Virgin Atlantic CEO Corneel Koster said at the Skift Global Forum in New York that increasing mandates on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) while supply continues to lag is not tenable for the airline industry. He noted that the U.K. SAF mandate requires the fuel to make up 2% of the country's jet fuel demand, eventually rising to 22%, but there isn't enough SAF available.
Qatar Airways CEO Hamad Al-Khater said at the Skift Global Forum in New York City that the carrier is not ready to pass higher fuel costs on to customers, calling it an option of last resort because of the competitive landscape in the Middle East. He noted that fuel prices have surged again as attacks in the Iran war intensified, and that Qatar Airways, like other Middle Eastern carriers, has been hit hard by airspace closures in the region and a drop in demand.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will hold the joint World Financial Symposium (WFS) and World Passenger Symposium (WPS) on 28–29 October 2026 in Macao (SAR), China, under the theme "From Vision to Value: The Next Era of Air Travel." The event will bring together leaders from airline retailing, finance and passenger experience to discuss artificial intelligence, modern airline retailing, digital identity and new payment solutions. The agenda includes the IATA Industry Economic Outlook, results of the 2026 IATA Global Passenger Survey, and three specialized tracks: Retail and Distribution (Offers & Orders), Financial Services and Processing, and Passenger Experience and Acc…
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is urging the U.S. government to fund sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) similarly to how it supported solar energy. He sees potential in corn and soy currently used for biodiesel and wants more government support to firm up the industry, while criticizing Europe's approach.
Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines are reportedly close to injecting INR 100 billion ($1.1 billion) in fresh capital into Air India, contributed in proportion to their 74.9% and 25.1% stakes and released in installments tied to performance milestones. The funding follows a difficult fiscal 2026 in which Air India Group's net loss more than doubled to roughly INR 222 billion ($2.3 billion) on revenue that fell nearly 9% to INR 718 billion ($7.5 billion). The airline's recovery was set back by two major external shocks—the June 2025 crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that killed more than 240 people, and the prolonged closure of Pakistani airspace, which Air India estimates costs about $423 milli…
Airports worldwide are pursuing the paradox of hitting net-zero targets while accommodating passenger growth, and many believe the answer lies in building less. Vancouver International (YVR), Amsterdam Schiphol, and Heathrow are using digital twins and analytics to squeeze more capacity from existing assets, avoiding emissions and costs of new construction. Where expansion is unavoidable, operators like Aena, San Diego International, and YVR design in efficiency, renewables, and modularity from the start. However, Scope 3 emissions, dominated by flights, remain the biggest challenge, with aviation accounting for roughly 2.5% of global carbon emissions.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will impose a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Levy on tickets sold from 1 October 2026 for flights departing from 1 January 2027. The levy must be shown as a separate line item. Funds will go to a statutory SAF Fund managed by SAFCo, which will procure SAF and allocate environmental attributes. Cargo shipments are deferred to 2028.
Four departments including CAAC issued opinions on improving entry and exit mechanisms for public air transport enterprises, stating no increase in the number of airlines by 2030, supporting mergers and market exit, and tightening entry standards. This aims to curb involution and optimize supply.
Southwest Airlines is entering the airport lounge business for the first time, announcing plans to open premium lounges in Austin, Baltimore, Nashville, and Honolulu beginning in 2027, with at least seven more locations planned across high-demand business and leisure markets in subsequent years. The carrier is partnering with JPMorganChase on the initiative and will launch a new co-branded credit card that grants access to the spaces. Framed by executives as a strategic investment in the Rapid Rewards loyalty program, the move marks a significant departure from Southwest's traditionally no-frills model and continues a broader transformation of the airline toward premium offerings. Details o…
In an interview ahead of Skift Global Forum 2026, Virgin Atlantic CEO Corneel Koster argues that human connection is the airline's durable advantage as AI reshapes travel. The airline is increasing premium seating by 30%, accelerating Starlink rollout, and leveraging loyalty programs to compete against larger rivals.
Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) released its 2025 Annual Operational Safety Report (Raso). The report shows that in 2025, Brazilian scheduled passenger flights totaled 914,000 departures with no accidents or fatalities. Across all aviation segments, there were 153 accidents (down 12.57%), 82 serious incidents (up 15.49%), and 62 fatalities (down 59.21%). The accident rate per 100,000 flight hours was 5.9, a 24% reduction from 2024, and the fatality rate decreased by 56%. Accidents were concentrated in agricultural and general aviation, together accounting for about 60% of occurrences. Brazil ranked 7th among 185 countries in ICAO's USOAP-CMA audit with an effective implementa…
Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) launched a campaign on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, focusing on the risk of online grooming of children and adolescents. The campaign is displayed at airports and other transit points, and highlights the entry into force of the Digital Statute for Children and Adolescents. UN data shows one in three trafficking victims worldwide in 2024 was a child; a 2025 UNICEF survey found 52% of cases began through online contact.
SAP Concur published a podcast conversation between Anshuman Singh, Director of Digital Product Management and Experience at American Airlines, and Jeanne Dion of SAP Concur, discussing how American Airlines integrated TripLink to offer business travelers a smoother and safer online booking experience. American Airlines received a 2020 SAP Concur Partner Innovation Award for integrating TripLink during the pandemic. The conversation also covers frictionless travel, mobile app adoption, biometrics, and the future of business travel post-pandemic.
An SAP Concur blog post notes that COVID-19 has caused unprecedented disruption to the travel and hospitality industries: eight in 10 hotel rooms are empty, and 2020 is projected to be the worst year on record for hotel occupancy; ARC reported that airline ticket sales for the week ending April 5, 2020 fell 95.7% year-over-year. The article advises travel managers to take action to stabilize T&E programs, including adjusting T&E programs to support the changing business environment, ensuring reporting transparency, breaking down silos, preparing for the next disruption, and building stronger internal and external partnerships.