Airlines News Page 17
Alaska Air Group announces Mike Sievert will join board of directors
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.
oneworld & Taj InnerCircle NeuPass Launch First-Ever Global Airline Alliance & Hotel Loyalty Program
oneworld today unveiled a first-of-its-kind loyalty partnership with luxury hospitality brand Indian Hotels Company (IHCL). The agreement marks the first loyalty collaboration between a global airline alliance and a hotel group and includes Taj, Claridges Collection, Brij, SeleQtions, Clarks, Gateway, Vivanta, Ginger, Tree of Life, and amã Stays & Trails brands.
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EVA Air Receives International Recognition for Flight Safety
EVA Air, Taiwan’s leading independent airline, has been awarded a Seven Star PLUS Safety Rating, the highest safety distinction, by AirlineRatings.com, a globally recognised aviation safety and product rating agency. This certification was introduced in 2025 and this latest recognition once again affirms EVA Air’s excellence and professionalism in flight safety management, earning global acknowledgment.
KENYA AIRWAYS PARTNERS WITH ALL ACCOR TO UNLOCK NEW REWARDS FOR CUSTOMER
Kenya Airways, the national carrier of Kenya, together with ALL Accor, the powerful booking platform and loyalty programme of global hospitality leader Accor, is proud to announce a strategic partnership. This collaboration makes Kenya Airways the first African airline to partner with the globally renowned programme.
IATA AGM countdown begins as global aviation leaders prepare to gather in Rio
Rio de Janeiro is preparing to welcome the global aviation industry as the countdown begins to the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit, taking place from 6 to 8 June 2026. Hosted by LATAM Airlines Group, the event will bring airline chiefs, aviation policymakers, manufacturers, airports, technology leaders, investors and media to Brazil at a decisive moment for global air transport. The decision to stage the AGM in Rio places South America firmly at the centre of the aviation conversation. IATA says the event will be held in “the largest aviation market in South America”, underlining the role air transport can play as a driver of social and economic prosperity across the region.
QANTAS’ PROJECT SUNRISE A350-1000ULR COMPLETES MAIDEN TEST FLIGHT
Qantas’ Project Sunrise Airbus A350-1000ULR has completed its maiden test flight, marking a significant milestone ahead of the launch of commercial flights that will connect Australia’s east coast to London and New York, non-stop, for the first time ever. Operated by two Airbus Flight Test Pilots, three Flight Test Engineers and one Ground Test Engineer, Qantas’ ultra long range A350 took off for the first time from Toulouse yesterday afternoon local time and flew for three hours 43 minutes over France and the French Atlantic Coast.
Starting in October, Lufthansa will begin flying to new destinations with Allegris
Lufthansa is focusing more than ever on premium service: Following the introduction of the new in-flight service on all long-haul flights in early May, the number of destinations where passengers can experience the new Allegris cabin will increase significantly starting this coming winter. The new cabin interior was introduced in 2024 and offers passengers in all classes an exclusive and personalized experience with innovative seating concepts, high-quality materials, and state-of-the-art technology.
Massport Opens America’s First Remote Airport Terminal, Powered by SITA
Boston Logan passengers on select Delta Air Lines and JetBlue flights can check in, drop their bags, and clear TSA security in Framingham, Massachusetts, before they ever reach the airport. The Logan Airport Remote Terminal at Framingham, launched today by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), is the first off-airport security checkpoint in North America. SITA’s common-use check-in technology is the platform that makes it work.
IATA Launches World Maintenance & Engineering Symposium
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the launch of the World Maintenance & Engineering Symposium (WMES). Under the theme “Reviving the Supply Chain” the event will address supply chain failures and other challenges in maintenance and engineering. The Symposium will take place in Madrid, Spain, on 24–25 June 2026. “Supply chain instability, engine maintenance bottlenecks, and aircraft delivery delays are holding back efficiency and driving up costs. The first WMES is an opportunity for the industry to collectively explore and action practical solutions to restore reliability and reinforce resilience,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
United Airlines Announces New Nonstop Service Linking St. Croix, U.S. VI to Newark/New York
United Airlines has announced a new nonstop service between St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (STX) and Newark/New York (EWR), becoming the only airline to offer service to the New York City area from St. Croix. The new route will commence on October 31, 2026 and will operate on Saturdays on a Boeing 737-700 aircraft, featuring 126 seats including 12 in business class.
Rio Takes Centre Stage as Global Aviation Leaders Gather for IATA AGM 2026
Rio de Janeiro this week welcomes the global aviation industry as host city for the 82nd International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit, bringing together airline chief executives, government ministers, regulators and industry leaders from around the world. Hosted by LATAM Airlines Group, the event comes at a pivotal moment for aviation. The industry is navigating geopolitical uncertainty, rising fuel costs, supply chain constraints, sustainability challenges and the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence, while continuing to respond to record levels of passenger demand.
From Havana to Rio: How IATA Helped Build the Modern Aviation Industry
As aviation leaders gather in Rio de Janeiro for the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS), they return to a city that occupies a unique place in the history of global aviation. Rio was where, in 1999, IATA formally introduced the World Air Transport Summit, recognising that its annual gathering had evolved into something much larger than a trade association meeting. Aviation had become one of the defining industries of globalization, carrying more than 1.5 billion passengers annually and generating over $300 billion in revenues. The AGM had become the forum where airline leaders, governments, manufacturers, airports and regulators debated the future of an increasingly interconnected world.