The ongoing two-day strike by French air traffic controllers has triggered widespread travel chaos across Europe, with significant flight cancellations and disruptions extending well beyond France’s borders. The strike, called by minority unions UNSA-ICNA and USAC-CGT, protests chronic understaffing, outdated equipment, and problematic management practices within France’s air traffic control system.

On Thursday alone, France’s civil aviation authority DGAC reported the cancellation of 933 flights, representing about 10% of scheduled flights nationwide, with cancellations rising to 25% at major Paris airports such as Charles de Gaulle and Orly. By Friday morning, around 1,000 flights had already been cancelled after DGAC mandated a 40% reduction in flights at Paris airports to manage the strike’s impact.

 Other French airports, particularly in the south, saw up to half of their flights affected. Across Europe, the Airlines for Europe (A4E) lobby group estimated that 1,500 flights were cancelled over the two-day period, disrupting travel plans for approximately 300,000 passengers.

The timing of the strike is particularly disruptive, coinciding with the start of the European summer holiday season and the final school day in France before the holidays, when many families plan early departures. The French government has strongly condemned the strike, with Prime Minister François Bayrou describing it as "taking the French hostage," and Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot calling it "unacceptable" due to its wide-reaching impact on over 500,000 people.

Ryanair has been one of the hardest-hit carriers, cancelling 170 flights and affecting over 30,000 passengers. CEO Michael O’Leary criticized the strike as an unfair burden on European travelers, urging the European Commission to implement reforms to prevent such disruptions, including ensuring full staffing during peak hours and protecting overflights during national strikes. Other airlines affected include EasyJet, which cancelled 274 flights, Lufthansa, which scaled back operations at several French airports, and British Airways, which deployed larger aircraft to mitigate disruption.

The strike’s effects extend beyond flights to and from France, significantly impacting flights overflying French airspace. This has caused delays and cancellations on routes between countries such as the UK, Greece, Spain, and Ireland. Passengers stranded at airports like Paris Orly have reported severe difficulties securing alternative travel or accommodation, highlighting the human toll of the disruption.

Underlying the strike are longstanding grievances from air traffic controllers regarding insufficient staffing levels, aging and failing technology, and a management culture they describe as toxic and incompatible with the safety and calm required for their work. The unions argue that the DGAC has failed to adequately invest in modernizing air traffic control infrastructure despite repeated assurances.

This strike adds to recent challenges faced by European aviation, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that led Ryanair to cancel over 800 flights last month. Despite these setbacks, Ryanair reported operating more than 109,000 flights in June, carrying nearly 20 million passengers, a 3% increase year-on-year.

The disruption caused by the French air traffic controllers’ strike underscores vulnerabilities in Europe’s air traffic management system and the urgent need for reforms to ensure reliability during peak travel periods and to protect passengers from avoidable delays and cancellations.

Qatar Airways has emerged as the best performing airline in in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity, leveraging SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed internet service to deliver an unparalleled onboard experience. According to a recent Ookla report, the airline boasts median download speeds of 120.6 Mbps, positioning it at the forefront of in-flight internet innovation globally.

Qatar Airways’ rapid and ambitious rollout of Starlink installations is one of the fastest in the aviation industry. The airline has equipped over 50 percent of its Boeing 777 fleet with Starlink, completing installations on 30 aircraft as of early 2025. This milestone was achieved just months after launching the world’s first Boeing 777 Starlink-enabled flight and surpassing its initial target of 12 installations for 2024.

The airline’s CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, highlighted that Qatar Airways is also pioneering the introduction of Starlink Wi-Fi on its Airbus A350 fleet, becoming the first airline worldwide to offer this cutting-edge connectivity on the aircraft type. This expansion will provide more passengers with complimentary, ultra-fast Wi-Fi, enabling seamless streaming, gaming, and work at 35,000 feet.

Starlink’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation underpins the superior internet performance, offering faster speeds, significant upload capabilities, and low latency compared to traditional geostationary satellite systems. While Qatar Airways also operates planes with geostationary orbit (GEO) connectivity, the LEO-powered Starlink service distinctly elevates its Wi-Fi quality, making it a standout performer alongside Hawaiian Airlines, which also uses Starlink.

The airline has optimized the installation process to minimize operational disruption, reducing retrofit time from several days to just 9.5 hours per aircraft, with installations scheduled overnight to avoid impacting flight schedules.

Passengers benefit from a seamless, gate-to-gate connection experience without cumbersome logins or fees, as Qatar Airways offers Starlink Wi-Fi free of charge. This service marks a significant leap forward in onboard connectivity, rivaling ground-based internet speeds and setting a new standard for the industry.

As in-flight Wi-Fi becomes a key differentiator for premium international carriers, Qatar Airways’ leadership in adopting Starlink technology not only enhances passenger comfort and convenience but also strengthens its competitive edge in the global airline market.

In summary, Qatar Airways’ commitment to innovation and passenger experience through the widespread deployment of Starlink Wi-Fi cements its reputation as a trailblazer in aviation connectivity, delivering the fastest and most reliable in-flight internet service available today.

The General Authority of Customs (GAC) has reported a remarkable milestone in May 2025, processing over 589,000 customs declarations through Qatar’s ports, underscoring the nation’s growing role as a dynamic trade hub in the region.

According to the June 2025 Customs newsletter, a total of 589,593 declarations were recorded, with air cargo dominating at 480,003 declarations, followed by land customs at 20,423 and sea ports at 16,645. Impressively, the GAC released 96.96% of customs data within just one hour, reflecting the efficiency of its operations. Additionally, 22,647 declarations were transferred to government entities during the month.

The United States and India continued to lead as the top countries for imports and exports, respectively, highlighting Qatar’s strategic trade partnerships. The GAC also registered 147 seizures in May, with the largest confiscation being 5,275 grams of marijuana. The Ministry of Public Health Department was recognized for its swift processing, completing releases in an average of 5.44 hours.

Beyond these figures, the GAC has made significant strides in securing the entry of passengers and goods, facilitating trade exchanges, and enhancing cooperation with both local and international entities. This includes continuous development in human resources, procedural improvements, and technological advancements aimed at streamlining trade and meeting local market demands.

In a bid to strengthen community involvement in customs enforcement, the GAC recently launched the ‘Kafih’ service, a national initiative that enables secure and confidential reporting of customs violations and smuggling activities. This service aims to bolster national security and protect the economy by preventing the entry of prohibited goods and detecting fraud.

Further embracing digital transformation, the Authority introduced the Al-Nadeeb trade community app, designed to simplify customs clearance for clearance companies, traders, and importers through smart devices. This platform ensures faster processing and easier access to all customs procedures.

A landmark achievement was the successful direct electronic integration between the Al-Nadeeb Customs Clearance System and the International Road Transport Union’s Digital TIR Carnet Service. Coordinated with Qatar Chamber, this integration facilitates instant and secure data exchange for road shipments under the TIR Convention, marking a pivotal step in modernizing customs operations and enhancing international digital cooperation.

These advancements collectively position Qatar’s customs framework as a model of efficiency and innovation, supporting the country’s vision to become a leading global trade hub while safeguarding national interests and economic growth.

The United Arab Emirates’ Golden Visa program offers a long-term residence permit designed to attract and retain exceptional global talent. This visa allows investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students, humanitarian pioneers, and frontline heroes to live, work, or study in the UAE with exclusive benefits and greater security.

The Golden Visa is issued for either five or ten years, depending on the applicant’s category, and is renewable upon meeting the required conditions.

Key benefits include no requirement for a local sponsor, unlike standard UAE residence visas, giving holders greater independence. They can also stay outside the UAE for more than six moths without losing residency status, which is not allowed under regular visas. Additionally, Golden Visa holders can sponsor their family members and children regardless of age, as well as an unlimited number of domestic helpers. In the unfortunate event of the visa holder’s death, family members can remain in the UAE until the visa’s validity expires.

Applicants must submit nominations through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) smart services portal. The process involves selecting the visa category, providing detailed personal and professional information, uploading required documents, and paying applicable fees.

Certain categories require official recommendations: artists and cultural figures need approval from cultural authorities; innovators and inventors from the Ministry of Economy; athletes from sports authorities; digital talents from the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transactions; and other exceptional talents from relevant federal or local bodies.

The fees include an e-services fee of AED 28, an ICP fee of AED 22, and a smart services fee of AED 100. Applications are rejected if incomplete data is not provided within 30 days or if the application is returned three times due to missing information.

In a significant development, the UAE has introduced a nomination-based Golden Visa program that makes it easier for Indian nationals to obtain lifetime residency without the previously mandatory property or business investments. Indians can now apply by paying a one-time fee of AED 100,000 (approximately INR 23.3 lakh), provided they meet eligibility criteria based on professional achievements, societal contributions, or potential value to the UAE’s cultural, scientific, or economic sectors.

This new pathway expands eligibility beyond investors and entrepreneurs to include nurses, educators, content creators, scientists, executives, and other professionals, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to welcoming diverse talents. The program is currently being piloted with Indian applicants, with over 5,000 expected to apply in the initial months.

Overall, the UAE Golden Visa represents a strategic initiative to foster innovation, investment, and cultural exchange by offering long-term residency with unparalleled benefits. The recent easing of access for Indians reinforces the UAE’s position as a global hub for talent and opportunity.

The Noida International Airport (DXN) in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, is on the verge of transforming the aviation landscape in India, with its opening now firmly targeted for November 2025. Envisioned as Asia’s largest international airport upon completion, the project has reached over 80% construction progress and is entering its final stretch after overcoming several delays.

Originally slated for a September 2024 launch, the airport’s timeline was pushed back due to setbacks in terminal construction and pending regulatory approvals. Revised targets in April and June 2025 were also missed, but officials now express strong confidence in the November deadline. Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’ highlighted the government’s commitment, emphasizing that the project has moved beyond symbolic status to real execution.

The phased operational rollout will see domestic and cargo flights beginning around September 15, 2025, with full-scale international operations planned for November. However, two crucial approvals remain outstanding: an aerodrome license from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and security clearance from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). These are essential for the airport to commence commercial traffic, and a joint inspection by the DGCA, BCAS, and Airports Authority of India was scheduled in May to assess readiness.

Strategically located about 75 km from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, the new airport will also serve Noida, Agra, and Dadri. In its first phase, it aims to handle 12 million passengers annually, with a vision to scale up to 70 million by 2040–2050, making it the world’s fourth-largest airport by area and passenger capacity. Once operational, Uttar Pradesh will become the only Indian state with five international airports.

The airport will feature a state-of-the-art Ground Transportation Center, integrating metro rail, bus terminals, taxi lanes, and private parking. A high-speed rail link between Delhi and Varanasi is planned, reducing travel time between Delhi and the airport to just 21 minutes. A multimodal cargo hub, developed with Air India SATS, will handle over 100,000 tons of cargo annually at launch, with future expansion in the pipeline.

Environmental sustainability has also been prioritized, with more than 580 mature trees relocated and an eight-acre forest buffer zone created. The terminal’s architecture draws from North Indian culture and heritage, focusing on natural light and energy efficiency.

Backed by a total investment of ₹34,000 crore, with ₹10,056 crore allocated for the first phase, the airport is being developed by Zurich Airport International AG, which will operate it under a 40-year concession agreement. The facility is poised to become a major driver of logistics, tourism, and industrial growth in western Uttar Pradesh.

As the project enters its final months, anticipation is high. If completed as planned, Noida International Airport will not only relieve congestion at Delhi’s existing airport but also mark a significant leap in India’s airport capacity and regional connectivity.

Thai VietJet Air, a leading low-cost airline from Thailand, has announced the launch of a new direct international route between Phuket and Mumbai, expanding its presence in the Indian market to two routes starting this August. The new service comes as demand for leisure travel between India and Thailand continues to rise, and will make Thai VietJet Air the second airline to operate on the Mumbai–Phuket sector.

The airline already operates daily Mumbai–Bangkok flights, and this new Phuket route marks its first direct point-to-point service from India to Phuket. The Phuket–Mumbai flights will operate four times a week using 180-seat all-economy Airbus A320-200 aircraft.

Flight VZ762 will depart Phuket International Airport at 10:10 pm (local time) and arrive in Mumbai at 1:05 am IST, with a flight time of approximately 4 hours and 25 minutes. These flights will run every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The return flight, VZ763, will leave Mumbai at 2:05 am IST and land in Phuket at 8:20 am local time, operating every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, with a flight duration of about 4 hours and 45 minutes.

The India–Thailand air corridor is one of Southeast Asia’s busiest, with multiple carriers serving direct flights between Indian cities and Thai destinations such as Bangkok and Phuket. IndiGo is currently the largest Indian carrier on these routes, offering multiple flights from major Indian cities to both Bangkok and Phuket. Air India serves Bangkok from Delhi and Mumbai, and Phuket from Delhi, while Thai Airways connects several Indian metros to Bangkok with daily or near-daily flights.

With Thai VietJet Air’s entry, travelers can expect increased competition and potentially lower fares on the Mumbai–Phuket route, which had previously seen high prices due to IndiGo’s monopoly. Thai VietJet Air has indicated it will pursue an aggressive pricing strategy, aiming to attract both Indian tourists heading to Phuket and Thai travelers visiting Mumbai.

Phuket continues to be a popular destination for Indian travelers, especially during peak festive periods like Diwali and New Year. For Thai nationals, Mumbai offers a direct gateway to western India and convenient onward connections. The addition of Thai VietJet Air’s service is expected to further stimulate travel and tourism between the two countries, providing more options and greater affordability for passengers.