March 21, 2025

News to Know

Travel Chaos as London’s Heathrow Remains Closed. Here’s What Airlines Are Telling Passengers
(SOURCE: CNBC)

A fire at an electrical substation caused the closure of London’s Heathrow Airport on Friday causing major travel disruption around the world.

Heathrow, the U.K.’s biggest airport and a global travel hub, will remain closed until 11:59 p.m on Friday, the airport said, with disruption expected to affect hundreds of flights.

According to flight tracker site Flight Radar, 679 flights were scheduled to land at Heathrow on Friday, while 678 flights were scheduled to take off from the airport.

AVIATION

Brussels Airport Welcomes 7 New Airlines and 6 New Destinations (AIRLINE RGS)

Malaysia Airlines Orders up to 60 Boeing Jets to Revamp Fleet (GULF NEWS)

Brussels Airlines Offers Free Rebooking and Refunds Due to National Belgian Strike (TRAVEL TOMORROW)

The High Cost of Waiting: How Supply Chain Delays Hurt Airlines’ Bottom Line (TRAVEL DAILY NEWS)

HOSPITALITY

Hoteliers Could See 12% Increase on Room Rates by Selling Their Best Features or Services (SILICON CANALS)

SUSTAINABILITY

Air Travel Forecast to 2030: The Recovery and the Carbon Challenge (BAIN & COMPANY)

OTHER SECTORS

Majority of Business Travelers Would Let AI Book Travel Elements (PHOCUSWIRE)

NDC Adoption: What's Taking So Long? (BTN)

Industry Spotlight

GBTA Committees
Meet the GBTA Committees

On Friday, March 28 at 2:00 PM GMT/10:00 AM EST, join GBTA to Meet the Committees. During this call you will learn about the GBTA Committees including upcoming projects and how you, as a GBTA Member, can become involved!

GBTA Convention 2025
Reg Rates Increase Next Wednesday

Save hundreds and register before March 26 at 11:59 PM ET. If you have any registration questions, please contact us at conventionhelp@gbta.org.

Resources

Crisis24 Intelligence Brief

Indonesia - Volcanic activity ongoing at Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, Indonesia, as of March 21. Flight disruptions reported at Denpasar Airport.

Mexico - Lingering disruptions likely at Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City, Mexico, March 20 following earlier protest.

Spain - Rail unions to continue labor strikes across Spain March 24, 26, 28. Transport disruptions likely.

United Kingdom - London's Heathrow Airport, UK, remains closed until at least 23:59 March 21 due to power outage. Reconfirm flights.

More Information

Upcoming Events

GBTA Canada Conference 2025 Toronto
April 28 - 30

GBTA APAC Conference 2025 Singapore
May 27-28

GBTA Sustainability Summit 2025
June 10

GBTA Convention 2025
July 21-23

View More Events

A Visionary in Aviation Joins the Conversation

We’re excited to announce that Shashank Nigam ✈, Founder & CEO of SimpliFlying, will be speaking at the GBTA Sustainability Summit on June 10 in Washington, D.C.

View Post

GBTA Career Spotlight

Is Your Company Hiring?

Use the GBTA Career Center to post your business travel job openings and access thousands of qualified industry professionals looking to make their next career move.

Get Started

Was this email forwarded to you? Please sign up to receive GBTA emails.
Not a member? Join today.

GBTA Store | Advertise | Post a Job.
How can GBTA help solve your industry challenges?

Global Business Travel Association
107 S West St., Suite 762, Alexandria, VA 22314
tel: +1 703 684 0836 | web: gbta.org

Copyright © 2025, All rights reserved.
Update your GBTA email preferences / Unsubscribe