SITA‘s 2026 Baggage IT Insights Report has revealed that the global air transport industry achieved its strongest baggage handling performance outside the pandemic in 2025, with mishandled baggage rates falling 23% despite passenger numbers reaching a record 5 billion. The report attributes the improvement to greater use of connected technologies, including real-time data sharing, AI-powered routing, biometric bag drop and passenger tracking tools. However, baggage mishandling still costs the industry an estimated $6.3 billion annually, with around 24 million bags mishandled in 2025.

Perk has opened its Middle East office in Abu Dhabi, establishing a regional base in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). The company said the move reflects growing demand for travel and spend management services across the Gulf and supports its plans to triple travel spend from UAE-based customers by 2028. The UAE is already Perk’s ninth-largest market globally by travel spend.

Vairo has joined Advantage Travel Partnership’s supplier partner network, giving members access to its platform for managing offline booking workflows. The system brings together travel requests, quotations and client communications in a single platform, allowing travel management companies to manage the booking process from enquiry to fulfilment without replacing their existing technology.

American Airlines has unveiled Provisions by Admirals Club, a new lounge concept at John F. Kennedy International Airport designed to better serve high passenger volumes with a faster, grab-and-go experience. Located in terminal 8, Concourse B between gates 12 and 14, the space focuses on speed, flexibility and passenger flow, offering premium food and beverage options for travellers with limited time. The concept complements the existing joint premium lounges above gates 12 and 14, as well as the Admirals Club lounge in Concourse C.

Accor has reached a milestone of 50 hotels opened within its ‘Handwritten Collection’. The latest openings include Hotel Rathauspark Wien in Austria, Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao in China, and Château de Mazan in France. The brand is now present in 20 countries and a further 50 hotels are in development.