In Travel News for September 20th, 2022 we have news from the Netherlands, we talk about Hurricane Fiona in the Caribbean, and we have an update on the air traffic controller Strike in France.
Netherlands Drops Remaining Entry Restrictions
Over the weekend the Netherlands has lifted the last of it’s pandemic protocols for international travelers. Many of the nations restrictions for travelers were removed in late February after the capitol city of Amsterdam ended their third pandemic related lockdown, however the country kept the provisions specified in the European Union Entry Ban. Under this entry ban travelers from “third countries”, which are those coming from a country not in the E.U. or Schengen area, were required to provide proof of vaccination or proof of recovery to gain entry. Travelers are now welcome to enter the Netherlands without having to provide proof of vaccination or proof of recovery.
Hurricane Fiona Still in the Caribbean
Hurricane Fiona is still causing problems in the Caribbean. Turks and Caicos is currently seeing hurricane conditions, and the south eastern portion of the Bahamas is experiencing tropical storm conditions. This will last through the evening after which Hurricane Fiona is expected to head blackout to the Atlantic. Many airlines still unable to fly are continuing to offer travel waivers and Cruise lines in the vicinity of the storm have re-routed their ships and modified itineraries to keep their passengers safe.
More Air Traffic Controller Strikes to Come
Over the weekend in France, Air Traffic Controllers staged a one day walkout forcing over 1,000 flight cancellations and causing disruptions throughout the region. The air traffic controllers union has recently announced that next week there will be three more days of strikes. The strikes will start on September 28 and run through September 30th. The union has said that the strikes will be called off if an agreement is reached with Frances Aviation Authority. A strike such as this affects not only flights into or out of France, but also overflights which are flights that pass through French airspace. Airlines crossing French airspace have had to either modify their routes or cancel flights during the strike. If you are traveling in Europe next week it’s best to plan for delays or cancellations so as not to be caught by surprise.