The Week In Travel

BT4Europe, a group representing 13 business travel associations across Europe, has urged the European Commission to ‘urgently press ahead’ with its plans to digitalise travel documents within the EU this week. This was in response to a public consultation on the initiative, which aims to establish a uniform standard for digital travel documents used in the region, making travel easier for EU citizens. The consultation has attracted nearly 7,000 responses and the commission is set to outline its plans in the coming months.

Two more airlines have fallen victim to a data breach, as the personal details of thousands of pilot applicants for both American Airlines and Southwest Airlines were stolen. The carriers were first made aware of the breach in May, but have alerted the 8,000 people affected this week. In a letter sent by American Airlines to those affected, the airline said it is co-operating with an investigation by law enforcement and would use an internal portal for pilot applications going forward.

Across the pond in the UK, work has begun on the redevelopment of London Gatwick’s North Terminal. The works are part of a £10 million branding project and will include improvements in seating, accessibility and shopping options. The project, which will be the first major development of the terminal since it opened in 1988, is scheduled to be completed in early 2024. In sustainability news, Spanish airline Vueling has revealed more than 100,000 passengers opted to contribute towards the cost of SAF in the first year of its carbon-offsetting programme. Thus far, the scheme has seen 145 tonnes of SAF supplied to the airline, which has reduced CO2 emissions by up to 350 tonnes.

And finally, who said romance was dead? Perhaps the partner of the man who decided to surprise his other half with a proposal as she exited an airplane toilet on a flight to Cancun. While the shock factor was certainly there, it’s hard to believe this is how the woman imagined this special moment taking place. She said yes, so the idea wasn’t a complete washout.