World Travel This Week: Storms, Strikes and New Fees Reshape Journeys

Global travel has faced a mixed week of disruption, policy change and growing demand.

Winter storms, labour strikes and new tourism fees are forcing travellers to rethink budgets and backup plans, even as airports stay busy. 

Travel disruption: storms and strikes snarl holiday plans

In the United States, powerful winter storms on 26 November disrupted Thanksgiving week travel across major hubs.

Heavy snow and blizzard conditions hit cities including Detroit, Chicago, New York and Boston, causing widespread flight delays, cancellations and dangerous driving. 

Earlier this month, US passengers had already faced uncertainty from flight capacity cuts during a government shutdown, though restrictions have now been lifted. 

Officials still urge travellers to check flight status often and prepare for possible overnight stays during peak holiday periods. 

Europe also saw significant disruption.

In Germany, a 24-hour strike by the Verdi union closed ground handling and security at ten major airports, cancelling around 3,400 flights and affecting an estimated half-million passengers. 

Meanwhile, Italy faces a series of nationwide strikes through November and December.

Unions have warned of cancelled trains, grounded flights and delays at key gateways just as the Christmas travel season ramps up. 

Airline safety and routes: Haiti suspension and US cuts

Security concerns led to a dramatic airline decision in Haiti.

Sunrise Airways suspended several domestic routes after one of its planes was reportedly hit by gunfire while approaching Port-au-Prince on 23 November. 

The carrier says flights will resume only when it is safe for passengers and crew.

The US still bans its airlines from landing in Port-au-Prince until at least March 2026, and Washington maintains a “do not travel” advisory for Haiti due to crime, kidnapping and unrest. 

In the United States, low-cost airline Avelo continues a sharp network reshuffle.

This week it confirmed that non-stop flights between Lakeland, Florida, and Long Island, New York, will end on 30 November, only eight months after launch. 

The move follows earlier decisions to pull out of several West Coast markets and cut links from Raleigh-Durham to Jamaica and Fort Myers.

Industry analysts say smaller carriers are struggling with high costs and shifting demand, even as overall passenger numbers recover. 

New travel fees: higher costs for US parks and visas

Travellers planning US trips face new costs from 2026.

A policy announced this week will require international visitors to pay a “tourist tax” of US$100 per visit, or US$250 for an annual pass, to access 11 of America’s most popular national parks, including Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. 

These charges come on top of existing entry fees.

By contrast, US residents will pay US$80 for an annual pass and receive free entry on certain national holidays, such as Memorial Day and Independence Day. 

At the same time, most foreign nationals applying for a non-immigrant US visa must now pay a US$250 “Visa Integrity Fee”.

The fee took effect on 1 October 2025 and is refundable if the visa is refused, but it still raises the overall cost of travel planning. 

Officials say the extra revenue will fund park conservation and strengthen visa screening.

However, critics warn that the new charges could deter some budget travellers and push them towards cheaper destinations. 

Airport and tourism trends: demand rises despite setbacks

Despite strikes and storms, demand for air travel remains strong in many regions.

In the United States, Thanksgiving air traffic is expected to reach its highest level in about 15 years, helped by pent-up leisure demand. 

Airports and tourism hubs are also investing in premium services.

Phnom Penh’s new Techo International Airport in Cambodia opened two Plaza Premium lounges this month, offering spa-style facilities, private rooms and local cuisine as international visitor numbers to the hub climb by 30 per cent year-on-year. 

Meanwhile, airlines are using Black Friday and other sales periods to lure price-sensitive travellers back into the skies with discounted fares. 

As a result, the travel landscape now combines higher fees and complex rules with strong demand and targeted bargains, rewarding those who plan carefully and stay informed.

Featured image: Los Angeles Times

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