easyJet Launches ‘Letters to Santa’ Postal Service to Ensure Magical Christmas for Young Travelers

Airline’s new Lapland postal service launches for young flyers easyJet’s ‘Letters to Santa’ post boxes will be at airports for children flying this festive season The airline’s pilots and crew will fly children’s letters on its flights to Rovaniemi in Lapland, the home of Santa Claus A special letter collection service for schools across the… Read the full press release

Airlink Boosts Capacity at Richards Bay Airport in Response to Growing Demand

(IN SHORT) Airlink is upgrading its aircraft at Richards Bay Airport in KwaZulu-Natal due to increased demand for passenger and cargo services. The regional airline will transition from the 29-seater British Aerospace Jetstream 41 to the 75-seater Embraer ERJ 170. This upgrade is prompted by the growing demand for services at Richards Bay Airport, which… Read the full press release

Public Investment Fund (PIF) Acquires Significant Minority Stake in Rocco Forte Hotels, Accelerating Brand Expansion

(IN SHORT) Rocco Forte Hotels has announced that the Public Investment Fund (PIF) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a significant minority stake in the group, with the Forte family retaining majority ownership and control. The Italian entity CDPE Investimenti (CDPEI) is selling its entire stake as part of this arrangement. PIF’s investment… Read the full press release

Accor Launches Global Partnership with Captain Cause, Enabling ALL Members to Donate Loyalty Points to Social and Environmental Causes

(IN SHORT) Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, has extended its partnership with Captain Cause, a mission-driven organization that supports socially and environmentally impactful initiatives. This partnership allows members of Accor’s loyalty program, ALL, to easily utilize their Reward points to support causes aligned with Accor’s focus on Nature, Society, and humanitarian disaster relief. Accor guarantees… Read the full press release

Alaska Airlines to Acquire Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 Billion, Expanding Air Travel Options Across the Pacific

Combined company to maintain Alaska Airlines’ and Hawaiian Airlines’ strong, high-quality brands, supported by a single, compelling loyalty offering. Expands fifth largest U.S. airline to a fleet of 365 narrow and wide body airplanes enabling guests to reach 138 destinations through our combined networks and more than 1,200 destinations through the oneworld Alliance. Honolulu to become… Read the full press release

British Airways Enhances Accessibility with Signed Video Content for Deaf Travelers

British Airways is partnering with SigncodeUK, an organisation dedicated to ensuring equal access to information, products and services for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community  The partnership will mean customers can access key travel information in signed video form, including the airline’s onboard safety briefing via a unique QR code It is estimated that more than 150,000 people… Read the full press release

Mercure Launches ‘Bucket List’ of 50 Unique Food & Drink Experiences Globally for Its 50th Anniversary

Mercure has partnered with Munchies and TOPJAW to inspire the palates of world travelers with 50 amazing food & drink experiences around the globe. (IN SHORT) To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Mercure has introduced its own ‘Bucket List’ featuring 50 carefully curated food and drink experiences from around the world. This list is aimed at… Read the full press release

Cathay Pacific Partners with Disney+ to Offer Exclusive Inflight Entertainment Experience in Asia-Pacific

The first airline in Asia-Pacific to bring Disney+ Original titles to the skies (IN SHORT) Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s flagship airline, is set to become the first airline in the Asia-Pacific region to offer Disney+ Original titles as part of its inflight entertainment experience. Starting from December 1, 2023, passengers on Cathay Pacific flights will… Read the full press release

Brussels Airport Stargate Project Advances Sustainable Aviation After Two Years

(IN SHORT) The Brussels Airport Stargate project, in collaboration with a consortium of 21 partners, has marked its two-year milestone in pursuing sustainability within aviation. This European Green Deal initiative focuses on practical solutions, such as electric ground handling equipment, the Digital Green Lane for cargo, and encouraging alternative transportation methods for staff. With further… Read the full press release

Swissport and ASYAD Announce Strategic Partnership to Boost Saudi Arabian Aviation Ground Services

(IN SHORT) Swissport International AG and Saudi ASYAD Holding have entered into binding agreements for the sale of a 49 percent stake in Swissport Saudi Arabia to ASYAD. This partnership aims to drive the development and growth of Saudi Arabia’s aviation ground services sector in alignment with the country’s Vision 2030 initiative. Swissport plans to… Read the full press release

British Airways Executive Club Members Can Now Earn Avios on World Duty Free Purchases at London Heathrow

British Airways Executive Club Members can now collect Avios when spending at London Heathrow’s World Duty Free shops Customers who are members of both British Airways’ and World Duty Free’s respective loyalty programmes can collect one Avios per £1 spend at the airport The partnership includes a bonus of 250 Avios on their first purchase (IN… Read the full press release

AirAsia Expands Services Between Malaysia and China/India in Response to Visa-Free Entry

AirAsia

In appreciation of the Malaysian government’s visa-free entry for travellers from China and India, AirAsia commits to a substantial expansion in capacity (IN SHORT) AirAsia has announced a significant increase in flights between Malaysia and China/India, totaling 230 weekly flights starting in the first quarter of 2024, with a capacity of up to 5.2 million… Read the full press release

IHG Hotels & Resorts Expands Partnership with Dinso Resort Co., Ltd with New Property in Koh Chang

Dinso Resort & Villas, Koh Chang will be the second collaboration between IHG and Dinso Resort Co., Ltd (IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts, a leading global hotel company, is extending its collaboration with Dinso Resort Co., Ltd by adding a new property, Dinso Resort & Villas Koh Chang, Vignette Collection, to its portfolio. Scheduled… Read the full press release

Uzbekistan Airways Adopts SITA Mission Watch for Enhanced Flight Operations Efficiency and Cost Savings

The carrier will deploy next-generation flight tracking technology, SITA Mission Watch (IN SHORT) Uzbekistan Airways has partnered with SITA to implement SITA Mission Watch, a next-generation flight tracking solution that integrates aircraft positions with real-time weather information. By leveraging this technology, the airline aims to achieve greater operational agility and efficiency. The system’s advanced weather… Read the full press release

The Luxury Collection Opens Paragraph Freedom Square, Its First Hotel in Georgia

In the heart of the capital city, Paragraph Freedom Square, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Tbilisi accentuates Georgia’s indigenous charms with authentic service, thoughtful design, and refined epicurean experiences (IN SHORT) The Luxury Collection, part of Marriott Bonvoy, celebrates the opening of Paragraph Freedom Square, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Tbilisi, marking its entrance into the Georgian… Read the full press release

IHG Announces Eco-Friendly InterContinental Resort in Sabah, Malaysia, Expanding Luxury Portfolio

Stunning new destination resort has sustainability at its heart and marks key milestone in IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle growth in Malaysia (IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its latest addition to its Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio with the InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu Resort in partnership with Zhancheng Tourism Development. Set to open in… Read the full press release

IHG Partners with H4S to Introduce Vignette Collection in Doha, Qatar

The hotel is IHG’s fifth Vignette Collection signing in the MEA region, adding to the company’s growing luxury and lifestyle portfolio in the region (IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts has joined hands with Hospitality for Success H4S Hotels & Residences to launch its inaugural Vignette Collection hotel in Doha, Qatar. The Velero Hotel Vignette… Read the full press release

Four Seasons Announces Upcoming Private Residences Project in Istanbul

As the latest standalone Private Residences in the brand’s portfolio, the new Istanbul project will give discerning buyers the opportunity to live in one of the world’s most dynamic destinations with Four Seasons legendary care at their doorstep (IN SHORT) Four Seasons, in collaboration with Tay Group, is set to launch the Four Seasons Private… Read the full press release

Malaysia Airlines Group Welcomes First Boeing 737-8 Aircraft, Marks Fleet Expansion

(IN SHORT) Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, celebrated the arrival of its first Boeing 737-8 aircraft with a launch ceremony. The induction of this aircraft type signifies the beginning of MAG’s gradual fleet expansion plan. MAG has a total order of 25 Boeing 737-8 aircraft, scheduled for delivery through 2026… Read the full press release

Hyatt to Introduce Thompson Seville, Its First Property in Spain’s Fourth-Largest City

The fourth planned Thompson Hotel in Europe will build on Hyatt’s intentional brand growth in the luxury and lifestyle segment across Europe (IN SHORT) Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced an agreement between a Hyatt affiliate and Hoteles Color Especial S.L. to open Thompson Seville, marking Hyatt’s first property in Seville, Spain. The luxury lifestyle hotel,… Read the full press release

Marriott Expands “Check Out for Children” Donation Program in Multiple Regions

Marriott Relaunches and Expands its Donation Program in the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific (IN SHORT) Marriott International has partnered with UNICEF to relaunch and expand its “Check Out for Children” donation program, coinciding with World Children’s Day. The initiative encourages guests at Marriott properties to make voluntary contributions for each… Read the full press release

Korean Air and LX Pantos Partner to Promote Sustainable Aviation Fuel Use in Cargo Flights

(IN SHORT) Korean Air has entered into a partnership with global logistics company LX Pantos to expand the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on cargo flights, with the aim of achieving net-zero carbon emissions. This collaboration, formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU), underscores the commitment of both companies to reducing greenhouse gas emissions… Read the full press release

Joint ACSA-Hawks Operation Leads to Arrest of Suspected Drug Traffickers at O R Tambo International Airport

(IN SHORT) A joint operation conducted by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and the elite Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation, known as the Hawks, has resulted in the arrest of five individuals suspected of drug trafficking. Among the suspects are employees of various companies operating at O R Tambo International Airport, including two ACSA… Read the full press release

Qatar Airways Announces Partnership as Official Global Airline Partner of FC Internazionale Milano (Inter)

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Al Meer celebrated the partnership at the Dubai Airshow with the Inter delegation and the Club Legend, Marco Materazzi The agreement extends rights to Qatar Duty Free and Hamad International Airport, and ensure a comprehensive Qatar Airways Group partnership Inter fans will be able to access special… Read the full press release

Philippine Airlines and Singapore Airlines Announce Codeshare Agreement for Enhanced Travel Options

(IN SHORT) Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have signed a codeshare partnership agreement to offer expanded flight options for travelers between the Philippines and Singapore, as well as connections to other domestic and international destinations through their hubs. The codeshare will commence on flights between Singapore and Manila, with SIA codesharing on PAL… Read the full press release

Kempinski Hotels to Operate Luxury Beachfront Residences and Resort in Turks and Caicos Islands

International real estate developer JTRE partners with Europe’s oldest hospitality brand to offer owners and guests a one-of-a-kind luxury beachfront experience. Old world elegance arrives on award winning Grace Bay Beach bringing international flair and prestige to Turks and Caicos vacation and ownership offerings. JTRE has secured one of the last remaining parcels on world-famous… Read the full press release

flydubai Announces $190 Million MRO Facility in Dubai South by 2026

The Dubai-based carrier signs an agreement with the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) for its first purpose-built Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility by 2026 The milestone announcement reflects the airline’s long-term commitment to further enhancing its in-house capability, which will support its growing fleet (IN SHORT) flydubai has revealed plans to construct a… Read the full press release

Emirates and Condor Airlines Announce Strategic Interline Partnership for Seamless Travel

Interline activated today for travel immediately Seamless connectivity for customers to 70 points operated by both airlines The partnership will also offer Emirates Skywards members a chance to earn and redeem miles across Condor’s network (IN SHORT) Emirates and Condor Airlines have initiated a reciprocal interline partnership to provide travelers with expanded connectivity options and… Read the full press release

Emirates Partners with UAE GCAAS and IACT to Enhance Engineering Professional Training

(IN SHORT) Emirates has joined forces with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority Services (GCAAS) and International Aviation Consulting and Training (IACT) to offer comprehensive training solutions for the airline’s engineering professionals. This collaboration aims to provide top-notch training programs, ensuring that Emirates’ engineering workforce remains at the forefront of industry standards and expertise. (PRESS… Read the full press release

Emirates Inks $12 Billion Deals with Safran for Aircraft Engine and Component Services

Contracts include best-in-class seats for Emirates’ new A350, 777X-9 and B777-300 fleet, cabin equipment, wheels and carbon brakes, landing gear component repairs, retrofit and MRO support Agreement boosts airline’s ongoing investment in the French and European aviation manufacturing ecosystem (IN SHORT) Emirates has announced agreements valued at $12 billion with Safran, a leading aerospace company,… Read the full press release