"Collaboration to me is all about ... creating an environment that allows people to put their ideas and recommendations on the table without fear of being judged because ultimately that's where the solutions come from." CEO of Star Alliance, an alliance of 25 airlines, Theo Panagiotoulias explained the importance of collaboration for business.<br/>
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A United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Chicago landed in Denver early Monday morning, after a passenger became aggressive with a flight attendant, the airline said in a statement. United flight 1494 was diverted after the passenger became disruptive, United said. Law enforcement met the plane at a gate in Denver, and the passenger was removed, the airline said. In the statement sent just before 4 p.m., United said the flight had since arrived in Chicago. It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured in the incident or what led up to the passenger becoming aggressive.<br/>
Avianca has announced the launch of a new seasonal route connecting San Salvador with the Chicago area, set to begin operations on June 3, 2025. The airline will operate this route during the high season in summer using Airbus A320 aircraft, each with a capacity of 180 passengers. The service will offer three weekly flights, providing travelers with 1,080 seats per week for direct journeys between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and El Salvador International Airport. “We are excited to strengthen connectivity between Chicago and San Salvador, a vibrant destination rich in culture, history, and natural beauty,” said Rolando Damas, Sales Director for North America, Central America, Europe, and the Caribbean in Avianca. “This route will not only benefit Salvadorans traveling to the U.S. but also open new opportunities for visitors from Chicago and beyond to explore everything El Salvador has to offer.” The opening of this new route is in addition to the airline’s existing operation connecting travelers between the United States and El Salvador with 13 direct routes.<br/>
Despite Turkish Airlines only inaugurating Sydney flights on November 29, 2024, they will be increased to daily in early January 2026. As it is so far away, things could change again. There is no indication when frequencies to Melbourne—which saw Turkish Airlines nine months earlier than Sydney and is served three times weekly—will be increased. A few weeks ago, the carrier's Chairman said that flights to Auckland via Singapore will start before the end of 2025. Turkish Airlines carrier plans to serve Australia and New Zealand non-stop with specially configured Airbus A350-1000s with a higher MTOW. If Istanbul-Auckland becomes a reality, it would become the longest non-stop link in the world. The Star Alliance's Sydney service runs via Kuala Lumpur (Melbourne flights are via Singapore). At 8,082 nautical miles (14,968 km) each way, Istanbul-Kuala Lumpur-Sydney is Turkish Airlines' longest route. While the inaugural Sydney service used the Boeing 777-300ER to accommodate press, dignitaries, etc., the 329-seat Airbus A350 is the usual equipment and is scheduled to continue. The type has 32 business seats and 297 economy seats. Sydney is currently served four weekly. As confirmed by OAG information, frequencies will rise to five weekly from mid-June and six weekly from the end of October. That's when northern carriers, including Turkish Airlines, will switch to winter schedules (Australia will, of course, be heading into summer). Flights will be daily from early January, during the peak of the summer Down Under.<br/>