More weekend ‘travel chaos’ while London City eyes expansion

However, in a sign of travel’s strong rebound from Covid, London City airport is looking to expand by increasing the number of weekend flights it can operate.

Meanwhile, Europe experienced a record-breaking heatwave during June, while Bhutan is finally reopening to tourists in September after closing its border due to the pandemic.

Here are the key headlines travel woke up to on Friday (1 July).

Travellers face weekend chaos as European airline staff strike 

More disruption is expected to affect flights in the coming days as Ryanair and easyJet cabin crew in Spain are due to take industrial action. The strikes are the latest blow to passengers trying to get away this summer. (The Telegraph)

London City airport looks to expand to meet post-Covid recovery

Significant expansion is being planned by London City airport, which includes allowing more weekend flights, as it seeks to raise the airport’s current annual passenger cap from 6.5 million to 9 million. (Financial Times)

No 10 plans to cut VAT to ease pain of inflation

Downing Street has proposed a temporary reduction in the current 20% rate of VAT in a move designed to help households cope with the deepening cost of living crisis in the next few months. (The Times)

Europe heatwave breaks multiple June records

Intense heat across much of continental Europe has seen several temperature records broken during June, including the highest temperature ever recorded within the Arctic Circle in Europe. (BBC News)

Bhutan sets reopening date for tourism and raises visitor tax

Bhutan will reopen to international tourists from 23 September for the first time since the pandemic started in early 2020. The Himalayan country is also increasing its Sustainable Development Fee from $65 to $200 per tourist per night. The fee is used to offset the carbon impact of visitors. (CNN)