GBTA Global Advocacy Newsletter - April 2026

 

I remember the first time I was working and had a company credit card. My mother relayed advice she had received from Grandpa Jim, always treat the company's money like it's your own. Be mindful and buy what you need. I often wonder if governments and politicians ever think this? If you thought business travel was just about expense reports and sad airport salads, think again. The global travel machine is currently being stress-tested by a cocktail of new rules, political gridlock, and ambitious sustainability goals. Case in point: Europe’s shiny new Entry/Exit System is already racking up tens of millions of crossings—and just as many opportunities for delays, confusion, and the occasional existential crisis in a passport line. With different countries implementing it in their own “special” ways, travelers can expect a charming mix of efficiency and chaos, especially at peak times. And just to keep things interesting, the EU is teeing up even more changes, including a new travel authorization system by 2026 and a grand plan to shove everything into a single app by 2030. What could possibly go wrong? Meanwhile, policymakers and industry leaders are busy trying to make sense of it all while also saving the planet and keeping planes in the air. GBTA has been in the thick of it—from lobbying in Brussels on everything from rail rights to sustainable aviation fuel, to hosting high-level debates in the European Parliament about how to make travel both greener and less of a logistical nightmare. Across the Atlantic, the U.S. is putting on its own show, with a prolonged Department of Homeland Security shutdown squeezing airport staffing and testing the limits of “we’ll figure it out later” governance. Lawmakers are scrambling to keep aviation operations funded during shutdowns, while the industry pushes for more investment in sustainable fuels. In short: business travel isn’t getting simpler—but it is getting a lot more interesting.   Inside this edition The Essentials Global Stage Are your travelers ready for international travel? European Horizon High profile visit elevates business travel with positive changes EU Aviation Strategy Set to Land in September Washington Watch Department of Homeland Security remains shutdown Protecting travelers from Congressional dysfunction SAF Coalition makes Spring push Pictures of the month Business Travel Took the Stage at the European Parliament Attended by GBTA Europe Advisory Board members Julia Sullivan, Ben Park, Jorge Mesa, Dan Humby, Stefan van Sliedregt, Mikkel Wismann, Fulvio Origo, and Suzanne Neufang Speaker pic Sérgio Gonçalves MEP (S&D, Portugal), Nikolina Brnjac MEP (EPP, Croatia) Suzanne Neufang        The Essentials Preparing for a different international arrival and departure GBTA drives home the importance of business and managed business travel in Brussels How long will Congress keep Department of Homeland Security shutdown? Global Stage Prepare Travelers as EU’s Entry Exit System Enters Full Rollout What’s new: (Take the Long Way Home) On 10 April, the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) entered full implementation across the Schengen area. The European Commission marked the milestone, reporting more than 52 million crossings logged since October, 27,000 entry refusals, and nearly 700 security alerts. The Commission maintains rollout is on track. While pressure is expected at high-volume hubs and transit points, preparations are considered as advanced as possible. Safeguards include the option to partially suspend biometric checks—allowing passport control to continue if congestion intensifies. Industry concerns, however, are growing. In a 10 April joint statement, Airports Council International Europe and Airlines for Europe warned of rising congestion, with wait times already reaching up to two hours during peak travel periods. They called for additional flexibility in the operation of EES. With 100% registration now in effect, airlines and airports question whether infrastructure and staffing can keep pace. Key risks include staff shortages, limited kiosks and e-gates, uneven pre-registration uptake, and potential IT vulnerabilities. Implementation will also vary. Member States retain operational control, meaning traveler experience will differ by country and location. Some airports—such as Stockholm Arlanda and several in Portugal—are showing early gains through automation and pre-registration through a new EU app, Travel to Europe. In the case of Greece, however, EES has been suspended for UK passport holders for the time being.   Why it matters: Expect delays for non-EU travelers, especially on tight connections and peak routes. Inconsistent implementation across markets will add complexity, making clear traveler communication and schedule flexibility essential.   What's next: EU authorities will closely monitor bottlenecks at major entry points and can activate built-in flexibilities—including temporarily pausing biometric checks—if queues surge. Through the summer, expect a patchwork rollout and uneven traveler experiences as automation and pre-registration expand. The Commission still targets an ETIAS launch in Q4 2026 for visa-exempt visitors (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) with a €20 fee, comparable to the U.S. ESTA and U.K. ETA. Longer term, the “Travel to EU” app is intended to become a single access point for EES, ETIAS, and future digital travel credentials (pending legislation, likely from 2030).

European Horizon GBTA Advances Business Travel Priorities in High-Impact Brussels Engagement What’s new: (All the small things) From 7–9 April, GBTA’s Europe Advisory Board led an advocacy mission in Brussels, culminating in a roundtable at the European Parliament on 8 April. The engagements positioned business travel as an enabler of EU competitiveness, connectivity, and sustainability. In meetings with EU officials, GBTA emphasized managed travel’s role in compliance, duty of care, and lower-emission choices, and heard strong interest in continued collaboration backed by better data and practical industry input. Passenger Package on Ticketing (expected 13 May): Officials signaled corporate booking tools will be exempt from proposed neutral display requirements. Rail passenger rights: GBTA was invited to submit input on how fragmented rules hinder modal shift ahead of the framework revision. Cross-border car rentals (June proposal): The Commission is preparing measures to allow re-renting vehicles across Member States to reduce surcharges. Sustainable aviation fuels: Momentum is growing for an EU-recognized book-and-claim system; the Commission and Parliament invited GBTA to contribute expertise. Why it matters: EU institutions are increasingly receptive to business travel expertise at a pivotal moment of regulatory change. This engagement signals a shift from ambition to implementation in sustainable travel policy. GBTA’s leadership ensures that business travel perspectives are integrated into decisions that will directly impact booking systems, traveler behavior, emissions tracking, and the viability of lower-carbon travel strategies—while also advancing priorities around seamless mobility and traveler experience.   What’s next: GBTA will build on this momentum by delivering targeted data and industry insights to inform upcoming EU initiatives. Several key packages are expected soon, and GBTA has advocated for priority provisions that—based on recent discussions—we expect to be reflected in the final proposals. The association will continue advocating for recognition of business travel within the EU’s tourism strategy, advancing seamless multimodal and cross-border travel solutions, and ensuring sustainability frameworks balance environmental goals with operational flexibility. These efforts create a timely opportunity for members to directly influence the future of business travel in Europe.   GBTA Drives Sustainable Travel Dialogue at European Parliament Roundtable What’s new: (Around the world) On 8 April, as part of the Brussels engagement round, GBTA convened a high-level roundtable event at the European Parliament. Hosted by Sérgio Gonçalves MEP (S&D, Portugal), the discussion brought together senior policymakers and industry leaders including Nikolina Brnjac MEP (EPP, Croatia), European Commission representative Andreea Staicu, GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang, Stephan Baars, CEO of BCD Travel, and Ben Park, Executive Director, Travel & Sustainability at Parexel. Corporate leaders from Shell, BCD Travel, Parexel, Fragomen, Groups 360, and JDE Peet’s collectively demonstrated how corporate travel is the tip of the spear in setting new standards for all of travel. You can watch the recording here. Discussions focused on key EU policy priorities, including the Sustainable Tourism Strategy and the Passenger Package on Ticketing. GBTA successfully highlighted critical barriers such as fragmented rail systems, inconsistent cross-border booking, and gaps in multimodal passenger protections—while also shaping conversations on border modernization, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) adoption, and multimodal transport integration. A consistent theme throughout the discussion was the need for practical, scalable solutions that simplify cross-border travel and embed sustainability into the travel ecosystem. The dialogue underscored business travel’s leadership in sustainable mobility, including increasing corporate adoption of SAF, and reinforced GBTA’s role as a trusted voice driving innovation and policy alignment. Why it matters: The Roundtable, organized at the European Parliament for the second year in a row, shows a growing interest from the European Parliament in the business travel sector and its role in making sustainability and mobility rules work in practice. The roundtable moved the conversation away from abstract targets toward operational constraints and practical solutions at a time when the EU aims to continue its sustainability journey while increasing its economic competitiveness   What’s next: GBTA will build on this momentum to continue engaging with key EU officials throughout the year by submitting concrete recommendations ahead of upcoming milestones such as the Sustainable Tourism Strategy and Passenger Package. The interest built in the sector in this event will that way translate into policy and legislative outcomes that take business travel and its contributions into consideration.   EU Aviation Strategy Set to Land in September: Clean-Tech and Innovation Take Center Stage (with Air Services Regulation Review) What’s new: (Get Dirty): The European Commission is set to launch a new aviation strategy and review the Air Services Regulation this September, aiming to address key issues around market organisation, consumer protection, and sustainability. A call for evidence will precede the strategy, focusing on competitiveness, sustainability, and innovation. Innovation will be central, with emphasis on sustainable fuels, hydrogen technologies, efficient aircraft, and AI-driven air traffic management. The strategy will be accompanied by a revision of the Air Services Regulation, with ongoing impact assessments. Politically sensitive topics include airline ownership rules, overflight guarantees during strikes, restrictions based on alternative transport modes, and carbon leakage risks.   Why it matters: The EU’s aviation strategy could shape future policies. The April call for evidence lets business travel companies influence decisions early, helping them plan for sustainable travel. Business travel managers should expect changes to airline models, potentially impacting contracts, bookings, and compliance.

Washington Watch DHS Shutdown Enters Third Month as Congress Remains Deadlocked What is new: (Running on empty) The DHS shutdown continues, but travel disruptions have eased after an executive order allowed TSA employees to be paid from existing funds. This temporary fix reduced airport security line delays. Congress still hasn’t reached a deal to reopen DHS, and ICE agents deployed to help with airport lines are now leaving. It was recently reported over 830 TSA officers quit, well above the earlier 500 number. Resolution has become more complex. The President and congressional leaders support funding ICE and CBP via reconciliation, but the House has stalled a Senate-passed DHS bill, with some House Republicans withholding support until assured ICE and CBP will be funded as promised.   Why it matters: Reports indicate the administration could exhaust the funds used to pay TSA screeners through executive action within as little as two weeks. The longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history has already harmed the business travel industry, and continued inaction could deepen the damage.   Members Introduce Bills to Protect Travel Agencies During Shutdowns What is new: (Won’t get fooled again) Congress has introduced several bipartisan bills to ensure TSA and FAA air traffic controllers are paid and remain operational during government shutdowns, such as the Aviation Funding Solvency Act and the Keep America Flying Act. However, no permanent funding solution exists, so agencies and travelers remain vulnerable when funding lapses occur. GBTA has met directly with members of Congress, joined coalition letters with peer industry groups, and will continue to mobilize support for these bills. GBTA’s core demand is straightforward: pass legislation that permanently shields essential aviation personnel and the traveling public from the consequences of congressional dysfunction.   Why it matters: Without stable funding for TSA and FAA air traffic controllers, business travelers face longer security lines, flight delays, and unpredictable schedules. This disrupts a sector projected to reach $395.4 billion in spending, supporting 6 million jobs and nearly 2% of U.S. GDP. Ongoing funding uncertainty threatens America’s economic competitiveness and its role as a top business travel destination.   GBTA Engages Congress on Corporate SAF Adoption at March 25 Fly-In What is new: (Sky full of stars) GBTA attended a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) fly-in on March 25, bringing together corporate travel stakeholders for discussions with congressional offices on accelerating SAF adoption. Topics included growth in SAF certificate purchasing, the persistent cost and supply barriers slowing broader uptake, and the GBTA Foundation's work supporting corporate SAF programs. Participants left with several calls to action: following SAF Corporate Connect, downloading GBTA's latest SAF Insights Report, participating in the Sustainability Acceleration Challenge, and engaging directly in advancing SAF solutions for managed travel programs.   Why it matters: Corporate travel is emerging as a meaningful demand driver for SAF — but cost, supply, and scalability gaps continue to limit what companies can actually procure. The fly-in underscored that sustained corporate engagement is essential to building the demand signal producers and policymakers need to unlock broader SAF investment and deliver credible emissions reductions for business travel.   GBTA Action: GBTA has endorsed the Securing America's Fuels (SAF) Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Reps. Sharice Davids (D-KS), Mike Flood (R-NE), Troy Carter (D-LA), and Tracey Mann (R-KS). The bill would reinstate the SAF bonus credit under the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit — eliminated in recent legislation — and extend the broader 45Z credit through 2033, providing the long-term investment certainty needed to bring new SAF production capacity online. GBTA urges Congress to advance the SAF Act as a critical step toward making SAF commercially viable at the scale corporate travel demands.   Deep Thoughts: If you believe in ghosts, then you have to think Jack and Rose had a hand in this. An Illinois museum’s Titanic exhibit flooded overnight on the 114th anniversary of the sinking. Become a GBTA Member: By becoming a GBTA Member, you show vital support for the positions and policies we advocate for and help us to negotiate from a much stronger position when we deal with legislators and policymakers. Learn more & join today> Tags: GBTA