New Orleans earns UNESCO Creative City status for Music
New Orleans has been officially designated a UNESCO Creative City for Music, joining an elite global network of 407 cities and only nine others in the U.S. Recognised for its deep-rooted musical heritage and creative economy, the city now gains international collaboration and cultural exchange opportunities. The designation acknowledges New Orleans’ role in shaping global music culture and supports future positioning for UNESCO World Heritage Site nominations.
United Airlines celebrates 20 years of India–US non-stop service
United Airlines marks 20 years of nonstop service between India and the United States, having flown more than six million passengers and transported over 105,500 tonnes of cargo across 26,000+ flights since 2005. As the first U.S. carrier to offer nonstop India–U.S. flights, United continues to operate daily services between New Delhi and New York/Newark, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening air connectivity between the two nations.
Turkish Airlines resumes Sulaymaniyah flights
Turkish Airlines has resumed flights between Istanbul and Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, effective 2 November 2025, expanding its network to six Iraqi cities including Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Kirkuk, and Najaf. The route will initially operate four times weekly on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with daily flights planned from 27 March 2026. The move further strengthens the airline’s position as the carrier flying to the most countries worldwide.
LOT Polish Airlines to launch Warsaw–Porto flights from May 2026
LOT Polish Airlines will begin flights from Warsaw to Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, starting 25 May 2026. Operating five times weekly during summer and four times weekly in winter, the service will be offered year-round. Porto, a key commercial centre and popular tourist destination—particularly appealing to Indian travellers—will be served by Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with two-class cabins.
#First Opinion
“Announcement of direct flight connectivity has opened the doors to China and driven consumer interest. Leveraging on this opportunity, we have enhanced our China portfolio to go beyond the conventional, introducing new regions and experiences that resonate with India’s new age holidaymaker. In parallel, China’s evolving landscape also positions it as a high-potential MICE destination. With world-class venues and unique incentive experiences, we see strong scope to scale our MICE business in the region.”
Rajeev Kale,
President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) Limited
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