GBTA Global Advocacy Newsletter – March 2026

Recently, I got an 8 week old puppy. He is going on 12 weeks. Essentially, my worlds have collided. With the puppy and with GBTA’s advocacy work, we are getting love, getting bit, seeing progress, but sometimes having to clean up a mess.

Welcome to the March Global Advocacy Newsletter

GBTA spent March doing what it does best: politely nudging (persistently lobbying) both European and U.S. officials to remember that business travel exists—and, inconveniently, needs to function. Between sustainable tourism, passenger rights, and aviation modernization, the message was clear: could we maybe make travel more efficient et resilient without making everyone miserable? I know there is a lot happening in the world today, but it would be nice if we could address some of our issues, because I believe it will help all. I think we all would just appreciate a little relief in 2026.

Over in Europe, GBTA leadership sat down with the EU Transport Commissioner (ironically in Washington, DC) to talk transatlantic priorities, sustainable tourism, and everyone’s favorite topic—data sharing (because nothing says excitement like regulatory frameworks). The Commissioner even accepted an invite to the 2026 Europe Conference, which is either a sign of strong collaboration or that he enjoys very long policy discussions in nice venues. Meanwhile, Ireland is gearing up for its EU Council presidency and is crowdsourcing ideas on SAF mandates, passenger rights, and multimodal ticketing—because if there’s anything Europe loves, it’s making travel both seamless et impressively complex at the same time.

Speaking of passenger rights, GBTA once again gently reminded EU institutions that a long-delayed agreement is, in fact, very delayed. They pushed for clarity, timely refunds (revolutionary concept), and coordinated emergency responses—essentially asking that when travel goes wrong, it doesn’t go spectacularly wrong. Negotiations continue, which is policymaker speak for “we’re working on it… probably.” On the bright side, business travel officially dodged inclusion in the Package Travel Directive, meaning corporate travel won’t be forced into rules designed for beach and honeymoon packages. A rare, clean win.

The EU is also preparing a shiny new Mobility Package, complete with digital multimodal ticketing and rail passenger rights updates, alongside a Sustainable Tourism Strategy. GBTA has loudly raised our hand, “Hi, yes, business travel would also like to be included in this future utopia you’re designing.”

Back in the U.S., things took a slightly more… dramatic turn. The Global Entry program was briefly sidelined thanks to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown—because nothing enhances border efficiency like turning it off and on again. It was reinstated on March 10 after GBTA and others applied pressure, restoring a small sense of order to international travel. Meanwhile, the ongoing DHS shutdown (yes, still happening as of 3/29) has led to TSA staffing shortages and longer lines, giving business travelers the authentic “hurry up and wait” experience they know and love. As of this writing, a deal hasn’t been struck. I hope every single member of Congress, staff and Administration staff wait in long TSA lines and miss their flights. We all know leaders of U.S. Agencies will find other modes of travel.

On a more optimistic note, GBTA is backing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) modernization efforts, advocating for investments that might one day result in flights that leave and arrive when they’re supposed to—a truly radical vision. And unfortunately, it can’t come soon enough. My prayers to the pilots and all impacted.

We are also pleased to see efforts with the Homeland Security Committee on expanding streamlined airport screening programs, aiming to eliminate redundant checks and make connections less of a high-stakes sport, maybe paying off.

And just to keep things interesting, there was a leadership shake-up at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), because no month is complete without a little political musical chairs. With a new nominee in play, regulatory priorities could shift (PLEASE).

All in all, March was a perfect snapshot of my life, a blend of progress, policy, and just enough dysfunction to keep things exciting. Business travel lives on—slightly delayed, mildly rerouted, but very much still in motion and seeing stars.