Recently, Emirates announced a joint interline agreement with Loong Air, a Zhejiang-based regional carrier.

Some aviation enthusiasts explained it this way: “For those unfamiliar, it’s like Sam’s Club partnering with a small local supermarket.”

Behind Emirates’ decision to team up with Loong Air lies a strategic pivot in the Chinese market.

Competition at China’s four major hubs—Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen—has already reached saturation. Emirates operates either one or two daily flights on these routes, leaving limited room for incremental growth. Reaching second-tier cities such as Zhengzhou or Changchun through self-operated routes would be costly. Instead of burning capital on trial routes, Emirates is choosing to “test the waters” via Loong Air’s domestic network.

Compared with code-sharing, the interline model is significantly lighter—it requires no system overhaul, no service standardization, and only sales-side integration, making it the lowest-cost way to penetrate the market.

Last year, Emirates launched a daily Dubai–Hangzhou service, marking Hangzhou the airline’s first mainland Chinese destination served by its Airbus A350. Emirates now operates 49 weekly flights between Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou.

By partnering with a local base carrier, Emirates can create a closed loop at Hangzhou: Emirates handles internationally sectors, while Loong Air provides domestic connectivity.

Data shows that in 2025, Hangzhou airport handled 238,000 international transfer passengers, with international transfer routes increasing to 30. These passengers represent an existing pool of demand that Emirates can tap into.

Hangzhou is just one part of Emirates’ broader China strategy. Through partnerships with Air China, China Southern, Sichuan Airlines, and Loong Air, Emirates’ now extends to over 110 destinations across mainland China.

As Qatar Airways and Etihad continue to compete aggressively for Chinese travelers, this “broad-net” approach to local partnerships also functions as a defensive strategy.

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Business events in the Gulf are rapidly becoming a cornerstone of the region’s economy, with a significant 121% increase in ticket sales over the past three years, according to a joint report by Platinumlist and Tumodo. These events are drawing up to 95% of attendees from outside the host country, effectively turning them into regional travel hubs.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) event management market is projected to grow at a 9% compound annual growth rate from 2025 to 2033. This growth is fuelled by the increasing importance of corporate events and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. Tumodo’s data highlights that business event trips cost 25-40% more than standard corporate travel due to premium accommodations and additional services.

Andrew Baturin, Chief Marketing Officer at Tumodo, noted, “Companies favour compact, high-impact 1-3 day trips, yet MICE events extend stays to 3-5 days as delegates anchor networking, client meetings, and bleisure around fixed conference dates.”

Platinumlist’s data shows that technology, AI, crypto, and Web3 are the fastest-growing segments in business events. These sectors are attracting significant regional investment and regulatory clarity. Additionally, there is a rising trend in events focused on leadership development, personal growth, and women’s empowerment.

Looking ahead to 2026, business events in the Gulf are expected to evolve towards more interactive formats, with a focus on structured networking and curated participation. This shift is anticipated to enhance the value of these events, turning them into vital platforms for partnerships and deal-making

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Tourism365, the tourism arm of the ADNEC Group, will participate in ITB Berlin 2026 from 3 to 5 March, showcasing its tailored tourism services for Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The event, a leading global tourism trade show, will see Tourism365 highlight its destination and travel management offerings, alongside specialised tour operator services across Europe.

Located in Hall 2.2, stand 200, Tourism365’s Premium Booth will be part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi’s pavilion. The booth will feature iconic attractions such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi. The aim is to attract new audiences, encourage longer stays, and foster repeat visits by delivering unique visitor experiences.

Germany is a significant market for Tourism365, with its subsidiary Capital Holidays operating in Berlin. The company seeks to strengthen its presence in traditional markets like Germany whilst exploring new opportunities in emerging markets. A growing number of German travellers are choosing Abu Dhabi for its diverse leisure, entertainment, and cultural offerings.

Tourism365’s efforts align with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to increase annual visitor numbers from 24 million in 2023 to 39.3 million by 2030. By participating in ITB Berlin, Tourism365 hopes to contribute to this ambitious goal, enhancing Abu Dhabi’s status as a premier travel destination

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Amadeus has announced robust financial results for 2025, with group revenue rising by 6.1% to €6.5 billion, propelled by solid performances across its Air IT Solutions, Air Distribution, and Hospitality and Other Solutions segments. The company invested over €1.4 billion in research and development, focusing on AI technologies, which accounted for more than 20% of its total revenue.

The company’s President and CEO, Luis Maroto, highlighted Amadeus’s role as a “neutral and embedded execution layer at the heart of the industry,” emphasising its AI-enabled travel ecosystem. Maroto noted the growing adoption of Amadeus’s AI-native Nevio portfolio and AI-powered Stratos, which have strengthened customer partnerships and attracted new clients.

In 2025, Amadeus’s Air IT Solutions segment saw a 6.4% revenue increase, driven by a 3.8% rise in passengers boarded. The Hospitality and Other Solutions segment experienced a 6.1% revenue growth, bolstered by new customer acquisitions and implementations. Meanwhile, Air Distribution revenue grew by 5.9%, supported by a 2.8% increase in bookings and favourable pricing dynamics.

Looking ahead, Amadeus plans to distribute a dividend at the top end of its policy range and launch a €500 million share repurchase programme in 2026. Maroto expressed optimism about the future of the travel industry and Amadeus’s role in driving industry transformation

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Akasa Air, India’s fastest-growing airline, has signed its inaugural distribution deal with Travelport, a global technology company, to expand its reach through Travelport’s extensive network of travel agents. This agreement, announced on 26 February 2026, marks Travelport as the first global distribution system (GDS) to partner with Akasa Air, highlighting the airline’s confidence in Travelport’s capabilities.

The partnership will allow Akasa Air’s flights, offers, and services to be distributed globally, supporting the airline’s growth and expansion plans. Sagar Naik, Vice President of Commercial and Sales at Akasa Air, stated, “Choosing our first global travel retailing platform was significant for Akasa’s growth and expansion plans, but the final decision was easy based on Travelport’s strength in India and beyond.”

Travelport’s platform, Travelport+, will provide Akasa Air with a modern retailing platform designed for agents, potentially unlocking new opportunities for the airline to expand its ancillary revenue ecosystem. Damian Hickey, Global Head of Air Partners at Travelport, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We’re honoured Akasa has entrusted Travelport to be its first GDS partner.”

This strategic move is part of Akasa Air’s broader vision to become one of the top 30 airlines globally by the end of the decade. The airline, which has served over 20 million passengers since its launch in August 2022, currently operates 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and connects 24 domestic and six international cities

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Skyscanner has launched its app within ChatGPT, allowing users in the UK and US to search for flights through conversational interactions. This integration enables travellers to find the best flight options and prices by simply asking ChatGPT, such as requesting the cheapest flight to New York in December. The app displays results visually, making it easier for users to compare and adjust their travel plans.

The Skyscanner app in ChatGPT is designed to provide a seamless and intuitive experience, leveraging the platform’s trusted logic and pricing. Piero Sierra, Skyscanner’s Chief AI Officer, stated, “Travellers can now access the Skyscanner app in ChatGPT to search for the best options and flight prices for their trip.”

Beyond flights, Skyscanner is enhancing its services with AI across other travel aspects, including car hire and hotel bookings. The company has also introduced the ‘Football Flight finder’ on its site, aiding football fans in planning their World Cup travel by simplifying multi-city journeys and tracking fare changes.

Skyscanner, a global leader in travel, connects millions of travellers monthly to over 1,200 trusted partners. Founded in 2003, the company continues to innovate with AI, aiming to transform travel search into dynamic, answer-led experiences. Sierra concluded, “We’ll continue evolving travel search beyond form-fills towards dynamic, answer-led experiences.”

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The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) has inaugurated its Annual Meeting & General Assembly 2026 in Athens, uniting over 200 senior leaders from 36 countries. The event, running from 25 to 28 February at the Megaron Athens International Conference Centre, aims to set strategic priorities and advance the advocacy agenda for the global meetings industry.

The opening ceremony featured addresses from Greek officials, including the Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, who emphasised Athens’ role as a premier destination for meetings and congresses. “Athens is a city where ancient heritage meets world-class infrastructure and renowned hospitality,” Kefalogianni stated, highlighting the event as a testament to Greece’s growing influence in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.

Under the theme “The Odyssey Reinvented – A very human journey towards the meetings of tomorrow,” the conference explores the intersection of technological advancement and human-centric meeting qualities. Sissi Lignou, President of IAPCO, remarked on the significance of gathering in Athens, “the birthplace of democracy and the ancient symposia,” to foster progress through purposeful idea exchange.

The event is hosted by AFEA Congress, CONVIN, ERA Congresses & Events, and ERASMUS Conferences & Events, in collaboration with IAPCO Destination Partner This is Athens – Convention & Visitors Bureau. This collaboration underscores the unified effort of the Greek industry in promoting Athens as a hub for international conferences.

The meeting’s programme will delve into storytelling, leadership, and personal development, inspired by the journey of Odysseus, to navigate the evolving landscape of global meetings

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ASMALLWORLD AG has announced a strategic partnership with Turkish Airlines’ frequent flyer programme, MilesSmiles, significantly expanding its global airline membership offerings. This collaboration allows ASMALLWORLD members to access up to 500,000 MilesSmiles miles, enhancing their travel benefits and providing greater access to destinations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

The partnership with Turkish Airlines, known for its extensive route network and award-winning service, marks a pivotal step in ASMALLWORLD’s strategy to broaden its airline partnerships. Zain Richardson, CEO of ASMALLWORLD, highlighted the alignment in quality and discovery between the two entities, stating, “This collaboration with MilesSmiles expands our airline portfolio with a programme that shares our commitment to quality and to discovery.”

Turkish Airlines, established in 1933 and a member of the Star Alliance, offers seamless connections across six continents, covering over 350 destinations. ASMALLWORLD members selecting Turkish Airlines as their preferred partner will receive generous MilesSmiles miles packages, redeemable for award flights, upgrades, and exclusive rewards.

Nuran Erdağ Haberdar, Vice President of Loyalty Management at Turkish Airlines, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting, “We are delighted to collaborate with ASMALLWORLD and extend our MilesSmiles privileges to its distinguished members.”

This partnership reinforces ASMALLWORLD’s commitment to offering premium travel benefits, including VIP hotel privileges, airport lounge access, and elite rental car status. By integrating Turkish Airlines into its membership portfolio, ASMALLWORLD continues to strengthen its position as a leading luxury travel ecosystem

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flydubai has announced a robust financial performance for the year ending 31 December 2025, with a pre-tax profit of AED 2.2 billion (USD 591 million) and total revenue reaching AED 13.6 billion (USD 3.7 billion), marking a 6% increase from the previous year. The airline carried a record 15.7 million passengers across its expanding network of 140 destinations.

The airline’s success is attributed to strategic network expansion, increased frequencies, and a focus on underserved markets. flydubai’s Chief Executive Officer, Ghaith Al Ghaith, highlighted the airline’s resilience amidst geopolitical uncertainties and supply chain constraints, stating, “Our strong financial performance in 2025 reflects the resilience of flydubai’s business model and the agility of our people.”

In 2025, flydubai operated 126,604 flights, with a 6% increase in capacity. The airline also expanded its fleet with 12 new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, bringing the total to 97. The carrier’s commitment to sustainability was underscored by a solar power initiative aimed at reducing carbon emissions by 1,211 tonnes annually.

The year concluded with significant aircraft orders at the Dubai Airshow, including 150 Airbus A321neos and 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, reinforcing flydubai’s long-term growth strategy. As the airline continues to enhance its customer experience and operational efficiency, it remains a key player in supporting Dubai’s vision as a global aviation hub

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The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, scheduled for 4-7 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will focus on the rapid expansion of the Middle East’s aviation and cruise sectors. According to the ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, air passenger demand in the region is expected to increase by 23% by 2030, driven by national tourism strategies and significant aircraft investments. Meanwhile, global cruise passenger volumes are projected to surpass 42 million by 2028.

Major exhibitors at ATM 2026 include Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Crystal Cruises, among others. The event will explore topics such as “Aviation Predictions 2030” and “Cruising Insight: Ripple Effects of the Blue Economy.” Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, highlighted the region’s strategic connectivity, stating, “Middle Eastern carriers connect hundreds of destinations across six continents.”

The event will also delve into the future of travel technology, with ATM Travel Tech showcasing innovations in AI, VR, and robotics. The Future Stage will host discussions on artificial intelligence and sustainability. ATM 2026 aims to provide a platform for industry leaders to collaborate on sustainable growth strategies, reinforcing the Middle East’s position as a global travel hub

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