Travel

Updates on travel industry trends, tourism, and economic impact.

Travel
Ryanair to scrap paper boarding passes in digital shift
Ryanair will eliminate paper boarding passes and airport check-in desks from 12 November as the airline moves to a fully digital system. From that date, passengers will be required to generate their boarding passes through the “myRyanair” app during check-in, replacing the option to print at home or collect a paper version at the airport. The budget airline said that nearly 80% of its customers already use digital boarding passes, and the change mirrors shifts in other industries such as music and sporting events, which have embraced digital-only ticketing. "Ryanair’s move to 100% digital boarding passes will mean a faster, smarter, and greener travel experience for our customers, streamlined through our best-in-class ‘myRyanair’ app, where passengers will also benefit from helpful in-app features, like Order to Seat and live flight information,” said Dara Brady, the carrier’s chief marketing officer. The airline has been pursuing a wider digital transformation, having recently introduced in-app options including seat service ordering, real-time flight updates, and disruption alerts from Ryanair’s Operations Centre. The push toward digitisation reflects a broader trend in the aviation industry. While no U.S. carr
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JTB completes acquisition of Northstar Travel Group
Japanese travel agency and travel solutions provider, JTB, has completed its acquisition of BTN’s parent company, Northstar Travel Group. Following the acquisition, Northstar will continue to operate as a wholly owned independent subsidiary of JTB and keep its existing management team, including CEO Jason Young. Young said the company is excited to become part of JTB and reach new demographics. “Partnering with JTB opens up new opportunities for collaboration and growth, particularly as we expand our reach in the Asia Pacific region,” he said. “With our shared values and vision, we look forward to working closely with JTB to deliver even greater value to our customers around the world.” The transaction was initially announced in August and will allow Northstar to continue its current operations and service offerings. Northstar also owns several publications, including SportsTravel, Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, Travel Pulse and Phocuswright Northstar was previously owned by investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital and its investors.
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Paris night train to end amid France's budget cuts
Overnight train services from Paris to Berlin and Vienna will end in December, after France’s Ministry of Transport chose to withdraw subsidies for the route. These Nightjet routes will end on 14 December, according to French state-owned rail company SNCF Voyageurs, as the EU€5-10 million annual subsidy will be discontinued from 2026. The routes are operated by SNCF in partnership with Austrian Federal Railways and Germany’s Deutsche Bahn. “The Paris-Vienna/Berlin night train has an occupancy rate of 70% on average over 2024. This offer is not economically viable without state subsidies,” wrote SNCF. “Even in the context of very high traffic assumptions, the economic balance is not achievable,” it said, due to higher operating costs for night train services and because seats can only be sold for one journey per night. All domestic overnight trains in France also operate based on state subsidies, according to SNCF. Other Nightjet routes outside France, including Vienna-Brussels and Munich-Rome, will continue. A petition to restore France’s Nightjet routes has gathered more than 51,250 signatures. Organising group Yes to the Night Train has argued SNCF did not deliver on its promise of daily Nightjet services and f
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Carnival posts record income, revenue on strong bookings
Carnival Corporation reported record revenue and net income last quarter as bookings rise, though shares dropped by 4.0%. Net income was US$1.85 billion, up from $1.74 billion year-over-year, or $2.0 billion on an adjusted basis. Revenue was $8.15 billion, growing from $7.90 billion. “This was a phenomenal quarter delivering all-time high net income and our tenth consecutive quarter of record revenues. Strong demand and onboard spending drove a 4.6% improvement in net yields (in constant currency), all of which was achieved on a same ship basis,” said Carnival CEO Josh Weinstein. “Since May, booking trends have continued to strengthen with higher booking volumes than last year and far outpacing capacity growth,” said Weinstein. “With nearly half of 2026 booked, which is in line with 2025 record levels (at the same time last year) but now at historical high prices (in constant currency) for both our North America and Europe segments, we have built a strong base of business for next year.” Operating income was $2.27 billion, up from $2.18 billion. Diluted earnings per share were $1.33, growing from $1.26, and adjusted EBITDA was up from $2.82 billion to $2.99 billion. Passenger Ticket revenue rose from $5.24 billion t
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Vietnam's new airport starts calibration flights
Vietnam’s new international airport has begun calibration flights ahead of its 2026 opening, which will see it eventually accommodate 100 million passengers each year. Long Thanh International Airport will be located 40 kilometres east of Ho Chi Minh City, and is intended to relieve traffic at the city’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport. “On September 26, 2025, Long Thanh International Airport marked a significant milestone in its preparation to bring the country's largest airport into operation by conducting its first official calibration flight,” wrote the Airports Corporation of Vietnam. “Long Thanh International Airport is set to become one of the leading modern international airports in the region, making a significant contribution to the nation's aviation and socio-economic development strategy.” Long Thanh will cover more than 5,000 hectares, making it the country’s largest by land area. It will also be Vietnam’s largest airport by capacity once fully complete, as its capacity is eventually expected to expand from 2.6 million annual passengers at its opening to 100 million passengers. Calibration flights will take place until 24 October to test the airport’s aviation equipment systems. Vietnam’s Air Traffic

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Kensington launches expeditions with space travel option
Kensington, a private guided travel company, has unveiled Kensington Expeditions, a new collection of bespoke journeys that combine luxury with immersive adventure across land, sea, air and space. The programme’s centrepiece is the promise of curated visits to commercial space stations, part of the world’s first orbiting private outposts currently under development. These experiences, expected to launch in May 2026, will give guests the opportunity to engage directly with “the final frontier”, offering a foundation for long-term living beyond Earth. Beyond space, Kensington Expeditions features journeys guided by leading scientists, marine biologists, cultural experts and explorers. Each trip integrates hands-on conservation and field research with exclusive cultural encounters, granting access to locations and activities far beyond the reach of traditional travellers. Guests can participate in initiatives such as marine biodiversity monitoring, ecological studies and community-driven conservation projects, while enjoying tailored experiences led by private guides and specialists. Sample itineraries include:A 12-day private superyacht voyage from Patagonia to Antarctica, complete with submersible dives, kayaking
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Azamara to set sail on solar eclipse cruises in 2026
Azamara Cruise will set sail on three solar eclipse cruises during 2026 in partnership with Lowell Observatory, a historic institution most well known for its groundbreaking astronomical discoveries and public education. Guests on the cruises will have the chance to witness the solar eclipse from prime ocean vantage points. Azamara Cruises CEO, Dondra Ritzenhaler, said the partnership with Lowell Observatory will allow them to enhance the celestial phenomenon into something “more meaningful” for their guests. “Their astronomers really bring the eclipse to life through stories, guidance and hands-on experiences that deepen understanding while creating moments of awe”, Ritzenhaler said. “It’s a natural extension of our Destination Immersion philosophy, offering not just a view of the world but a richer connection to it.” The Cruise company said what sets these sailings apart is the experiential programming provided by Lowell Observatory. Experiences on the cruises will include lectures, stargazing sessions, interactive demonstrations and live eclipse narration. Guests will also be provided with special viewing glasses for safe observation. “For more than 130 years Lowell Observatory has helped people discover th
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Electric air-taxis to be produced at Cotswold Airport
A company developing an all-electric air taxi is hoping to gain certification for commercial use by 2028. Vertical Aerospace (VA) is a Bristol-based company aiming to establish a factory at Cotswold Airport to produce 25 flying taxis, known as the VX4, annually. It would also build a new battery facility next to its research and development centre in Avonmouth to triple production of VX4 battery packs. The company also said the air-taxis could be ready for commercial use by 2028 if it secures US$700 million in funding. Alongside UK production, VA is still considering international locations for full production, which it plans to ramp up to 900 aircraft a year by 2035, but a final decision is expected next year. The air-taxis, or electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) have been in the works for a while. They are designed to take off like a helicopter and not only promise to be quieter, cheaper and emission-free but are also designed to land right in the heart of the city. They will also have a 161km range and the ability to carry up to six passengers. "These things work. We know we can certify this," VA chief executive Stuart Simpson said at a webinar in New York on Wednesday. "Our craft has
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Europe airport disruptions caused by ransomware attack
Airport check-in system disruptions across Europe were caused by a ransomware attack, according to the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). The cyberattack led to delays at London Heathrow, Brussels, Dublin, and Berlin airports over the weekend after check-in kiosks were taken offline. The attack targeted Collins Aerospace, which provides check-in and baggage systems. “The type of ransomware has been identified. Law enforcement is involved to investigate,” said ENISA. ENISA did not say if it had identified the origin of the ransomware attack. During ransomware attacks, an attacker locks the victim’s software until a ransom is paid. London Heathrow reported 1,347 flights were delayed from Saturday to Monday, according to FlightAware. Disruptions at Dublin Airport have extended into a third day, with airlines operating in its Terminal 2 issuing boarding passes manually. Nearly 1,100 flights were delayed at Dublin Airport from Saturday to Monday, having also been disrupted by an evacuation after a passenger’s luggage triggered a security alert. Check-in systems at Berlin and Brussels airports had similarly not been restored by Monday. Collins Aerospace’s cMUSE software, which allows multiple airlines