Travel/leisure

The war in the Middle East is pushing Air France‑KLM’s fuel bill up by 2.4 billion dollars this year, with higher ticket prices and a trimmed growth plan the most visible effects for passengers.

Dutch users sent a record 756,316 Tikkie payments on King’s Day, 9 percent more than last year and nearly 57 percent above an average day in 2026.

The Dutch railway company NS has started rolling out bodycams for its chief conductors, following trials that showed the devices help prevent escalation. About 3,500 staff members are expected to use them by the end of this year, with footage available for evidence if incidents occur. The move is backed by the government as part of wider efforts to improve safety on public transport.

BOVAG chair Christianne van der Wal says targeted energy support would be more effective than cutting fuel taxes. She argues that broad tax reductions are costly and limited in impact, while focused measures could better support households and businesses facing rising costs.

The ANWB warns that the eCall emergency system in millions of cars may stop working when the 2G network is phased out. Without a solution, many vehicles could fail inspections, raising concerns about safety and costs.

Eindhoven Airport has achieved its highest-ever profit, driven by rising passenger numbers and steady revenue growth. At the same time, the airport faces capacity limits, with major terminal and runway works planned over the coming years. These projects are expected to affect operations in the short term.

The aviation industry faces potential flight cancellations within six weeks if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, as trade association BARIN warns of an impending kerosene shortage. While major hubs like Schiphol currently have sufficient stocks, long-haul intercontinental flights are expected to be the first cut to conserve fuel if the vital shipping route stays blocked. With Southeast Asian nations already buying up European supplies to offset their own regional shortages, experts suggest that smaller airports across Europe and the UK could soon struggle to secure fuel, even as major carriers like KLM and Ryanair begin drafting contingency plans for disrupted deliveries in May.

The political party GroenLinks-PvdA has proposed a temporary nine-euro monthly travel pass to combat rising fuel costs and encourage off-peak train use. While the plan has received broad support from the NS and various political groups, debates continue regarding how to fund the initiative long-term. This 'climate ticket' aims to fill empty train seats during quiet periods while providing financial relief to commuters throughout the summer.