Airlines News Page 20
SAS launches its own business credit card program
SAS is introducing its own business credit card for Scandinavian small and medium-sized enterprises. The initiative is designed to combine travel benefits, payment functionality, and expense management. The new program marks a significant milestone for SAS as the company develops and operates its own business credit card under the SAS EuroBonus umbrella. It positions SAS among the first global airline loyalty programs to launch a business offering enabled by embedded finance infrastructure, with SAS taking ownership of the customer experience and value proposition, alongside trusted financial partners
From gate to getaway: How Delta celebrated its newest European routes
As Delta launches its largest-ever transatlantic schedule, destination-inspired celebrations and special onboard touches brought the airline’s newest European routes to life.
Air Canada Foundation Publishes 2025 Impact Report
The Air Canada Foundation today released its 2025 Impact Report, outlining the meaningful difference it made in communities across Canada through its charitable partnerships, fundraising initiatives and the engagement of Air Canada employees countrywide. Through its programs and collaborations with Canadian-registered charities, the Foundation remains committed to improving the health and well-being of children and youth. Its work is guided by three core pillars: Health, supporting pediatric hospitals and community organizations to improve health outcomes; Protection, addressing socio-economic adversity and the impacts of trauma so children can experience a healthy childhood; and Dreams, fostering hope and resilience for seriously ill, impoverished or vulnerable children.
ANA and Los Angeles Dodgers Celebrate Championship Season with Exclusive In-Flight Collectibles
All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline and SKYTRAX 5-Star recipient for 13 consecutive years, today announced a new series of exclusive ANA and Los Angeles Dodgers collectibles for passengers on select flights departing from Los Angeles. The promotion celebrates the Dodgers’ back-to-back World Championship titles and ANA’s long-standing connection with the city.
Gulf Air Restores 75% of its Global Network
Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has announced a near-full return to normal operations, with 75% of its global network and destinations reinstated. Over the past several weeks, the airline has gradually resumed services across the Middle East, Europe, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa, resuming services to more destinations and reconnecting an increasing number of passengers through the Kingdom of Bahrain.
RYANAIR ADDS 4TH AIRCRAFT IN BRATISLAVA FOR W2026 4 NEW ROUTES, & 125% TRAFFIC GROWTH
Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, has announced a record W2026 schedule at Bratislava, with 23 routes including 4 new routes to Paphos, Tirana, Turin, and Warsaw, delivering 125% traffic growth to over 2.2m passengers p.a. To support this record W2026 schedule, Ryanair will add a 4th based B737 aircraft in Bratislava from Oct 2026 – a $400m investment supporting over 1,600 local jobs, including 30 new high-paid pilot and cabin crew jobs. Ryanair’s $400M investment and 125% traffic growth at Bratislava is a direct result of the proactive policy of the Slovak Govt and Transport Minister, Jozef Raž, to grow traffic and tourism by abolishing enviro taxes, lowering airport charges, and cutting ATC fees. This policy has made Slovakia Europe’s fastest growing aviation market in 2026 with record traffic growth of 170% in April.
easyJet and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport deploy automated taxiing to reduce ground emissions
easyJet and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport are today announcing the rollout of electronic TaxiBot technology for Airbus aircraft operations at Schiphol, following a successful trial earlier this year. The introduction marks another step in easyJet’s ongoing strategy to improve operational efficiency and reduce emissions both in the air and on the ground. TaxiBot, funded by the SESAR project HERON**, is a semi-robotic, push-pull-free aircraft tractor that enables aircraft to taxi between the gate and runway without using their main jet engines. Instead, the aircraft operates using only its Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), significantly reducing fuel burn, CO₂ emissions and noise during ground operations.
Icelandair takes flight to Venice
On May 22 2026, Icelandair inaugurated direct flights to Venice, Italy, from its hub in Reykjavik, marking the airline’s expansion into one of Europe’s most coveted destinations. The new route to Venice Marco Polo Airport reflects the carrier’s strategic commitment to growing its European network and connecting travellers to world-renowned cities. Icelandair will operate three weekly flights between Reykjavík and Venice through to October 18, 2026, with departures scheduled for Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Flights will be operated by a 737-MAX8 aircraft.
Southwest Airlines bringing ‘Independence One’ to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026
Southwest Airlines® announced it will participate in EAA’s AirVenture 2026 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with its high-flying tribute to America’s semiquincentennial celebration, Independence One. This newly launched, freedom-flying Boeing 737 MAX 8 will visit the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration® on Wednesday, July 22, showcasing Southwest®’s support of those who’ve given us the freedom to fly.
Bridge to Ireland: New Aer Lingus route from Dublin to Pittsburgh takes off
Aer Lingus is celebrating the launch of its first flight from Dublin Airport to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania today. This new service will operate four times per week and builds on the airline’s partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the most storied football franchises in the US. Renowned as the ‘City of Bridges,’ Pittsburgh features over 446 bridges within its boundaries. To celebrate the inaugural flight, Aer Lingus lit the city’s Three Sisters Bridges on the Allegheny River in green, white and orange. Dubbed a ‘Bridge to Ireland’, the creative illumination added even further ambiance to Pittsburgh’s famous skyline.
Saudia becomes first Middle East and Africa operator of the Airbus A321XLR
Saudia, the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has taken delivery of its first A321XLR, marking a significant milestone as the first airline in the Middle East and Africa to operate Airbus’ newest extra-long-range single-aisle aircraft. The aircraft, powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines, is the first of 15 A321XLRs on order by the airline. This delivery is a cornerstone of Saudia’s comprehensive fleet modernisation program, directly supporting the expansion of its international network in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. By increasing connectivity and capacity, the A321XLR will support the Kingdom’s ambition to attract over 150 million visitors annually by the end of the decade.
“Fuel Available for Summer – Book with the Lufthansa Group”
Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group Mr. Vranckx, most European airlines are confident that there will be no jet fuel shortage this summer. Customers can book flights with confidence, they say. Do you share that view? Yes, that applies to us as well. At all six European hubs of the Lufthansa Group — Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, and Rome — as well as abroad, there are no signs from our suppliers that fuel supply will be at risk this summer.