Tony Loeb

✈ Indigo, India's largest airline by passenger volume, has launched two long-haul routes to Europe, flying to Manchester and Amsterdam. This expansion is notable as Indigo, a low-cost carrier, uses leased aircraft from Norse for long-haul operations. With no restrictions on flying over Russian airspace, unlike EU carriers, Indigo offers competitive prices and shorter routes to Europe. This move indicates India's dynamic aviation market and Indigo's strong entry into the European sector.

🚀 MSC and its founder Gianluigi Aponte, in collaboration with Blackrock and other investors, have recently acquired ports on the Panama Canal from Hong Kong's CK Hutchison. Aponte joined Blackrock-led syndicate, aiming to influence the development of targeted enterprises, reflecting his potential interest in the international tour operating market, including the Alpitour operation. However, negotiations with Alpitour have stalled, despite the airline Neos being a key attraction for Aponte. MSC and Blackrock have previously co-invested in Italo, suggesting future joint ventures. MSC's expansion is expected to continue for at least the next two years.

✈ Indonesia Airlines, owned by Calypte Holding Pte. Ltd, a Singapore-based company, is set to focus on premium service and international connections. Based at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten province, the airline will start with 20 aircraft, including 10 narrow-body planes like the Airbus A321neo or A321LR and 10 wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9. Planning to serve 48 destinations in 30 countries within the first five years, feasibility studies are ongoing, and the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation reveals that PT Indonesia Airlines Group (INA) has yet to request an air operator certificate.

📍 Italy secures three top spots among the world's best airports, with a surprise fourth win for Turin, as per the 2024 Airport Service Quality report by Aci World and Amadeus, surveying 700,000 passengers across 360 airports. Rome Fiumicino wins in the hub category for over 40 million passengers, ranking first in quality of personnel, ease of transit, pleasantness, and cleanliness. Milan's Linate takes the lead for 5-15 million passengers, while Ciampino tops for 2-5 million. Spain dominates small airports under 2 million, with 5 in the top 6. Copenhagen, Palma de Mallorca, and Zurich lead the 25-40 million category. Morocco's Casablanca and Marrakech are Africa's best, while the US and Mexico command North and Latin America respectively.

🏖️ Balearic government aims to curb overtourism by banning new accommodation construction, increasing ecotax, and imposing new taxes on tourist vehicles. Ecotax in June, July, and August to rise from €1 to €2.5 for lowest accommodation category and from €4 to €6 per night for the highest. Cruise ships docking fees to increase from €2 to €6 per night. A new tax proposed on rental and private tourist cars to offset emission impacts. Measures require negotiation with parliamentary groups for approval.