“It looks to be another disappointing year for SAF production. Five years after committing to achieve net-zero by 2050, SAF production will account for only 0.8% of airline fuel use this year.

“The path to meeting 65% of our needs in 2050 is growing more difficult with each year of ineffectively sequenced government policies and oil companies’ manifest lack of interest. The current energy shock should add even more urgency to the development of renewables, including SAF. But we have yet to see either the energy shock, the need to develop energy independence and jobs, or the urgency to mitigate climate change materialise in the incentives needed to create a viable SAF market,” said IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh.

IATA is calling for coordinated action across four priorities:

• Expand renewable energy supply to underpin SAF production and ensure sufficient feedstocks and clean energy are available.
• Ensure open access to fuel infrastructure, including pipelines, storage, and airport fuel systems, to enable fair competition and efficient distribution.
• Strengthen policy support by effectively sequencing production incentives and investment frameworks to provide certainty and reduce risk before any mandates are imposed.
• Enable a global SAF market with sufficient volumes at commercially viable prices, critical for an airline’s financial and economic sustainability. 

A book-and-claim system is essential for transforming the SAF market from local to global by making it accessible to airlines and SAF producers regardless of domicile. A global SAF market must also be supported by harmonised standards that create enduring rules and fair competition.

The e-SAF problem

Along with SAF (from biofuel sources), e-SAF (electro-SAF) will also play an increasingly important role in the decarbonisation of air transport. Converting renewable electricity via a power-to-liquid (PtL) process can produce e-SAF. E-SAF does not require biomass or waste oils, but does require large amounts of renewable electricity, green hydrogen, water, and CO2.

The EU and the UK have mandated e-SAF production of around 0.6 million tonnes by 2030. However, global production capacity currently operating and under construction stands at around 0.02 million tonnes, with only one production site in operation. It would take approximately 20 commercial-scale refineries to achieve the mandated volume. Moreover, no new final investment decisions for e-SAF facilities have been made over the past year.

“The 2030 e-SAF targets by the UK and the EU are beyond unrealistic – they are utterly detached from reality. It is a reckless energy market creation strategy to impose mandates before production is enabled. Such a strategy will only drive up the price. Coupled with penalties, it diverts scarce resources from being allocated to actual CO2 emissions reductions. The strategy is also bewildering, given that Europe has the highest renewable energy prices in the world. A serious strategy would first scale up renewable energy production to drive down its price and build e-SAF production capacity on sound economic grounds. Only at that point can mandates achieve the desired results,” said IATA’s Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Chief Economist Marie Owens Thomsen.

Passenger support for decarbonisation

The latest IATA passenger survey (April 2026) shows strong and consistent support for decarbonising air transport. 89% of passengers believe the industry should continue reducing emissions even if governments scale back their efforts, and a similar share sees flying as essential and as something that must be made sustainable, rather than restricting its use.

This support is backed by a willingness to act: about two-thirds of passengers (66%) say they are willing to pay more to compensate for emissions, and nearly 88% expect ticket prices to rise as a result of sustainability investments.

Passengers also clearly favour “real” decarbonisation solutions, with 25% prioritising SAF funding and 23% prioritising emissions-reduction technologies, far ahead of taxes (10%).

Importantly, sustainability is already influencing behaviour: nearly half of travellers (48%) look at carbon emissions when choosing flights, and among those who do, over 85% say it affects their decision, while around three-quarters say they prefer airlines with stronger environmental performance.

Overall, the data points to a clear message: passengers expect air transport to decarbonise, are broadly supportive of the transition, and increasingly factor sustainability into their choices, even if cost and convenience remain important.

(Source: IATA)

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WTTC emphasises that this is a localised public health challenge, and at this stage, the overall risk to international travellers remains low. The organisation underscores the need for calm, coordinated and evidence-based responses, warning that misinformation and unnecessary alarm can have far-reaching social and economic consequences for destinations across Africa.

Travellers are encouraged to stay informed through trusted official sources and to follow destination-specific health guidance when travelling to affected areas.

WTTC also highlights that Africa is a diverse continent of 54 countries with very different health systems and tourism realities, cautioning against broad generalisations that could harm millions of livelihoods dependent on Travel & Tourism.

Recent developments, including the temporary suspension of some international flights to Uganda due to precautionary travel restrictions, underscore how responses that are misaligned with actual risk levels can create unnecessary disruption. Authorities and tourism leaders in the region have stressed that affected areas are limited and that conflating countries or imposing broad measures can unfairly impact unaffected destinations and communities.

 WTTC, President & CEO Gloria Guevara said: “This situation must be approached with facts, not fear. Ebola remains contained to specific areas, and the risk to international travellers is low. Today, our sector is far better prepared than ever before. With the right measures, collaboration, and responsible behaviour, travel can continue safely while supporting the communities that rely on it.”

WTTC commends the swift, transparent, and collaborative response from Africa CDC, national governments, the WHO, and international health partners, noting that their leadership provides strong confidence in the management of the situation.

Preparedness based on the COVID-19 experience 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, WTTC worked alongside governments, international organisations, and industry leaders to develop the Safe Travels protocols, a globally recognised framework designed to ensure safe and seamless travel while protecting both travellers and local communities.

These protocols demonstrated that coordinated global standards and practical health measures make it possible to maintain travel even during periods of heightened concern. As a result, the global Travel & Tourism sector is now significantly better equipped to respond to public health events than in the past. 

WTTC continues to advocate for simple, evidence-based measures aligned with WHO guidance, including good hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, sensible distancing in crowded areas, and compliance with health screening when required. These actions have already proven effective and remain key to reducing risk while preserving traveller confidence. 

WTTC reiterates that travel remains a powerful force for connection, resilience, and economic opportunity, and that responsible travel can continue safely.

(Source: WTTC)

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Morning flight

AZ806 will depart from Rome Fiumicino airport at 0910 and arrive in Tel Aviv at 1330 local time. 
AZ807 will depart from Tel Aviv at 1430 and arrive in Rome Fiumicino at 1715 local time.

Thursday services will operate on a slightly different schedule, with flight AZ806 departing Rome Fiumicino at 0930 and arriving in Tel Aviv at 1350 local time.
Flight AZ807 will depart Tel Aviv at 1450 and arrive in Rome Fiumicino at 1735  local time.

Late-night flight

AZ810 will depart from Rome Fiumicino at 2250 and will arrive in Tel Aviv at O310 local time the following day.
AZ809 will depart from Tel Aviv at 0515 local time and will arrive in Rome Fiumicino at 0800 local time.

The schedule offers seamless connections through ITA Airways’ hub at Rome Fiumicino, providing convenient access to destinations across the airline’s domestic, European and intercontinental network.

The Rome–Tel Aviv service will be operated with the Airbus A321neo, configured with three distinct cabins — business class, premium economy and economy — delivering environmental and operational benefits, with more than 20% lower fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions per seat compared with previous-generation aircraft.

Tickets are already on sale through the airline’s website and travel agencies.

Meanwhile, the airline has introduced new seasonal services from Rome Fiumicino to Malaga, Valencia and Marseille to strengthen its summer offering across the Mediterranean.

The new flights started on 1 June and operate through to 30 September 2026, with daily frequencies offering passengers direct connections to some of the most popular European summer destinations, as well as connections to ITA’s domestic and international network via its Rome Fiumicino hub.

The launch of the new seasonal routes was celebrated earlier this week with three inaugural ceremonies held at the airports of Malaga, Valencia and Marseille, attended by airport authorities and the airline’s commercial teams.

Among the other key highlights of the summer 2026 season are the launch of the Rome Fiumicino–London Heathrow route, operated twice daily, and the opening of the new Rome–Houston direct service, the first-ever nonstop connection between the two hubs. The Houston route will increase to five weekly frequencies from June to September, further strengthening the airline’s presence in the North American market, which is strategic for the development of ITA Airways’ intercontinental network.

Looking towards Asia, ITA Airways continues to invest in connections to the region, increasing the Rome–Bangkok service to five weekly frequencies during August and operating the Rome–Delhi route daily, in response to growing demand for long-haul travel to destinations of significant tourist and cultural interest.

(Source: ITA Airways).

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Littman will lead the group’s expansion efforts across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with a focus on securing new hotel and branded residence contracts for The Langham Hotels & Resorts, Cordis Hotels & Resorts, Eaton and Ying’nFlo.

“The opportunities we’re seeing across the EMEA region continue to strengthen as owners and developers increasingly seek brands with clear positioning and long-term relevance,” Langham Hospitality Group CEO Bob van den Oord said. “With landmark openings such as The Langham, Venice and The Langham, Diriyah already helping to build momentum for the group across the region, Josh’s broad range of experience, which extends across the luxury, upscale, resorts and branded residences segments, makes him exceptionally well placed to help us capitalise on these opportunities. His track record of working with owners and investors across a wide range of projects and markets will be a major asset as we expand our portfolio.”

Littman brings over two decades of experience spanning hospitality development, investment advisory and mixed-use property planning. He most recently served as Vice President of Development, EMEA for Starwood Hotels, where he oversaw regional growth for Baccarat Hotels, 1 Hotels and Treehouse Hotels. Before that, Littman held senior development positions with InterContinental Hotels Group and Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, where he played a key role in advancing the companies’ growth strategies across Europe and the Middle East.

(Source: Langham Hospitality Group)

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Flights operate four times per week in the summer and will reduce to three weekly flights during the winter season.

With this new connection, LOT strengthens its presence in Central Asia and offers passengers from Kazakhstan convenient transfers in Warsaw.

For many travellers, this will be their first opportunity to discover Kazakhstan’s largest city — a modern metropolis nestled at the foot of the Tian Shan Mountains. For many years, the region remained outside the mainstream of European tourism, but is now increasingly attracting the attention of business and tourist travellers, as well as digital nomads.

During the summer season, passengers will be able to enjoy LOT Polish Airlines flights to the former capital of Kazakhstan four times a week – on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Flights take off from Warsaw at 2240 PM. On the return leg, flights depart from Almatt every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 0920 local time. 

During the winter season, flights from Warsaw are reduced to three times a week — on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The return flights to Warsaw depart on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Flight time on the outbound route is around six hours and 30 minutes, and the return trip to Warsaw is approximately one hour longer, using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

“The launch of operations to Almaty confirms the continued expansion of LOT Polish Airlines’ route network and the growing importance of the Central Asian region. This part of the world is playing an increasingly important economic and business role, and the new route is a response to the growing demand for direct connections between Europe and Kazakhstan. Almaty is a city that perfectly reflects the country’s modern spirit – a dynamic destination open to new investment opportunities and international cooperation. Thanks to our transfer hub in Warsaw, we can provide our passengers arriving from Kazakhstan with convenient access to LOT Polish Airlines’ extensive flight network, covering Europe and North America,” said LOT Polish Airlines Board Member Chief Commercial Officer, Robert Ludera.

At the  heart of modern Central Asia

Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country in the world, the largest economy in the region, and one of the European Union’s most important trading partners in this part of the globe. Despite the relocation of the capital to Astana, Almaty remains the country’s financial and business centre where major banks and numerous international companies are headquartered.

Its strength lies not only in its economic importance, but also in its exceptional tourism potential. Few global metropolises can boast such a spectacular location nestled in southeastern Kazakhstan, at the foot of the Tian Shan Mountains. Within less than an hour of leaving bustling boulevards and cafes, travellers can enjoy mountain trails, resorts, and spectacular vista points located over 2,000 metres above sea level.

(Source: LOT Polish Airlines)

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Flights to both destinations operate three times per week during the summer season, providing convenient access to two Mediterranean islands famed for their beaches and rich local culture.

The seasonal flights connect Warsaw with two popular Mediterranean destinations — Heraklion, Crete, and Palma de Mallorca, Mallorca.

Flights on the Warsaw-Mallorca route operate three times per week – on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. 
Flight LO447 departs from Chopin Airport at 1135 with the return flight LO448 scheduled at 1550. 

LOT Polish Airlines’ flights from Warsaw to Heraklion are also three times a week, on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays. 
On Mondays and Saturdays, flight LO619 departs from Warsaw Airport at 1145, with the return flight LO620 scheduled for 1640 local time. On Fridays, the departure to Heraklion is scheduled for 1020, and the return flight to Warsaw for 1520.

The two summer routes allow passengers to travel directly from Warsaw to some of the most popular Mediterranean islands. 

Heraklion, the capital of Crete, is one of the most popular Greek holiday destinations, offering a blend of history, culture, and relaxation by the Mediterranean Sea. 

Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Balearic Islands, has long remained one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe, attracting tourists with its picturesque beaches, charming old town, and well-developed tourist infrastructure.

Tickets are available through all sales channels, including the airline’s website and mobile app, as well as LOT travel agents.

(Source: LOT Polish Airlines)

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New Allegris destinations are flagged to fly from Frankfurt and Munich during the upcoming winter timetable, featuring enhanced premium cabin amenities and in-flight service.

New destinations and increased frequencies will also be introduced on the Lufthansa Group airlines: SWISS, ITA Airways, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines, Edelweiss, and Eurowings.

All new winter destinations are now available for bookings as the airline focuses more than ever on a premium service experience. Following the introduction of the new in-flight service on all long-haul flights in early May, the number of destinations where passengers can experience the new Allegris cabin will increase significantly starting this coming winter. The new cabin interior was introduced in 2024 and is available to passengers in all classes.

Lufthansa will fly to 11 new destinations in winter 2026/27 with Allegris on board. From Frankfurt, new long-haul routes will include Vancouver (Canada), Houston (US), Denver (US), Atlanta (US), Detroit (US), San José (Costa Rica), Seoul (South Korea)  and Kuala Lumpur. Lufthansa will offer the new nonstop service to Malaysia’s capital five times a week starting 25 October.

With the launch of flights to Kuala Lumpur, Lufthansa Airlines is strengthening its network in Southeast Asia and focusing on growth in a dynamic region. The new Boeing 787-9, one of the most modern and efficient aircraft in the Lufthansa fleet, will be deployed on this route, featuring 287 seats in three classes and the new Allegris cabin – just as it will on flights from Frankfurt to Chennai (India) starting in March.

From Munich, the new “Allegris destinations” are Singapore (starting in late October), Washington (US) in March 2027, and Cape Town (South Africa).

In addition, Lufthansa will increase weekly frequencies on several high-demand transatlantic routes this winter: This includes routes from Frankfurt to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), San José (Costa Rica), Bogotá (Colombia), Lagos (Nigeria), and Hyderabad (India), as well as from Munich to São Paulo (Brazil), Mexico City, Johannesburg (South Africa), and Washington (US).

SWISS

SWISS is further expanding its offerings in the 2026/27 winter schedule and, for the first time, is adding a destination in southern India — Bengaluru (India) — to its route network. At the same time, SWISS is bringing the new long-haul experience SWISS Senses to Johannesburg (South Africa) and Shanghai (China) this winter on the Airbus A350.

ITA Airways

ITA Airways will launch a new seasonal direct route from Rome-Fiumicino to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) for the 2026/27 winter season. This marks the airline’s first foray into the Central American market and further expands its route network on the continent. ITA Airways’ upcoming winter schedule will also be supplemented by two new routes that were already introduced during the current summer season: the Rome-Fiumicino–Houston (USA) and Rome-Fiumicino–London Heathrow (UK) routes.

Brussels Airlines

On 3 June, Brussels Airlines will launch a new route between Brussels and Kilimanjaro (Tanzania). This route was originally planned only as a summer service, but due to strong demand, Brussels Airlines will continue the flights through the winter. Between 28 October and 16 December, the airline will fly to Kilimanjaro once a week, and between 19 December and 21 February, two flights are scheduled per week.

Discover Airlines

Starting in winter 2026/27, Discover Airlines is expanding services to include two new destinations in Morocco. Starting in late October, the holiday airline will connect Frankfurt with the coastal city of Agadir and offer the only direct connection from Munich to the historic royal city of Fès in the northeast of the country. In addition, the airline is continuing the successful expansion of its Nordic offerings and will include flights to Ivalo in Finnish Lapland in its winter schedule for the first time. From mid-December to mid-April, the holiday airline will operate a weekly direct flight from Munich to Finland’s northernmost region.

Edelweiss

Due to strong demand for flights to Scandinavia, Edelweiss will further expand its service to Finland and Norway. In addition, the season to Luleå (Swedish Lapland), which was newly added last year, will be extended. Additional flights to all three countries are in the planning stages and will be announced in the coming weeks. Furthermore, due to demand, capacity will be increased to the Canary Islands, Faro, Bilbao, Seville, and Mallorca.

Eurowings

Eurowings, Germany’s largest holiday airline, is strategically expanding its offerings in the 2026/27 winter schedule to include high-demand European routes. From Berlin, the Lufthansa Group airline—as the market leader at the German capital’s airport—is particularly strengthening its service to European cities and Nordic winter destinations. New additions to the winter schedule include a route from Berlin to Kuusamo in Finnish Lapland. Eurowings is also increasing frequencies on existing routes to Rovaniemi and Kittilä (both in Finland). Furthermore, Eurowings is continuing the expansion of the “Capital Express” from Berlin: The route to Rome will launch on 2 November and flights to London Heathrow (UK) will also be offered during the winter. From Düsseldorf, Eurowings is extending its service beyond the summer season and will offer year-round flights to Madrid (Spain) in the future.

All destinations in the 2026/27 winter flight schedule are now available for booking.

(Source: Lufthansa Group)

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Excluding the Middle East, demand increased by 1.2%. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), decreased by 2.9% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.1% (-0.4 ppt compared to April 2025).

International demand fell 5.3% compared to April 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 1.9%. Capacity was down 5.1% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.9% (-0.2 ppt compared to April 2025).

Domestic demand was flat compared to April 2025. Capacity increased 0.8% year-on-year. The load factor was 81.9% (-0.7 ppt compared to April 2025).

“The 46.6% fall in demand for carriers in the Middle East due to war in the region was so acute that it dragged overall demand down 3.4%. The situation for air transport remains highly volatile. The cost of jet fuel more than doubled in April, which is pushing airfares up. Forward schedule data is showing a reduced offering in the coming months, indicating that airlines are balancing high fuel costs and weaker demand,” said  IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh.

Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets 

International RPK fell -5.3%, with capacity falling -5.1%. However, this decline was caused by continuing heavy falls in demand for Middle East carriers. Excluding the Middle East, RPK increased by 1.9%. North America was flat, and all other regions reported growth.

Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 3.0% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 0.7% year-on-year, and the load factor was 87.5% (+1.9 ppt compared to April 2025), a record high for April. There was a notable slowdown in traffic on the Japan-China corridor due to ongoing political tensions.

European carriers saw a 0.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 0.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.9% (+0.6 ppt compared to April 2025). Direct traffic between Europe and Asia increased 15.3% as it replaced traffic transiting through the Middle East.

North American carriers saw a 0.0% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity decreased 1.1% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.9% (+0.9 ppt compared to April 2025).

Middle Eastern carriers saw a -48.1% year-on-year decrease in demand. Capacity fell 38.4% year-on-year, and the load factor was 70.1% (-13.1 ppt compared to April 2025). Traffic was affected by the ongoing war in Iran, though the decline slowed slightly compared to March as an uneasy ceasefire came into effect.

Latin American airlines achieved an 8.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 7.2% year-on-year. The load factor was 84.6% (+1.4 ppt compared to April 2025).

African airlines saw a 2.2% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 1.2% year-on-year. The load factor was 77.9% (+0.7 ppt compared to April 2025).

(Source: IATA)

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The Warsaw-Porto route will operate year-round: five times a week during the summer season and four times a week in winter, and is the second city in Portugal served by LOT after Lisbon (daily flights using a Boeing 737 MAX 8 with 186 seats 

During the summer season, flights on the WAW–OPO route will operate five times a week — Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. 

Flights will depart Warsaw Chopin Airport at 1020, while the return flight will depart at 1425. Flight time to Porto will be approximately four hours and five minutes, while the return leg to Warsaw will take around three hours and 45 minutes.

Portugal has long remained one of Europe’s most attractive travel destinations. In 2025, the passenger seat factor on flights to Lisbon exceeded 86%, reflecting very strong performance. The new route will also contribute to the further development of tourism and business relations between Poland and Portugal. 

“As LOT Polish Airlines continues to expand its route network, the airline remains committed to providing passengers with comfortable and convenient travel options to Europe’s key destinations. I do not doubt that Porto will soon become one of the most popular destinations in the national carrier’s network,” said LOT Polish Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Robert Ludera.

(Source: LOT Polish Airlines)

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This summer, oneworld airlines will offer nearly 2,800 weekly departures directly connecting London Heathrow to over 160 destinations in more than 60 countries. Alongside an extensive global network, oneworld customers enjoy premium facilities at LHR, including 13 First and Business Class lounges offered by British Airways, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and Qatar Airways across Terminals 3, 4 and 5.

London is also the leading destination for international travellers planning round-the-world trips, with 71%  of bookings made so far this year on oneworld’s website, including the city as part of a multi-stop itinerary. 

Last year, around 29 million oneworld customers flew from, to or through London Heathrow, of which almost 30% were connecting between oneworld member airlines. 

Oneworld’s CEO Ole Orvér said: “With service from the most oneworld carriers and nearly 400 daily departures, London Heathrow is a cornerstone of our global network, where our members work together to deliver smooth connectivity for millions of customers every year. It is also one of the world’s leading business travel markets, with more than 160,000 premium seats offered weekly by our airlines, and we are delighted to welcome Alaska Airlines as it launches its inaugural Seattle service from Heathrow, further expanding travel choices for oneworld customers.”

At London Heathrow, oneworld member airlines operate from:

Terminal 3: Alaska Airlines (effective 22 May 2026), American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Royal Jordanian and SriLankan Airlines

Terminal 4: Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Royal Air Maroc

Terminal 5: British Airways and Iberia oneworld’s global hubs

(Source: Oneworld)

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