Aviation Politics, World Cup Visa Backlog and Marriott’s New Brand

For this Friday pod we look at potential aviation funding changes in the U.S., efforts to streamline World Cup visas, and Marriott’s new brand debut in India.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, May 23. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

The House of Representatives passed President Donald Trump’s so-called “big, beautiful” tax bill Thursday morning. Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi explains what the bill would mean for the U.S. aviation industry.

The bill’s provisions include $12.5 billion in initial funding for air traffic control reform. A little more than $2 billion is earmarked for replacing air traffic control towers and terminal radars. Maharishi adds the bill would cut grants for sustainable aviation fuel but extend tax credits on it for another four years.

The bill will now advance to the Senate, where Maharishi notes it faces an uncertain path due to proposed cuts to Medicaid and increases on the debt limit.

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Next, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the State Department is working to speed up the processing of visitor visas ahead of next summer’s FIFA World Cup, writes Associate Editor Rashaad Jorden.

Rubio told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that the department has explored the possibility of having staff at some U.S. embassies do double shifts to help decrease the visa backlog. Rubio added the State Department would also look at using AI to expedite visa processing.

Members of Congress have been pushing to fix the visa backlog ahead of a series of major sporting events coming to the U.S. in the next decade. A bipartisan group of 55 lawmakers sent a letter to Rubio to emphasize the importance of the issue.

Finally, Marriott International has chosen to debut its new global brand in India, writes Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia.

Marriott announced on Thursday that India will serve as the first destination for Series by Marriott, a brand aimed at the midscale and upscale hotel segments. Bhutia notes it is a sign of India’s growing importance in Marriott’s plans. Marriott expects India to become its third-largest market.