Etihad Airways is set to elevate its Sydney to Abu Dhabi service with the introduction of the Airbus A350-1000, bringing enhanced comfort, more premium seating and innovation to its important Australian route. Beginning 1 October 2025, the A350 will join the Sydney schedule on select flights, complementing the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner currently serving the route, with both aircraft offering the latest Business Suites. From 31 January 2026, Etihad will fully transition its 10 weekly Sydney services to A350 operations, offering guests a next-generation travel experience, and Melbourne will be served daily by Etihad’s latest 787-9 aircraft featuring Business Suites and increased premium capacity.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 2026, hosted by LATAM Airlines Group. “We are excited to accept LATAM’s offer to host IATA’s 82nd AGM in Rio de Janeiro. The last time the IATA AGM was in South America was in 1999, also in Rio. It will be a great opportunity to take stock of changes over two decades of development that have seen strengthening air connectivity successfully support major world events like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics. By meeting in the largest aviation market in South America, the AGM will highlight the great potential for aviation to be an even more powerful strategic force driving social and economic prosperity,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

In 2025 airlines will make a $36 billion profit on revenues of $979 billion. While those are big numbers, let’s remember this equates to a net margin of a mere 3.7% or $7.20 net profit per passenger. Our profitability is not commensurate to the enormous value that we create at the heart of a value chain supporting 3.9% of global GDP and providing and supporting jobs for 86.5 million people.

IndiGo, Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic today announced plans to build an industry-leading partnership connecting India with Europe and North America, with ambitions to grow to a global scale. India, one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, is at the heart of this collaboration. By linking IndiGo’s extensive domestic network with Delta’s strength in North America and the transatlantic, the extensive reach of Air France-KLM in Europe and North America, and the U.K. and transatlantic presence of Virgin Atlantic, the partnership is poised to offer travelers broader access, smoother journeys, and a more consistent experience across continents. Linking dozens of cities in the United States, Canada, Europe and India, the airlines aim to meet rising demand for international travel while setting new standards for connectivity and cooperation in global aviation.

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) and GI Capital Management held a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the construction start for the much-anticipated Regent Kyoto. Set to open in 2028, Regent Kyoto will represent the epitome of modern upper luxury blending timeless heritage and awe-inspiring design. This property, set around a central garden originally landscaped over a century ago by famed landscape gardener Kumakichi Kato, has been lovingly reimagined for a new era in homage to Kato’s enduring legacy, and will offer travellers unparalleled levels of luxury, world class facilities and 83 elegant rooms.

Today, Hilton announced the results of its Green Ramadan 2025 initiative, revealing a 26% reduction in post-consumer plate waste during the holy month. The month-long effort helped avoid more than 2.6 tonnes of food waste, the equivalent of more than 6,000 meals – reinforcing Hilton’s commitment to reducing food waste across its hotels through consistent, measurable impact.