Travel/leisure

Air France and KLM have halted flights to several Middle Eastern destinations as tensions in the region escalate. Both airlines say the suspension will last until at least Thursday while they monitor safety conditions. France is also preparing repatriation flights for vulnerable citizens currently in the region.

A KLM aircraft scheduled to return to the Netherlands on Saturday is currently stranded in Dubai after regional attacks prompted widespread airspace restrictions and flight suspensions. Passengers have been offered hotel accommodation while the airline awaits safe conditions to resume operations.

Major global airlines have suspended flights to several Middle Eastern cities following recent military action in the region. Carriers are also rerouting planes to avoid the airspace of multiple countries, including Iran and Iraq, as a safety precaution.

Rijkswaterstaat will carry out essential repairs on the A58 this spring, leading to four full weekend closures for traffic heading towards Eindhoven. Diversions via 's-Hertogenbosch will be in place, though drivers are warned to expect delays of roughly half an hour. The works will affect several key junctions and service stations between Tilburg and Eindhoven.

Petrol and diesel prices have hit a two-year high due to rising oil costs and global political uncertainty. Experts warn that while unmanned stations remain cheaper, manned petrol stations are finding it harder to keep prices below the 2-euro mark.

KLM is recruiting temporary staff and deploying new digital tools to tackle a surge in customer claims following a chaotic start to 2026. Severe winter weather at Schiphol Airport led to hundreds of cancelled flights in January and February, costing parent company Air France-KLM an estimated €90 million.

The Netherlands and Belgium have signed an agreement to investigate a faster rail connection between Eindhoven and Brussels. The project aims to reduce travel times and improve logistics, including freight routes such as the (IJzeren Rijn) — Iron Rhine. While the plans are moving forward, officials are still seeking the necessary funding to make the passenger link a reality.

Extensive engineering works starting this weekend are set to cause delays and cancellations across the Dutch rail network. Passengers travelling through Utrecht or North Holland should check for replacement bus services and revised timetables before starting their journeys.