ReportWire

Tag: Global

  • United, ITA Codesharing to Begin Sept. 15

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    United Airlines and Italian carrier ITA Airways have begun selling tickets for a codesharing agreement that takes effect on Sept. 15, the carriers announced.

    With the codesharing agreement, United passengers can purchase a single ticket and earn miles on travel beyond United’s service to Rome and Milan to ITA’s domestic connections as well as elsewhere in Europe. For ITA, the agreement opens up bookings to several U.S. airports including Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Honolulu, Houston and Newark, according to the carriers.

    ITA said the agreement aligns with its plan to strengthen its offering in North America. “This initiative is part of a broader growth plan in international markets, which is expected to progress with ITA Airways joining Star Alliance in 2026, following continued integration into the Lufthansa Group,” ITA CEO and general manager Joerg Eberhart said in a statement.

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    mbaker@thebtngroup.com (Michael B. Baker)

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  • QTech Games Celebrates 10th Anniversary, Eyes Further Growth

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    QTech Games, a leading game aggregator across emerging markets, announced that it is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The company reminisced about its humbler beginnings and reiterated its ambition to continue growing.

    A Decade at the Forefront of iGaming Content Aggregation

    QTech Games was founded in 2015 and quickly grew to become a leading aggregator platform in Asia. The company set itself apart from the competition by pioneering local versions of European content. After its double-digit growth in Asia, the company expanded its focus on emerging markets, further reinforcing its global footprint.

    Nowadays, QTech Games is an “international powerhouse” that supplies content to partners across several continents and multiple regions. Despite its staggering growth, the company has “never lost sight” of what matters, which, in its case, is finding the best online games in the iGaming and making them accessible to more operators all over the world.

    Innovation has been another core principle for QTech Games, which has remained committed to “corralling the most innovative tools with which to enhance player engagement.” The company has developed a variety of tools, solutions, initiatives, and mechanics, including a unique crypto-to-game currency feature, multiple progressive jackpots, and multi-supplier crash game tournaments.

    One of the company’s more recent launches is the QTech Hybrid product, which provides a retail solution that can be easily transferred to mobile, creating new synergies between land-based and online gaming.

    QTech Games Is Looking Forward to Another 10 Years of Success

    Philip Doftvik, QTech Games’ chief executive officer, was pleased with how far his company has come. He said that the 10th anniversary offers an ideal opportunity to reflect on how far QTech Games has come and where it is heading. Doftvik said that he hopes on replicating the company’s current success over the course of the next 10 years and beyond and noted that the company has always “been in it for the long run.”

    We have more work ahead of us, of course, unlocking more untapped markets for diversified growth from all our regions. However, we have a special focus now on Africa and Latin America. I’m also excited about the launch of the QTech Hybrid and firmly believe we have a very interesting future ahead!

    Philip Doftvik, CEO, QTech Games

    QTech Games’ commitment to innovation and high standards has not gone unnoticed. Over the years, the company has secured a variety of accolades at various industry fairs all over the world. Among other things, the company has been named “Best Online Casino Supplier” and “Most Innovative Partner,” further highlighting its dedication to excellence.

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    Angel Hristov

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  • Air France Starts Free Wi-Fi Rollout

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    Air France has begun rolling out its new Starlink-powered free Wi-Fi service across its fleet, with plans to have it available on all aircraft by the end of 2026, the carrier announced. 

    So far, Air France has two Embraer 190 and two Airbus A220 aircraft equipped with the high-speed Wi-Fi service and will equip one of its Airbus A350 aircraft with the service this week. By the end of this year, Air France expects to have it available in 30 percent of its fleet, with the full rollout—including regional aircraft—happening over the following year.

    The service is free for customers in all cabins, according to Air France. They must log in to their Flying Blue loyalty account to access the service, and they will be able to create an account onboard if they do not yet have one, the carrier said.

    Aircraft not yet equipped with the high-speed Wi-Fi will continue to offer an Internet connection option that lets Flying Blue members access messaging applications for free but using it for tasks beyond messaging requires a fee.

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    mbaker@thebtngroup.com (Michael B. Baker)

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  • U.S. to Increase ESTA Fee by $19

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    U.S. authorities have confirmed that the new increased fee of $40 for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization will take effect from later this month.

    U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the ESTA fee will nearly double from its current $21 to $40 from Sept. 30.

    Visitors from visa waiver countries, such as the U.K. and most EU members, have to apply for an ESTA for entry to the United States. The authorization is valid for two years unless the traveler’s passport expires within this time.

    “All unpaid ESTA applications in the system after the system update on September 30, 2025, will be subject to the new fee amount of $40,” confirmed CBP in a statement on its website.

    U.S. authorities previously raised the fee for an ESTA application from $14 to $21 in May 2022.

    Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of the Advantage Travel Partnership said: “The price of an ESTA nearly doubling under the Trump administration is a blow to British travelers and is likely to impact U.S. visitor numbers over the coming months.

    “However, if travelers are planning a trip to the U.S. in the next two years, they can avoid this fee increase by securing their ESTA before 29 September.”

    The rise in the price of an ESTA comes after the UK increased the charge for its own Electronic Travel Authorization from £10 to £16 in April.

    Meanwhile, the EU has raised the planned application fee for its forthcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System from €7 to €20, even though it is not due to be introduced until late 2026.

    ETIAS will be preceded by the phased launch of the EU’s new biometric Entry-Exit System, which is finally due to be introduced on Oct. 12.

    Lo Bue-Said predicted that the launch of EES, which will require non-EU travelers to provide a digital facial image and fingerprints at the border, could lead to longer queues for U.K. passport holders visiting EU countries from mid-October.

    “In a few weeks you will start to see them taking biometrics, although passports will still be stamped,” she added. “There are likely to be more queues for Brits travelling to the EU.

    “Spain is one of the countries that is 100 per cent ready and geared up to take biometrics. Over time, it will get easier as more countries make sure they are EES-ready.

    “It’s a confusing time for travelers. We’re providing members with a toolkit of different assets so they can communicate with the customer about what it means for them.”

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    Rob Gill

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  • PKFare Integrates Content from Argentina’s FlyBondi

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    Travel content aggregator PKFare is partnering with Argentine ultra-low-cost carrier FlyBondi to provide the carrier’s content to its distribution partners via its API, the company announced.

    The integration will help FlyBondi expand its bookings business beyond Argentina to other Latin American markets, such as Brazil and Mexico, as well as long-haul demand from the Asia/Pacific, Europe and North America regions, according to PKFare. FlyBondi flies domestic routes in Argentina as well as internationally to Brazil.

    “We remain committed to deepening our presence in the region and delivering travel sellers more competitive, conversion-ready offers,” PKFare co-founder and SVP Jason Sui said in a statement.

    PKFare, which reports more than 2,000 distribution partners around the world, said it has built direct connections with more than 40 carriers to date.

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    mbaker@thebtngroup.com (Michael B. Baker)

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  • Alaska Airlines and Icelandair Establish Codeshare

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    Longstanding partners Icelandair and Alaska Airlines have inked a bilateral codeshare agreement that will allow passengers to combine flights from both airlines under a single ticket. 

    Both airlines underscored the deeper partnership will allow them to create more seamless experiences, including linked baggage handling, on routes served by each carrier. It will also enable increased and improved connectivity for U.S. travelers across Europe and for Europe travelers to the U.S. West Coast and beyond with Alaska’s service to Hawaii and Asia, the carriers said.

    As part of the new codeshare agreement, officials said, loyalty point accrual and redemption will be reciprocal to both airlines. 

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    EWest@thebtngroup.com (Elizabeth West)

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  • United to Expand Service to Tel Aviv

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    United on Thursday announced plans to resume flights this fall to Tel Aviv, Israel, from Chicago O’Hare and Washington Dulles international airports. It will be the first time United has operated these flights since 2023. Four-times-weekly flights from Chicago commence Nov. 1 and three-times-weekly from Washington, DC, begin Nov. 2. 

    United currently offers twice-daily flights between Tel Aviv and Newark Liberty International Airport. 

    Delta Air Lines this week restarted daily service between Tel Aviv and New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport on Airbus A330-900neo aircraft. Delta had suspended service on the route in June. 

    American Airlines has not operated Tel Aviv flights since October 2023 and has not yet announced a service restart date.

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    EWest@thebtngroup.com (Elizabeth West)

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  • WestJet Places Record Order with Boeing

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    WestJet has reached an agreement with Boeing to purchase 60 737-Max narrowbody aircraft and seven 787-9 Dreamliner widebody aircraft, the Canadian carrier’s largest order with Boeing to date.

    The order, to be delivered through 2034, includes the options for 25 additional 737-Max aircraft and four additional Dreamliner aircraft, bringing WestJet’s current order book to 123 aircraft and 40 options, according to WestJet. The carrier’s current fleet consists of 193 aircraft, including 147 Boeing 737s, seven 787s and 39 De Havilland Q400s.

    “With the addition of these aircraft, WestJet has the largest order book of any airline in Canada and will double our fleet of Dreamliners, underpinning our growth plans and our commitment to affordable travel options for Canadians from coast to coast and exciting career paths for our people,” WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said in a statement. He added that the new aircraft will “significantly improve our fuel consumption.”

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    mbaker@thebtngroup.com (Michael B. Baker)

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  • Amex GBT: Economic, Geopolitical Uncertainty to Limit 2026 Hotel Rate Hikes

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    Most global regions will see moderate hotel rate growth in 2026, with geopolitical instability and uncertainty around U.S. tariff policy “keeping a lid” on sharper increases, according to American Express Global Business Travel’s Hotel Monitor, published on Wednesday.

    The Monitor—based on data from Amex GBT’s data lake along with inflation and GDP forecasts from the International Monetary Fund, modeled with open-source software Prophet—projects North America will be among those regions with moderate rate growth, particularly in the U.S., which could see a downturn in inbound demand. The Monitor forecasts that Mexico also will see only moderate increases with a strong hotel construction pipeline, while Canada’s rate growth could be higher. Toronto has the highest projected rate increase for the region in the Monitor, up 5.8 percent year over year, followed by Chicago (4.2 percent), New York and San Francisco (each 4 percent).

    Amex GBT projects “relatively stable” hotel prices in Europe, though certain cities will have sharper increases due to changing policies. Short-term rental restrictions in Amsterdam—which also is seeing VAT increases—and Barcelona could help push up rates in those cities by 11 percent and 5.1 percent year over year, respectively, according to the Monitor. Rate increases also are likely to be higher in the U.K. due to increases to employer national insurance contributions, which will increase the wages that hoteliers pay employees. Amex GBT projects rates will increase 4.2 percent year over year in London, 3.9 percent in Manchester and 5.7 percent in Edinburgh.

    In the Asia/Pacific region, Amex GBT projects strong rate growth for India, though not as high as rate increases this year. That includes a 6.4 percent year-over-year rate increase in Bengaluru, a 5.7 percent increase in Hyderabad and a 5.3 percent increase in Mumbai. The Monitor projects more moderate increases in China with some cities seeing rate declines, including Guangzhou, where it projects rates will decline 0.7 percent year over year.

    Latin America hotels should have a “strong 2026” with growing demand from international visitors, according to Amex GBT. The Monitor projects rates to increase year over year by 5.6 percent in Buenos Aires, 5 percent in Rio de Janeiro, 2 percent in Bogotá and 0.9 percent in Santiago.

    In the Middle East and Africa, Amex GBT projects moderate rate increases due to a strong construction pipeline in the Middle East. That includes a year-over-year rate increase of 3.1 percent in Abu Dhabi, 1.4 percent in Doha, 2 percent in Dubai and 2.3 percent in Riyadh. The Monitor projects a sharper rate increase of 4.7 percent year over year in Cape Town, which has “high occupancy and a limited supply of hotels with security accreditation,” according to the Monitor.

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    mbaker@thebtngroup.com (Michael B. Baker)

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  • Accor Names Marriott Vet Alex South Asia CEO

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    Ranju Alex

    French hospitality giant Accor has named former Marriott International executive Ranju Alex as CEO of its South Asia region, which is comprised by India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, effective Oct. 1, the company announced Wednesday.

    Alex has spent nearly 15 years in Marriott positions in India, culminating in her most recent position as regional vice president for South Asia. She has an additional 15 years of experience with Oberoi Hotels and Resorts.

    Accor earlier this year announced it planned a joint venture with Indian conglomerate InterGlobe Enterprises that would manage both companies’ hotel assets in India. The companies continue to await regulatory approval for the JV. Gaurav Bhushan, who serves as CEO of Accor’s Lifestyle & Leisure brands and who would chair the JV once approved, in a statement cited Alex’s “wealth of rich experience, skills and relationships,” adding  that “we look forward to building the foremost hospitality platform in the region under her leadership.”

    Accor has about 70 hotels in the Southeast Asia region and an additional 30 in the development pipeline, according to the company.

    A spokesperson confirmed to BTN that Accor COO for Asia Garth Simmons would remain in that role, with responsibilities outside of the four countries that make up the South Asia region.

    RELATED: Accor, Top IndiGo Shareholder to Form Indian Hotel Venture

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    cdavis@thebtngroup.com (Chris Davis)

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  • Delta to Add European Routes from Boston

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    Delta Air Lines for summer 2026 will launch two new nonstop routes between Boston and Europe and move up start dates for two other routes, the carrier announced Wednesday.

    The airline said it would launch on May 16 daily Boston-Madrid service, and on May 17 flights between Boston and Nice, France, operating three times weekly each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. With these additions, Delta will serve 12 European destinations from Boston next summer.

    In addition, Delta said it would launch on May 7 daily flights between Boston and Barcelona, moving up the planned start date next year and increasing the frequency of the route from four times weekly, according to the carrier. Flights between Boston and Milan, operating four times weekly, will begin on May 16, sooner in the season than they did this past summer, according to Delta.

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    dairoldi@thebtngroup.com (Donna M. Airoldi)

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  • Flight Centre: Corp. TTV Up Even as Clients Limit Spending

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    Flight Centre Travel Group reported a 2 percent year-over-year increase in total transaction value for its corporate travel brands during its 2025 fiscal year amid what the company called a “challenging global trading cycle.”

    TTV for Flight Centre’s corporate business in the fiscal year, which ended June 30, was A$12.3 billion (US$8 billion), which Flight Centre said was a record. Growth, however, was “reasonably modest in a flat global market,” which included current clients reducing travel budgets. Flight Centre managing director Graham Turner said the broader challenges to the group are “generally cyclical and potentially short-term in nature.”

    “While we expect some ongoing turbulence early in FY26, we are also starting to see signs of stabilization, which mirrors our experiences after other cyclical downturns,” Turner said in an earnings release.

    Both of Flight Centre’s corporate brands reported client growth, with FCM adding contracted accounts totaling A$1.3 billion (US$846.3 million) during the fiscal year and Corporate Traveler’s TTV reaching about A$4.8 billion (US$3.1 billion), making it the group’s largest revenue generator behind only the Flight Centre brand. In the U.S., Corporate Traveler reported 12 percent TTV growth year over year during the second half of the fiscal year.

    Flight Centre expects that client growth to continue in the 2026 fiscal year, with Corporate Traveler’s TTV in the U.S. increasing 20 percent year over year in July. The company also said FCM would benefit from industry consolidation—with the American Express Global Business Travel acquisition of CWT expected to close in the current quarter—and FCM “is already seeing increased [request-for-proposals] activity and interest.”

    At the same time, Flight Centre said its corporate businesses are operating with a “leaner workforce,” with a reduction of about 6 percent of full-time employees over the two years leading up to the end of the 2025 fiscal year. The company said cost savings from staff reductions are being reallocated to digital spending and will “drive further productivity growth.”

    Across all its businesses, Flight Centre Travel Group reported A$24.5 billion (US$15.9 billion) in TTV, up 3 percent year over year. Profit before taxes was A$289.1 million, down 9.8 percent year over year but “in line with revised expectations,” according to the group.

    RELATED: Flight Centre’s FY2025 first-half results

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    mbaker@thebtngroup.com (Michael B. Baker)

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  • CTM Delays Earnings, Suspends Trading Amid Accounting Fix

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    Corporate Travel Management has delayed the release of its 2025 fiscal year results as it addresses an auditing issue with its financial reporting, the travel management company announced.

    CTM said its auditors informed the company on Aug. 22 that it might need to adjust the timing of when certain revenues and costs were recognized between the 2025 fiscal year and prior reporting periods. The adjustment “is isolated to the European region only” and would likely “be to increase prior year(s) earnings and reduce current year’s earnings,” according to CTM.

    The TMC is hiring a third-party firm to review past financial statements and said, as a result of that work, it said it would be unable to report its earnings as scheduled for Thursday. It instead plans to release its 2025 fiscal year earnings by Sept. 25.

    CTM also has voluntarily suspended trading of its securities on the Australian Securities Exchange “until a definitive position on the restated accounts and its FY25 accounts are released.”

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    mbaker@thebtngroup.com (Michael B. Baker)

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  • JetBlue Adds Condor to TrueBlue Loyalty Program

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    Customers of JetBlue’s TrueBlue loyalty program now can earn and redeem points on flights operated by Frankfurt-based carrier Condor, JetBlue announced Tuesday. 

    Condor currently operates nonstop service to Frankfurt through nine U.S. gateways, including New York John F. Kennedy, Boston, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas, Portland, Ore., and Anchorage, Alaska, according to JetBlue. 

    In addition, JetBlue is ending both its loyalty agreement with TAP Air Portugal and its interline and loyalty partnership with Hawaiian Airlines, the carrier confirmed. 

    The interline agreement between JetBlue and TAP Air Portugal agreement will remain in place, but JetBlue customers will not be able to book TAP flights to earn or redeem TrueBlue points after Sept. 30, 2025, according to JetBlue. All retroactive point requests also must be submitted by Sept. 30. All existing bookings made prior to Sept. 30 will be honored.

    The last day JetBlue customers can book Hawaiian Airlines flights to earn or redeem TrueBlue points also will be Sept. 30, and travel must be completed by March 31, 2026. The deadline to submit any retroactive requests to earn TrueBlue points on Hawaiian also is March 31, according to JetBlue.

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    dairoldi@thebtngroup.com (Donna M. Airoldi)

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  • Southwest Makes EVA Air Third Int’l Partner

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    Southwest Airlines has partnered with EVA Air, making the Taiwan-based airline its third international partner, the Dallas-based carrier announced Tuesday. 

    The carriers will jointly operate itineraries between North America and Asia connecting through their shared gateway airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle-Tacoma and Chicago O’Hare, according to Southwest.

    Southwest in February launched its first international partnership with Icelandair, and has since expanded the gateways included in that agreement. In June, the carrier announced China Airlines would be its second international partner.

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    dairoldi@thebtngroup.com (Donna M. Airoldi)

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  • Korean Air OKs $36B Boeing Aircraft Purchase

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    Korean Air has agreed to purchase 103 Boeing aircraft in a deal worth approximately $36.2 billion, the carrier announced Monday. The deal also includes engines and a maintenance program worth an additional $13.8 billion.

    The aircraft purchase includes 20 Boeing 777-9 planes, 25 787-10 planes, 50 737-10 planes and eight 777-8F freighters. The aircraft are scheduled for a phased delivery through the end of 2030, according to Korean Air. The investment plan, though, “extends into the mid-to-late 2030s, and reflects delivery delays affecting the global aviation industry,” according to the carrier.

    The acquisition is a “proactive measure to support Korean Air’s long-term growth following its integration with Asiana Airlines,” the carrier said, adding that its fleet strategy is to “standardize its long-term operations” around five aircraft families: Boeing 777, 787 and 737 planes, and with Airbus A350 and A321neo aircraft. 

    Korean Air completed the acquisition of Asiana Airlines in December 2024. 

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    dairoldi@thebtngroup.com (Donna M. Airoldi)

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  • TPConnects Partners with Lufthansa City Center

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    Travel agency network Lufthansa City Center has designated content aggregator and distribution supplier TPConnects as a preferred supplier within its network, the companies announced Monday. With the partnership, Lufthansa City Center agencies will have access to TPConnects’ Iris platform, which enables shopping and servicing of EDIFACT, New Distribution Capability and low-cost carrier content on a single platform. Lufthansa City Center reports 320 agencies across 109 countries in its network, covering both the corporate and leisure sectors.

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    mbaker@thebtngroup.com (Michael B. Baker)

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  • Qatar to Open First U.S. Lounge at JFK

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    Qatar Airways in 2026 will move its operations at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport to the new Terminal 1 from Terminal 8, the carrier announced Monday. 

    It also will open its first dedicated U.S. lounge at the new terminal. The 15,000-sq.-ft. space will have direct access to the airline’s boarding gate and will include “premium” food and beverage options, VIP check-in services, relaxation zones, prayer rooms and duty-free shopping for Qatar Airways business-class passengers, according to the carrier.

    The new Terminal 1 is part of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s $19 billion investment at JFK, which will include “two new terminals, the modernization and expansion of two existing terminals, a new ground transportation center and a new, simplified roadway network,” according to Qatar Airways.

    The airline’s current network in the U.S. includes 11 destinations with 18 weekly flights.

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    dairoldi@thebtngroup.com (Donna M. Airoldi)

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  • Korean Air Unveils New Lounges at Seoul Incheon

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    Korean Air has completed the first phase of its lounge renovation project at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, the carrier announced Thursday. 

    The new Prestige Garden Lounge East and Prestige Garden Lounge West have opened on the far ends of the airport’s Terminal 2, following the airport’s recent expansion, according to Korean Air. The eastern lounge overlooks a Korean-style outdoor garden, while the western lounge overlooks a modern Western-style garden. Each offer food and beverages.

    The carrier on Aug. 18 will open its redesigned Prestige East Left Lounge, which is designed for business travelers, according to a Korean Air spokesperson. It will feature open kitchens, a wellness area with massage chairs and a meeting room with a conference screen, according to the carrier. There also will be shower facilities.

    Remaining renovations, scheduled to be completed in 2026, include the First Class Lounge and the Prestige East West Lounge, which is a designated area for families with children.

    Upon completion, Korean Air’s total lounge space at Seoul Incheon will increase to 12,270 square meters from 5,105, with seat capacity of 1,566, up from 898, according to the carrier.

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    dairoldi@thebtngroup.com (Donna M. Airoldi)

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  • Hawaiian to Suspend Three ‘Underperforming’ Routes

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    Hawaiian Airlines in November will suspend flights between Honolulu and three destinations due to “underperformance,” the carrier announced this week. 

    The carrier’s service between Honolulu and each Boston and Fukuoka, Japan, will end on Nov. 19. The routes have been operating four and three times weekly, respectively. The five-times-weekly flights between Honolulu and Seoul Incheon will end Nov. 21. 

    Affected guests will be offered to be reaccommodated on other flights or receive a refund, according to Hawaiian.

    Customers still will be able to fly between Hawaii and Seoul Incheon or Fukuoka via one-stop itineraries through the carrier’s other Japan destinations, including twice-daily Honolulu-Tokyo Haneda and daily Osaka services, according to the airline. Boston customers can connect daily on Hawaiian parent Alaska Airlines’ flights via Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and San Diego. Customers also can book on the carrier’s partners and Oneworld alliance airlines, Hawaiian said.

    Alaska acquired Hawaiian last September. 

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