Automatic

🛫 Aeroporti di Puglia, largely owned (99%) by Regione Puglia, saw notable intercontinental arrivals in 2023: USA (+27%), Argentina (+89%), Brazil (+36%), Australia (+10%), and Canada (+18%). Upcoming connections include Bari-New York, with Neos, and United Airlines offering four weekly US flights from May 2025. New routes: Frankfurt-Brindisi, Lille-Bari, and expanded Eastern Europe connections. Traffic increased by 7%, projecting 11.2-11.3 million passengers across four airports in 2023, up from 8.2 million in 2019.

🌍 Italy's first visitors to Saudi Arabia's Aseer province arrived in 2025, exploring mountains over 3,000 meters high near Mecca. Mashael Alrezouq from the Saudi Tourism Authority highlighted Al Habala, Rijal Almaa, and Abha as cultural hubs. In 2024, around 100,000 Italians visited, with easier e-visa access and direct Wizz Air flights from Milan and Rome. Major events like the Supercoppa Italiana and Desert X are drawing a diverse range of tourists, from young people to families.

✈️ Air France-KLM aims to acquire 44.9% of TAP Air Portugal for €700 million, with an additional 5% reserved for employees. The bidding concludes on November 22. TAP, led by CEO Luis Rodrigues, will remain headquartered in Lisbon. TAP has shown profitability, with €126 million in Q3 profits, €55.2 million net profit in the first nine months, transporting 12.7 million passengers, and €3.281 billion in revenue. The Portuguese state maintains 50.1% control.

✈️ easyJet plans new routes in Italy for summer 2026 with two additions: Bari to Bristol starting April 18 and Pisa to Glasgow from August 1, both with twice-weekly flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Winter routes extended into summer include Milan Malpensa to Sal and Milan Linate to Porto. Bookings are available through easyJet's website and mobile app.