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Air Serbia launched (16-Jun-2026) ELEVATE, a new loyalty programme. ELEVATE allows members to earn points for every purchase of an airfare or additional services. The programme offers options such as reward flights, additional luggage, selecting seats, access to premium lounges and upgrades to business class. Air Serbia will continue to develop and improve ELEVATE together with partners and other airlines. [more - original PR]

US FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced (16-Jun-2026) the appointment of Caitlin Locke as Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety. Ms Locke previously served as executive director of aircraft certification service within the aviation safety organisation. She will replace Tina Amereihn, who plans to retire. [more - Aviation Week]

US FAA senior certification advisor Steve Fulton confirmed (16-Jun-2026) the Strategic Management of Airspace Routing Trajectories (SMART) software remains on track for initial deployment in Sep-2026. Mr Fulton stated the software will be a "bounded introduction", limited to air traffic at 24,000ft and above, noting it will provide further enhancement for air traffic controllers rather than a human replacement. FAA has yet to announce a vendor for the SMART software, noting key functionality details still need defining. [more - Aviation Week]

Breeze Airways CEO David Neeleman, speaking to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Americas, stated (28-May-2026) the price of oil has gone down in "the last few days". Mr Neeleman continued: "I think if we can get the fares back down... I think demand will be good". He added: "If they can stay at this level or come down a little bit, I'm not worried about demand in [2H2026]", noting: "It all depends on where fuel goes and where the fares are". [more - CAPA TV]

Delta Air Lines SVP of alliances Perry Cantarutti, speaking to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Americas, stated (28-May-2026) demand for international travel is "really quite strong" for summer and late 2026, noting: "We're feeling pretty good". Regarding demand for 2H2026, Mr Cantarutti stated: "We'll see how that builds, but at this point, we have also pretty good confidence". [more - CAPA TV]

Norwegian Group entered (16-Jun-2026) an agreement to acquire hotel and leisure travel experiences company Nordic Leisure Travel Group (NLTG) for SEK7.94 billion (EUR730.17 million), comprising a cash component of SEK3.5 billion (EUR321.86 million) and 300 million consideration shares in Norwegian. Closing is targeted during 2H2026. The transaction combines brands such as Sunclass Airlines, Ving, Spies, Tjäreborg and Globetrotter with Norwegian Air Shuttle AOC and Widerøe. The agreement will unite Norwegian, Widerøe, and NLTG under a single ownership structure, creating a vertically integrated travel group. The integrated group will encompass nearly 160 aircraft, tour and hotel operations, serving approximately 30 million customers p/a. The transaction is expected to increase annual group operating revenue by close to 50%. Upon completion, the owners of NLTG will become significant shareholders in the combined group, with Strawberry to hold an 8.9% share, Altor to hold 8.9% and TDR to hold 4.4%. Strawberry and Altor will propose one representative each for board representation. Completion of the transaction is subject to approval at Norwegian's extraordinary general meeting, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. [more - original PR]