News to Know

Airline Profits Set to Halve This Year as Fuel Costs Jump by $100 Billion: IATA
SOURCE: CNBC, 6/8

The International Air Transport Association warned that global airlines can expect to see profits plunge by half in 2026 as the rising cost of jet fuel continues to squeeze the industry.

Oil prices jumped and jet fuel costs soared after the U.S.-Iran conflict began on Feb. 28, noted IATA’s outgoing director general Willie Walsh, adding to the challenges he said airlines have faced in recent years from the Covid-19 pandemic to the war in Ukraine.

Industry Spotlight

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GBTA Convention 2026
17 Education Tracks. One Powerful Convention Experience.  

At the GBTA Convention 2026, education isn’t one-size-fits-all — it’s built around 17 dynamic tracks designed for real-world travel challenges.

From Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Technology/Innovation to Procurement, Sustainability, and Leadership, each track delivers practical insights you can apply immediately.

Whether you manage a global program or SME travel, the agenda is built to help you learn faster, decide smarter, and lead stronger.

Explore Education Program    Register Today

Are you an industry expert with insights to share? We'd love to hear from you and have you contribute to this year's program. Submit a Speaker Interest Form >

GBTA Elections
Meet the Candidates
Voting is Now Open for the 2026 Board of Directors

Member Exclusive Benefit

The GBTA Board of Directors helps establish the focus and direction of the Association, providing strategic guidance on programs, services and priorities that support the business travel industry. 

Volunteering on the Board is an opportunity for industry leaders to contribute their experience, perspective, and leadership to help shape GBTA’s future. 

For the 2026 GBTA Board of Directors Election, the open positions include: 

• One (1) Director-at-Large, Direct Member 
• One (1) Regional Director – European, Direct Member 
• Three (3) Director-at-Large, Allied Member 

Meet the candidates running for each position: 

Director-at-Large, Direct Member

• Carlos Almendros, Cisco Systems 
• Leslie Andrews, JLL 
• Cristina Chimenti, Sky 
• Thais Meirelles, XP Investimentos 

Regional Director – European, Direct Member 

• Ben Park, Parexel 

Director-at-Large, Allied Member 

• Linda Bekoe, About Partners Luxury Brands Collection (APLBC) 
• Jamisha B Breland, Amaren Chauffeured Transportation & Management LLC 
• Andrea Caulfield-Smith, Advantage Travel Partnership 
• Kim Conway, ASK4 Group 
• Ron Glickman, Acai Travel 
• Dan Humby, Groups360 
• Evan Koppel, Atlantic Region, United Airlines 
• Felipe Mesquita, COPASTUR LATAM 
• Luiz Moura, VOLL 
• Dan Saucier, drvn 
• Levi Silver, HRS 
• Katie Virtue, temoji 

Learn more about the candidates and the election process.