IHG Hotels & Resorts Reaches 1,012 Open Hotels in Asia Pacific, Accelerating Growth Across the Region

“We’re investing in our brands, delivering great returns for our owners, and driving growth across the region” – Rajit Sukumaran, MD EAPAC (IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts achieves a significant milestone with 1,012 open hotels in Asia Pacific, marking a remarkable expansion for the global hospitality company. Over the past year, IHG has welcomed… Read the full press release

Swissport Joins Airbus’ OpenCargoLab to Shape Future of Air Cargo Handling

(IN SHORT) Swissport International AG has become a participant in Airbus’ OpenCargoLab initiative, collaborating with industry leaders like KLM Cargo, Kuehne+Nagel, CHAMP Cargosystems, and Fraport to pioneer data-driven concepts for the future of air cargo handling. Led by Airbus, OpenCargoLab aims to harness digital innovation, including AI and sensor technologies, to enhance the efficiency of… Read the full press release

IATA and Smart Freight Centre Collaborate to Standardize Air Cargo Emissions Calculation

(IN SHORT) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Smart Freight Centre (SFC) have teamed up to enhance CO2 emissions calculations for air cargo shipments, marking a significant stride in global decarbonization efforts within the air transport sector. Through their partnership, the organizations will focus on refining the cargo component of IATA’s CO2 Connect… Read the full press release

IATA and Pharma.Aero Collaborate to Elevate CEIV Pharma Certification Standards

(IN SHORT) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Pharma.Aero have partnered to enhance IATA’s Certification for the Excellence in Pharmaceutical Handling (CEIV Pharma) program, a globally recognized mark of quality in pharmaceutical product handling. Through a two-year study involving stakeholders from certified entities, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and air logistics professionals, opportunities for program improvement were… Read the full press release

Accor Announces Share Repurchase Agreement with Jinjiang International

(IN SHORT) Accor has finalized a share purchase agreement to repurchase 7 million of its own shares from Jinjiang International, representing 2.77% of its capital, at a price per share of €39.22. This transaction, totaling €275 million, is part of Accor’s €400 million share buyback program for 2024. Following the repurchase, Jinjiang International’s stake in… Read the full press release

JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa: A New Landmark in Greek Luxury Hospitality

JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa will introduce the brand’s mindful ethos and serene spaces to the sought-after island destination (IN SHORT) Marriott International, Inc. has partnered with Vasilakis SA to introduce the JW Marriott brand to Greece with the upcoming JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa, set to open in 2025. Spanning 100 acres… Read the full press release

Atwell Suites Opens First Texas Property in Austin, Bringing Unique All-Suite Accommodations to the Area

(IN SHORT) Atwell Suites, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, has announced the opening of its first Texas property in Austin, marking the brand’s third U.S. location. The 80-room Atwell Suites Austin Airport, the brand’s first conversion property, offers a new kind of all-suite accommodation designed for longer stays blending business and leisure seamlessly. Featuring… Read the full press release

Heathrow’s ‘Fly Up’ Breakfast Raises Awareness of Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Heathrow partners with Heston Blumenthal’s Perfectionists’ Cafe to create a special new full English Biofuel breakfast launched to increase understanding of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) SAF is single biggest driver to help Heathrow reach Net Zero by 2050 Only 14 per cent of travellers have heard of SAF Heathrow calls on government to mandate SAF… Read the full press release

IHG Hotels & Resorts Partners with EnviroSpark to Expand Electric Vehicle Charging Across North Americah

Agreement supports IHG’s commitment to accelerate EV charger installation across its portfolio (IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced a collaboration with EnviroSpark to provide electric vehicle chargers (EVCs) at all IHG-branded hotels in the United States and Canada. This initiative aims to meet the rising demand for EV charging infrastructure and support environmentally… Read the full press release

Avani Hotels & Resorts Set to Make a Splash in The Netherlands with Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam Opening

Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam to Open in Q2 2024 (IN SHORT) Minor Hotels announces the debut of Avani Hotels & Resorts in the Netherlands with the opening of Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam in the second quarter of 2024. Located in Amsterdam’s cultural hub near renowned landmarks, the rebranded 163-key hotel will offer a contemporary canal-side… Read the full press release

Japan Airlines and KDDI SmartDrone Collaborate for Post-Earthquake Damage Assessment in Noto Peninsula

(IN SHORT) Japan Airlines (JAL) and KDDI SmartDrone partnered to support post-earthquake damage assessment in the Noto Peninsula, affected by a January 2024 earthquake. Through aerial drone photography, they surveyed potential construction sites for temporary housing in Suzu City and conducted emergency bridge inspections in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The use of drones facilitated rapid… Read the full press release

Ryanair Extends Partnership with Vistair for Streamlined Operations

(IN SHORT) Ryanair, Europe’s leading airline, has renewed its partnership with Vistair, a top provider of Operational Content Management and Safety Management Systems for the aviation industry, for an additional 5 years. Under this agreement, Ryanair will continue utilizing Vistair’s document management system, DocuNet, to enhance the creation, distribution, and upkeep of operational manuals. This… Read the full press release

AirAsia Malaysia Expands Wings to Perth with Inaugural Flight

(IN SHORT) AirAsia Malaysia marks a significant milestone in its expansion strategy with the launch of its maiden flight to Perth, Australia. The inaugural flight, operated by an Airbus A321neo aircraft, departed from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Perth International Airport with a robust load factor of 95%. With this new route, AirAsia enhances its… Read the full press release

Hyatt Announces Transformation of The Confidante Miami Beach into Andaz Miami Beach

Following a property-wide renovation, luxury lifestyle hotel Andaz Miami Beach is slated to open in late 2024, with reimagined spaces, programming and a new culinary collaboration with Jose Andrés Group. (IN SHORT) Hyatt Hotels Corporation shares an update on the renovation of The Confidante Miami Beach, set to become the new Andaz Miami Beach by… Read the full press release

Vietnam Airlines Expands Asian Network with Munich Airport Service

Expansion of Asian travel connections Four times a week to all major Vietnamese cities starting in December Vietnam among the most popular vacation destinations in Southeast Asia (IN SHORT) Vietnam Airlines announces its newest venture, initiating direct flights from Munich Airport to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City beginning October 2, 2024. With plans to… Read the full press release

Hyatt Regency Partners with Future to Enhance Guest Wellbeing with Customized Virtual Workouts

Guests and members at participating Hyatt Regency hotels in the U.S. will have access to 130 complimentary guided workouts, custom-designed for all fitness levels (IN SHORT) Hyatt Hotels Corporation announces an exclusive collaboration between its Hyatt Regency brand and Future, a personal training platform, aimed at enhancing guest wellbeing during their stays. Launching at 26… Read the full press release

Qantas and Great Barrier Reef Foundation Collaborate to Restore Coral Reefs and Combat Climate Change

Qantas partners with Great Barrier Reef Foundation to accelerate restoration of coral reefs The national carrier to invest $10 million over 10 years including rollout of world-first coral restoration technology Qantas Group launches Nature Action Plan outlining commitment to address nature and biodiversity loss (IN SHORT) Qantas partners with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation to… Read the full press release

Marriott Bonvoy and MGM Resorts Introduce MGM Collection for Unforgettable Travel Experiences

Unrivaled brand of iconic properties fulfills passionate travelers seeking to experience the extraordinary with one-of-a-kind stays and Marriott Bonvoy Moments® (IN SHORT) Marriott Bonvoy, in collaboration with MGM Resorts International, introduces the MGM Collection, offering reservations for 16 iconic hotel and resort destinations. This partnership provides guests with access to unforgettable experiences, including Marriott Bonvoy… Read the full press release

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Partners with Igee Okafor to Showcase Global Travel Experiences

(IN SHORT) InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has collaborated with Igee Okafor, Editor-in-Chief of BOND OFFICIAL, to celebrate the diversity and cultural richness within its 222 hotels and resorts across 70 countries. As part of a transformative global evolution aimed at catering to the modern luxury traveler, InterContinental aims to captivate guests’ imaginations by offering culturally… Read the full press release

IHG Expands Luxury Hospitality Portfolio in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District

Set to open in January 2027, Regent Riyadh KAFD and InterContinental Riyadh KAFD will add to IHG’s luxury portfolio in KAFD. (IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with the King Abdullah Financial District Management and Development Company (KAFD DMC) to introduce two new luxury hotels in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial… Read the full press release

Viking Expedition Team Discovers New Penguin Colony in Antarctica

New Chinstrap Penguin Colony Recorded Following Survey at Astrolabe Island by Viking and Oceanites (IN SHORT) Viking announced the discovery of a new colony of chinstrap penguins on Diaz Rock near Astrolabe Island in Antarctica. During a visit to Astrolabe Island in January 2024, Viking’s expedition vessel, the Viking Octantis, supported the scientific partner Oceanites… Read the full press release

Emirates and TUI Cruises Renew Partnership to Enhance Dubai’s Cruise Tourism

Partnership underscores power of bringing together seamless sea-air experience Plans to explore deeper alignment and leverage operational synergies to further bolster cruise demand to Dubai  (IN SHORT) Emirates has renewed its partnership with TUI Cruises for the upcoming two cruise seasons, solidifying Dubai’s position as a premier cruise destination. Signed during ITB Berlin, the partnership… Read the full press release

Emirates and AIDA Cruises Extend Partnership, Elevating Dubai’s Maritime Tourism Status

(IN SHORT) Emirates and AIDA Cruises have extended their partnership for an additional two seasons, solidifying Dubai’s status as a leading maritime tourism hub. Signed during ITB Berlin, the renewed collaboration aims to enhance Dubai’s cruise capacity and strengthen its position as a key destination for winter cruising. The partnership will focus on joint marketing… Read the full press release

Emirates Partners with Greek and Austrian Tourism Boards to Boost Inbound Travel

(IN SHORT) Emirates has signed Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs) with the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) and Austrian National Tourist Office (ANTO) at ITB Berlin 2024, aiming to enhance inbound tourism to Greece and Austria. The partnership with GNTO focuses on joint marketing activities to promote Greece as a tourist destination, leveraging Emirates’ global reach… Read the full press release

Emirates and ITA Airways Forge Strategic Codeshare Partnership to Enhance Travel Connectivity

(IN SHORT) Emirates and ITA Airways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to elevate their existing interline collaboration into a comprehensive codeshare partnership, promising expanded travel options and seamless connections between Dubai, Italy, and beyond. The agreement aims to strengthen both airlines’ networks, offering one-stop connections to various Italian and European cities for Emirates… Read the full press release

Luxury Beckons: Anantara Zanzibar Resort Set to Redefine Hospitality Standards

Anantara to continue its expansion in Africa, adding Tanzania to the pipeline (IN SHORT) Minor Hotels announces the signing of Anantara Zanzibar Resort, a luxurious addition to their portfolio, set to debut in 2027 on the northern coast of Zanzibar Island, Tanzania. The resort will feature 181 keys, including suites, villas, apartments, and penthouses, all… Read the full press release

Choice Hotels Partners with AARP to Offer Exclusive Discounts to Members

Choice Hotels is proud to offer AARP members discounts on over 7,000 Hotels Across 22 Hotel Brands (IN SHORT) Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) has inked a deal with AARP to provide its nearly 38 million members with discounts on hotel accommodations at Choice Hotels’ properties, including popular brands like Cambria Hotels®, Comfort®, Radisson®,… Read the full press release

AirAsia Launches Inaugural Flight from Kota Kinabalu to Seoul with Full Passenger Load

(IN SHORT) AirAsia Malaysia celebrates a significant milestone with its inaugural flight from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, to Seoul, South Korea, boasting a full passenger load. With daily frequencies, this new route expands AirAsia’s presence in Sabah, offering more accessibility and affordability for travelers to explore Seoul’s cultural landmarks and culinary delights. The event was marked… Read the full press release

Spirit Airlines Ends Merger Plans with JetBlue Airways

(IN SHORT) Spirit Airlines, Inc. (“Spirit”) (NYSE: SAVE) has announced the termination of its merger agreement with JetBlue Airways Corporation due to regulatory obstacles that prevent timely closure. Despite the disappointment, Spirit’s President and CEO, Ted Christie, expresses confidence in the airline’s future as an independent entity. Spirit remains focused on returning to profitability and… Read the full press release

KLM and BARIN Approve Publication of Social Cost-Benefit Analysis

(IN SHORT) KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and the Board of Airline Representatives in the Netherlands (BARIN) have agreed to the publication of the Social Cost-Benefit Analysis (SCBA) by the Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management, following its unauthorized disclosure. The report, jointly commissioned with the Royal Schiphol Group, aims to assess policy choices regarding potential… Read the full press release