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Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport reported (22-May-2026) an increase of 19.9% in passenger traffic in 1Q2026. 10 airlines provide services from the airport to 25 destinations in 12 countries. General manager Francesco D'Amico stated that the airport network development strategy focuses on expanding international markets, with priority on the Nordics, Germany, Eastern Europe, Spain and North Africa. The airport is also seeking to strengthen connectivity through major European hubs, including Frankfurt, Istanbul, Lisbon, Madrid and Paris. The airport sees the cruise sector as a major growth driver. Mr D'Amico said: "Partnerships with cruise operators, including Costa and MSC, and cooperation with local tourism boards further support traffic growth". As previously reported by CAPA, the EUR12.6 million terminal renovation is underway, with completion scheduled by the end of 2026. [more - Aviation Week]

Air India opened (22-May-2026) The Maharaja Lounge at San Francisco International Airport international terminal Gate A1. The 3300sqft lounge can accommodate up to 80 guests and is available to first and business class passengers, gold and platinum Maharaja Club members and eligible Star Alliance members. [more - original PR]

Air Peace, via its official Facebook and Twitter accounts, announced (25-May-2026) it launched Lagos-Barbados service on 24-May-2026, its first commercial service between Nigeria and the Caribbean. The airline handled 284 passengers on the inaugural service, operated with Boeing 777-300 equipment. The service is the only scheduled nonstop connection between Nigeria and the Caribbean, according to OAG and the CAPA Route Capacity Analyser.

Ryanair repaid (25-May-2026) its final EUR1.2 billion bond, leaving Ryanair Group "effectively debt free" for the first time since the business floated in 1997. CFO Neil Sorahan said: "Our fortress balance sheet is underpinned by an unencumbered Boeing 737 fleet of 620 aircraft, solid ratings (BBB+) from both Fitch Ratings and S&P and strong liquidity. This financial strength further widens the cost gap between Ryanair and our competitors, many of whom are exposed to expensive long term debt and aircraft leases and will enable Ryanair to continue to grow traffic at much lower fares than our competitors". Mr Sorahan added: "We look forward to opportunistically revisiting the bond markets at some stage in the future as we grow passenger traffic to 300 million p/a by FY2034 and take up to 50 Boeing MAX 10 deliveries annually from 2029 onward". [more - original PR]

Ireland's Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O'Callaghan and Minister for State Colm Brophy announced (25-May-2026) the installation of 25 new and upgraded eGates at Dublin Airport. The announcement follows a competitive procurement process and subsequent contract award to supplier Vision-Box. The upgraded systems feature improved facial comparison technology, enhanced impostor detection measures, a new two-step verification process and the introduction of ID card reader functionality for eligible passengers from participating countries. [more - original PR]

Bayelsa State's Government, via the official Bayelsa Government New Media Facebook account, announced (25-May-2026) Pioneer Airlines commenced non-scheduled operations on 25-May-2026. The airline operated the inaugural Abuja-Yenagoa service with ATR 72-600 equipment.