Category Archives: Business

ANA Holdings Acquires Nippon Cargo Airlines, Becoming Japan’s Top Passenger-Cargo Carrier

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(IN SHORT) On August 1, 2025, ANA Holdings acquired all shares of Nippon Cargo Airlines via a simplified share exchange, making the ANA Group Japan’s largest integrated passenger-and-cargo airline and the world’s 14th-largest by cargo tonnage. The deal merges NCA’s fleet—including eight Boeing 747-8Fs—with ANA’s six 767 freighters and two 777 freighters, substantially increasing capacity… Read the full news article

IATA’s 2024 WATS Report Reveals Strong Premium Cabin Growth and Asia-Pacific Airport Pair Dominance

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(IN SHORT) IATA’s 2024 WATS report, drawing on data from over 240 airlines, delivers an in-depth view of global air transport metrics for the previous year. Key highlights include an 11.8% rise in premium-class traffic—totaling nearly 117 million passengers—and Asia-Pacific’s leadership with 22.8% premium growth. Jeju–Seoul topped the busiest airport-pair rankings at 13.2 million flyers,… Read the full news article

Austrian Airlines COO Francesco Sciortino Appointed Lufthansa Hub Manager Frankfurt

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(IN SHORT) Francesco Sciortino, currently Chief Operating Officer of Austrian Airlines, will transition to Hub Manager Frankfurt and Accountable Manager on the Lufthansa Airlines Executive Board starting 1 September 2025. During his 4½-year tenure at Austrian, he championed the introduction of the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 787-9, led the decision to phase out the Embraer… Read the full news article

Mandarin Oriental to Debut Urban Resort with Hot-Spring Spa and Villas in Xi’an by 2029

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(IN SHORT) Mandarin Oriental, Xi’an—slated to open in 2029—will be the Group’s first urban resort in Northwestern China. Nestled in the historic former capital, the property will comprise 166 rooms and suites with hot-spring features, seven private villas, five restaurants, a 1,200 m² ballroom, and comprehensive leisure and children’s facilities. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental… Read the full news article

Delaware North Debuts ASW Flights + Bites and Two Starbucks Outlets in ATL Concourse B

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(IN SHORT) Delaware North has opened ASW Flights + Bites and two Starbucks locations in Concourse B at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. ASW Flights + Bites, positioned by Gate B33, showcases locally produced bourbons, ryes, and vodkas in a dedicated tasting room with cocktail flights and small bites. The two Starbucks outposts at Gates B15… Read the full news article

LHW and DayBlink GPO Supercharge Independent Hotels with New Technology and Recruitment Partnerships in LSS Program

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(IN SHORT) The Leading Hotels of the World and DayBlink GPO have expanded the LSS program—created to deliver group-purchasing power to over 400 independent luxury hotels—by adding strategic partnerships in hotel technology and executive recruitment. The new technology partners include AI-driven CRM, guest-intelligence platforms, dynamic pricing tools, and sustainability solutions to enhance operational efficiency and… Read the full news article

LEGO®, Pandora, Starbucks and More Join Manchester Airport’s Upgraded Terminal 2 Experience

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(IN SHORT) Manchester Airport has opened a new section of its revamped Terminal 2 departure lounge, featuring six new high-profile shops and eateries including LEGO®, Rituals, Pandora, Starbucks, Joe & The Juice, and Upper Crust. This milestone forms part of a £1.3 billion, 10-year redevelopment project that will see over 70% of passengers use the… Read the full news article

Three Decades of Service: Korean Air Commemorates Washington, D.C. Route Milestone at Dulles Airport

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(IN SHORT) Korean Air has celebrated 30 years of service between Seoul and Washington, D.C., with a special event at Dulles International Airport, where gifts were distributed to passengers and a complimentary round-trip ticket to Seoul was awarded to the 30th check-in passenger. The airline began operating the route in 1995, initially with a stopover… Read the full news article

IHG to Open First Internationally Branded Hotel in Changanassery with Holiday Inn Express by 2027

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(IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement with KGA International Trades Private Limited to open Holiday Inn Express Kottayam Changanassery in Kerala by early 2027. It will be the city’s first internationally branded hotel and part of the under-construction KGA Mall. The hotel will offer 90 rooms and an array of facilities… Read the full news article

SG60 Celebrations at Changi Airport Launch with Charity Walk, Iconic Light Display and Upcoming Concert Highlights

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(IN SHORT) Changi Airport has kicked off its SG60 celebrations with a Charity Walk and the ‘60 Years of Homecoming’ Airport Boulevard light-up, raising over $220,000 for Community Chest initiatives supporting youth-at-risk and children with special needs. The launch event featured over 1,200 participants and was attended by Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow. Highlights… Read the full news article

New Swissport Facility in Auckland Enhances Regional Air Cargo Network with Advanced Handling and Security

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(IN SHORT) Swissport has launched its new air cargo operations at Auckland Airport, unveiling a cutting-edge facility that expands the company’s logistics network in New Zealand and throughout Asia-Pacific. With direct airside access, advanced cargo screening systems, cold storage for perishables, and digital infrastructure for real-time monitoring, the 8,500-square-metre terminal aims to set a new… Read the full news article

Shannon Airport Tops National Brand Index as Ireland’s Leading Airport for Third Year

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(IN SHORT) Shannon Airport has retained its status as Ireland’s number one airport brand for the third consecutive year in the 2025 RED C Brand Reaction Index, which assesses emotional brand connection among Irish consumers. The airport rose three places from last year, ranking 48th out of 176 brands and remaining the top-performing airport brand… Read the full news article

TUI and Bentour Seal Strategic Share Swap to Strengthen All-Inclusive Offerings in Europe

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(IN SHORT) TUI Group and Bentour Reisen have finalized a mutual shareholding agreement following antitrust clearance, enabling both parties to take a 20% stake in each other’s business. With Nazar Nordic representing TUI in Northern Europe and Bentour Reisen operating in the German-speaking markets, the partnership enhances their collective ability to deliver high-quality, all-inclusive holiday… Read the full news article

voco Al Mouj Muscat to Open with 251 Rooms, Five Dining Venues, and Full Resort Amenities

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(IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Golden Group Holding to launch voco Al Mouj Muscat, a 251‑key beachfront resort set to open in Q4 2025—the first voco property in Oman. Located in the upscale Al Mouj Muscat waterfront district, the resort offers easy airport access and proximity to cultural landmarks. As IHG’s fastest‑growing premium brand,… Read the full news article

IHG Signs Third Garner Hotel in India with Franchise Deal for Garner Kutch, Gujarat

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(IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a franchise agreement with Royal Buildspace LLP to launch Garner Kutch in Gujarat in early 2026, marking the third Garner brand signing in India since its IMEA debut. Garner, IHG’s midscale conversion offering, focuses on reliable comfort, flexible spaces, and local touches for value-driven travellers. The 40‑room… Read the full news article

New EVA Air–UATP Prepaid Card Empowers Businesses with Flexible Payments, Integrated Reporting, and Exclusive Upgrades

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(IN SHORT) EVA Air has introduced a new co‑branded prepaid UATP card for corporate clients, in partnership with UATP’s dedicated air‑travel payment network. Unlike traditional credit cards, businesses preload funds and unlock tiered benefits—ranging from free Economy tickets to Royal Laurel Class upgrades—according to deposit levels. The card can be used with any UATP‑accepting airline… Read the full news article

UAE logistics gets a fintech upgrade as PayCargo and Emirates SkyCargo roll out a unified online payment platform for air freight stakeholders

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New collaboration reshapes cargo payments and boosts efficiency for freight forwarders and cargo players across the UAE (IN SHORT) PayCargo has launched its digital cargo payment platform in the UAE, with Emirates SkyCargo as the first regional carrier to adopt the system. The integration allows freight forwarders and other stakeholders to make instant payments via… Read the full news article

Emirates launches Aircrafted 2025 limited edition upcycled luggage collection with 167 pieces made from A380 and 777 materials to benefit children in need

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(IN SHORT) Emirates has released the Aircrafted by Emirates 2025 Collection, a second limited run of 167 handmade luggage and bag pieces created from upcycled materials taken from retrofitted A380 and 777 aircraft. Available now at the Emirates Official Store, the items—priced USD 80–350—are expected to sell out quickly. The lineup includes three new trolley… Read the full news article

Emirates Group launches global hiring campaign to add 17,300 people across 350 roles with 2,100 recruitment events in 150 cities

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(IN SHORT) The Emirates Group has begun a global recruitment push to hire 17,300 people across 350 roles in FY 2025, reinforcing rapid growth at Emirates and dnata. Roles span cabin crew, pilots, engineers, commercial and sales teams, customer service, ground handling, catering, IT, HR and finance, with dnata alone adding over 4,000 cargo, catering… Read the full news article

Strategic MoU sets dnata and IAG on a path to innovation, consistency and long-term value with LAX win and wider rollout ahead

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(IN SHORT) dnata has signed an MoU with International Airlines Group, becoming the inaugural ground handler in IAG’s Preferred Partner Programme. The pact establishes a long-term framework to drive innovation, consistency and value across North American stations, with services due to commence in Q4 2025. David Barker of dnata and Gurm Nijjer of IAG emphasized… Read the full news article

Helsinki Airport breaks into Travel + Leisure’s top ten global airports as Europe’s sole representative

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(IN SHORT) Helsinki Airport has been voted one of the world’s top ten airports in Travel + Leisure’s July 2025 Best Awards—the only European airport to make the list. Earning seventh place out of nearly 180,000 reader votes, the airport was assessed on factors like accessibility, passenger processing, dining, shops and design. This is Helsinki… Read the full news article

Bulgaria’s seaside base grows stronger as Wizz Air holds 20% market share in Varna, flies 13 destinations to six countries and records 99.1% flight completion

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Wizz Air adds four new routes from North Macedonia to Italy, Germany and Denmark

(IN SHORT) Wizz Air is celebrating eight years at its Varna base, Bulgaria’s first summer base, having served more than 4.8 million passengers since 2017. In April 2025, the airline added a second Airbus A321neo in Varna to match growing demand. The carrier now offers 13 routes to six countries, including exclusive services to Milan… Read the full news article

Wizz Air celebrates 8 million passengers in Iași after a decade of growth, 21 winter routes and a dominant share of airport traffic

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Wizz Air adds four new routes from North Macedonia to Italy, Germany and Denmark

(IN SHORT) Wizz Air has surpassed 8 million passengers at Iași International Airport, marking more than ten years of operations since launching flights in December 2014 and opening its base in July 2016. The 8,000,000th traveller, arriving from Milan Bergamo on July 22nd, received a €100 voucher. Today, Wizz Air offers 21 routes to 13… Read the full news article

Travelport+ Accelerates Air Searches by 23%, Delivers Sub‑One‑Second Results Amid 200% Volume Surge

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(IN SHORT) Travelport has accelerated its Travelport+ platform’s air search speed to 0.84 seconds—23% faster—despite a 200% increase in search volume since 2023. Enhanced booking capabilities and integrations like Content Optimizer and Productivity Automator provide travel agents with streamlined workflows and greater upsell potential. Independent research by Dynata and user feedback on G2.com rank Travelport+… Read the full news article

Globespan and Amadeus Cytric Team Up to Deliver Air Canada NDC Bookings via OBT Across North America

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(IN SHORT) Globespan Travel Management is now reselling Amadeus Cytric’s corporate booking solution throughout North America, granting full use of Cytric Easy—including Microsoft Teams integration. As part of this launch, Globespan became the first TMC in Canada to execute a live NDC booking for Air Canada via an OBT powered by Amadeus, enhancing access to… Read the full news article

ARI Appoints Global ESG Champions to Drive “Journey with Purpose” Strategy Across People, Planet, Product, and Passenger

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(IN SHORT) ARI has named ten ESG Champions—leaders from each of its global units—to implement the company’s “Journey with Purpose” strategy across four pillars: People, Planet, Product, and Passenger. Headed by Tracy Ross, this team will balance global directives with local action, driving inclusion, environmental stewardship, ethical sourcing, and passenger empowerment to meet ARI’s ESG… Read the full news article

American Airlines and Mastercard Deepen Four‑Decade Partnership to Elevate AAdvantage® Experiences

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(IN SHORT) American Airlines and Mastercard have extended their nearly 40‑year partnership, naming Mastercard the exclusive network for all AAdvantage® co‑branded credit cards. The renewed agreement harnesses Mastercard’s payment technologies and analytics to tailor offers, enhance reward redemption, and secure transactions throughout the travel process. AAdvantage® members will also access more Mastercard Priceless Experiences—VIP events,… Read the full news article

Expedia TAAP Introduces Extended Payment Terms Hard Change Flexibility and Bank Transfer Options to Empower Travel Advisors

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(IN SHORT) Expedia TAAP has unveiled significant platform updates shaped by travel advisor feedback. Enhancements include extending deferred payment term limits to 365 days and introducing Hard Change functionality for flexible modifications to booked trips. A new bank transfer option is now available in seven European markets, and the agency service charge feature—allowing up to… Read the full news article

Amadeus and Luxair Extend Partnership with Next‑Gen Passenger Service and Retailing Solutions

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(IN SHORT) Amadeus and Luxair have renewed and expanded their long‑standing PSS and FCA partnership, marking over ten years of collaboration. The updated agreement introduces four advanced Amadeus solutions—Self‑Reaccommodation, Reference Experience, Segment Revenue Management Premium, and Anytime Merchandising—to enhance passenger autonomy, streamline booking interfaces, optimize pricing strategies, and enable personalized ancillary sales. Luxair’s CEO, Gilles Feith,… Read the full news article

National Carrier Saudia Leverages Amadeus Smart Bridging to Modernize Airline Retailing

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(IN SHORT) Amadeus has enabled Saudia to convert traditional PNRs and e‑tickets into single, dynamic Order records, positioning the carrier among the first worldwide to operationalize this approach. Each Order consolidates all services a guest purchases, offering Saudia real‑time visibility to deliver personalized offers, tailored pricing, and fully digital servicing. The transition leverages Amadeus’ smart… Read the full news article