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August 14, 2026

News to Know


Global Airline Capacity Rises 2.6% as Regional Disruption Reshapes Travel
SOURCE: ITIJ, 8/14

Global airline capacity is up 2.6% year on year in August 2026, adding 14.2 million seats, but uneven regional trends could create a more complex risk environment for travel insurers, based on figures from travel data provider OAG.

The Middle East remains the biggest disruption hotspot, with capacity down 1.47 million seats, or 5.7%, compared with August 2025. OAG attributes the decline to “the ongoing instability in the region”, highlighting continued exposure to flight cancellations, rerouting, delays, and potential travel disruption claims.

 
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AVIATION

Asia Aviation Disrupted by Over Seven Thousand Flight Delays and Cancellations (NOMAD LAWYER, 8/14)

Spotnana Adds NDC Integration to Singapore Airlines (BUSINESS TRAVEL EXECUTIVE, 8/13)

Airlines Get Grounded Jets Flying Again, but Engine Bills Linger (REUTERS, 8/14)

SUSTAINABILITY

American Airlines Flies First U.S. Commercial eSAF Flight (ESG NEWS, 8/14)

Europe Widens Its Lead Over U.S., Asia in Switch to Cleaner Jet Fuel (LUXEMBOURG TIMES, 8/13)

How BCD Supports Corporates to Decarbonise Business Travel (SUSTAINABILITY MAGAZINE, 8/14)

OTHER SECTORS

Why Trust, Not Tech, Will Determine AI Adoption in Business Travel (FORBES, MAY REQUIRE SUBSCRIPTION, 8/13)

Report Says Average Business Trip Cost Jumped From $834 to $1,128 From 2024 to 2026 (BUSINESS TRAVEL EXECUTIVE, 8/14)

Major Events Drive Business Travel Growth, AmEx Survey Finds (TSNN, 8/13)

Industry Spotlight


 

GBTA WINiT
Who Will You Nominate for WINiT Top 50?

The 2026 WINiT Top 50 Awards recognize women and allies helping shape a stronger, more inclusive future for business travel.

Through five award categories, the program celebrates leadership, innovation, mentorship, global impact, and allyship across our industry.

Know someone making a difference? Help shine a spotlight on their contributions.

By submitting a nomination, you help ensure the talent, leadership, and achievements in your company, your country, and your region are seen, celebrated, and represented on a global stage. Whether you nominate a colleague, mentor, team member, industry peer, or yourself, your voice helps spotlight the people shaping the future of business travel. 

Nominate Today

The 2026 WINiT Top 50 honorees will be announced on September 30, 2026, and recognized during the WINiT Summit in Dallas, TX, on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. 

 

Acceleration Challenge
Procurement Can Turn Sustainability Goals Into Travel Decision

For many companies, sustainability goals are already in place. The harder work is making sure those goals show up in day-to-day travel decisions.

Procurement is one of the clearest places to start.

By embedding sustainability into RFPs, supplier selection, and contract language, travel programs can move from broad commitments to practical action – while giving internal stakeholders better data, clearer expectations, and stronger supplier alignment.

And the industry is moving in that direction:

  • 61% of companies include sustainability questions in RFPs
  • 38% use climate criteria in supplier selection
  • 32% include sustainability clauses in supplier contracts

Sustainable procurement is not just about compliance. It is becoming a way to create value, manage risk, and support more informed travel program decisions.

Access the latest sustainable procurement resources: Insights Report, Playbook, and Standards.

Join the GBTA Acceleration Challenge to benchmark your business travel program

Access the AI Agents
 
Upcoming Events

GBTA APAC Business Travel Forums 2026 | Pune
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September 16

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October 1

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October 1

GBTA + VDR Europe Conference 2026 in Partnership with ABTA
November 2-4

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What are the biggest takeaways from the 2026 GBTA Business Travel Index?

📈 Total global business travel spending is forecast to reach a record $1.71 trillion in 2026, an increase of 7.2%.

🌍 The world’s top 15 business travel markets are expected to account for $1.43 trillion, or 84%, of forecast global spending in 2026.

✈️ Approximately 1.84 billion business trips are expected worldwide in 2026, while spending growth continues to outpace trip volume...

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GBTA Community+
View the Accessibility Toolkit on Community+

Accessibility is becoming an essential part of business travel. GBTA’s Accessibility Toolkit provides practical guidance to help organizations take action and create more inclusive travel experiences for travelers with disabilities, neurodivergent travelers, aging travelers, and others with accessibility needs.

The toolkit includes six modules, with the first three available to everyone and the remaining three exclusively for GBTA members.

View the Toolkit > 

Not a member? Join GBTA to unlock the full toolkit and access exclusive member resources in Community+. 
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