Travel agents have long gone the way of video store clerks, and consumers haven’t walked into an airport or hotel to make a flight or room reservation in more than a generation. Booking travel, whether a short Uber ride across town or vacation abroad, first went digital roughly three decades ago amid the rise of desktop computers and websites for travel platforms, hotels and rental cars.

The newest trend within that digital revolution: Consumers are using their mobile phones to purchase trips. But only people of certain ages and only certain kinds of trips.

A forthcoming study from PYMNTS Intelligence shows how mobile phones have taken the lead as the preferred tool for booking travel, transforming how consumers plan and purchase everything from Lyft rides and short-haul flights to cross-country adventures and overseas vacations.

The shift, detailed in the forthcoming special report, “Consumers Go Mobile-First on Travel Purchases,” reveals a consumer landscape in which convenience and instant access reign supreme.

The report, which will be published Monday (April 7) and is based on a survey of more than 2,200 U.S. adult consumers conducted in early February 2025, paints a clear picture: Mobile devices are now the dominant force in travel booking.

More than 7 in 10 U.S. consumers prefer using such devices when booking local travel. Nearly 6 in 10 say the same for long-distance travel and rental cars.

The mobile-first trend is notably stronger for travel compared to other common purchase categories such as restaurant orders and retail goods. Today, your next getaway likely begins and ends in the palm of your hand.

But the way consumers book isn’t uniform. Rather, it depends on their age and the type of travel they’re pursuing.

Mobile Phones Rule

Mobile devices have the biggest lead in local travel purchases, like taxi rides and public transportation fares. A striking 73% of shoppers who recently paid for these services via apps prefer using their mobile devices, compared to only 37% who favor computers. Interestingly, around 1 in 10 shoppers who recently bought any type of travel prefers using voice-activated devices.

But while mobile holds an edge for longer journeys and rental cars, computers remain surprisingly resilient. Nearly 6 in 10 consumers (59%) prefer mobile for long-distance travel, with 54% opting to book via a computer.

Similarly, for rental cars, 57% favor mobile, while 50% prefer computers. This suggests that for more complex itineraries, a  computer’s larger screen and potentially more detailed interface holds appeal for many travel buyers.

What Gen Z, Boomers Have in Common

Delving into generational differences uncovers some fascinating trends. The majority of consumers across age groups are now mobile-first when it comes to booking travel, ranging from 64% for Gen Zers to 53% for Generation X.

Baby boomers stand out as the only generation where computers are still preferred over mobile devices. Only 28% of that cohort prefer mobile for booking all types of travel, while 45% favor computers.

But there’s a twist. Gen Z, the cohort that grew up with smartphones, shows an affinity for purchasing travel via computers, with 40% preferring this method. This puts them closer to baby boomers in this regard than to millennials.

The report suggests that Gen Z’s preference for computers often revolves around purchases made through browsers rather than via mobile apps, and that the cohort is notably less likely to prefer mobile browsers compared to zillennials and millennials. One possible explanation is that many Gen Z consumers are students and frequently use laptops for coursework, giving them consistent access to both device types.

Across all three transit categories — local transportation, long-distance travel and rental cars — baby boomers were the least likely to have made travel purchases within the last 12 months, followed by Gen Z. This could reflect their respective life stages, with many baby boomers retired and Gen Z consumers often still in school or early in their careers.

Research Is Key

Regardless of how they book, a large majority of digital-first travel consumers prioritize research. More than 7 in 10 digital shoppers typically conduct research as part of their travel buying process, highlighting the smartphone’s role not just in booking a ticket but also in the earlier planning stage. This holds true across generations, with Gen Z leading at 79%. Even 69% of boomers engaging in online research before making a purchase.

Interestingly, only about half of shoppers who buy their travel digitally consider the perks offered by their credit cards or other payment plans when booking online. This indicates an area where merchants and service providers could better incentivize travelers to use their rewards programs. Bridge millennials lead in considering perks, followed by Gen X and millennials. Gen Z shoppers show less interest in this benefit. Baby boomers exhibit the least interest in perks and rewards.

As mobile phones become even more sophisticated, the dominance of smartphones in the travel sector is likely to strengthen. Businesses in the travel industry should recognize and adapt to these mobile-first behaviors to reach and serve travelers.

Source : pymnts

Tourism industry stakeholders have raised concerns over the frequent downtimes affecting the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, warning that if the issues are not addressed, they could have costly repercussions for the industry and Kenya’s economy.

Kenya introduced the ETA system last year, requiring visitors to obtain authorisation before entry. It replaced the previous visa system and was intended to provide a fairer, faster, and more reliable service while addressing the country’s security and strategic interests.

However, the system has been plagued by numerous issues, making it difficult for many travellers coming to Kenya. The Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) stated that since the rollout and subsequent upgrade of the ETA system, persistent technical failures have led to losses for the industry and damaged Kenya’s reputation as a tourist destination.

“Following the recent system upgrade to the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), KTF wishes to express grave concerns over the current technical failures. For the better part of the month, these disruptions have caused significant inconvenience to travellers and tourism stakeholders, necessitating an urgent resolution,” the federation said in a statement.

KTF, which represents various sector associations, noted that the ETA system has been unstable, experiencing frequent crashes that could eventually deter travel to Kenya. “Whilst we fully appreciate that the Government’s intention was to modernise the ETA platform, the prolonged system inefficiencies have resulted in financial losses, reputational damage, and operational paralysis across the tourism sector.

Numerous travellers, including tourists and business visitors, have faced ETA application delays, payment failures, or system blackouts with no clear resolution pathway. “Although immigration officials have been assisting travellers on a case-by-case basis, the number of people experiencing difficulties remains high, leaving many stranded.

The issues with the ETA system have also contributed to Kenya’s decline in the visa openness ranking. In the latest visa openness ranking report, Kenya dropped to 46th place out of 56 African countries, down from 29th position in 2023.

KTF called for a systemic solution that minimises disruptions.“This situation is already leading to cancellations and last-minute itinerary changes. Tour operators and clients are reporting revenue losses due to delayed or cancelled bookings. The resultant erosion of client trust will impact future tourism numbers,” KTF warned.

Additionally, the federation raised concerns over inadequate customer support, with applicants struggling to access real-time assistance and a lack of a dedicated emergency response channel.“Stranded travellers have no clear recourse once their ETA application fails online. This is seriously damaging Kenya’s hospitality reputation,” KTF said.Kenya’s tourism sector is a key foreign exchange earner. In 2024, tourism revenue reached Sh 452 billion, marking a 19.79% increase from Sh 377.49 billion in 2023. The country also received 2.4 million international tourists in 2024, a 15% rise compared to 2023.

While Kenya had hoped that the ETA system would enhance tourism growth, its current failures seem to be having the opposite effect.KTF urged the Government to mobilise all technical resources to fully stabilise the ETA platform and publicly confirm resolution timelines.“There should be a dedicated crisis desk with direct escalation to Immigration for urgent cases. Many travellers have reported being unable to get help, and this needs to be addressed immediately,” KTF stated.

Source : The standard

Stakeholders in the travel industry are being urged to fortify payment processing systems with high-tech solutions to enhance security, efficiency, and profitability. This follows rising concerns over payment fraud, which continues to pose risks to both travellers and businesses.

Speaking at the Kenya Travel Industry Payments Summit (KTRIPS) 2025, Juanita Omanga, Deputy Director of the Digital Payment Services Division at the Central Bank of Kenya, warned that digital fraud, phishing scams, and cross-border payment delays remain major challenges, affecting not just individual travelers but also airlines and small travel agencies. She stressed that addressing these risks is a collective responsibility.

Secure payments

“With continuous innovation, strategic partnerships, and a strong regulatory framework, we can create a payment ecosystem that is secure, efficient and accessible to all,” Omanga said.

Digital fraud in the travel sector typically involves cybercriminals using stolen or compromised payment information to make unauthorised transactions, booking flights, hotels, and other services, resulting in financial losses and reputational damage for businesses.

Omanga spoke at the second annual Kenya Travel Industry Payment Summit (KTRIPS), hosted by the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA). The summit brought together industry leaders to discuss emerging payment technologies, fraud prevention strategies, and regulatory compliance.

KATA chief executive Nicanor Sabula noted the growing role of secure digital payment solutions in transforming the travel industry. “Payment systems are no longer just about transactions; they are now central to customer experience, business growth, and ensuring security in an increasingly digital world,” he said.

Adopt innovations

For instance, Kenya processed over Sh8.1 trillion ($62 billion) in mobile money transactions in 2023, as the industry is increasingly adopting innovations such as mobile wallets, contactless payments, and blockchain technology to facilitate seamless and secure cross-border transactions.

KATA chair Dr Joseph Kithitu emphasized the need for digital transformation to keep the travel industry competitive. “Business has moved digital, and so has payment. The travel industry cannot afford to be left behind,” he noted.

He also shared key industry statistics, revealing that Kenya accounted for 2.67 per cent of total Middle East and Africa air travel sales in 2024, amounting to $566.8 million—a 2.11 per cent growth from the previous year.

Source: People Daily

Sharjah: Dubai has introduced ‘Salama’, an AI-based digital platform for renewing a residence visa in a few clicks. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) said residents can renew their visas using Salama in under two minutes. They can download the updated documents directly from this platform and avoid waiting in long queues to get the paperwork done. When an applicant logs in, the AI automatically recognises their details and displays the status of the dependent’s visa as well as the remaining days until expiration. Residents can select the desired renewal period, and the system will process the request immediately. Meanwhile, the authorities said that the AI driven platform renews the residency visas of family members in a few clicks. Earlier, the process took up to 1 – 3 hours depending upon the documents that were submitted.

Galeb Abdullah Muhammad Hassan Al Majeed, the director of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence noted that now the process would take only 1 – 2 minutes if the documents are proper. In the first phase, Salama focusses on the resident’s visa renewal and cancellation.

Service for visitors and tourists
The authorities also plan to launch a second phase to expand GDRFA services to visitors and tourists. These services would be available for the companies too when the smart channel and GDRFA DXP applications are introduced in the future. GDRFA Dubai General Director Lieutenant General Muhammad Ahammad Al Marri said that the country’s digital transformation is not limited to developing various services.

Source : ONMANORAMA

Airline association IATA is creating a new organisation to manage its SAF Registry, which aims to offer a “standardised and transparent way” to account for the use of alternative aviation fuels.

IATA said that the establishment of the Civil Aviation Decarbonisation Organisation (CADO) would “turbo-charge the imminent launch” of the SAF Registry, which will track the emissions reductions from the use of what the airline industry calls “sustainable” aviation fuel (SAF).

Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, added: “The SAF Registry is a critical piece of market infrastructure that is indispensable in building a global, transparent and liquid global market for SAF.

“The industry’s commitment to build the registry and establish CADO to manage it should inspire governments, fossil fuel producers and investors to engage in the SAF market with commensurate vigour.”

Walsh said that “ramping up” the production of alternative fuels was the “common goal” and the formation of CADO was “an important step in moving decarbonisation forward”.

One of the key roles of the registry will be to allow airlines and corporate customers to track the environmental benefits of using alternative fuels. This will enable them to claim emission reductions “against regulatory obligations and voluntary schemes”, including Scope 3 emissions from business travel.

Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s senior vice president sustainability and chief economist, added that CADO would be a “separate entity from IATA with an open and global approach that supports the scrutiny needed to build trust among all stakeholders”.

“In fact, the door is open for any stakeholder in the SAF value chain, including governments, to join CADO. This inclusive approach should also be a force for the harmonisation of the principles on which all SAF registries operate,” said Thomsen.After launch, participation in the SAF Registry will initially be free until April 2027, after which IATA said it would be operated on a “cost recovery basis”.

IATA last week announced an enhancement to its CO2 Connect emissions calculator to account for the increased use of alternative aviation fuels by carriers.

Source : BTN Europe

National carrier Kenya Airways has posted a full-year profit of Ksh.5.4 billion for the year 2024.This profit marks a dramatic recovery from the previous year when the airline made a loss of over Ksh.22 billion.  The airline last posted a full-year profit over ten years ago.The jump in profitability was on account of forex gains coupled with an increase in total revenues.

“I think under the circumstances what we have achieved, what the team has achieved is fantastic and I hope that in your newspapers in your columns in your editorials that you’ll reflect that to your readers,” said Kenya Airways Chairperson Michael Joseph.

 A key driver of KQ’s performance was the strengthening of the shilling, resulting in forex gains of Ksh.10.5 billion, a sharp turnaround from the Ksh.15 billion forex loss recorded in 2023 at the height of the shilling’s depreciation.

The airline’s operating profit rose to Ksh.16.6 billion up from Ksh.10.5 billion in 2023. Total revenue increased by 6 per cent to Ksh.188.4 billion from Ksh.178.4 in 2023.

This is because, KQ ferried Ksh.5.2 million passengers, up from Ksh.5 million in 2023, thanks to the addition of three new destinations including Mogadishu, Eldoret, and Maputo.

Cargo operations also saw significant growth, with volumes rising by 25% from about 56,000 tonnes to over 70,000, following the acquisition of two additional cargo aircraft.

Despite the improved performance, the airline remains in a negative equity position, reflecting the impact of its past losses.

“Obviously at this stage, we will not be able to pay dividends, we still have negative equity, so all the money we have to reinvest in the business for growth so that the airline can have a sustainable performance going forward,” said Allan Kilavuka, Group CEO, Kenya Airways.

To better position itself for growth the airline now wants the government to improve airport infrastructure at JKIA.

“We need to find a way to improve the airport facilities to grow the airport facilities because if you look at the numbers that Allan is projecting, just alone for Kenya Airways we will be hard-pressed to handle these passenger numbers in the current capacity of this airport.”

“Many people have complained about them, we need some attention paid to them. Anytime there’s some rain, it leaks and everybody throws stones at everybody else, but we don’t get it fixed on a long-term basis. So a lot of effort needs to be given to get the airport in a better state than it is now.”

Source : Citizen Digital

Up to 300,000 customers were set to fly through Europe’s busiest and largest airport on Friday

Thousands of passengers are facing delays and cancellations after a massive fire ripped through an electricity substation near Heathrow Airport.

Up to 300,000 customers were set to fly through Europe’s biggest airport on Friday, with around 1,351 flights affected by the mysterious blaze.

Ten fire engines rushed to Nestles Avenue, Hayes, a suburban street around five miles north of the airport, where 70 firefighters tackled the inferno throughout the night from 12am, London Fire Brigade said.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said London Heathrow and 16,300 homes in Hayes and Hounslow were hit by a widespread power cut due to the fire.

Around 150 residents were evacuated from nearby properties and a 200-metre cordon was put in place around the substation, police said. It is unclear what caused the fire.

What caused the fire?

The London Fire Brigade said it was investigating the cause of the blaze, which is currently unknown and was reported around midnight.

Footage showed the fire ripping through a Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks-managed substation throughout the night, as dozens of firefighters rushed to extinguish it.

Energy minister Ed Miliband told LBC Radio there was no suggestion that there was foul play.

He also told BBC: “It’s obviously an unprecedented event, but we will want to understand both the causes of this event and what lessons, if any, it can teach us.”

Also Read : What you need to know about Kenya’s Leading Travel Industry Payment Summit

 

What is the economic impact?

Air transport consultant John Strickland said Heathrow’s closure will cost the aviation industry millions of pounds.

“It will run into millions. You can’t quantify it yet. Heathrow has normally about 200,000 passengers a day, so it’s a massive impact in lost revenues and disruption costs,” he said.

British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG)’s share price had plunged four per cent – equivalent to losing more than half a billion pounds in market capitalisation by 8.30am GMT.

How many passengers have been affected?

London Heathrow said it would be closed until midnight on Friday to “maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues”.

Up to 291,000 passengers were set to fly from Heathrow Airport on Friday, with 1,330 flights scheduled throughout the day, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Up to 665 departures were scheduled, equating to over 145,094 seats, and 669 flights were due to arrive, equating to 145,836 seats.

According to flight tracking website FlightRadar24, Australian carrier Qantas Airways sent its flight from Perth to Paris, and a United Airlines New York flight was instead heading to Shannon, Ireland.

EasyJet said it was putting larger aircraft on key routes today and over the weekend to provide additional seats to help customers affected by the Heathrow closure travel today.

Ryanair has also put on extra flights from Dublin to London Stansted “to rescue passengers affected by today’s Heathrow closure”.

When will Heathrow reopen?

Passengers have been asked not to travel to the airport “under any circumstances”, while British Airways said it would not be operating flights out of its global hub “until further notice”.

It is unclear when the airport will reopen. A spokesperson said: “Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage.

“To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow Airport will be closed until midnight on 21 March.

“Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport and should contact their airline for further information. We apologise for the inconvenience.”

Source : Independent

Southern Africa’s premier regional carrier, Airlink, will increase services to Nairobi and Lusaka with additional flights from 30 March 2025.

Three weekly night-time return flights will operate between Johannesburg and Nairobi, while additional flights will be provided in the morning and the afternoon, to Lusaka.

“The additional Nairobi and Lusaka flights are scheduled to provide business and leisure travellers with greater choices and convenient connections, through Airlink’s Johannesburg hub, with our other domestic and regional services as well as long-haul flights provided by our global airline partners,” said Rodger Foster, Airlink’s CEO and Managing Director.

NAIROBI FLIGHTS

These new flights augment Airlink’s daily service, launched in 2023 when the airline became the first private-sector carrier to compete on the route.

Flight    Weekday            Departure Time               Arrival Time

4Z 070 Daily                   JNB 09.40                         NBO 14.40

4Z 071 Daily                   NBO 15.30                       JNB 18.40

* 4Z 072 Wed, Fri, Sun   JNB 20.30                         NBO 01.30+

* 4Z 073 Mon, Thu, Sat NBO 02.15                       JNB 05.25

*From 30 March 2025 (+ Next/Following morning)

Times of departure and arrival are local times in the respective destinations.

Also Read : What you need to know about Kenya’s Leading Travel Industry Payment Summit

LUSAKA FLIGHTS

Airlink will also add morning and afternoon flights to its popular Johannesburg-Lusaka service, increasing the schedule from 13 to 21 return flights a week.

Flight    Weekday            Departure Time               Arrival Time

4Z 162 Daily                   JNB 11.30                        LUN 13.30

4Z 163 Daily                   LUN 14.15                       JNB 16.30

Flight 4Z 164 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun     JNB 17.00 LUN 19.00

Flight 4Z 161 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat      LUN 07.30 JNB 09.35

New services on this route will include:

**4Z 168 Fri, Sun                                       JNB 14.30               LUN 16.30

**4Z 169 Fri, Sun                                       LUN 17.10               JNB 19.15

***4Z 166 Mon. Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat JNB 07.45 LUN 09.45

***4Z 167 Mon. Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat LUN 10.25 JNB 12.30

Source : sustainabilityinthesky.com

Angola, Benin, Liberia, and Zimbabwe are among 22 African countries that could soon face US travel bans. 

Angola, Benin, Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Zimbabwe are among the African countries that may soon face travel bans or restrictions in the United States, according to a report by The New York Times.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering a sweeping set of travel restrictions that could impact citizens from 22 African nations. Some could face an outright ban, while others might be given a deadline to address “security concerns.”

A draft list circulating within the administration categorises the affected countries into three groups—red, orange, and yellow—each with varying levels of restrictions.

• Red List: Countries on this list would be completely barred from entering the United States. Three African nations—Libya, Somalia, and Sudan—are included, alongside North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and others.
• Orange List: These countries wouldn’t face a full ban but would see strict visa restrictions. Eritrea, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan are listed alongside Belarus, Pakistan, Russia, and four others. Citizens from these nations may need to undergo in-person interviews and could be barred from obtaining certain visas, such as immigrant or tourist visas.
• Yellow List: This includes 16 African countries whose citizens will have 60 days to address US concerns or risk being moved into a stricter category. These countries are Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Zimbabwe.

The proposed restrictions follow President Donald Trump’s executive order on 20 January, which called for tighter security vetting of foreigners entering the US. According to The New York Times, these measures are still under review, and the final list may change before reaching the White House.

Source : Bellanaija.com

SalamAir, Oman’s low-cost airline, has officially launched direct flights between Muscat and Nairobi, strengthening air connectivity between the Sultanate of Oman and Kenya. This new route marks SalamAir’s expansion into East Africa, providing travelers with an affordable and convenient way to explore both destinations.

The inaugural flight touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on March 17, 2025, welcomed by a special ceremony attended by key officials. Among those present were Mohamed Daghar, Principal Secretary at Kenya’s State Department for Transport, Her Excellency Nasra Salim Mohamed Al Hashmi, the Omani Ambassador to Kenya, and His Excellency Abdi Aden Korio, the Kenyan Ambassador to Oman.

A Major Step in SalamAir’s Growth

As part of its long-term expansion strategy, SalamAir is increasing its global reach, with Nairobi being the latest addition to its network. Adrian Hamilton-Manns, CEO of SalamAir, highlighted the airline’s commitment to bridging key international markets.

“We are thrilled to expand our network by introducing flights between Muscat and Nairobi. This new route supports our vision to connect Oman to key global destinations, strengthening economic and cultural ties in alignment with Oman Vision 2040,” said Hamilton-Manns.

He further emphasized Nairobi’s strategic significance, citing its role as a major business hub and gateway to Kenya’s thriving tourism sector. The direct link between Oman and Kenya is expected to boost trade, tourism, and investment opportunities while offering a seamless connection for Kenyan travelers heading to the Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent.

A Boost for Bilateral Relations and Tourism

The introduction of SalamAir’s Muscat-Nairobi flights is more than just an aviation milestone—it represents a strengthening of historical and economic ties between Oman and Kenya. Her Excellency Nasra Salim Mohamed Al Hashmi remarked on the positive impact of the new route.

“This new air route is expected to enhance trade, tourism, and investment opportunities, further strengthening economic ties between our two nations. Improved connectivity will facilitate business engagements and promote cultural exchange.”

Kenya, known for its wildlife safaris, pristine beaches, and vibrant cities, is a growing travel destination, while Oman’s rich heritage and diverse landscapes make it an attractive choice for Kenyan tourists. The increased connectivity is anticipated to drive two-way tourism, allowing travelers from both nations to explore new opportunities.

KATA CHAIRMAN DR. JOSEPH KITHITU AND KATA MEMBERS AT SALAM AIR COCKTAIL EVENT AT MOVENPICK

The Only Direct Flight Linking Oman and Kenya

SalamAir is currently the only airline offering direct flights between Oman and Kenya, eliminating the need for lengthy layovers and complex travel itineraries. His Excellency Abdi Aden Korio, the Kenyan Ambassador to Oman, expressed his enthusiasm for the new service.

“This route serves as the single most vital connection for our guests within the travel and tourism industry, the business community, and government officials. Kenya welcomes SalamAir with open arms and looks forward to the continuation of this crucial passenger and cargo transportation between Kenya and Oman.”

As SalamAir continues to expand its footprint, this new service is expected to lay the groundwork for future routes across East Africa, further enhancing regional connectivity.

Source : FTN News