Here's the latest news from the world of travel:
Thailand: Thai Airways International has nearly doubled fuel surcharges on regional and international routes for all tickets issued from May 1. The actions come amid a rise in jet fuel prices following the outbreak of the US-Iran war.
The biggest increases will be felt on flights to European capitals, such as London, Paris and Madrid. Surcharges will climb to $524 from $275 in economy class, and to $982 from $510 in business class. The surcharges will be applied to a return ticket.
Surcharges on Bangkok-Sydney rise to $389 from $203 in economy, while those flying economy class on Bangkok–Seoul and Bangkok–Tokyo Narita routes will see a rise from $152 to $292. Economy passengers on Bangkok–Beijing and Bangkok–Delhi flights will also see surcharges rise to $241 from $126.
USA: American Airlines has relaunched its Miami-Venezuela flight after a seven-year hiatus. The inaugural service was operated by Envoy Air using an Embraer 175 regional jet.
It has been largely welcomed as the carrier first launched flights to Venezuela in 1987 and spent more than three decades as the leading US airline serving the country.
The Miami–Caracas route will initially operate daily, with a second daily frequency scheduled to launch from May 21 due to strong demand. It is the first flight since the lifting of the 2019 US flight ban earlier this year.
Hawaii: Hawaiian Airlines has officially joined the oneworld alliance. It is the 96-year-old carrier's first participation in a major airline alliance, making it easier than ever for international travellers to visit Hawaii.
Hawaiian Airlines guests who are members of Atmos Rewards, the loyalty programme of the combined Hawaiian and Alaska airlines, can now earn and redeem points and enjoy elite status benefits when travelling on any of the 14 other oneworld member airlines.
Oneworld's members serve nearly 1,000 destinations across more than 170 countries. Those with the oneworld alliance loyalty programmes can also earn and redeem points, and their elite status is recognised on all Hawaiian Airlines flights.
"We are excited to welcome oneworld guests with our genuine Hawaiian hospitality while inspiring visitors to appreciate Hawaii's people, culture, and natural environment," commented Diana Birkett Rakow, CEO of Hawaiian Airlines.
Malaysia: One of Penang's oldest hotels, 1926 Heritage Hotel Penang, is set to relaunch as part of The Ascott Limited's Unlimited Collection.
Located in historic Jalan Burma in George Town, the hotel stands as a living reflection of the city's past. Originally built in 1926 as residences for British administrative officers, the property has undergone careful restoration that preserves its architectural heritage.
"As travel becomes more experience-driven, destinations with a strong identity are increasingly sought after," said Mondi Mecja, Country General Manager of Ascott Malaysia. "Aligned with Visit Malaysia 2026, the hotel tells a distinctive Penang story, thoughtfully revitalised to remain part of the island's heritage."
The hotel retains the spirit of old Penang through preserved corridors and redesigned interiors. The central bungalow houses the main reception, entered through grand double doors. Inside, a feature wall with French-inspired straw marquetry echoes the palm-and-panther motif, blending artistry with storytelling.
Thailand, US, UK: Minor Hotels is expanding its footprint worldwide with new hotels across Thailand, the UK, and the US, including the debut of its Colbert Collection brand.
A beachfront resort on Chaweng Beach, in Koh Samui, will mark the first Colbert Collection property in Asia. Currently operating as Buri Rasa Village Samui, it will transition to Minor Hotels management on May 1 2026, with rebranding scheduled for early 2027 following renovation.
Other new hotels include a beachfront resort on Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach; the WestDill Mayfair Hotel London, Colbert Collection, planned to open late 2026; and Anantara Miami, scheduled to open in 2030, marking the Anantara brand's entry into the US market.
Morocco: International hotel group, Hilton, has unveiled plans to open up to 15 hotels across Morocco. The news comes on the heels of the company's opening of the 55-room Waldorf Astoria Rabat Salé, its first luxury property in the country.
Hilton president and CEO Chris Nassetta commented: "Morocco is a strategically important market for Hilton, where we plan to more than double our portfolio to 25 hotels in the coming years." Further expansion will include the debut of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Morocco, with the brand's first property in Casablanca set to open in 2028.
Türkiye: Foreign tourist arrivals to Türkiye surged in the first quarter of the year, official data has shown. In March, the number of foreign visitors rose 5% year-on-year to 2.46 million, while in the first quarter it rose 2.2% to 6.84 million.
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said: "The figures clearly demonstrate not only that Türkiye is a strong destination in tourism but also that it has a high capacity for crisis management. Crises may always occur in our region. Last year, we faced similar global developments and regional uncertainties. Despite this, we closed 2025 with 64 million visitors."
The top countries for visitors in the first quarter of 2026 were Germany with 678,000, Russia with 651,000, Bulgaria with 539,000, Iran with 527,000, and the UK with 314,000.
Japan: In a typically 21st-century move, Japan Airlines has announced it will introduce robots for a trial run at a Tokyo airport to cope with the country's surge in inbound tourism and worsening labour shortages.
The extra staff will be employed at Tokyo's Haneda airport. However, one setback is that they will need to take regular breaks for recharge. The Chinese-made humanoids will move travellers' luggage and cargo on the tarmac at Haneda, which handles more than 60 million passengers a year.
World: A variety of carriers are announcing new flights around the globe. United Airlines is introducing new services to Bari, Italy (May 1); Glasgow, Scotland (May 8); Santiago de Compostela, Spain (May 27); and Reykjavik, Iceland (May 21).
Alaska Airlines has launched its first-ever route to Europe, a daily nonstop from Seattle-Tacoma to Rome, while easyJet has launched long-distance routes including Sharm el-Sheikh to Glasgow (Aug 1) and Edinburgh (Nov 10), and Sal to Amsterdam (Oct 27).
Turkish Airlines has also commenced daily flights to Yerevan, Armenia, and opened a new route to Timișoara, Romania. Meanwhile, SyrianAir has resumed international flights, launching a five-times-weekly service from Damascus to Istanbul.
Türkiye: Istanbul Airport is officially Europe's busiest airport with an average of 1,395 flights daily on April 20-26, according to a report released by the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation.
EUROCONTROL's latest European Aviation Report showed that Istanbul Airport ranked first, followed by Amsterdam with 1,390 daily flights; Paris Charles de Gaulle with 1,340; London Heathrow with 1,296; and Madrid-Barajas with 1,264.
Andy Probert is a freelance journalist whose work about global travel news, aviation, business and human-interest features has appeared internationally in print and digital formats.
