Azul and Gol exploring potential business combination
Abra Group and Brazilian carrier Azul have entered a memorandum of understanding to explore a combination that would create Brazil’s largest airline via a tie-up with Gol.
Uruguay firms up order for five additional Super Tucanos
Uruguay has firmed up an option for five Embraer A-29 Super Tucanos, taking its total acquisition of the Brazilian-built type to six aircraft.
US government sanctions president of Venezuelan airline Conviasa
The US government has slapped economic sanctions on a top Venezuelan aviation official who also heads state-owned airline Conviasa, part of a broader move targeting officials the USA deems as enabling the illegitimate government of president Nicolas Maduro.
How did airline safety rank in 2024, after high-profile December losses?
Last year saw more airline fatal accidents and fatalities worldwide than any 12-month period since 2018, raising the question as to whether a decade or so of safety performance improvement has begun to reverse.
Avianca 787 depressurisation probe finds air-con system misassembled during MRO
Investigators analysing a depressurisation incident involving a transatlantic Avianca Boeing 787-8 have disclosed that an air-conditioning system was misassembled during maintenance work a few days before.
Norse to open another transatlantic connection to Los Angeles
Long-haul budget carrier Norse Atlantic Airways is opening a new connection to Los Angeles, from the Greek capital Athens.
Vertical Aerospace raises $90m by issuing 15 million more shares
Vertical Aerospace has closed a deal under which it raised $90 million in proceeds, generating cash needed to help fund continued development of its VX4 electric air taxi.
US network carriers plan for ‘fully deployed’ regional fleets in 2025
Executives with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines said on recent earnings calls that they are dialling up utilisation of regional aircraft flown by feeder carriers.
Lockheed to upgrade F-22 fleet with infrared threat-detection sensors
The latest version of Lockheed’s Tactical Infrared Search and Track system will provide passive threat detection capability to the stealthy F-22 air superiority fighter, in a low-observable configuration rather than a pod.
Pilot's limited familiarity with seized Cuban An-2 led to power loss and levee crash
US investigators believe a Cuban-registered Antonov An-2 crashed while attempting to land on a levee, after a pilot with limited understanding of the aircraft failed to activate oil-cooling shutters, causing the engine to overheat.
Challenge Group to be first European operator of IAI-converted 777-300ER freighter
Cargo specialist Challenge Group is intending to be the first European operator of converted Boeing 777-300ER freighters, through the company’s Maltese operation.
El Al controlling shareholder raises stake after buoyant stock performance
Israeli flag-carrier El Al’s controlling shareholder, Eli Rozenberg, has exercised stock options, taking his interest in the airline to 49.46%.
Emirates expands SkyCargo 747 freighter fleet to six to address capacity demand
Middle Eastern carrier Emirates’ SkyCargo division has taken its Boeing 747 freighter fleet to six, as the company continues to weigh its future cargo aircraft options.
Israel’s Arkia chartering A330neo for New York flights
Israeli leisure carrier Arkia has indicated that it will use Airbus A330neo twinjets on new services between Tel Aviv and New York JFK.
Riyadh Air set to receive leased 787-9 for training role
Saudi start-up Riyadh Air will soon receive a leased Boeing 787-9 that it will use for training purposes and as a ’technical spare’.
Norse to open another transatlantic connection to Los Angeles
Long-haul budget carrier Norse Atlantic Airways is opening a new connection to Los Angeles, from the Greek capital Athens.
Vertical Aerospace raises $90m by issuing 15 million more shares
Vertical Aerospace has closed a deal under which it raised $90 million in proceeds, generating cash needed to help fund continued development of its VX4 electric air taxi.
Airbus indicates 'operational issues' behind decision to terminate Beluga cargo airline
Airbus has pointed to operational issues as the primary reason for its decision to close its specialised A300-600ST Beluga cargo airline, little more than a year after obtaining certification.
Ryanair takes advantage of passenger-cap suspension to expand Dublin capacity
Ryanair is taking advantage of a suspension of Dublin airport’s contentious traffic cap to hike capacity at the Irish capital this summer.
Airbus to close A300-600ST Beluga airline just 14 months after gaining AOC
Airbus has confirmed that it will close its relatively young Airbus Beluga Transport operation, which was intended to cater to demand for outsize cargo carriage.
IndiGo confirms ambition to expand widebody operations earlier via wet lease
Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo has confirmed that it is working to add widebody aircraft earlier than previously announced, as it aims to tap strong travel demand in its home country
PAL Express taps HAECO for Airbus narrowbody base maintenance
PAL Express – the sister company of national carrier Philippine Airlines – has signed a base maintenance agreement with HAECO, becoming the MRO provider’s newest customer.
Seoul beefs up oversight of low-cost carriers after fatal Jeju Air crash
South Korean authorities will increase their scrutiny of the country’s low-cost airline sector, including tightening the criteria for MRO workers and enforcing stricter rules on network expansion.
Shield AI’s V-Bat to operate from Japanese warships
Shield AI’s V-Bat unmanned air vehicle has been selected to operate from warships operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Canberra acquires Rex’s debt; reiterates ‘ongoing commitment’ to regional operations
The Australian government has become the principal secured creditor of embattled operator Regional Express (Rex), after acquiring the carrier’s debt.
United 787’s sudden altitude drop injures passengers and crew
The Washington, DC-bound widebody jet – operating as flight UA613 – suddenly dropped in altitude, according to accounts posted on social media.
South African Airways expands fleet with more A320s
South African Airways has expanded its fleet with the addition of a pair of Airbus A320s, taking its operation to 20 aircraft.
USA clears possible Bell 412 sale to Zambia
The US government has cleared the possible sale of Bell 412 utility helicopters to Zambia.
Maldivian introduces A330 to embark on long-haul services
Indian Ocean carrier Maldivian is embarking on widebody operations after introducing an Airbus A330-200 to its fleet
Kenya Airways share-trading in Nairobi to resume after years-long suspension
Kenya Airways has been cleared to resume trading on the Nairobi securities exchange, more than four years after its shares were suspended.