The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has sharply cut its profit outlook for the global airline industry, citing disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. Airlines are now expected to post a net profit of $23 billion in 2026, while Middle East airlines are likely to post $4.3 billion loss, it said.
Outletcity Metzingen will launch its World Cup Summer campaign from May 22 to July 18, 2026, offering a blend of football-themed entertainment, premium shopping, and family activities designed to attract international visitors, including GCC travellers, during the summer season in Germany.
Fatima Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, held a meeting with representatives of Bahrain’s hotel sector as part of regular meetings aimed at strengthening partnership with the hotel sector and following up on preparations for upcoming tourism seasons and events.
IHG Hotels & Resorts has launched an app in ChatGPT to make hotel discovery and booking easier as AI becomes increasingly central to travel planning, now used by more than half of US travellers.
Saudia ranked first globally for on-time performance in May 2026, achieving 92.30% on-time departures and 90.12% arrivals, according to Cirium, while operating 13,669 flights across more than 100 destinations worldwide.
Qatar Airways continues to increase its capacity between Qatar and UAE by gradually expanding frequencies between Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Dubai International Airport (DXB) from two to five daily services.
Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, announced a Special Prorate Agreement (SPA) with Myanmar Airways International, expanding travel options between Saudi Arabia and Myanmar.
China’s travel and tourism sector is set for strong growth, with World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) data projecting a 5.3% expansion in 2026 and 6.5% annual growth over the next decade, reaching $3.5 trillion by 2036.
The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Sign Language Association to enhance cooperation and develop services for persons with disabilities—specifically those who are deaf and hard of hearing—across aviation facilities.
EU tourist accommodation recorded 471.1 million overnight stays in the first quarter of 2026, up 3.4% from a year earlier. Overnight stays increased steadily throughout the quarter, reaching 143.5 million in January, 154.4 million in February and 173.2 million in March.
