pilots. British Airways has even pledged to cover pilot training costs—up to €100,000—for up to 60 candidates annually, as part of efforts to expand its ranks.

The pilot shortage has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which paused new training and prompted many pilots to retire early. The industry has yet to fully recover. According to consulting firm Oliver Wyman, the global aviation sector could face a shortfall of nearly 80,000 pilots by 2032. In Europe alone, the deficit may reach 19,000.

With summer travel demand rising, experts advise passengers to book early, prepare for potential schedule changes, and monitor airline communications closely to secure the best alternatives in case of cancellations or delays.

Travel

Qatar Extends Visas for Stranded Travellers as Airspace Closure Continues

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Web Reporter

Ministry of Interior Qatar has announced that entry visas for travellers stranded in the country due to the ongoing airspace closure will be automatically extended for one month without additional fees.

The measure applies to all visa categories and will be processed electronically, with no action required from affected visitors. Authorities said further extensions could be introduced depending on how the situation develops.

However, travellers whose visas expired before 28 February, when Iran’s retaliatory strikes began and regional tensions escalated, will still be required to pay any overstay fines accumulated before that date.

Qatar allows citizens of 102 countries to obtain a free visa on arrival, with the permitted length of stay varying by nationality. Most European passport holders are eligible for stays of up to 90 days, while others receive a 30-day visa that can be extended for an additional 30 days.

The country’s airspace was closed shortly after noon local time on 28 February, according to the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. Since then, there have been no commercial flights operating in or out of the country.

Qatar Airways has been issuing daily updates confirming the continued suspension of services, with announcements typically made before 9 a.m. local time. The airline said the next update is expected on 4 March.

Passengers holding bookings with Qatar Airways for travel between 28 February and 10 March 2026 can reschedule their trips within 14 days of their original departure date or request a full refund. The airline said changes can be made through its website or mobile app and urged only those travelling within the next 48 hours to contact customer service directly due to high call volumes.

While the United Arab Emirates has started operating limited exceptional flights to repatriate stranded passengers, Qatar has not yet resumed any inbound or outbound commercial operations.

The disruption has also affected travel in Southeast Asia. In Thailand, authorities said visit visas would be extended for tourists unable to leave due to flight cancellations to the Middle East. At Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, 47 flights have been cancelled, along with 36 flights to and from Phuket.

Airlines impacted include Air Arabia, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air and Kuwait Airways.

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports said hotels have been asked to offer discounted rates to affected visitors as authorities work to ease the disruption.

Travel

Middle East Authorities Warn Against Sharing Footage of Iranian Strikes on Social Media

Published

3 days ago

March 1, 2026

Web Reporter

Authorities across the Middle East are cautioning residents, citizens, and visitors about sharing images and videos of Iranian retaliatory strikes, citing security risks and potential legal consequences.

Authorities have restrictions around sharing such images for security purposes and to prevent the spread of fake news. Social media has been flooded with footage from influencers and tourists showing missile interceptions and other military responses in the region. Officials warn that posting such content could reveal the locations of defensive installations or provide information that may aid future attacks.

The concerns are not unique to the region. Similar rules are in place in Ukraine, where the ongoing conflict with Russia has prompted authorities to limit the circulation of footage from conflict zones.

In Bahrain, two people were arrested on February 28 for posting live footage of strikes on social media. The Ministry of Interior said anyone filming, posting, or reposting videos from the scene could face legal action. “This constitutes a legal violation that could harm security and public order,” the ministry stated on X.

Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior issued comparable guidance, asking citizens to refrain from filming missile interceptions or authorities carrying out their duties. The ministry said such content could cause public anxiety, disrupt security operations, and spread inaccurate information. Legal measures will be taken against anyone sharing rumours or misleading news.

Qatar’s Ministry of Interior emphasized avoiding the circulation of images or videos of the aftermath to prevent legal liability. The Dubai Media Office issued similar advice, urging residents to rely on official sources for updates.

Authorities stress the importance of following verified channels for information. Bahrainis can access updates through @moi_bahrain and @bna_en, while UAE residents should refer to @DXBMediaOffice and @ADMediaOffice. Qataris are advised to follow @QNAEnglish and @MOI_QatarEn, and Kuwaitis can check @kuna_en and @Moi_kuw. Jordan and Saudi Arabia have also set up official accounts for timely updates, including @PetranewsEN, @moi_jor, @Spa_Eng, and @MOISaudiArabia.

Several embassies are providing updates to their citizens who register with them. International news outlets such as Euronews are also offering live coverage, with bureaus in Doha and Dubai running continuous updates on their website.

Officials emphasize that following these guidelines protects public safety and ensures accurate reporting during a period of heightened regional tension. Authorities warn that disregarding the rules could carry serious legal consequences, highlighting the need for vigilance and restraint when sharing information online.

Travel

Ryanair Ranks Last in Which? Airline Satisfaction Survey as Jet2 and Singapore Airlines Lead

Published

5 days ago

February 27, 2026

Web Reporter

The consumer group surveyed more than 5,500 travellers about their recent flying experiences. Ryanair finished at the bottom of the short-haul table with an overall customer score of 55 percent. It received two stars for booking, boarding, customer service and cabin environment, and just one star for seat comfort. One respondent described the aircraft as “dirty” with “awful” seating.

Ryanair was awarded three stars for value for money, behind competitors including Jet2, Lufthansa, TUI and Aer Lingus. More than a third of Ryanair passengers reported that something went wrong during their journey.

Wizz Air also ranked near the bottom with a score of 59 percent. Customers cited poor communication during delays and weak customer service. The airline said the survey relied on a small sample of 259 respondents, compared with the 12 million passengers it carried on UK flights in 2025, and noted improvements in punctuality and satisfaction over the past year.

easyJet scored 67 percent overall. While its punctuality has improved and cancellations have declined, it received two stars for customer service, seat comfort and cabin environment. A spokesperson said the airline’s pricing model allows customers to pay only for what they need, with around 40 percent choosing to travel with the basic fare.

Which? said budget airlines often advertise low headline fares but charge additional fees for cabin baggage and seat selection. The group recently prompted a ruling by the Advertising Standards Authority over cabin bag pricing. “Many other passengers fly with them because of the enticingly low headline fares,” said Which? Travel editor Rory Boland. “But ridiculously expensive charges for baggage and other add-ons mean they are no longer guaranteed to be the cheapest option. Fly with anyone else, if you can.”

At the top of the short-haul ranking was Jet2 with 76 percent, praised for reliability. British Airways scored 72 percent, earning four stars for customer service. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, 74 percent of its flights departed on time in the latest period, up from 65 percent a year earlier.

For long-haul travel, Singapore Airlines led with 81 percent, followed by Emirates at 80 percent and Virgin Atlantic at 79 percent. Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic both received five stars for customer service, with passengers praising cabin comfort and attentive staff.

In contrast, Aer Lingus ranked lowest among long-haul carriers with 65 percent, while several US airlines, including Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, were placed near the bottom of the table.