Emirates has promoted two accomplished Emirati female pilots to captains, marking a pivotal step forward in its commitment to empowering Emirati women in aviation. Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri both rose through the Emirates Group's National Cadet Pilot Programme, an initiative that has graduated numerous Emirati pilots. Hanan Mohammed Jawad joined Emirates in 2008 through the cadet pilot programme, driven by ambition, passion, and a lifelong dream of taking to the skies. With strong mentorship and continued support from the airline’s fleet management, she steadily progressed through the ranks, building her career from the ground up.

ConX 2026, the annual conference hosted by Travelgate and part of the Travelsoft Group, has further consolidated its position as one of the most influential gatherings in global travel distribution, bringing together more than 1,000 C-level executives, founders and senior decision-makers from over 500 companies and 50 countries. This year’s edition, where Huawei returned as main sponsor, recorded a 99% show-up rate and more than 2,000 high-intent B2B meetings, following an expansion of the dedicated networking space designed to maximise meaningful business interactions.

Brazilian Airline GOL Linhas Aéreas announces the opening of ticket sales for its new long-haul direct operations between Rio de Janeiro/RIOgaleão (GIG) and New York (JFK) for the 2027 season. Beginning on March 28 of next year and aligned with the airline's sales policy of 330 days prior to the flight, the non-stop flights between GIG and JFK will operate with three weekly round-trip frequencies.

Alaska Air Group, Inc. announced today the appointment of Mike Sievert to the company's board of directors. Sievert is the former CEO of T-Mobile, where he currently serves as vice chairman of the board of directors. In his time as CEO, T-Mobile significantly increased its market value while strengthening its position in the U.S. wireless industry and improving customer loyalty and satisfaction.

Global hospitality group The Lux Collective has marked its first entry into Rwanda through a landmark strategic partnership with Cleo Capital Group Ltd, one of Rwanda's visionary hospitality and investment groups, to launch and manage an ultra-luxury tourism circuit across the country's most iconic destinations. Formalised during the Africa CEO Forum 2026 in Kigali, the partnership represents a significant milestone in Rwanda's luxury hospitality evolution, introducing internationally acclaimed brands LUX* and SALT to the country through a transformative multi-property project of five resorts.

W Hotels has expanded its Italian footprint with the opening of W Sardinia – Poltu Quatu, introducing the brand’s bold, design-led energy to a new Mediterranean coastal destination. Nestled within the picturesque village of Poltu Quatu on Sardinia’s northeast coast, the 157-room hotel is set against a dramatic fjord-like marina framed by granite cliffs and crystal-clear waters.