Miguel Praga

✈ Airlines from the UAE, Qatar, and Turkey have suspended flights to Iran due to widespread protests. Emirates and Flydubai canceled or delayed Tehran flights, suspending routes to Bandar Abbas, Lar, and Shiraz indefinitely. A Flydubai flight to Mashhad continues. Qatar Airways halted Doha-Tehran flights, and Turkish Airlines canceled three Istanbul-Iran routes. Protests against Iran's economic policies led to a complete internet blockade. Travellers can change flight dates without extra costs, though those in Iran face greater disruption.

✈ British Airways and Aer Lingus aimed to expand from London and Manchester, respectively, to the U.S. and Caribbean. However, the plan failed, leading to 200 job losses. Flights to New York, Orlando, and Barbados from Manchester end on March 31. Despite announcing the base closure last year after a Manchester staff strike, Aer Lingus will continue operating the Manchester-Dublin route. Negotiations with unions are ongoing for a peaceful liquidation.

✈ Iberia, Air Europa, Plus Ultra, Laser, and Estelar suspended flights to Venezuela after the FAA's warning on November 22 about military risks. Five airlines operated 20 weekly Madrid-Caracas flights, transporting 7,000 passengers weekly. Iberia and Air Europa reassigned aircraft, while Plus Ultra rerouted passengers via Cartagena de Indias, increasing flights from 3 to 6 weekly. Potential resumption of normal operations is anticipated under Delcy Rodríguez's leadership in Venezuela.

✈ Air India is searching for a new CEO while the current CEO, Campbell Wilson, remains in position. The company, owned by the Tata family, offers a competitive salary to attract global candidates. Air India, once a problematic public airline, is undergoing reform after a chaotic past, including issues like drunk pilots and management failures linked to a fatal Ahmadabad accident. With 500 new aircraft, Air India aims to streamline operations and maintain growth alongside competitor Indigo.