76 | TRADE NEWS
Aer Lingus and University of Limerick Announce New Partnership To Advance Aircraft Maintenance Research
AER Lingus has announced a new partnership with the University of Limerick (UL) aimed at advancing innovation in aeronautical engineering. In collaboration with UL, Aer Lingus will be sponsoring a select number of Maintenance & Engineering (M&E) employees in pursuing a Master of Engineering by Research in UL’s Faculty of Science of Engineering.
Research will focus on M&E operations, efficiency and safety. Participants
will utilise academic
expertise and industry sources and their own industry experience to explore methods that could be practically applied to the areas of:
Human-centred Automation in Airline Maintenance Control Centres Maintenance and Continuing Airworthiness Management Resource Allocation in Airline Operations.
www.nitravelnews.com
Mahlatini Recognised in 2026 Condé Nast Traveller Top
MAHLATINI has announced its inclusion in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveller Top Travel Specialists List. Chosen by travel editors and industry experts, this accolade recognises Mahlatini among the world’s most exceptional travel designers.
Travel Specialists List
In Condé Nast Traveller’s recent feature, “The Top Travel Specialists to Know Right Now,” Mahlatini is celebrated for creating “meaningful encounters”—a testament to the company’ passion for crafting transformative journeys that leave a lasting impact on travellers and the destinations they explore. “These achievements are a reflection of the creativity, dedication, and shared vision that every member of our team brings to Mahlatini,” said Greg Fox. “We are immensely proud to see our commitment to thoughtful, experiential travel recognised at the highest level across the industry.”
Barrhead Travel Bolster Senior Leadership Team
BARRHEAD Travel has announced the creation of two new director positions,
both of
which have been filled internally.
The travel company’s former Head of Sales for England and Northern Ireland, Catherine Finlan, has been appointed as the new Sales Director while Paul Whitters has been promoted to Marketing Director,
following six
years in his role as Head of Marketing. The creation
of the
two senior roles comes 12 months after the promotion of current Managing Director, Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, who’s previous position was Sales & Marketing Director for the group. Catherine Finlan is celebrating 30 years in the travel industry this
year, after starting her career as an apprentice on the shop floor for West Midlands
Co-Op
Travel. Rising
through
the ranks in various retail positions,
she
became Regional Sales
Manager
for Thomas Cook in 2016 before joining
Barrhead
Travel in autumn 2019.
Paul Whitters’ extensive marketing career spans almost two decades, working across a broad range of marketing disciplines for household names such as Ladbrokes, Optical Express and Avant Homes before joining Barrhead Travel in 2019.
Explora Journeys Appoints New Executive Director UK & Ireland
January 2026
EXPLORA Journeys has announced the appointment of Tate Husband as Executive Director for UK & Ireland. Based in London, UK, Tate will lead the development and commercial expansion of Explora Journeys’ UK and Ireland operations. Working under the direction of the Global Head of Commercial Strategy & Sales Operations, and Antonio Paradiso, Vice President of International Sales, he will be responsible for managing the commercial team and new business development opportunities,
driving business
optimising trade partner relationships, and shaping Explora Journeys’ market strategy. Antonio Paradiso,
Vice President
of International Sales at MSC Group, commented:
“Explora Journeys’ business in the UK and Ireland has been operating for three years and continues to experience steady growth. To support our next stage of development, we are delighted to announce the appointment of an Executive Director. Tate Husband will be joining our team, bringing with him a wealth of experience from the hotel industry and a background in some of the world’s most renowned hospitality brands, most recently with The Langham hotel. In this new role, Tate will guide our strategic direction in the UK, lead our dynamic sales team, and play a key role in elevating the business as we enter our next phase of growth.”
easyJet Record 9% Earnings Growth in Latest Financial Year
execution of our strategy.
EASYJET has reported a 9% earnings growth in FY25 with a headline profit before tax of £665 million. In a trading update, it was announced that the easyJet airline product delivered a headline profit before tax of £415 million over the course of FY25, while easyJet holidays recorded a profit of £250 million Kenton Jarvis, easyJet’s CEO, stated, “Since
setting our
medium-term targets in 2023 we have made significant progress,
delivering
a 46% improvement in profit before tax, adding 9% this year through the continued, successful
growth,
easyJet
holidays is today launching an even more ambitious goal having achieved its target early.
“Our focus on investing in operations and enhancing customer experience, providing the warmest welcome in travel, has delivered improved punctuality, enhanced customer satisfaction and cost efficiencies this year.
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