Ronan Daniel

✈️ On 28 March 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase I of Noida International Airport at Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, costing 296 billion rupees (€2.73 billion). Spanning 1,300 hectares, it features a 3,900-meter runway and aims for net zero certification with cutting-edge technology. Starting mid-April 2026, it will handle 12 million passengers annually, aiming for 70 million by 2050. Featuring multimodal connectivity, it enhances India's aviation self-reliance and technological prowess.

🏖 On the Beach, a UK online travel agent, has integrated with OpenAI’s ChatGPT Apps, becoming the first UK travel agent to do so. Customers can describe their desired holiday in natural language for real-time package deals. Public availability depends on OpenAI’s approval. This move is part of a broader trend, with brands like Booking.com and Expedia enabling reservations through OpenAI's interface. By autumn 2025, travel industry adoption of ChatGPT's capabilities is expected to expand significantly.

💰 In June 2024, HBX Group acquired a 25% stake and now owns 100% of PerfectStay, a dynamic packaging platform company founded in 2016 in Paris. The acquisition integrates PerfectStay's technology with HBX's infrastructure for AI-driven operations and smart pricing. Targeting the $50 billion B2B2C holiday packages market, the merger enhances hotel content and pricing dynamics, aiming to accelerate market delivery and improve customer service.

🚗 Curb has launched Curb Flow in London to integrate ride requests from sources like Uber into one interface, benefiting licensed cab drivers. Drivers can choose demand sources without penalties, operating commission-free to keep full fares. Since starting in 2023, Curb's North American booking volume has quadrupled, with earnings increases up to 40% in cities like New York and Chicago. This platform aims to improve efficiency amid challenges like congestion and rising costs.

🛫 Gateretail and JK Tech are enhancing AI-powered inflight retail intelligence for airlines, starting with UK and Europe carriers. Gateretail supplies onboard retail to 1.2 million flights and over 180 million passengers annually. The new suite, powered by JIVA Agentic AI, integrates demand forecasting, pricing recommendations, and supplier automation. This aims to improve decision-making speed and accuracy, boost commercial performance, and maximize ancillary revenue while minimizing inventory costs and waste.

🗺️ Voyagier has launched a travel planning platform integrating discovery, personalization, and booking. It features four key components: Verified Discovery, Personalized Intelligence, Agentic Booking, and Embedded Expertise. Built on Sabre Mosaic, with integrations to Viator and Stripe, it supports autonomous booking and advisor input for complex plans. Open for use, it offers tiered memberships, including free access. Influencers like Jenny Cipoletti are collaborating. Daniel Gardner, CEO, emphasizes action over ideas, aiming for seamless travel experiences.