Expansion

AirAsia co-founder Tony Fernandes has refuted speculation about the airline’s financial health, asserting its sustainability and plans for growth amidst rising fuel costs and geopolitical instability. He clarified capital raising efforts are for refinancing, not operational deficits. Fernandes highlighted AirAsia’s competitive advantages and upcoming strategic announcements with Airbus, alongside AI integration for fuel savings and enhanced customer experience. The airline anticipates returning to pre-pandemic capacity levels by year-end.

Waymo and Zoox are aggressively expanding their robotaxi services into new cities like San Diego, Tampa, and Denver. Waymo plans to significantly scale its fleet and rides, while Zoox is testing its unique vehicles in Houston and San Diego. This expansion occurs amid growing market demand and increased regulatory scrutiny regarding safety, labor, and transparency. Tesla is also expected to reveal more about its robotaxi plans, as the market is projected for substantial growth.

Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous driving unit, will launch its robotaxi service in Munich, Germany, in 2027, marking its entry into the EU. The company is beginning phased testing to map roads, train systems, and adapt to local conditions. This move signifies a major global expansion beyond its U.S. operations, where it currently serves 11 cities. Waymo aims to leverage its extensive autonomous driving experience to navigate European markets, despite facing regulatory and public perception challenges.

Waymo is expanding its robotaxi service to four new US cities: San Diego, Las Vegas, Tampa, and Denver. This move intensifies the race against competitors like Tesla and Zoox. While Waymo possesses a large fleet and significant funding, it faces challenges in real-world deployment and needs to refine its systems for safety and resilience. The company aims for rapid scaling, targeting one million weekly trips this year.

Qualcomm’s stock surged 15% on ambitious data center expansion plans. The company projects $40 billion in non-handset revenue by 2029, including $15 billion from data centers, and aims for over $18 EPS. Key to this strategy is the new Dragonfly C1000 CPU for agentic AI workloads, with Meta planning to integrate it. Qualcomm is also expanding its portfolio with AI chips and interconnect solutions, leveraging its mobile expertise and existing hyperscaler relationships. An acquisition to bolster AI software capabilities further strengthens its competitive position.

AI firm Runway is establishing its European headquarters in London, committing over $200 million to the UK’s AI ecosystem by 2028. This strategic move leverages London’s talent pool and proximity to European clients, following similar expansions by Anthropic and OpenAI. Runway, known for its “world models” and video AI tools, will drive cutting-edge research and innovation in the UK.

Nvidia plans an ambitious expansion in Taiwan, including a new campus and a tenfold increase in annual spending, reaching up to $150 billion. This move highlights Taiwan’s critical role in the global AI race and Nvidia’s deep commitment to the region amidst geopolitical shifts and evolving export controls impacting its China business.

Anthropic, creator of the Claude chatbot, is significantly expanding its London operations with new office space for 800 employees. This move into the Knowledge Quarter, a hub for AI innovation, follows OpenAI’s similar UK expansion plans. Anthropic cites London’s talent pool and its role as a key research and commercial center outside the US as reasons for its growth. The expansion highlights London’s increasing importance as a global AI leader.

Amazon’s Zoox is expanding its robotaxi pilot programs to Austin and Miami, building on operations in Las Vegas and San Francisco. The company is increasing coverage in San Francisco and planning airport transfers in Las Vegas. Zoox is also testing in ten US cities and awaiting regulatory approval for commercial operations, aiming for 100 robotaxis on public roads soon. A partnership with Uber will integrate Zoox into its platform in Las Vegas.

Revolut achieved a record pre-tax profit of £1.7 billion in 2025, a 57% increase, with group revenue up 46% to $6 billion. This success fuels its U.S. expansion and follows its acquisition of a U.K. banking license. Business banking now accounts for 16% of total income, reflecting diversified revenue streams. The fintech giant, valued at $75 billion, aims to become a global bank.