Week in Review

On Monday, President Trump signed a revised executive order following his initial January 27 travel ban that was halted by court order.

According to Skift, European companies anticipate a reduction of business travel to the United States because of the new order. Forty-five percent of European business travel professionals indicated their company will be less willing to plan future meetings and events in the U.S., and 38 percent said their companies would be less willing to send business travelers to the U.S. as a result.

The Economist pointed out that a clause in the revised order could cause problems for all visitors entering or exiting the country. A section in the order directs the secretary of homeland security to complete and implement biometric tracking for inscope travelers, which could require these visitors to line up at an additional security line.

According to The New York Times, the European Parliament passed a nonbinding resolution that could suspend visa-free travel for American citizens. This resulted because the U.S. does not offer full reciprocity, requiring citizens of Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Poland and Romania to receive a visa to visit the country.

Quartz reports Qatar Airways plans to enter India’s aviation market with the launch of a domestic airline.

According to Condé Nast Traveler, the TSA introduced more comprehensive pat-down procedures by gradually rolling them out at airports across the country.

Skift reports Qatar Airways unveiled a new business class product, featuring double-bed seats that turn into meeting areas.

According to Skift, the European Union adopted new rules to tighten border security and better track people who may have traveled to fight in war zones.

4Hoteliers reports U.S. hotel transactions accounted for nearly 50 percent of all global sales in 2016, totaling $29 billion.

GBTA launched a contest, giving exhibitors the chance to win VIP seats to Convention Arena Luncheon with Michael Phelps.

Buying Business Travel reports British Airways is set to cut legroom on some of its short-haul flights.

According to TravelDailyNews International, a new air traffic control strike wave in France could result in more than 1,000 flight cancellations.

According to Business Traveller, a ground crew strike in Berlin is causing major disruption, with reports of over 650 flights already cancelled.

 

This week’s list comes from Skift:

6 Things to Watch at Middle Eastern Carriers as They Cut Services