The home of market intelligence for
the aviation and travel industry.

Qantas Airways opened (15-May-2025) a new 1016sqm Domestic Business Lounge at Adelaide Airport. The facility has capacity for 190 customers and features a signature Market Kitchen concept, which includes a live cooking station inspired by Adelaide Central Markets. The lounge also features locally sourced furniture, lighting and natural materials, as well as access to power for approximately 80% of seating. The opening of the lounge marks the final stage in construction of the new Adelaide Lounge precinct. [more - original PR]

World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reported (13-May-2025) the US is on track to lose USD12.5 billion in international visitor spending in 2025. Details include:

• International visitor spending to the US is projected to decrease from USD181 billion in 2024 to "just under" USD169 billion in 2025. WTTC stated the decline will impact communities, jobs and businesses across the US;
• The US is the only country among the 184 economies analysed by WTTC and Oxford Economics that is forecast to record a decline in international visitor spending in 2025;
• US Department of Commerce international arrivals data for Mar-2025 shows decreases in arrivals of more than 28% year-on-year from Germany, 15% from the UK, almost 15% from South Korea and between 24% and 33% from other markets such as Spain, Colombia, Ireland, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. Bookings from Canada for travel in early summer 2025 decreased more than 20%.

WTTC called for "immediate action to address travel access, rebuild international marketing efforts, and restore global traveller confidence in the US". WTTC president and CEO Julia Simpson commented: "The world's biggest Travel & Tourism economy is heading in the wrong direction, not because of a lack of demand, but because of a failure to act. While other nations are rolling out the welcome mat, the US government is putting up the 'closed' sign". Ms Simpson added: "Without urgent action to restore international traveller confidence, it could take several years for the US just to return to pre-pandemic levels of international visitor spend, not even the peak from 10 years ago". [more - original PR]

Finnair announced (14-May-2025) plans to cancel approximately 60 flights due to industrial action by the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport on 16-May-2025. The industrial action will target different work shifts and affect functions such as ground handling and catering. The cancellations are expected to affect approximately 6000 Finnair customers, who will be offered alternative flights. IAU has announced similar industrial action for 19-May-2025, which Finnair expects will also cause disruptions. [more - original PR]

Brisbane Airport confirmed (15-May-2025) Virgin Australia plans to launch Brisbane-Doha service on 19-Jun-2025, in partnership with Qatar Airways. This follows approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for the carriers' integrated alliance in late Mar-2025, as previously reported by CAPA. [more - original PR]

Boeing, via its official website, reported (13-May-2025) the following commercial aircraft orders and deliveries for Apr-2025:

• Gross orders: Eight aircraft;
  • Unidentified customer(s): Eight 737 MAXs;
• Deliveries: 43 aircraft;
  • Air Canada: One 787-9;
  • Air India: Four 737 MAXs;
  • Air Lease: One 787-10;
  • Akasa Air: One 737 MAX;
  • Allegiant Air: One 737 MAX;
  • American Airlines: Two 737 MAXs and two 787-9s;
  • BOC Aviation: One 737 MAX;
  • CES Leasing: One 777F;
  • China Southern Airlines: One 737 MAX;
  • DHL Aviation Americas: Two 777Fs;
  • Emirates: One 777F;
  • EVA Air: Two 787-9s;
  • FedEx Express: One 767-300F;
  • flydubai: One 737 MAX;
  • Korean Air: One 787-10;
  • Ryanair: Five 737 MAXs;
  • Southwest Airlines: Five 737 MAXs;
  • United Airlines: Eight 737 MAXs and one 787-9;
  • UPS: One 767-300F.

Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), via its official Facebook account, announced (12-May-2025) it introduced new regulation to enhance passenger rights on international flights, effective 20-May-2025. Details include:

• For delays over two hours: Airlines must provide free food and drinks to cover the waiting time and provide free communication channels;
• For delays over five hours: Airlines must also provide monetary compensation of THB1500 (USD45.02) within 14 days, and accommodation and transport if an overnight stay is necessary. Passengers can choose to get a refund if they cancel their travel plans;
• For delays over 10 hours: Airlines must offer all of the above as well as monetary compensation of up to THB4500 (USD135.06) within 14 days;
• For flight cancellation: Airlines must provide the same assistance as for flights delayed more than 10 hours, unless the flight is cancelled at least seven days in advance.

For domestic flights, compensation will increase from THB600 (USD18.01) to THB1200 (USD36.01) for flights delayed for more than five hours and from THB1200 (USD36.01) to THB1500 (USD45.02) for cancelled flights.