Cathay Pacific has announced a passenger capacity change from mid-May to end-June, sparked by the ongoing volatile situation in the Middle East.

Adjusting fuel surcharges to mitigate rising jet fuel prices

The Middle East situation continues to negatively impact the price of jet fuel, which has increased significantly since the beginning of March and remains at highly elevated levels, placing huge cost pressure on airlines around the world.  A statement from Cathay Pacific details the measures currently being taken: "In the past month we have pursued every suitable means to keep our flights operating as normal. This includes adjusting the fuel surcharges in an attempt to mitigate the surge in jet fuel prices." 

Consolidating a small number of flights

"Despite our best efforts, the measures we have taken to mitigate the heightened fuel costs have not been enough,- continues the statement. -Cutting back on capacity has always been our last resort. Regrettably we have to consolidate a small number of Cathay Pacific passenger flights from 16 May 2026 to 30 June 2026, as well as a small number of HK Express passenger flights from 11 May 2026 to 30 June 2026, to mitigate part of the increased costs."  For Cathay Pacific some 2% of total frequencies during the period will be cancelled, involving mostly regional flights and a small number of Australia, South Asia and South Africa flights.  

Protection for passengers

All affected customers will be offered protection onto flights departing within 24 hours of their originally scheduled flights. For HK Express, about 6% of total frequencies during the period will be cancelled, with nearly all affected customers offered protection onto flights departing within 24 hours of their originally scheduled flights. All affected customers were notified of their updated flight details by Monday 13 April. A decision has also been made to continue suspending Cathay Pacific’s Dubai and Riyadh passenger flights until 30 June 2026 in view of the ongoing situation in the Middle East.  

"Maintaining network and frequencies as much as possible" 

With attention to the needs of passengers a priority for the Hong Kong-based carrier, the impact on customers has been minimized as much as possible. "These consolidation decisions are not taken lightly, and we apologize to customers for any inconvenience caused." Beyond June, Cathay Pacific and HK Express plan to operate all scheduled passenger flights, subject to developments of the Middle East situation and jet fuel price in the coming months. "During these unprecedented times, we shall remain agile in our response while striving to maintain our network and frequencies as much as possible for our customers, business partners and the Hong Kong international aviation hub."

The European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) that has been fully operational since 10 April is causing queues and disruptions in European airports. 

Over 24,000 people have been denied entry

Following a phased roll-out that began on 12 October in 29 European countries. passport stamps are being replaced by digital records of entries and exits, as well as entry refusals for non-EU travellers on short stays. The new system was introduced to modernize the EU’s border security and immigration management systems, as well as to reduce crime, fraud and identify security risks. According to the European Commission since the system’s introduction over 24,000 people have been denied entry for reasons such as expired or forged documents, or for failing to fully justify the purpose of their visit. 

Aimed at speeding up procedures

The biometric passport is not mandatory, but it allows travellers to use self-service kiosks and speed up procedures. Those without one must complete the initial registration at the counters, providing a photograph and fingerprints. The provision of data is mandatory: refusal will result in entry being denied. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting, but not from the photograph. Biometric information such as facial images and fingerprints is also recorded, along with the personal data contained in the travel document. The information remains valid for three years (unless the passport is renewed) and allows for faster checks on subsequent journeys, including via automated gates.

The EES applies to a range of travellers 

The EES applies to non-EU/Schengen citizens travelling to Schengen or EU countries for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This includes UK nationals, as well as visa-exempt travellers, regardless of whether they are travelling for tourism or business. It also applies to people who own property in the EU but do not hold a residence permit. The system applies to citizens of EU Member States and the Schengen area, as well as to persons holding long-stay visas or residence permits issued by these countries, including non-EU citizens. Similarly, family members of EU citizens holding a residence card issued by one of these countries are exempt, along with local residents holding valid local border traffic permits. Crew members on international trains and aircraft are also exempt, as are armed forces personnel and their families on missions under the ‘Partnership for Peace’ programme or NATO. Ireland and Cyprus are also exempt from using the EES, meaning they will continue to carry out manual passport checks.

More disruptions and delays at airports?

As has already been the case since October 2025, processing times at airports could increase during the first few months of the EES’s full operation, despite the EU’s promise to allow some flexibility to cope with excessive queues, particularly during the summer peak travel periods. “Waiting times now regularly reach two hours at peak times, with some airports reporting even longer queues,” ACI Europe and Airlines for Europe (A4E) stated in a joint declaration.

A new website and app for ITA Airways: both digital channels have been developed on the Lufthansa Group’s technology platform for flight and service management.

A harmonized experience across the Group’s airlines

The new digital ecosystem guarantees passengers “a harmonized experience across the Group’s various airlines, whilst preserving the elements of ITA Airways’ brand identity, the essential characteristics of the brand’s identity and its look and feel”. The new solutions range from flight search and booking to payment, as well as the management of additional services, travel information and refund requests. Passengers can also easily view existing ITA bookings and manage them directly via the app or website. Both channels allow ITA Airways flights to be combined with those of other Lufthansa Group airlines in a single booking.

"A key milestone in the airline’s integration within the group"

“The introduction of ITA Airways’ new digital services, developed on the Lufthansa Group’s technology platform, represents a key milestone in the airline’s integration within the group," said Lorenza Maggio, chief strategy, integration, IT & touchpoints ITA Airways. This development is part of the broader collaboration between ITA and the Lufthansa Group, which in 2025 has already led to the introduction of codeshare flights offering access to over 150 destinations, the integration of the Volare and Miles & More loyalty programmes, and reciprocal access to airport lounges. “The aim is to offer our customers an increasingly simple, intuitive and integrated digital experience, whilst ensuring a harmonized customer experience across the group’s airlines and enhancing the ITA brand identity.”

New services will gradually be introduced

In the coming months, the digital offering will be further expanded: in addition to access via Travel ID, which is already available, new services will gradually be introduced on the app and website, including the integration of Miles & More, automatic notifications via email and push notifications, and a harmonized check-in system for all Lufthansa Group airlines.

For years traveling alone has meant long nights scrolling through booking sites comparing flights, reading hotel reviews and juggling insurance options. Now many solo travelers are choosing a smarter route: organized trips and curated group tours.

The shift is happening fast says speedvacanze, the singles’ organized group travel and vacations operator, with solo travel booming globally: worth about $482 billion in 2024 and expected to pass $1 trillion by 2030.  The day of do-it-yourself planning is fading fast, with over 60% of travelers saying they feel stressed during the planning phase, while 41% lament having to spend up to ten hours online to plan a single holiday. 

Organized travel, on the other hand, arranges flights, hotels, transfers, and activities in advance. and 64% of single travelers now join organized tours at least occasionally, while nearly a quarter say they are their preferred way to travel.

For the industry, the message is clear. The modern solo traveler recognizes that organized trips offer the autonomy of traveling alone, married to the efficiency, reassurance, and social dimension that only professionally curated itineraries can provide.

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

Air India’s new direct Delhi-Rome service: four weekly flights marks the Indian carrier’s return to Fiumicino after an absence of almost six years.

"The cultural bond between Italians and Indians"

“Demand for travel between India and Europe continues to rise in both the leisure and business sectors, thanks to the many cultural affinities between our two countries and the ever-growing ties that strengthen not only commercial and economic links but also the cultural bond between Italians and Indians,- said Nipun Aggarwal, chief commercial officer Air India. -We are delighted to re-establish the air link between Delhi and Rome, two great capitals and historic cities, offering convenient connections to and from destinations across the Indian subcontinent and South-East Asia via our Delhi hub.”

B787-8 aircraft configured in a two-class layout

The service to Rome, which thus becomes Air India’s eighth gateway in Europe, operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, using B787-8 aircraft configured in a two-class layout: 18 seats in Business Class with fully reclining seats, and 241 spacious seats in Economy Class. "The new direct Delhi flight enhances our offering for the Indian capital and meets the growing demand for travel between Italy and India. This new route further strengthens Rome Fiumicino’s role as a leading international hub in the Mediterranean, making it increasingly central for air links with Asia.”

Over 200,000 people of Indian origin live in Italy

Italy is an important partner for India in trade, tourism and culture. In 2025 bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $14 billion, thanks to close collaboration in sectors such as engineering, the automotive industry, fashion and design. Furthermore, Italy is home to one of the largest Indian communities on the European continent, with over 200,000 people of Indian origin contributing to the steady growth in demand for connections between the two countries. The flight schedule has been designed to connect via Delhi with numerous destinations in India and South-East Asia, including Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. The structure of the schedule allows travellers from Italy to easily access the carrier’s international and domestic network.