Rashaad Jorden

In Skift's top stories this week, Microsoft increases its internal penalty for business travel carbon emissions, large numbers of Russians head to Dubai and Maldives, and U.S. airlines struggle to fill pilot shortages.

Although several study abroad providers want to return to Russia in the near future, they'll only be able to do so when the country loses its status as an international pariah. That's not happening anytime soon. Here is their alternative thinking right now.

In Skift's top stories this week, money from Airbnb bookings meant to support Ukraine is often going to hosts outside of the country, several hotel giants freeze development plans in Russia, and United Airlines is worried about the prospect of higher oil prices.

Although several hotel executives don't view the war in Ukraine as a drag on European hotel performance at the moment, their tune could change if the conflict continues to makes travel to Europe more difficult.

During the pandemic, American Airlines altered its frequent flyer programs, recognizing that the program had become too complicated and also that credit card use — not air travel — provides the bulk of the income.

Tour operators are largely supportive of destinations easing travel curbs since most of them already require their own clients to be vaccinated. That doesn't mean they're getting complacent in the fight against Covid as many countries are still struggling with a surge in cases.

Airbnb went deep while Booking Holdings went wide in terms of product development in 2021. Airbnb assuredly will get back to broadening its product line, if not in 2022, then later.

“Do not travel” warnings protect travel insurance firms in countries directly involved. The war in Ukraine might also increase consumer awareness and demand for extensive coverage.

In Skift's top stories this week, TUI Group's largest shareholder is a prominent supporter of Vladimir Putin, Expedia stops offering travel to and from Russia, and hotels and hostels set aside beds for Ukrainian refugees.

More and more tour operators view conducting business in Russia as toxic, and more importantly, prospective guests largely consider the country unsafe. So as long as Russia continues to wage war, there's no rush for tour operators to make immediate plans to return.