Icelandic low-cost carrier PLAY Airlines announced it will cease all flights to the United States starting October 2025, marking a strategic withdrawal from the North American market after years of unprofitable transatlantic operations.The airline, which currently flies from Keflavík International Airport (KEF) to U.S. cities including New York (JFK), Washington D.C. (IAD), Baltimore (BWI), Boston (BOS), and Stewart (SWF), will terminate these routes by late 2025. The last U.S. flight is scheduled for October 24, 2025, from Baltimore.

This move coincides with a shareholder-led takeover by CEO Einar Örn Ólafsson and Vice Chairman Elías Skúli Skúlason, who plan to take the company private, delist it from Nasdaq Iceland, and restructure its capital with a minimum $20 million infusion already partially secured.PLAY’s new strategy pivots away from the challenging, highly seasonal, and competitive North American market toward more profitable leisure routes connecting Iceland with Southern Europe.

The airline will maintain four aircraft based in Iceland for these leisure flights while leasing six others to third-party carriers under ACMI agreements. Operational certificates will shift to Malta, offering regulatory and financial advantages especially in aircraft leasing.Despite these backend changes, passengers will see little difference: PLAY’s distinctive red aircraft and Icelandic crews under existing labor agreements will remain, preserving the brand’s identity and commitment to affordable travel.

PLAY’s exit from the U.S. reflects the broader difficulties faced by low-cost transatlantic carriers trying to sustain profitability amid rising costs and demand fluctuations. CEO Ólafsson emphasized the airline’s renewed focus on what works best: “We are not changing who we are we are simply focusing on what works,” reaffirming the airline’s dedication to Icelandic roots and competitive fares to sunny European destinations.

This strategic retreat ends PLAY’s four-year attempt to crack the low-cost transatlantic market via Iceland, following in the footsteps of predecessors like Iceland Express and WOW Air, which also struggled to sustain long-haul operations. Travelers looking for budget flights between the U.S. and Europe via Iceland will need to seek alternatives after October 2025, as PLAY’s affordable transatlantic fares will no longer be available.

A devastating tragedy unfolded in Ahmedabad on Thursday when Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after takeoff en route to London Gatwick Airport. The crash, which occurred in the densely populated Meghani Nagar neighborhood near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, resulted in at least 240 fatalities, including passengers, crew, and reportedly some individuals on the ground.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, where images showed towering plumes of black smoke and burning wreckage as rescue teams worked tirelessly to recover bodies and assist survivors.

Remarkably, there was one reported survivor: 40-year-old British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. According to officials and hospital sources, Ramesh had been seated near an emergency exit and managed to escape the burning aircraft by jumping out after the crash. He was found disoriented and with multiple injuries but is reportedly out of danger and receiving treatment at Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Ramesh described the chaos: “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital,” he told the Hindustan Times.

The doomed flight was carrying a diverse group of passengers: 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian, along with 12 crew members. The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control less than a minute after takeoff, plummeting into a residential area and reportedly striking the dining hall of a medical college hostel, which may have contributed to the high death toll.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow and assured that all possible support was being provided to the victims and their families.

As investigations continue, Air India and government officials have pledged full support for affected families, while the airline’s CEO confirmed that a special team is on the ground to assist with relief efforts. The crash has shocked the nation and the international community, with many awaiting further details as authorities sift through the wreckage in search of answers.

Türkiye's flag carrier, Turkish Airlines (THY), achieved a historic milestone by operating 1,369 flights in a single day on June 9, marking its highest daily flight count ever, CEO Bilal Ekşi announced on social media platform X.

This record-breaking performance coincided with the last day of Qurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha), a significant holiday in Türkiye. Ekşi highlighted the rapid growth of the airline, noting that the previous record of 1,292 flights was set only four days earlier, on the eve of Eid al-Adha. He remarked, "Türkiye is growing, THY is flying high," underscoring the airline's expanding operations.

Turkish Airlines had earlier set records with 1,284 flights on July 2, 2023, and 1,292 flights on June 5, 2025, demonstrating consistent growth in its daily flight capacity.

The airline operates a fleet of 484 aircraft and serves over 300 destinations worldwide, maintaining its status as Türkiye’s most valuable brand in 2025, according to Brand Finance.

Founded in 1933 and owned by the Türkiye Wealth Fund, Turkish Airlines continues to strengthen its global connectivity, operating flights across 131 countries with a fleet of 477 aircraft, making it one of the world's most globally connected carriers.

This new record reflects Turkish Airlines' ongoing expansion and its critical role in connecting Türkiye to the world.

New Zealand has introduced the Parent Boost Visa, a new long-term visitor visa aimed at uniting families and enhancing the country’s appeal to highly skilled migrants. Applications for this visa will open on September 29, 2025.

The Parent Boost Visa allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to stay in the country for up to five years with multiple entries. Applicants may apply for a second visa, enabling a total stay of up to 10 years, provided they continue to meet all eligibility requirements.

This visa supports long-term family connections without placing additional strain on public services. It is not a pathway to residence but offers families a meaningful way to spend extended time together.

The visa fee is NZD 3,000 (approximately USD 1,815) for most applicants, and NZD 2,450 for those eligible under the Pacific fee band. Additionally, applicants must pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of NZD 100. After three years, there is an additional health check processing fee of NZD 325 (or NZD 240 for Pacific fee band applicants).

To qualify, applicants must meet financial criteria including:

• The sponsor earning at least the New Zealand median wage (or 1.5 times the median wage for joint sponsors) for one parent, with incremental increases for additional parents sponsored; or
• The parent(s) having a personal income equivalent to New Zealand Superannuation (currently NZD 32,611.28 gross per annum for a single parent, NZD 49,552.88 for a couple); or
• The parent(s) having sufficient personal funds: NZD 160,000 for a single applicant or NZD 250,000 for a couple.
• Applicants are required to hold at least one year of health insurance covering emergency medical care (minimum NZD 250,000 annually), repatriation, return of remains, and cancer treatment (minimum NZD 100,000). Valid health insurance must be maintained throughout their stay. Two health assessments are required: one during the application process and another in the third year of the visa, conducted outside New Zealand.

The New Zealand Government emphasizes that this visa is part of a broader strategy to retain skilled migrants by addressing family needs, making the country more attractive to global talent while maintaining a sustainable immigration system. The Parent Boost Visa does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residency; applicants seeking residence must apply through existing visa options.

There is no annual cap on the number of Parent Boost Visas issued, with a full review of the scheme planned for 2027. This new visa is expected to benefit thousands of migrant families by enabling extended family reunification and supporting New Zealand’s skilled migrant workforce.

An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick tragically crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday afternoon, June 12. The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, went down near the Meghani area close to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, causing a massive fire and thick black smoke visible from neighboring localities including Meghaninagar and Vastrapur.

Flight AI171 departed the airport at approximately 1:38 p.m. local time. Onboard were 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens. The aircraft crashed into a densely populated area near the airport, reportedly hitting a building housing medical students at B.J.

Medical College hostel, resulting in numerous casualties. Unverified videos circulating on social media show the plane struggling to gain altitude during takeoff before crashing.

At least 30 fatalities have been confirmed, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue operations continue. Emergency services, including firefighters, ambulances, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were rapidly deployed to the scene.

Rescue teams have cleared approximately 70-80% of the crash site and are working to recover victims and assist survivors. Injured passengers have been transported to nearby hospitals, with medical teams on high alert.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a formal investigation, with technical experts from Boeing expected to assist. Initial probes will focus on why the aircraft struggled to gain altitude during takeoff, a critical phase of flight. The aircraft involved was an 11-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, known for its safety record, which has raised concerns and astonishment within the aviation industry.

Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu expressed shock and confirmed that all aviation and emergency agencies are coordinating efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences and assured full government support for rescue and relief operations.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has temporarily suspended all flight operations until further notice. Indian Railways announced deployment of Vande Bharat trains to assist stranded passengers due to the airport closure.

The crash of Air India Flight AI171 near Ahmedabad Airport marks a severe aviation disaster with significant loss of life and injuries. Authorities continue to work on rescue, investigation, and support for affected families. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with early focus on the aircraft’s inability to gain altitude after takeoff.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has introduced a special summer promotion with reduced long-term parking fees across all terminals from June 10 to June 30, 2025. This move supports the airport’s peak travel season, during which it expects to accommodate over 250,000 passengers daily.

Travellers using Terminal 1 Car Park B, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 can take advantage of the following discounted long-stay parking rates:

• Dh100 for 3 days
• Dh200 for 7 days
• Dh300 for 14 days

These reduced rates offer significant savings compared to standard tariffs, providing better value for UAE residents and visitors embarking on extended trips.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to improve passenger flow and reduce congestion at terminal drop-off points. Dubai Airports encourages travellers to use official parking facilities instead of curbside drop-offs to ease traffic at terminal entrances. Visitors picking up arriving guests are also advised to utilize designated car parks or valet services, which are included in the summer discount offer.

Additionally, DXB offers digital navigation tools such as Express Maps, a QR code-based wayfinding system that helps passengers locate gates, shops, and amenities quickly. Passengers are reminded to plan their arrival times carefully, with Emirates flyers benefiting from early check-in options and other airlines recommending arrivals no earlier than three hours before departure.

This limited-time parking offer provides a convenient and cost-effective solution for travellers during one of the busiest periods at Dubai International Airport.