IATA Director General Willie Walsh has criticized Japan’s planned increase in the International Tourist Tax, arguing that higher departure costs work against the country’s successful inbound tourism strategy just as Japan remains one of Asia’s most important aviation markets.

Air New Zealand is trying to turn a difficult operating year into a strategic reset, but its latest market update shows that aircraft groundings and fuel volatility still have a long tail. The Star Alliance carrier expects better aircraft availability, yet some lease and engine costs are set to remain into 2027.

Airline groups are urging Australia’s government to delay the next Passenger Movement Charge increase, arguing that the timing could leave carriers absorbing costs on tickets already sold for early 2027.

Cathay Pacific plans to increase Hong Kong-Madrid to daily service from October 25, 2026, a meaningful step up from the four weekly flights currently filed for the route. The change gives Cathay a stronger year-round-looking presence in Spain and adds another sign that Hong Kong’s long-haul recovery is moving from cautious restoration toward selective frequency growth.

Qantas Frequent Flyer is entering a sharper, more controlled phase from July 1, 2026, with tighter rules for complimentary lounge invitations, reduced lounge access for many Jetstar international passengers and the planned retirement of Points Club and Green Tier later in the year. For members, the changes are not just housekeeping. They show Qantas moving away from broad, transferable perks and toward a loyalty model that protects premium spaces and concentrates benefits around higher-value travel behavior.

Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines have launched joint fare products between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, moving their strategic joint business partnership from regulatory approval into a more visible customer-facing phase.

Qatar Airways is preparing to launch its long-awaited Doha-Bogota-Caracas service, adding a new South America connection at a time when Gulf hub flying is still recovering from regional disruption. The twice-weekly Boeing 777 route gives Colombia and Venezuela a fresh link into Qatar Airways’ global network.

Iberia has begun offering onboard Wi-Fi through Starlink, becoming the first Spanish airline to introduce the SpaceX low-earth-orbit connectivity service. The rollout began with an Airbus A330-300 operating from Madrid to Sao Paulo and is expected to expand across the fleet over roughly two years, giving Iberia a more credible answer to the fast-improving connectivity standards now spreading across premium long-haul airlines.

Global airline demand fell again in May as the Middle East conflict continued to reshape travel flows, fuel costs and airline pricing. IATA’s latest passenger data shows that the headline decline is not a simple demand slump, but a more complicated market split where Europe, Latin America and Africa kept growing while Middle Eastern carriers absorbed a severe traffic hit.