Paraguay Travel Advice Updated
The UK FCDO updated its travel advice for Paraguay, adding information on travelling with children. The advice still emphasizes that no travel is guaranteed safe and recommends appropriate travel insurance.
The UK FCDO updated its travel advice for Paraguay, adding information on travelling with children. The advice still emphasizes that no travel is guaranteed safe and recommends appropriate travel insurance.
The UK FCDO updated its travel advice for Seychelles, adding information on illegal drugs and prison sentences. The advice still emphasizes that no travel is guaranteed safe and recommends appropriate travel insurance.
SAP Concur's blog highlights the benefits of integrating with cloud ERP, including unified data, real-time visibility, improved compliance, and greater efficiency. Through automated workflows and real-time data synchronization, organizations can eliminate data silos and achieve a single source of truth for spend management.
Amex GBT announced the successful refinancing and upsizing of its senior secured term loan facility, reducing the borrowing rate by 50 basis points to SOFR plus 2.00%, and increasing the facility by $100 million to $1.486 billion, maturing in July 2031. This enhances financial flexibility to invest in growth, including AI.
Booking Holdings announced it will hold a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results on Wednesday, February 18 at 4:30 p.m. ET. The event will be webcast on the company's IR website, with audio replay available for seven days. The results release will be posted at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET on the same day.
Fareportal and Amadeus announced an expanded long-term partnership to drive innovation in travel distribution. Fareportal will leverage Amadeus's technology to accelerate next-generation distribution and has contracted Outpayce B2B Wallet for virtual card supplier payments, improving payment efficiency.
The U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory for Bangladesh, maintaining Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to kidnapping, unrest, crime, and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk; the Chittagong Hill Tracts remain Level 4: Do Not Travel. U.S. government employees face travel restrictions, and citizens are advised to avoid gatherings and remain vigilant.
The U.S. State Department issued a Level 2 advisory for The Gambia due to crime, unrest, and inadequate health infrastructure. Petty crime and burglaries are common in Banjul and tourist areas; separatist activity near the southern border; health services are inadequate.
The U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory for The Gambia, maintaining Level 2 but replacing the 'Other' risk indicator with 'Unrest'. Crime, unrest, and inadequate health infrastructure are cited. Separatist activity near the southern border; avoid night travel.
OAG announced the appointment of former Skyscanner executive Shane Corstorphine as a non-executive director. Corstorphine, former CFO and SVP for Growth at Skyscanner, now runs Scale Up Consulting Ltd, and will support OAG's growth and transformation.
OAG released its ranking of 2025's busiest airline routes. Jeju (CJU) to Seoul Gimpo (GMP) is the world's busiest route in 2025 with 14.4 million seats scheduled, up 1% versus 2024 but still 17% below 2019 capacity, with seven carriers operating the route. The second and third routes are both in Japan: Sapporo New Chitose-Tokyo Haneda (12.1 million seats) and Fukuoka-Tokyo Haneda (11.5 million seats). The top 10 comprises entirely domestic flights, with nine of ten in Asia Pacific; the only non-Asia Pacific route is fifth-placed Jeddah-Riyadh with 9.8 million seats, up 13% year-on-year, the fastest growth in the top ten. Among cross-border routes, Hong Kong-Taipei leads with 6.8 million sea…
The U.S. State Department issued a Level 4 advisory for the Central African Republic due to unrest, crime, kidnapping, landmines, health, and terrorism. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services; employees require special authorization and armored vehicles.
OAG released its 2024 busiest routes rankings based on its Global Airline Schedules Data. Hong Kong (HKG) to Taipei (TPE) became the world's busiest international route with 6.8 million seats and 48% year-on-year capacity growth, rising from third place last year. Cairo-Jeddah ranked second with 5.5 million seats and 68% growth over five years, while Dubai-Riyadh ranked sixth with 4.3 million seats. Asia Pacific accounted for seven of the top ten international routes and nine of the top ten domestic routes.
OAG's report "Middle East Skies: A New Era of Competition, Capacity and Growth" shows the Middle East aviation market expanded 5% since 2019, the second-fastest growing region globally behind South Asia at 12%. Low-cost carriers now account for 29% of Middle East capacity, more than doubling from 13% in 2014. flynas posted 63% capacity growth in 2024 versus 2019, the region's fastest-growing airline, followed by flydubai at 56%. Emirates and Qatar Airways both ranked among the 2024 top 20 global airlines by capacity.
Travelport released release notes for major versions 25.11.x of its TripServices Flights APIs, covering several customer-facing updates. AirReservation 26.11.78 adds loyalty program cross-accrual, returning frequent traveler cross-accrual on partner airlines via supplier and shareWithSupplier objects in Reservation Retrieve and Workbench Retrieve responses. Other updates include standard NDC flight disruption handling flows, NDC bundled offers, Air Canada flight pass as form of payment, and GDS exchange search by brand.
OAG announced the appointment of Filip Filipov, its current Chief Operating Officer and a former Skyscanner executive, as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Phil Callow, who steps down after thirteen years at the helm. Filipov joined OAG in 2024 and will lead the company into a new era defined by advanced data products and AI-driven intelligence. Chairman Gehan Talwatte said the appointment reflects strong succession planning and a commitment to stability, continuity, and sustained growth. Phil Callow will support the transition during the first quarter of 2026 and thereafter become an Advisor to the Board.
OAG released its ranking of the world's busiest airports for 2024. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) remains the world's busiest global (international + domestic capacity) airport with 62.7 million seats, up 2% versus 2023 but still 1% below 2019 levels. Dubai International Airport (DXB) is second busiest and the leader in international capacity, with seats up 7% year-on-year to 6.2 million. Tokyo Haneda (HND) is third with 55.2 million seats, up 5%, followed by London Heathrow (LHR) in fourth with 51.5 million seats, the busiest airport in Europe. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) was the fastest growing Top 10 airport with 29% year-on-year capacity growth, r…
Travelport released release notes for major versions 25.11.x of its TripServices Flights APIs. Exchange Air Offer 26.11.49 adds search by brand, supporting specifying one or more brand tiers via the BrandPreference object in PricingModifiersAirChange in the Exchange Search request. Other updates include Exchange Air Order 26.11.57 supporting adding free seats and ancillaries during exchange (GDS only) and 26.11.54 supporting exchanges for itineraries with exempt taxes.
OAG analysis shows Asia Pacific total capacity surpassed 2019 by 0.5% in 2024, with domestic markets 4.7% above 2019, led by China and India. International capacity reached 594.8 million seats, one in four globally. Competitive pricing drove fare reductions up to 71% on some routes.
OAG released Megahubs 2025 in its tenth anniversary year. London Heathrow (LHR) ranked the world's top Megahub for a third consecutive year, with international destinations growing 24% over the past decade. Istanbul (IST) surged from 8th to 2nd with a 25% increase in potential connections, where Turkish Airlines operates 79% of flights. Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) completed an all-European top three. Kuala Lumpur (KUL) took joint fourth, the highest-ranked Asian airport and leader in low-cost connectivity, with AirAsia accounting for 36% of flights.
OAG, in collaboration with Microsoft, released a report exploring how AI uses trusted data to address operational challenges like delays and maintenance forecasting. It emphasizes data readiness as key to AI transformation and showcases nine real-world use cases.
OAG released Megahubs 2024, ranking the top 50 most internationally connected airports. London Heathrow (LHR) remained the world's #1, with Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Tokyo Haneda (HND) at #2 and #3. Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) ranked #4, Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) #7, New York JFK #6, and Istanbul (IST) #8. The ranking is based on flight data from the busiest day for global aviation between September 2023 and August 2024, which was August 2, 2024.
Amadeus announced that Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Philippines' main hub, has adopted its biometric technology, allowing passengers to complete immigration in under 20 seconds. The upgrade supports the airport's $3 billion modernization with 78 new biometric eGates. The first batch of 24 eGates became operational in December 2025, with the remaining 54 to be deployed in early 2026 as terminal refurbishment completes. The airport serves more than 50 million passengers annually, with the concession awarded to NNIC in 2024.
OAG released its industry report "The Future of the Airline Passenger Experience," examining three areas reshaping modern air travel: flight booking, inflight entertainment, and airline loyalty. The report analyzes how digital platforms and personalized experiences are redefining booking, how inflight entertainment has evolved from communal screens to personalized streaming, and how traditional loyalty models are shifting toward more flexible approaches to engage a new generation of travelers. OAG Chief Commercial Officer Jeremy Burke said the airline industry is undergoing a transformative shift propelled by technology and data.
OAG released a new report, 'The Rise of Alternative Interlining', introducing it as the evolution of virtual interlining, driven by data integration, technology, and airline collaboration. Three trends: declining traveler loyalty, NDC advancements, and expanding connectivity, offering travelers more flexible options.
OAG published Megahubs 2026, ranking the world's most internationally connected airports. Istanbul Airport (IST) takes first place globally for the first time, with connections to 337 destinations; Turkish Airlines operates 80% of flights there. London Heathrow (LHR) moves into second place, though potential connections on the busiest day fell 6% year-on-year, partly reflecting ongoing Middle East schedule disruption. Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) holds third, and Kuala Lumpur (KUL) retains fourth and remains Asia's most connected airport, with destinations rising to 154. Chicago O'Hare (ORD) rises to fifth, with potential connections up 9.8% and destinations expanding from 297 to 308. Asia Paci…
Perk (formerly TravelPerk) launched Perk Events, an AI-powered module automating the full team event planning lifecycle, from venue selection to travel, attendee management, and communication, supporting events from 9 to 5,000 people. Perk's research found 71% of employees have helped plan team events, with 50% doing so outside their core responsibilities; top pain points were venue sourcing, budget approvals, and travel coordination (39%, 39%, 37%). Forrester Consulting research commissioned by Perk shows 57% of companies have minimally or non-automated event processes.
Airports Council International (ACI) World announced that Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport, has been elected Chair of the World Governing Board for the 2026-2027 term, succeeding Candace McGraw. Lammers brings over 25 years of global aviation experience, having served as ACI EUROPE President and led Munich Airport.
The U.S. Department of State issued a travel advisory for Comoros, maintaining a Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" rating due to crime, unrest, and health risks. There is no full-time official U.S. presence in Comoros, and consular services for U.S. citizens are provided by the U.S. embassy in Madagascar. Petty crime is common, piracy has been reported at sea, and protests occur spontaneously, mostly in Moroni, with some turning violent. Healthcare, including ambulance services, is limited in Moroni and very limited in rural areas, where medical evacuation is often needed for significant injuries and illnesses.
The U.S. Department of State updated its Comoros travel advisory, keeping the Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" rating unchanged while adding a "health" risk indicator and updating the advisory summary. Reasons remain crime, unrest, and health. There is no full-time official U.S. presence in Comoros; consular services are provided by the U.S. embassy in Madagascar. Guidance includes avoiding demonstrations and crowds, having evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance, purchasing medical evacuation insurance, and carrying prescription medication in original packaging with enough supply for the trip.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office updated its travel advice for Equatorial Guinea, with the latest update covering information on commercial disputes on the Safety and Security page. The advice remains current as of September 8, 2026, and was updated on January 8, 2026. The FCDO notes that no travel can be guaranteed safe and advises researching destinations and obtaining appropriate travel insurance covering itinerary, planned activities, and emergency expenses.
The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 1 "Exercise Normal Precautions" travel advisory for Czechia. Czechia is generally considered a safe destination for travelers, but travelers should remain vigilant against petty crime such as pickpocketing, especially in tourist areas and on public transportation. The advisory advises following local laws and guidance from Czech authorities.
Amadeus and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) formalized a Memorandum of Understanding in support of ICAO's "No Country Left Behind" (NCLB) goal. The partnership seeks to enhance States' capacity to adopt advanced digital technologies that improve the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of international air transport systems. Focus areas include capacity-building and technical assistance to states, promoting biometrics interoperability consistent with ICAO Doc 9303 and the TRIP Roadmap, and training programs on digital identity and biometrics. Initial NCLB deliverables are expected in the first half of 2026.
The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" travel advisory for Benin due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Areas bordering Burkina Faso, Niger, and the Nigerian states of Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara are Level 4 "Do Not Travel." U.S. government employees may not travel to Alibori, Atacora, and areas around Parakou without Ambassador approval. Safety risks prevent emergency consular services in the identified border areas.
The U.S. Department of State updated its Benin travel advisory, keeping the Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" rating unchanged while adding an "unrest" risk indicator and updating the advisory summary. Reasons remain unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Areas bordering Burkina Faso, Niger, and the Nigerian states of Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara are Level 4 "Do Not Travel." Military activity and civil unrest may lead to road and land border closures and impact operations at Cotonou International Airport.
Lufthansa Group selected Amadeus as a key technology provider, with nine group airlines planning to adopt Amadeus Nevio's AI-native modular solutions for personalized retailing, Order, and Delivery Management. The approach aims to enable a single Order view and improved servicing throughout the journey. Lufthansa Group is expected to become the first airline group to adopt Amadeus Delivery Management, which includes capabilities such as a digital Journey Pass and fulfilment tracking.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice for St Kitts and Nevis, with the latest update on 5 January 2026 and still current as of 8 September 2026. The update adds information on the 'Entry requirements' page that all visitors to St Kitts and Nevis must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation before travel. The FCDO also notes that no travel can be guaranteed safe and advises travellers to research destinations and obtain appropriate travel insurance covering itinerary, planned activities and emergency expenses.
The U.S. Department of State raised the travel advisory for Grenada to Level 2 and added a 'crime' risk indicator, removed previously listed areas of increased risk, and updated the advisory summary. It advises exercising increased caution in Grenada due to risk of crime. Violent crime can occur anywhere in Grenada; American citizens have been victims of armed robbery, assault, burglary and rape, and in some cases have been killed. Police response times may not be as fast as one might expect in the United States. The advisory also includes specific guidance such as not physically resisting a robbery, using caution when walking or driving at night, keeping a low profile, staying aware of sur…
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice for Guyana, with the latest update on 30 December 2025 and still current as of 8 September 2026. The update concerns information on health risks and healthcare in Guyana, on the 'Health' page. The FCDO also notes that no travel can be guaranteed safe, advises reading all advice in the guide, and advises travellers to research destinations and obtain appropriate travel insurance covering itinerary, planned activities and emergency expenses.
The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory for Russia due to terrorism, unrest, wrongful detention and other risks, and says U.S. citizens in Russia should leave immediately. The U.S. government has limited ability to help U.S. citizens in Russia, especially outside Moscow; the U.S. Embassy in Moscow has reduced staff, the Russian government has restricted travel for embassy personnel, and all U.S. consulates in Russia have suspended operations, including consular services. The advisory cites a high risk of wrongful detention, dual-nationality issues, demonstrations, monitoring of electronic devices, U.S. credit and debit cards no longer working in Russia due to…