Japan Fair Trade Commission Approves Korean Air’s Merger with Asiana Airlines

(IN SHORT) The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) has granted approval for the business combination of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, marking a significant step in their merger process. This approval follows engagements and discussions to address competition concerns raised by the JFTC, including divesting slots on certain routes and addressing competition in the cargo… Read the full press release

AirAsia Announces Resumption of Direct Flights to Visakhapatnam, India, Expanding Its Network in the Country

(IN SHORT) AirAsia is set to resume direct flights to Visakhapatnam, India, from April 26, 2024, making it the only Malaysian airline to offer this route. Visakhapatnam, also known as ‘Vizag,’ is a hidden gem in India with lush landscapes, historical landmarks, traditional festivals, and beautiful beaches. To mark the resumption, AirAsia is offering special… Read the full press release

AirAsia MOVE Launches MOVETIX, a Revolutionary Ticketing Platform for Global Events and Activities

(IN SHORT) AirAsia MOVE, Asia’s premier travel booking app, has partnered with Coras, a leading global ticket distribution platform, to introduce MOVETIX, an innovative ticketing platform available within the AirAsia MOVE app. MOVETIX offers access to over 10,000 global events and activities, seamlessly integrated with flights, hotels, and rides, all in one convenient application. The… Read the full press release

Airbus, SAS, Swedavia, Vattenfall, and Avinor Collaborate on Feasibility Study for Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft in Norway and Sweden

(IN SHORT) Airbus, SAS, Swedavia, Vattenfall, and Avinor have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly explore the feasibility of infrastructure for hydrogen-fueled aircraft at airports across Norway and Sweden. The partnership aims to establish a framework for the introduction of hydrogen-powered flights in both countries, encompassing aircraft concepts, regulatory requirements, infrastructure development, fuel… Read the full press release

UNWTO Workshop in Victoria Falls Promotes African Tourism Through Media and Communication

(IN SHORT) The UNWTO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), organized the first Communication, Media, and Tourism Training Workshop in Victoria Falls from November 13 to 15, 2023. The event brought together tourism professionals, journalists, media, and communication specialists from 20 African countries…. Read the full press release

Chicago Department of Aviation and City Colleges Host Aviation Job Fair to Connect Jobseekers with Career Opportunities in the Industry

The Jan. 31 event will connect jobseekers with aviation professionals and industry-leading companies (IN SHORT) The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) and City Colleges of Chicago are partnering to host an Aviation Job Fair on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at Olive-Harvey College. The fair, open to individuals of all backgrounds and experience levels, aims to connect… Read the full press release

IHG Hotels & Resorts Re-Enters Swedish Market with voco Stockholm Kista

The 201-room hotel is expected to open its doors in the second half of 2024. (IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts, a leading global hotel company, has signed a franchise agreement with Mogotel and development partner Revelop, marking the return of IHG to the Swedish market with voco Stockholm Kista. This move aligns with IHG’s… Read the full press release

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Makes Grand Entrance into Auckland’s Waterfront with Debut of InterContinental Auckland

(IN SHORT) InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, a part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, has marked its presence in New Zealand’s largest city with the unveiling of InterContinental Auckland. Located on the waterfront at One Queen Street within the Commercial Bay lifestyle precinct, the hotel boasts 139 elegantly designed guestrooms and suites… Read the full press release

IHG Announces First Holiday Inn & Suites Property in Europe, Set to Open in Budapest

New 170-room ‘& Suites’ Holiday Inn hotel in Hungarian capital expected to open H2 2026. Collaboration with partners Chain Bridge Ventures Ltd and Mogotel Hotel Group (IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts, a global hotel company, has revealed its first Holiday Inn & Suites property in Europe with the signing of “Holiday Inn & Suites… Read the full press release

UAE Schools Soar to Success at Emirates Aviation University’s Water Rocket Competition in Partnership with Boeing

(IN SHORT) Emirates Aviation University’s seventh Water Rocket Competition, held in collaboration with Boeing, saw 202 students from 24 UAE schools in grades 11 and 12 participate. The challenge involved building water rockets powered solely by water and air pressure and launching them at a 45-degree angle. Students showcased their creativity by designing nose cones… Read the full press release

Emirates Joins The Solent Cluster in Pioneering Effort to Reduce CO2 Emissions in UK’s South Coast

(IN SHORT) Emirates has made history by becoming the first international airline to become a member of The Solent Cluster, a UK-based initiative aimed at promoting low-carbon investments and reducing CO2 emissions in the South Coast of England. The Solent Cluster is a collaborative effort involving international organizations, manufacturers, businesses, academic institutions, and more. Emirates… Read the full press release

Choice Hotels Makes History by Moving Entire Infrastructure to AWS Cloud

The all-in move to AWS cements Choice’s technology leadership within the industry, and allows it to deliver cutting-edge services to franchisees (IN SHORT) Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by closing its last data center and becoming the first hotel company to shift its entire system infrastructure to the cloud,… Read the full press release

Ryanair Partners with Kiwi.com to Ensure Transparent Pricing for Customers

KIWI GUARANTEE NO OVERCHARGING FOR RYANAIR FLIGHTS/ANCILLARIES (IN SHORT) Ryanair has entered into a partnership agreement with Kiwi.com, an approved online travel agency (OTA), to provide customers with direct access to Ryanair’s website without screenscraping. Under this agreement, Kiwi.com will offer Ryanair flights and ancillaries to its customers at real prices, eliminating mark-ups. Kiwi customers… Read the full press release

AirAsia MOVE and Coras Launch Innovative MOVETIX Ticketing Platform

(IN SHORT) AirAsia MOVE, Asia’s premier travel booking app, has partnered with Coras, a global ticket distribution platform, to introduce MOVETIX, an innovative ticketing platform offering access to over 10,000 global events and activities, alongside flights, hotels, rides, and more, all through a single app. Spearheaded by Hassan Choudhury, CEO of RedRecords, a joint venture… Read the full press release

Cathay Pacific Co-Initiates the Hong Kong Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition (HKSAFC) to Drive SAF Adoption

Collaborating with like-minded organisations to further promote the development and use of SAF in Hong Kong (IN SHORT) Cathay Pacific reaffirms its commitment to decarbonizing the aviation industry by co-initiating the Hong Kong Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition (HKSAFC) along with the Business Environment Council (BEC) and 13 other founding partners from the sustainable aviation fuel… Read the full press release

Heathrow Airport Teams Up with British Fashion Council for Exclusive Designer Tote Bag Collection

A collection of exclusive designer bags launches at Heathrow ahead of London Fashion Week The line has been created to mark 30 years of the British Fashion Council NEWGEN initiative To launch the range, Heathrow is offering passengers the chance to win backstage access to London Fashion Week and an overnight stay at Treehouse London… Read the full press release

Royal Caribbean Partners with Inter Miami CF as Official Jersey Sponsor for 2024 Season

The World’s Largest Cruise Line Debuts as the Club’s Front-of-Jersey Partner in the Upcoming 2024 Campaign (IN SHORT) Royal Caribbean International has become the Official Jersey Partner of Inter Miami CF, one of the Major League Soccer (MLS) teams. Starting from the 2024 season, Royal Caribbean’s logo will feature prominently on Inter Miami’s jerseys. The partnership… Read the full press release

Hyatt Unveils Robust Growth Plans in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East for 2024 and Beyond

AluaSoul Costa Adeje and Palace de Muro, a Destination by Hyatt property, slated to open in Spain this year, further strengthen Hyatt’s rapidly growing lifestyle brand presence in region. (IN SHORT) Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced its ambitious growth strategy for 2024 and beyond in the Europe, Africa, and Middle East (EAME) region, reflecting a record… Read the full press release

Hyatt Announces Upcoming Opening of Hyatt Centric Querétaro in Historic Mexico

Hyatt Centric Querétaro will mark the second Hyatt Centric property in Mexico (IN SHORT) Hyatt Hotels Corporation, in partnership with Inmobiliaria Canels and GACO&BA, is set to introduce the Hyatt Centric lifestyle brand to Querétaro, Mexico, a city known for its rich colonial heritage and UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Slated to open in 2025,… Read the full press release

Blue Islands Considers Direct Flights Between Jersey, Luxembourg, and Guernsey Based on Business Community Feedback

(IN SHORT) Blue Islands is actively engaging with the Channel Islands business community to gauge interest and demand for direct flights between Jersey and Luxembourg, with potential connections to and from Guernsey. Following a recent trial of a direct service to the Isle of Man, the airline is currently evaluating the trial’s results and gathering… Read the full press release

DAKOSY and Fraport Establish Joint Venture ‘allivate’ for Air Cargo Digitalization

Anchoring digital infrastructure Developing and operating cargo community systems Faster market launch of new air cargo applications (IN SHORT) Software provider DAKOSY and airport operator Fraport have formed a joint venture named allivate GmbH, with each holding a 50 percent stake. The primary focus of this partnership is to enhance the digitalization of air cargo… Read the full press release

Ryanair Announces New Routes and Expansion Plans at Tirana Airport

(IN SHORT) Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary and Tirana Airport Operations Director Piervittorio Farabbi unveiled plans for Tirana International Airport’s development and the introduction of new Ryanair routes at a joint press conference. The airline is set to launch several new destinations this summer, including Bari, Birmingham, Bristol, Marseille, Vienna, and Budapest, in addition to… Read the full press release

RwandAir Commits to Safety Leadership Charter by Joining IATA’s Safety Initiative

(IN SHORT) RwandAir, one of Africa’s prominent airlines, has officially joined the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Safety Leadership Charter, becoming the second African airline to do so after Ethiopian Airlines. The IATA Safety Leadership Charter focuses on strengthening organizational safety culture, aligning with IATA’s Collaborative Aviation Safety Improvement Program (CASIP) under the “Focus Africa”… Read the full press release

Belfast City Airport Raises £17,774 for AWARE NI in Two-Year Charity Partnership

(IN SHORT) Belfast City Airport has announced the successful culmination of its two-year partnership with AWARE NI, Northern Ireland’s dedicated charity for individuals dealing with depression and bipolar disorder. During this partnership, Belfast City Airport employees actively engaged in various fundraising activities, including coffee mornings, bake sales, and participating in the Belfast City Marathon, with… Read the full press release

Gerald R. Ford International Airport Announces Fifth Cohort of FLITE Grant Recipients Advancing Air Travel Innovation

Over $200,000 in Grant Funds Awarded to Companies Revolutionizing the Aviation Industry (IN SHORT) The Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Seamless Ventures, Southwest Airlines, and the West Michigan Aviation Academy, has unveiled the fifth cohort of companies set to receive over $200,000 in total grant… Read the full press release

Marriott Expands Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy Brand Globally with New Developments

Just one year after announcing its intention to expand presence in premium and luxury apartment-style accommodations, Marriott has opened its first property in Puerto Rico and signed agreements in the United States, Italy, and Saudi Arabia (IN SHORT) Marriott International is expanding its Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy brand, with development agreements signed in the United… Read the full press release

IHG’s voco Brand Partners with Kleindienst Group’s ‘voco Monaco Dubai’ for an Unrivaled Entertainment Destination

(IN SHORT) The Kleindienst Group’s flagship project, ‘The Heart of Europe,’ has joined forces with IHG Hotels & Resorts to operate the ‘Côte d’Azur Monaco Hotel’ at The Heart of Europe in Dubai under the globally acclaimed voco brand, now known as ‘voco Monaco Dubai.’ Starting in Q1 2024, the French Riviera-inspired 198-room hotel will… Read the full press release

Brussels Meeting Unites Aircraft Manufacturers to Advance Electric, Hybrid, and Hydrogen Air Transport

(IN SHORT) Aircraft manufacturers, both new technology startups and established OEMs, convened in Brussels for a significant Industry Affairs and Environment and Social Group meeting organized by ERA (European Regions Airline Association). The meeting aimed to foster collaboration and accelerate the adoption of electric, hybrid electric, and hydrogen aircraft in regional air transport. Participants included… Read the full press release

Emirates Expands Premium Economy Service between Melbourne and Dubai

Emirates now offers two Premium Economy services from Melbourne, alongside two from Sydney, placing Australia at the forefront of the airline’s multi-billion dollar aircraft retrofit programme (IN SHORT) Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has announced the introduction of an additional Premium Economy service on its Melbourne to Dubai route, starting from February 1, 2024…. Read the full press release

Emirates to Increase Frequency on Dubai-Rio de Janeiro Route to Meet Growing Demand

Airline deploys additional daily service to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires to meet travel demand and improve connectivity to its network Emirates to boost capacity on busy route with five weekly flights via EK247 and EK248 (IN SHORT) Emirates Airlines has announced plans to introduce a fifth weekly flight on its Dubai – Rio… Read the full press release