GOOD DAY, READERS.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary predicted during the airline's earnings call that the U.S. will resolve the Strait of Hormuz crisis by the end of May. His reasoning was blunt — Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of midterm campaigning, and the Trump administration cannot afford high gasoline prices heading into November.

O'Leary added that Middle East instability dragging into summer could hand Democrats both chambers of Congress — and explained how Ryanair's bottom line is now tied to Trump's political timeline.

The CEOs running Hilton, Booking Holdings, Wyndham, and Expedia. One room. Three days.

Every September, the people actually making the industry's biggest decisions show up to compare notes. September 22-24, New York City.

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DON’T MISS THESE STORIES

Ryanair CEO Ties Fuel Outlook to Trump’s Midterm Math

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No one in European aviation talks more than Michael O'Leary, and few are better placed to call what's coming. His earnings Q&A is one of the most candid industry insights you'll get this quarter.

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What Comes After the End of Incredible India

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Azerbaijan became India's fastest-growing outbound destination with no brand, no campaign, and no cultural familiarity, which should end the marketing budget debate, but probably won't.

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Cathay Pacific Removed Its First-Class Lounge Cabanas. That Tells You Where Luxury Travel Is Heading

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Cathay Pacific is quietly building something harder to copy — a network-wide design operating system that survives different airports and local teams.

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How Airlines Are Building Loyalty Amid Uncertainty

ALLIANZ PARTNERS + SKIFT

Demand is up, but so is traveler uncertainty, and airlines have a clear opening to turn that anxiety into deeper loyalty. This Skift Studio report breaks down where the next wave of loyalty growth is actually coming from.

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Skift Executive Search connects travel-related companies with top-tier talent, ensuring the right leadership is in place to drive innovation and growth. See our case studies.

MORNING HEADLINES

Riyadh Air Opens Bookings for Formal London Launch

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Accor Renews PSG Soccer Deal; Loyalty Chief on the 3 Tests Every Partner Must Pass

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Brand USA Launches Fact-Checking Platform to Win Back International Travelers

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Wynn, Four Seasons, Nobu: Ras Al Khaimah Is Doubling Its Hotel Rooms

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Wyndham CEO Geoff Ballotti Diagnosed With Cancer: ‘Prognosis Is Favorable’

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Premier Inn Owner Under Pressure: Sell Now, Demands Activist Investor

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CHART OF THE DAY

Our report Millennial and Gen Z Travelers: Trends, Anxieties, and Shifting Priorities is based on a Skift Research survey of approximately 1,000 Gen Z and millennials in the U.S. who traveled in the 12 months to December 2025. We explore how these two generations think about the role of travel in their lives, how they evaluate costs and trade-offs, and how they approach planning and decision-making.

Inflation, housing, and everyday costs affect nearly every travel decision for both millennials and Gen Z. When prices rise, they are more likely to take fewer trips or cut back on flights and hotels to preserve experiences.

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SKIFT TRAVEL 200

How are public travel companies performing around the world? The Skift Travel 200 pulls the data you need to understand global market movements. Paid subscribers get full access here.

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