Travel News Page 473
The Global Footprint of Youth Action in Camps International’s Latest Report
Camps International, a social enterprise that provides school expeditions for student volunteers worldwide, including the UAE, today released its 2025 Impact Report, which outlines significant measures in education, environmental conservation, and community development. The report reflects more than two decades of purpose-driven impact, including over 413,000 hours in 2023 and 2024 of hands-on project work contributed globally, and details the organisation’s work across education, environmental restoration, and community development, efforts that align closely with global sustainability goals and regional youth development strategies.
Air New Zealand strengthens regional links with domestic jet service for Hamilton
From 18 September, select services between the two cities will be operated by a 171-seat Airbus A320, marking a major milestone as Air New Zealand brings domestic jet services back to Hamilton for the first time in 25 years. These flights will operate alongside the airline’s ATR 72 turboprop services, maintaining choice for customers throughout the day while adding approximately 25,000 seats a year on the route.
TUI boosts capacity at Cardiff Airport for Summer 26 with new routes and flights
TUI has announced a further major expansion at Cardiff Airport with new routes added to its flying programme, as well as boosted frequency to some of the most popular holiday destinations for Welsh travellers. The additional capacity gives holidaymakers even more choice and flexibility for a summer getaway from their local airport. New routes From summer 2026, a fourth aircraft will be based at Cardiff Airport, increasing the choice of holiday destinations for customers.
Jet2holidays pioneers new functionality, customers can track their departure transfers in real-time
Jet2holidays has become the first UK tour operator to enable customers to track their coach transfer to the departure airport in real time, giving customers added assurance which has already seen a significant reduction in call volumes. The brand-new ‘Live Transfer Status’ functionality is rolling out to Jet2holidays customers taking a coach transfer back to their departure airport when returning home from their holidays across all destinations in the Balearics, Canaries, Mainland Spain, Morocco, Turkey and Bulgaria.
Delta Air Lines’ 100th year takes flight
In 1925, what would become Delta Air Lines started as the world’s first aerial crop-dusting operation in the Mississippi Delta region. Nearly a century after its first passenger flight, the airline has survived mergers, recessions and bankruptcy, growing from a single passenger route to an international carrier with more than 5,000 flights a day. Correspondent Kris Van Cleave talks with Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian about the airline’s future amid worries about the economy and aviation safety; visits the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta; and attends a “garage sale” where the airline’s fans can buy pieces of aviation history.
JetBlue Expands Transatlantic Service from Boston
JetBlue New England’s leading leisure airline, expands its transatlantic network with the launch of two new nonstop routes from Boston to Madrid, Spain (MAD) and Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI). These daily seasonal flights, operating through October 25, 2025, mark JetBlue’s latest step in expanding its European reach from Boston Logan International Airport and strengthening its commitment to Boston as a key international gateway. In addition to these new destinations, seasonal service between Boston and London-Gatwick returns.
Icelandair adds Edinburgh and Malaga to its winter schedule
Icelandair will start four new destinations this fall. Edinburgh and Malaga will be added as new destinations in September, in addition to the previously announced Istanbul and Miami. Due to high demand, the flight schedule to Nashville has been extended into January and flights to Hamburg have been extended through October. Additionally, frequency has been increased to Alicante, Barcelona and Brussels.
Marella Cruises announces Denise van Outen as Chief Chill-out Officer
New research conducted by Marella Cruises, TUI UK&I’s ocean cruise line, has revealed a definitive list of signs you are ready for heading abroad or stepping onto to that glorious cruise, with spending hours Googling things to do (41 percent), getting your suitcase out, even though you don’t leave for weeks (32 percent), ordering a million holiday outfits online (24 percent) and repeatedly checking your passport is in date (23 percent). One in four (23 percent) say that checking and planning excursions is a sign you need a getaway, while zoning out in work meetings is a big indicator for a fifth (15 percent).
flydubai charts a new course with launch of Ab Initio Pilot Training programme
flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, announced recently the launch of its Ab Initio Pilot Training programme, in partnership with international overseas flight training partners. This initiative comes as part of the airline’s workforce strategy to meet the growing demands of its expanding fleet and network over the next decade.
Korean Air employees lend helping hands in Nepal and Mongolia
Korean Air recently carried out a series of volunteer and environmental initiatives in Nepal and Mongolia, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to the global communities it serves. From May 19 to 24, members of one of Korean Air’s in-house volunteer groups traveled to Chitwan, Nepal - located about 150 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu - to support a local children’s daycare center. While the region is known for its rich natural environment and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it continues to face critical shortages in basic infrastructure such as electricity, gas, healthcare and education.
QANTAS BOOSTS TASMAN FLYING FOR CUSTOMERS OVER SUMMER HOLIDAY SEASON
Qantas is announcing more flights for customers between Australia and New Zealand, with the airline boosting its capacity across the Tasman by up to 20 per cent throughout December 2025 and January 2026*. The additional flights provide more options and greater choice for customers travelling between the two countries during the peak summer holiday period, with around 60,000 additional seats compared to the same time last year.
Thailand Launches Amazing Thailand Love Wins Festival to Mark Pride Month
The Royal Thai Government launched the “Amazing Thailand Love Wins Festival (Pride Month)”, a nationwide celebration taking place throughout June in honour of global Pride Month. The campaign reinforces Thailand’s image as an inclusive and welcoming travel destination. Presiding over the official launch, Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, stated: “This festival is more than a celebration—it is a reflection of our national values. Thailand stands proudly for human rights, gender equality, and the freedom to love. With marriage equality now the law of the land, we reaffirm our commitment to inclusion and send a clear message to the world: everyone is welcome here.”