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Airbus and partners complete successful wake energy retrieval trials

Airbus and partners complete successful wake energy retrieval trials

Airbus in partnership with Air France, Delta Air Lines, French bee, and Virgin Atlantic, and operations partners, AirNav Ireland, DSNA, EUROCONTROL and NATS, has successfully completed a new phase of trials for Airbus’ fello’fly project. Fello’fly takes inspiration from migrating geese and showcases the power of collaboration by pairing flights to reduce fuel consumption. With this flying technique, the first aircraft creates an uplift that drives fuel efficiency for the following aircraft, called ‘wake energy retrieval’. Once operational, wake energy retrieval has the potential to make fuel savings of up to 5% on long-haul flights.

Etihad Airways and Sotheby’s Announce Strategic Partnership

Etihad Airways and Sotheby’s Announce Strategic Partnership

Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline, and Sotheby’s, the global destination for art and luxury announce a strategic partnership which will see Etihad become the Presenting Partner for Sotheby’s once-in-a-lifetime two-part exhibition, Icons: Back to Madison. The exhibition brings together some of the most iconic works ever sold under Sotheby’s banner, offering a rare opportunity to experience masterpieces spanning multiple centuries and collecting categories.

Emirates ends the year on high scooping 5 more global awards

Emirates ends the year on high scooping 5 more global awards

Emirates is ending 2025 on a sky-high note with another 5 global accolades won, this time at the 32nd annual World Travel Awards, held in Bahrain. Adding to its impressive portfolio of more than 20 accolades received in 2025, the latest titles celebrate Emirates as a leading airline brand, as well as recognising its multi award-winning inflight entertainment system ice, more honours for Emirates First Class onboard experience and First Class Lounges, and another nod to Emirates Skywards – as the World’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme 2025.

WIZZ AIR LAUNCHES NEW ROUTE FROM LONDON GATWICK TO VALENCIA, SPAIN

WIZZ AIR LAUNCHES NEW ROUTE FROM LONDON GATWICK TO VALENCIA, SPAIN

12 December 2025 Press Release Airline News Organisations & Operators

Wizz Air today announces a new route connecting London Gatwick with Valencia, further expanding the airline’s connections from the UK to Spain. The route is the sixth new Spanish route Wizz Air will launch in 2026, joining recently announced connections between London Luton and Bilbao, Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Seville, reiterating Wizz Air’s position as a key provider of low-cost travel to Spain.

Turkish Airlines Opens its First European Lounge Abroad in Edinburgh

Turkish Airlines Opens its First European Lounge Abroad in Edinburgh

11 December 2025 Press Release Airline News Organisations & Operators

Turkish Airlines has opened its first-ever European lounge at Edinburgh Airport, aside from the world-famous one at its Istanbul hub, bringing another dimension of its world-renowned hospitality to travellers in Scotland. The new lounge further elevates Edinburgh’s premium travel offering while reinforcing the airport’s growing role as an international gateway. Türkiye’s flag carrier, which flies to more countries than any other, hosted a celebratory event at Edinburgh International Airport on 10 December to mark the opening of its eighth lounge outside of Türkiye. Turkish Airlines continues to bring scaled-down slices of its five-star Lounge in İstanbul to its international gateways to maintain a seamless and luxurious experience.

WorldTicket by GO7 expands IATA BSP network to Armenia, completing its Caucasus coverage

WorldTicket by GO7 expands IATA BSP network to Armenia, completing its Caucasus coverage

WorldTicket by GO7, which gives travel agents access to 150+ airline partners through its W2 ticket stock, has today gone live in IATA’s Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) in Armenia. This enables IATA-accredited travel agents in the country to sell, issue, and settle W2 tickets in Armenian dram through their existing BSP setup – with instant ticketing and no additional configuration.

Sunrise Airways and Protect Group join forces to offer hassle-free refunds

Sunrise Airways and Protect Group join forces to offer hassle-free refunds

Protect Group, a leader in ancillary travel products, has today announced a strategic agreement with Sunrise Airways. This partnership now offers the airline’s passengers a simple and reliable way to secure refunds should they not be able to travel. Going forward, Sunrise Airways customers can book their flights with greater peace of mind, knowing they are protected against any unforeseen events thanks to Protect Group’s flagship service, Refund Protect. This will allow all travellers to make their tickets fully refundable for the first time if they are unable to travel. An upgrade that was previously unavailable.

VIRGIN ATLANTIC LAUNCHES THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL PLANNING: YOUR PERSONAL CONCIERGE IS HERE

VIRGIN ATLANTIC LAUNCHES THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL PLANNING: YOUR PERSONAL CONCIERGE IS HERE

Virgin Atlantic has today unveiled the full rollout of its innovative Virgin Atlantic Concierge across both the Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Atlantic Holidays websites, giving every guest access to an intelligent, always-on travel companion that redefines how journeys are planned and booked. Powered by OpenAI and built in partnership with Tomoro​ teams​, Virgin Atlantic’s digital Concierge combines the warmth and personality of Virgin Atlantic with cutting-edge AI technology. Whether guests are seeking the perfect getaway, exploring Virgin Atlantic Holidays, or booking their next flight, the Concierge listens, understands, and curates tailored recommendations in real time, offering a seamless way to plan, book, and dream about future travels through natural conversation. Guests can choose to tap, type or talk, enjoying effortless interaction however they prefer.

flynas Celebrates Launching Its First Direct Flight Between Madinah and Baghdad

flynas Celebrates Launching Its First Direct Flight Between Madinah and Baghdad

9 December 2025 Press Release Airline News Organisations & Operators

flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the world and the best LCC in the Middle East, celebrated today launching its first direct flight between Madinah and Baghdad, adding one more route to its flight network connecting the two brotherly countries, in line with flynas growth and expansion plan and in parallel with the national goals in the aviation sector