September International Travel Update

Disruption risk on the way to Europe

Two separate issues are adding friction for organisations sending staff towards Europe and the UK this month, particularly via Middle East hub airports.

Following the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran earlier this year, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency continues to advise against operating in the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and parts of the Gulf of Oman, with the advisory extended through to the end of August and no firm end date in sight. Gulf carriers remain well below pre-conflict capacity as a result — Qatar Airways around 20%, Etihad around 50%, and Emirates closer to 75% — which continues to affect connections for travellers routing through Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi. Separately, once in Europe, indefinite ground-handling strikes at Barcelona and Palma, French cabin crew action in mid-August, and intermittent air traffic control disruption have been causing delays at major connecting hubs including Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt and Paris Charles de Gaulle.

What this means for travellers: If your organisation typically routes through Gulf hub airports to reach Europe or the UK, it's worth checking with your airline on current routing and building in extra connection time. Some carriers, including Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines, are positioning Singapore as a more stable alternative hub in the meantime.

Border changes to be aware of

Following last month's update on Europe's Entry/Exit System (EES) border queues, the companion scheme for visa-exempt travellers, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), has been delayed again.

In mid-July, the European Union quietly removed its "last quarter of 2026" launch commitment from the official ETIAS website, which now states only that the system is not yet operational. Reporting has linked the change to an internal assessment by eu-LISA, the EU agency building the system, that a 2026 launch is no longer feasible, with a 2027 launch now considered more likely. New Zealand travellers heading to Europe don't need to do anything in the meantime, a valid passport with at least three months' validity beyond the planned return date remains sufficient.

What this means for travellers: No action is needed for Europe-bound trips for now, but organisations planning travel into 2027 should keep an eye on this one, a EUR20 ETIAS authorisation will eventually apply, and we'll flag the confirmed date as soon as it's announced.

Thai Airways returning to Auckland

Thai Airways is set to return to New Zealand, restoring a direct connection between Auckland and Bangkok after an absence of more than six years.

The planned return was welcomed as part of the new New Zealand–Thailand Strategic Partnership, which includes an ambition to triple two-way trade between the two countries to NZ$13.5 billion by 2045. Thai Airways served Auckland for more than 30 years before the pandemic interrupted the service, and its return will restore direct connectivity as well as an important air-freight link, with onward connections through Bangkok to wider Asia.

What this means for travellers: The return will give New Zealand organisations another direct option into Southeast Asia and another major hub for onward international travel, while strengthening connectivity for businesses with interests across Thailand and the wider Asian region.

South Island connectivity set for its biggest ever season

Christchurch Airport is preparing for its biggest international summer on record, with more long-haul routes, additional flights and increased capacity giving South Island travellers significantly more choice.

More than 1.27 million international seats will be available between November and March, 21% more than last summer. Long-haul capacity alone is increasing by 54%, adding around 130,000 seats. Air New Zealand will launch new non-stop Christchurch services to Singapore (28 October), Tokyo Narita (28 November) and Perth (30 November), part of a wider agreement with Christchurch Airport to grow South Island connectivity and reduce reliance on connecting through Auckland. Jetstar is also entering the market with new Christchurch–Perth and Christchurch–Sydney services from October, while existing carriers are adding capacity: China Southern is lifting Guangzhou flights to as many as ten a week over peak season, Qantas is extending its third daily Sydney service from six to fourteen weeks, and United Airlines is upgauging its San Francisco service to the larger Boeing 787-9.

What this means for travellers: South Island-based organisations will have meaningfully more direct international options this summer, with more capacity, more onward connections through major hubs, and less need to route staff and visitors through Auckland, worth factoring into upcoming travel planning and budgets.

Air New Zealand's engine crisis draws to a close

Air New Zealand has returned its last grounded Boeing 787-9 from storage,  marking a major milestone in the airline's response to one of the most significant global supply chain challenges facing aviation in recent years. The airline is now one step closer to having the full Dreamliner fleet operational.

With the fleet now largely clear of engine-related groundings, the airline has more capacity available to support international network growth.

What this means for travellers: This additional capacity opens up opportunities across Air New Zealand's network, including the recently announced services between Christchurch and Singapore, Tokyo and Perth. It's retrofit programme is also nearly complete, with all fourteen Dreamliners expected to have the new cabin experience by the end of this year.

Business travel spend keeps climbing, even as trip numbers plateau

Global business travel remains resilient despite geopolitical uncertainty and continued cost pressure.

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) forecasts business travel spending will reach a record US$1.71 trillion in 2026, up 7.2% year on year, while the number of business trips worldwide is expected to reach approximately 1.84 billion, a much smaller 1.3% increase. GBTA says rising transportation and travel costs, rather than more trips being taken, are the main driver of higher spend, against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and a more complex global operating environment.

What this means for travellers: With cost per trip rising faster than trip volume, visibility and informed decision-making matter more than ever when balancing spend, traveller experience and business outcomes, the lowest fare isn't always the lowest overall cost once routing, time and disruption risk are factored in.

Staying connected in the air

High-speed inflight connectivity continues to expand, changing what's possible during long-haul travel.

Qatar Airways has now equipped 150 widebody aircraft with Starlink, becoming the first airline globally to operate a Starlink-equipped Boeing 787-9 and completing the rollout across its Boeing 787-8 fleet, with the remaining 787s due by the end of 2026. More than 23 million passengers have connected to the service since it launched in October 2024. Qatar is part of a much broader industry shift, with Emirates and United Airlines among the other carriers adopting Starlink on their own fleets.

What this means for travellers: As high-speed inflight Wi-Fi becomes more widely available across the carriers New Zealand organisations fly with, long-haul sectors are becoming increasingly productive, useful to factor in when comparing options for time-sensitive business travel.

Hotel stays are becoming more digital

The shift towards a more connected travel experience doesn't stop when the flight lands.

EVT Hotels & Resorts has introduced digital hotel keys stored directly in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, launching at QT Sydney and rolling out across QT, Rydges, Atura and LyLo properties over the coming year, the largest such rollout by an Australian hotel group to date. Guests can check in and access their room using an iPhone, Apple Watch or Android device, without a physical key card.

What this means for travellers: From boarding passes to hotel room access, more of the trip is moving into the mobile wallet, removing some of the small points of friction that add up on business travel.

As always, we'll continue monitoring developments across the global travel landscape. If changing schedules, new routes, border requirements or disruptions affect your travel plans, our team is here to help. At Tandem Travel, we work alongside you to keep your travellers moving with confidence.