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Air Niugini discloses order for two more Airbus A220s

Air Niugini discloses order for two more Airbus A220s

2 June 2025 Press Release Airline News

Air Niugini, the national carrier of Papua New Guinea, has signed a firm order with Airbus for two more latest generation single-aisle A220-100s. This follows an initial order in 2023 for six aircraft. In addition, the carrier has lease agreements signed for three A220-300s from US-based lessor Azorra. The new order was disclosed as the first A220 for the airline entered final assembly at Airbus facilities in Mirabel in Canada.

The Ritz-Carlton, Amman Celebrates GM Tareq Derbas’ Latest Honor and Legacy of Excellence

The Ritz-Carlton, Amman Celebrates GM Tareq Derbas’ Latest Honor and Legacy of Excellence

2 June 2025 Press Release Hotel News

The Ritz-Carlton, Amman is honored to announce that its General Manager, Mr. Tareq Derbas, has been awarded General Manager of the Year – Jordan at the 2025 GM Awards. Presented at a prestigious ceremony in the UAE, this honor marks the second consecutive year Mr. Derbas has received this accolade, an extraordinary recognition of his leadership, innovation, and enduring impact on luxury hospitality in Jordan and the broader region.

Emirates to reintroduce Damascus services from 16 July

Emirates to reintroduce Damascus services from 16 July

2 June 2025 Press Release Airline News

Emirates is set to reintroduce flights to Damascus from 16 July 2025*. Operations were suspended to the Syrian capital in 2012, and the return of services follow a comprehensive evaluation in conjunction with the UAE GCAA. The airline will initially start with three weekly services on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, with plans to expand to four weekly flights from 2 August* with an additional flight on Saturday. Emirates will expand its Damascus services to daily operations, effective 26 October *.

China Airlines Partners with Southwest Airlines to Expand Connections in North America

China Airlines Partners with Southwest Airlines to Expand Connections in North America

2 June 2025 Press Release Airline News

China Airlines (CAL), a Taiwan-based carrier, announced today that it is partnering with Southwest Airlines® in the U.S. to set up a transfer network for trans-Pacific routes. Improved accessibility means in the coming future travelers will be able to fly non-stop from Taiwan to the United States (West Coast) and then transfer initially to more than 30 inland cities. China Airlines and Southwest Airlines flights at four major gateways, namely Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA), will offer seamless transfers to Southwest Airlines’ extensive network spanning the entire United States.

LATAM Airlines Group to Host 82nd IATA AGM in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

LATAM Airlines Group to Host 82nd IATA AGM in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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.

Luis Gallego Chairs IATA Board

Luis Gallego Chairs IATA Board

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Luis Gallego, CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG), has assumed his duties as Chair of the IATA Board. His one-year term began at the conclusion of the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, India, on 2 June 2025. Gallego is the 83rd Chair of the IATA Board on which he has served since 2018. Gallego succeeds IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, who will continue to serve on the Board.

Willie Walsh’s Report on the Air Transport Industry at the 81st IATA AGM

Willie Walsh’s Report on the Air Transport Industry at the 81st IATA AGM

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.

SWISS to serve starred Ticino cuisine aloft

SWISS to serve starred Ticino cuisine aloft

SWISS will be taking its premium inflight guests on a culinary journey to sunny Southern Switzerland from 4 June onwards. For the latest chapter in the airline’s ‘SWISS Taste of Switzerland’ food and beverage program, starred Michelin chef Federico Palladino of the Cuntitt restaurant in Canton Ticino has concocted a range of exquisite meals for the SWISS First and SWISS Business cabins, including smoked trout with Sbrinz panna cotta, lamb loin with potato mantecata and shortcrust tartlet with pistachio cream.

American Airlines now offers TSA PreCheck Touchless ID for AAdvantage members at select airports

American Airlines now offers TSA PreCheck Touchless ID for AAdvantage members at select airports

AAdvantage® members traveling through Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) will be eligible to enjoy a streamlined process at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport security checkpoints through TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID. This program provides eligible members who choose to participate with the ability to move through security with ease at select airports. After an identity match compares a customer’s image to photos they previously provided to the government, such as those in a passport, Global Entry or a visa card, the customer will be able to move through security faster with ease.

IndiGo, Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic Announce Partnership

IndiGo, Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic Announce Partnership

2 June 2025 Press Release Airline News Organisations & Operators

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.