Emirates-owned One&Only Wolgan Valley has applied to New South Wales authorities to sharply increase helicopter transfers to the secluded Blue Mountains resort as it prepares to reopen after a landslide severed its main road in 2022. Media reports say filings seek as many as 210 weekly flights (the company has also discussed interim caps near 100–105) — a rise that would see helicopters cross the valley about every 20–22 minutes at peak. The proposal has prompted more than 100 submissions to the Department of Planning, with Blue Mountains Council, the Wolgan Valley Association, climbers and environmental groups warning of severe noise, safety and biodiversity impacts. Acoustic modelling is disputed: independent simulations suggest fly-bys could register 64–80 decibels on cliffs and conservation areas, while the resort’s modelling downplays impacts. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service says threatened species’ habitat was not adequately assessed. Emirates argues air transfers are essential to secure a minimum viable guest capacity, protect about 100 local jobs and offset lengthy road journeys; it says road transfers will remain an option and the application may be revised after consultation.

Rome has opened a new metro station directly beneath the Colosseum that incorporates visible archaeological finds into the commuter experience, providing riders with a novel way to view ancient artifacts while travelling through the city. The station — unveiled in reports on May 30–31, 2026 — blends contemporary transit infrastructure with on-site displays of excavated material, enabling passengers to see elements of Rome’s past without leaving the transit network. City officials and transport planners have described the stop as an effort to improve access to central archaeological sites while making the historical layers of the capital more accessible to residents and visitors. The project is expected to affect daily passenger flows around Rome’s central tourist district, changing patterns of pedestrian circulation near the Colosseum and nearby attractions. The integration of heritage displays into a functioning subway station reflects growing interest in multi-use urban design that seeks to balance conservation, public access and modern mobility in historic city centres.

Vilnius’ three-day Pink Soup Fest turned the Lithuanian capital into a sea of pink from May 29–31, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to celebrate šaltibarščiai, the country’s iconic cold beet soup. Organizers expected more than 100,000 attendees over the weekend and said over three metric tons of kefir — the fermented milk base for the soup — would be consumed. Events included a synchronized “Pink Break” communal meal, land and river parades, concerts and themed costumes (from eggs and cucumbers to “pink knights”), and long communal tables where locals and tourists shared bowls. The festival, now in its fourth year, is part of a deliberate effort by Go Vilnius and city authorities to boost summer tourism and showcase Lithuanian food culture. Traditional ingredients—beetroot, kefir or buttermilk, boiled potatoes, eggs, cucumber and dill—were highlighted across pop-ups and demonstrations that aimed to promote the dish as both a culinary tradition and a visitor attraction.

Southwest Airlines has reversed part of a controversial policy introduced in January that required passengers who need a second seat because of their size to buy an extra ticket in advance. Under the updated guidance, airport gate agents may provide an additional adjacent seat at no charge when two adjoining seats are available. If no adjacent seat exists, the carrier will attempt to rebook the passenger on a later flight. Southwest continues to encourage travelers who anticipate needing more room to purchase a second seat in advance to avoid disruption. The airline also allows eligible customers to request refunds for an extra seat within 90 days of travel if the flight departed with an open seat and both seats were booked in the same fare class. Advocacy groups including the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance praised the rollback, while critics warn the change still leaves some passengers vulnerable to being delayed or bumped. The move aligns Southwest more closely with its previous, more accommodating practice but stops short of a guaranteed, universal solution for plus-size travelers and mirrors broader industry practices at legacy carriers.

United Airlines Chief Executive Scott Kirby said this week the carrier will not pursue industry consolidation for the foreseeable future after American Airlines rebuffed his approach for a potential merger. Speaking at a Bernstein investor conference, Kirby said only a “big transaction” would make economic sense for United and that a willing partner is required, which he does not have. He described speculation that the outreach to American was a cover for smaller deals as “idiotic,” and dismissed the idea of pursuing smaller acquisitions such as JetBlue, saying United would need to improve JetBlue’s margin by roughly 25 percentage points to make a deal viable. Kirby also warned that ultra-low-cost carriers may contract to leisure routes as competition and airport costs bite. The CEO said United expects to reach double-digit pre-tax margins next year as easing fuel costs and resilient demand help recovery, though the carrier has trimmed some unprofitable capacity. The outreach to American — which CEO Robert Isom rejected as anti-competitive and said the airlines were “not getting married” — followed earlier reports that Kirby raised the idea with U.S. officials in February.