In news from Skopje, Macedonia’s left-wing government renames Alexander the Great Airport to Skopje International in order to quell tensions with Greece.
EU
EU May Force Visa Reciprocity With US and Canada
European Commission officials are mulling over whether or not to temporarily suspend American and Canadian citizens’ right to enter EU states without a visa. In possible move to force the two North American countries to offer reciprocity for EU states; Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and two other EU member states, the commission entered into debate to move forward the stalled talks on the subject.
Greece Tourism Sinking Like A Rock
According to news from the Bank of Greece, receipts from travel in January decreased by 4.7% year on year, corresponding to a decline in arrivals of 7.8%. Currently Greece’s deficit is at €742 million, up some €461 million euro from the same time last year. The news comes at the worst possible time as economic and political pressures mount in the region.
Brussels Travel Advisory: Threat Level 4
The UK and other governments have issued a travel advisory for citizens traveling throughout Europe in the wake of the Brussels bombings. Explosions at Zaventem International Airport today, 22 March, 2016, accompanied by another blast at Maalbeek station in central Brussels, have caused fairly major travel disruptions and concern.
If Schengen Borders Go Up, Billions Will Be Lost
According to news from various sources, the 26-country Schengen area could suffer a huge blow to its tourism sector stemming from the migrant crisis. Border formalities once eliminated to facilitate ease of travel, may soon be re-instituted if the crisis persists. Some experts fear, if the Schengen zone goes, the EU won’t be far behind.
Belarus and Slovenia talk closer economic ties
Belarus and Slovenia have begun talks to establish a Minsk-Ljubljana air service. The topic, raised in the 4th session of the Belarusian-Slovenian intergovernmental commission on trade, economic and sci-tech cooperation, could mean a bilateral agreement soon.
EU Can Count Out Another Russian Tourism Company
As the tensions in between Russia and western powers continue, news of another Russian tour operator supending operation does not ring a positive note for Europe travel in general. According to ITAR-TASS, some 4,000 plus customers of Russia’s bankrupt Yuzny Krest Travel tour operation, who are vacationing overseas, my need assistance returning home.
Russia’s Dobrolet Airlines in Holding Pattern Over Europe
The “boomerang effect” of US and EU sanctions Russian President Vladimir Putin foretold of may be about to hit Europe travel businesses hard. The newly launched Russian low-cost Russian airline, has been forced to suspend its operations after the European Union (EU) sanctioned the airline over the Ukraine crisis.
EU Launches New Business Avenues into Southeast Asia
The EU this week announced a pilot program, New Business Avenues into Southeast Asia for European SMEs in the Southeast Asian region via a hub in Singapore. According to the SingaporeCompanyIncorporation.sg, a leading Singapore incorporation portal, the new office hub there in Singapore makes strategic sense.
Weight of Ukraine Unrest, Sanctions, Threaten EU Economies
The Ukraine unrest unfolding, US and NATO versus Russia challenges and sanctions, threaten to unravel any hope of continued EU economic recovery. This, according to an ITAR-TASS report, must be weighed against European Commission contentions. Whatever the case for western EU nations, tourism and other sectors in eastern Europe will certainly be stifled.
Albania: A Look at Peripheral #Ukraine Effects
The crisis in Ukraine now threatens western Balkans nations like Albania with further stalled economies and more. Even despite the recent announcement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Urban Development and Tourism of Albania to commit to working together to promote tourism in Albania, the gridlocked detentes in between the US, EU, Britain, and Russia over Ukraine may well spell disaster for all Balkan’s travel.
Croatia Airlines Strike Partially Over: Planes Almost Aloft
On Tuesday Croatia Airlines management and the CA pilots’ union mutually agreed on a collective agreement dispute we previously reported on. While pilots may now go back to flying, the airline authorities and flight attendants still are at odds over their issues. The bottom line is, Croatia Airlines has fliers now, but no support on board for passengers, planes will probably remain grounded.
Croatian Culture Week Visits Germany
Croatian Culture Week opened up last Saturday, and is scheduled to run through this coming Sunday in Darmastadt, Germany. To mark the forthcoming entry by Croatia into the EU, the German city is previewing Croatia’s music and arts to the local German citizenry.
European Parliament Open House This Weekend
This Saturday the Festival of Europe begins in Brussels and Luxembourg and to commemorate the fest the European Parliament and other EU institutions will be open to the public. For those interested in witnessing how the Parliament works, this is a unique opportunity for a hands-on experience.
Georgia & Other East Europe Nations: Are They Key to EU Longevity?
According to a story from Vestnik Kavkaza, the European Union and Georgia will sign an early agreement to start the process of Georgia’s associate membership in November. With pressing tensions all around though, November seems far off where good relations between European countries is concerned.
Quantas Director Resigns Amid Wrongdoing Allegations
According to news from Qantasm, the Director of Quantas Airways Limited has stepped down. Corinne Namblard’s involvement in Italian court procedings was stated as the reason for her resignation in light of alleged involvement in a scandal involving Italy’s Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the world’s oldest bank.
EU & Armenia Sign Simplified Visa Agreement
The European Union and Armenia have agreed to vastly simplified visa procedures for Armenians entering Schengen area countries. According to the news, some populations of Armenians will benefit from easier entrance restrictions. Armenian students, scientists, journalists, enterprenuers, and some other groups will be able to obtain visas for Schengen destinations much more easily. Foreign Minister […]
Croatia Airlines Gets Speedy Government Aid before EU Entry
National carrier Croatia Airlines has just received a capital boost of EUR 106 million from the local government. The funds injection has been approved just before the Easter European’s country would join the European Union as a means to avoid strict competition regulations. The funds will be given to Croatia Airlines as a capital increase […]
Russia’s Lavrov Paints Free Visa Discussions Pure Political
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov echoed concerns that the European Union is stalling on a decision on the long awaited EU-Russia free visa issue. Lavrov, speaking at a meeting of the Association of European Businesses last Monday, suggested the delays have been purely political.
Single European Sky Meetings Take Off in Cyprus
Yesterday key officials began a conference in Limassol (Cyprus) to try and get back on track in important transportation initiative for Europe, the so called Single European Sky aviation project to create a single European airspace. Despite widespread support and the logic of unifying European airspace however, nearly a decade has passed with mediocre progress toward this end.