The organisers of APEX FTE Expo, which is taking place at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center in Singapore on 18-19 November 2026, report that they have already sold 85% of the exhibition floor space. Explaining the sales success with the event six months away, Steve O’Connor, commercial director at APEX, explained that that the economics of the Singapore venue and new initiatives by the FTE and APEX teams have made it more favourable for exhibitors than at the previous venue (the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center), citing a projected combined saving of US$100,000 for exhibitors compared with the cost of exhibiting in the USA.

Air India has launched Cloud Chasers, a new global program designed to create a more engaging travel experience for children and families across its network. The initiative brings together child-focused products and services into a single platform that combines onboard entertainment, activity kits, milestone moments, and family-friendly travel support. As family travel continues growing globally, airlines are placing greater emphasis on creating experiences designed specifically around younger passengers. Air India says family travel increased by 13 per cent between 2024 and 2025, reinforcing the need for more tailored experiences that support both children and parents throughout the journey.

Etihad Airways has introduced a new collectable business class amenity kit line alongside an onboard skincare partnership with LANEIGE as it continues expanding its premium passenger experience strategy. Dubbed the ‘Destination Collection,’ the new amenity kits feature destination-inspired designs tied to cities across the Etihad network while introducing hydration-focused skincare products. Launching this summer across Etihad’s business-class cabins, the Destination Collection features 14 new amenity kit designs created entirely by the airline’s in-house team. 

In celebration of Eid Al Adha from May 26 to 29 and honoring its heritage, Emirates will serve a feast of regional flavors, festive desserts and curated entertainment across selected routes. Across all cabin classes on selected flights, Emirates passengers can enjoy a specially curated Eid menu inspired by regional cuisines and traditional flavors. In First Class, passengers can savor dishes such as lamb machbous, prawn morbian, lamb madfoon and beef foga braised in Emirati spices. Desserts include pistachio and chocolate nammoura cake, white chocolate and rahash mousse cake and warm walnut baklawa cake.

Virgin Atlantic has partnered with Kolet, the travel eSIM provider, to give passengers a simpler way to stay connected when traveling overseas. Through the partnership, Virgin Atlantic passengers will be able to access mobile data before departure or upon arrival at their destination. As part of the launch, passengers will benefit from 1 gigabyte of complimentary data valid for 48 hours, helping them stay connected from the moment they land. This partnership reflects Virgin Atlantic’s ambition to deliver an increasingly seamless, connected and premium travel experience, from booking through to arrival, the May 19 press release stated.

Fiji Airways has launched an onboard wellness program designed to enhance the well-being of both passengers and crew. Delivered in partnership with renowned wellness providers, the program brings together a curated range of science-backed products and experiences available onboard and in the Fiji Airways Premier Lounge at Nadi International Airport (NAN). Available from June 1, the FlyWell program includes wearable technology, mental performance drinks, red light therapy and EMF protection solutions, all designed to help accelerate recovery during long-haul travel.

APEX FTE EXPO Asia 2026 is proud to welcome DIRECTV Inflight as a Gold Sponsor for this year’s event, taking place 18–19 November 2026 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. As the aviation industry’s largest end-to-end passenger experience and innovation expo, the event will bring together global airlines, airports, suppliers, and technology leaders shaping the future of travel. We’re excited to partner with DIRECTV Inflight as we continue to advance innovation across the passenger journey. Interested in joining us as a sponsor, exhibitor, or attendee? Learn more and get involved today.

Riyadh Air has reset its long-awaited launch to July 1, with tickets for the inaugural route between the Saudi Arabian capital and London going on sale today (Saudi time). Riyadh–Manchester will follow, along with Cairo, Dubai, Jeddah and Madrid, across the back half of the year, with a second wave of European and perhaps Asian destinations still to be announced. While the Saudi start-up has been flying Riyadh-London on a daily basis since October 2025, tickets have been restricted to airline staff and their families, and the aircraft in use was a ‘technical spare’ Boeing 787 previously flown by Oman Air.

Following criticism from Elon Musk, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian has explained why he chose Amazon to power the carrier’s future inflight Wi-Fi over SpaceX’s Starlink. During an interview with Bloomberg on May 18, 2026, Bastian justified his decision, maintaining that Amazon Leo was cheaper than its competitor Starlink and came with added benefits. “I think the opportunities, in terms of the improved bandwidth with a much lower price point than what we’ve ever seen from Starlink, will make a big difference,” Bastian said.

South Korean carrier T’way has received domestic approval from authorities for its planned company rebrand and name change to Trinity Airways. According to AJP News Agency, T’way confirmed on May 18, 2026, that South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport had issued a revised license. T’way first announced plans to change its name to Trinity Airways in September 2025, after the carrier was purchased by Daemyung Sono Group in February 2025.

United Airlines' strategy of launching flights to secondary European destinations has produced some unusual routes in recent years. But even by the airline’s increasingly adventurous standards, its latest move involving Sicily stands out. During a recent round of updates to its intercontinental routes, United has confirmed that its  Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) hub will continue offering flights to Palermo / Punta Raisi Airport (PMO) beyond the traditional Mediterranean summer season, with the route operating three times weekly from October through December.

Ahead of its 70th anniversary in 2027, Austrian Airlines is unveiling its refreshed brand identity, marking the next step in the evolution of the brand. At the heart of this transformation are the updated brand platforms, “Feels like Flying,” and the newly developed “Austrian Touch” design strategy. Austrian Airlines is choosing to focus on human connection, ease, warmth and authentic Austrian hospitality, the national carrier said in its May 18 press release. The airline’s ambition is to become the global benchmark for appreciative and relaxed travel experiences.

Wizz Air has entered into a distribution agreement with travel technology provider Atlas, enabling Atlas’ corporate travel partners to access the airline's content through an API connection. Content for the Hungarian low-cost carrier is now available on the Atlas platform – which specialises in LCC content – with the ability to search and book flights, ancillaries and bundle fares, according to the companies. The agreement is currently limited to TMCs in Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The companies declined to comment on possible expansion elsewhere.