Ayesha Durgahee is a British journalist who currently serves as an international correspondent and producer at CNN International, based in London. Her reporting spans a wide range of topics including aviation, travel, hotels, the environment, space, and sport. Recognized as a dynamic and insightful reporter, she is regarded as a valuable and rising talent at CNN. Durgahee’s journalistic excellence was formally acknowledged when she won the Business Travel Journalism Award for Journalist of the Year in 2010.

Early Life and Education

Born in London in 1981, Ayesha Durgahee pursued postgraduate studies at City, University of London. There, she earned a postgraduate diploma in Broadcast Journalism. While she remains a public figure through her professional work, she maintains a private personal life and does not publicly disclose information about her marital status or private affairs.

CNN Career and Reporting Focus

Durgahee joined CNN’s London bureau in 2005, working both as a producer and correspondent. Initially contributing behind the scenes, she gradually expanded her on-air presence. Her early televised appearances included segments on CNN International's Business Traveller and BackStory.

Her breakout role came in 2009 when she substituted for Max Foster, who was filling in for regular anchors Becky Anderson and Fionnuala Sweeney. This opportunity marked a turning point in her on-camera career. Since then, she has become a central figure on CNN's Business Traveller, working alongside Richard Quest, CNN’s well-known travel and business expert. The program, which originally aired from 2002 to 2010, has since evolved to highlight the environmental impacts and changing economic dynamics of global travel.

Awards and Industry Recognition

In 2004, Ayesha Durgahee was named runner-up at the Broadcast Journalism Training Council Awards for her radio report titled “Peace on the Streets,” an investigative piece on gun crime. Six years later, her in-depth coverage on cabin air quality for CNN earned her the Business Travel News Journalist of the Year Award at the 2010 Business Travel Journalism Awards. This recognition, organized by Carlson Wagonlit Travel, celebrates outstanding work in business travel journalism.

Her reporting style—known for its informative analysis, striking visual presentation, and insightful interviews—continues to set her apart in the industry. Notably, her investigative story on aero-toxic syndrome was acclaimed by judges as an important topic that deserved more widespread media attention, reflecting her ability to shine a spotlight on underreported issues within the travel and aviation sectors.