Just in time for the start of the anniversary year, the historic aircraft have been completed! The Junkers Ju 52 and Lockheed L-1649A Super Star have now been finally accepted at “Lufthansa Group Hangar One.” This means that the two central exhibits, which will soon be on display in the new conference and visitor center, are now complete. Over the past few months, the aircraft were delivered in individual parts by heavy transporters and have since been reassembled with great attention to detail in their new home near Frankfurt Airport.

For greater efficiency and lower CO₂ emissions: Lufthansa Group is retrofitting its existing Airbus A320 fleet to optimize flight routes. Starting in 2026, 134 Airbus A320s will be equipped with the FANS-C digital communication system. The ADS-C EPP (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract Extended Projected Profile) technology automatically transmits 4D flight path information – i.e., data on position, altitude, direction, and time – to air traffic control in real time. This allows flight routes to be better adapted to actual conditions in the air. The result: more fuel-efficient flight routes, lower CO₂ emissions, and greater punctuality.

Wellness culture continues to impact in 2026, with three trends leaning into this overarching movement. Time loses all meaning, with almost 1 in 5 UK travellers ignoring the clock entirely on holiday, choosing to eat, sleep and explore whenever they choose. Meanwhile body-positivity goes global, with 31% of UK adults reporting that body-positive experiences are more socially acceptable now than a decade ago.¹

Emirates has announced that retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft featuring Premium Economy will serve flights EK953/954 between Dubai and Beirut from 6 January 2026 and flights EK306/307 between Dubai and Beijing, starting from 1 February 2026. * Beijing becomes the fourth city in the Chinese mainland to receive Emirates’ latest aircraft and next-gen products, while travellers to and from Beirut will experience the airline’s award-winning Premium Economy and new Business Class cabin in 1-2-1 layout for the first time.

Virgin Atlantic is taking its commitment to the travel trade to new heights, giving one lucky travel agent the chance to win unlimited flights across the airline’s global network for an entire year. Unveiled at the inaugural AIRmazing awards on 10th December, the incentive will run from 6th January to 2nd March 2026. Timed to reward and energise agents during a key trading period, the prize recognises the dedication and expertise of Virgin Atlantic’s invaluable travel trade partners.

FITUR 2026, the International Tourism Trade Fair, running from 21 to 25 January at IFEMA MADRID, will highlight the vitality of the UK tourism market and the close relationship it maintains with Spain, a destination to which British travellers give one of the highest ratings in Europe. In 2024, 18.4 million British tourists visited Spain, accounting for 19.6% of the total. By September 2025, arrivals were expected to reach 15.3 million, up 4% year-on-year, with spending projected at €19 billion, according to the Secretary of State for Tourism.