Hanwha Aerospace has appointed Michael Coulter as its Global Defense CEO to lead the company’s international defense initiatives. The newly created position will oversee the defense operations of Hanwha Aerospace and its subsidiaries, including Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Systems. Coulter previously served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Business Development at Leonardo DRS and President

Embraer has achieved investment grade status from Moody’s, marking the third major rating agency to upgrade the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer this year. The company’s credit rating was raised from Ba1 to Baa3 with a positive outlook. The upgrade follows similar moves by S&P Global Ratings in February and Fitch Ratings in September. “Our focus on

The aircraft leasing industry faces a stable outlook for 2025, with strong travel demand and aircraft supply constraints expected to support solid financial performance, according to a new Morningstar DBRS report. Global air travel demand remains robust, driven by leisure travel and improving corporate bookings. “We expect continuing solid growth dynamics in global aviation along

Slovakia has signalled its intention to purchase Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft for its military transport requirements. The Slovak Ministry of Defense signed a Letter of Intent with Brazil’s Ministry of Defense to enhance industrial cooperation between the two nations. Formal steps toward acquiring three C-390 aircraft will begin in January 2025. “The C-390 is currently

The Republic of Kazakhstan has received its first Airbus A400M military transport aircraft, marking a significant upgrade to the nation’s airlift capabilities. The aircraft was delivered to Almaty following a ferry flight from Airbus’ assembly facility in Seville, Spain. “The A400M is a game changer for the Kazakh Air Defense Forces, delivering unrivalled tactical and

Airbus has appointed Carmen-Maja Rex as its new Chief Human Resources Officer, effective 1 April 2025. Ms Rex will join the Executive Committee and report directly to Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. She currently serves as Human Resources Group Director at Heidelberg Materials, a global building materials manufacturer. The appointment comes as current HR chief Thierry

Qatar Airways has unveiled a star-studded in-flight safety video featuring comedian Kevin Hart as its new Global Brand Ambassador, aiming to capture passenger attention through entertainment. The video, directed by Hollywood filmmaker Tim Story, will debut on select flights in December before rolling out across the entire fleet by January 2025. Supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and

Global airlines are facing significant shifts in the European aviation sector as geopolitical tensions reshape flight paths and market dynamics. Chinese carriers have seized a dominant 74 per cent market share on China-Europe routes, up from 60 per cent in 2019, amid ongoing airspace restrictions. The Russian airspace closure has forced European airlines to take

Air New Zealand has launched a new Christmas campaign highlighting how its crew brings festive magic to passengers who would otherwise miss December 25 due to international time differences. The airline’s “Let the Magic Find You This Christmas” campaign features cabin crew creating an onboard Christmas celebration for a young passenger traveling to New Zealand

CommuteAir has signed a contract with Embraer for inventory and repair services to support its E-Jet aircraft fleet through the Exchange Plus Program. The agreement gives CommuteAir access to Embraer’s global supply chain for parts management. “CommuteAir is excited to build on its existing partnership with Embraer for our ERJ145 aircraft to now include parts

Embraer launched its ONEChain Program to digitalize and streamline supply chain operations through a new integrated management platform. The aerospace company said the initiative would help balance production output and improve supplier collaboration as part of its growth strategy. “In addition to achieving enhanced operational efficiency, we have integrated all operations with our suppliers and

Philippine airline Cebu Pacific made history as the first company from the Philippines to project a promotional display on Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, showcasing the country’s tourist destinations for 2025. The “Fly to Happy, Fly to the Philippines” show featured iconic locations including Boracay, Palawan and Cebu beaches, along with landmarks like Mayon Volcano and the

Romania has become the 20th nation to join the F-35 Lightning II program after signing a deal to acquire 32 of the advanced fighter jets through a U.S. Foreign Military Sale. The agreement strengthens NATO’s air defense capabilities in Eastern Europe and builds on Romania’s existing defense partnership with manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Lt. Gen Mike

Brazilian aerospace company Embraer has expanded its industrial cooperation in the Netherlands following the country’s purchase of the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft. The company selected Fokker Services Group to deliver modifications preparing the C-390 for NATO special operations missions. Embraer also forged research partnerships with the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (Royal NLR) to develop

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first of up to 82 H145M light combat helicopters to the German Armed Forces at its Donauwörth site, less than a year after the contract signing. The helicopter will be used for training at the German Army’s Bückeburg base, with the first combat-ready version scheduled for delivery in 2025. Airbus

Embraer and Indonesian aerospace company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore commercial aviation collaboration opportunities. The agreement was signed at the Indonesia-Brazil CEO Forum during the G20 Summit in Brazil, witnessed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and key government officials. PTDI President Director Gita Amperiawan said the deal would

Singapore Airlines Group carried 3.3 million passengers in October 2024, up 7% from last year, as passenger capacity rose 9.2% across its network. The group’s overall passenger load factor declined slightly to 86% from 87.4% a year earlier, with main carrier Singapore Airlines achieving 86.1% and budget subsidiary Scoot recording 85.4%. Cargo performance strengthened significantly,

American Airlines expects to carry nearly 8.3 million passengers across more than 77,000 flights during the Thanksgiving period from November 21 to December 3. The airline projects passenger numbers will exceed last year’s figures by more than 500,000, with December 1 and 2 set to be the busiest travel days. American Airlines Chief Operating Officer

The air charter industry has responded to multiple humanitarian emergencies in 2024, providing critical aid and evacuation services across several continents. Air Charter Service’s Director Ben Dinsdale said the sector had united to address numerous disasters and conflicts. “The industry has been called into action multiple times this year, all around the globe, to facilitate

Singapore Airlines will be the only airline globally to serve Cristal 2015 champagne in its premium cabins from December 1, 2024, following an exclusive agreement with Louis Roederer. The premium champagne will initially be offered on flights between Singapore and eight major destinations including London, Los Angeles and Sydney. Singapore Airlines Senior Vice President Customer

Cathay Pacific will resume direct flights between Hong Kong and Hyderabad from March 30, 2025, boosting its Indian network to 43 weekly flights across five cities. The service will initially operate three times weekly before increasing to five flights per week from September 1, 2025. Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said the

The Swedish Ministry of Defence has selected Brazil’s Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft to modernise its tactical transport fleet, marking the first purchase of the military aircraft in Northern Europe. The decision made Sweden the sixth European NATO member to acquire the C-390, following Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Netherlands and Portugal. Embraer Defence & Security president

Frontier Airlines has earned CAPA’s North American Environmental Sustainability Airline of the Year award for its industry-leading emissions reductions. The ultra-low-cost carrier received the accolade at CAPA’s Environmental Sustainability Awards for Excellence in Hong Kong this week. The award recognised Frontier’s achievement in operating 44 per cent more fuel efficiently than other major US carriers.

SITA and IDEMIA have joined forces to create an interoperable digital travel system that promises to streamline passenger identification across airports worldwide. The partnership aims to develop an open trust network allowing travellers’ digital identities to be recognised seamlessly across international borders. This new ecosystem will connect governments, airports and airlines through a decentralised framework,

Munich Airport will transform its terminal forum into a festive marketplace complete with ice skating, entertainment and visits from Santa Claus from November 15 to December 31. The Christmas and winter market will operate daily from 11am to 9pm in the Munich Airport Center, except for Christmas Eve when it closes at 4pm. More than

Deutsche Aircraft aims to enhance regional connectivity in western China with its new 40-seat D328eco turboprop aircraft. The manufacturer will target major western hubs including Lanzhou, Urumqi and Kunming to support economic development in remote areas. The aircraft can be configured for passenger, cargo, air ambulance or firefighting operations. Deutsche Aircraft Regional Sales Director Ryan

Ethiopian Airlines has taken delivery of Africa’s first Airbus A350-1000 aircraft in Toulouse, expanding its premium service capabilities on key international routes. The delivery marks the first of four A350-1000s for Ethiopia’s national carrier, which already operates 21 A350 family aircraft. The new aircraft will serve destinations including Washington D.C., London, Paris and Frankfurt. The

Air New Zealand will launch its own wine label in collaboration with Villa Maria to commemorate its first trans-Tasman flight. The new Thirteen Forty Five label, named after the 1,345-mile distance of the inaugural 1940 Auckland-Sydney flight, will feature a sauvignon blanc and pinot noir. The wines have been crafted with Marlborough winemakers to suit

Singapore Cruise Centre has partnered with travel technology firm SITA to transform passenger processing at its Tanah Merah and HarbourFront ferry terminals. The upgrade will include biometric-ready kiosks, self-bag drop facilities and automated gates across both terminals. The terminals, which serve as gateways to Malaysia and Indonesia’s Riau Islands, handle over 7 million passengers annually.

Singapore Airlines will invest S$1.1 billion to upgrade cabin products across 41 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, including the introduction of first class on ultra-long-range routes. The retrofit program will cover both long-haul and ultra-long-range A350-900 variants, with completion targeted for late 2030. The airline will install new first class cabins on seven A350-900ULR aircraft serving the

Cathay has expanded its Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel Programme with new partners tripling carbon emission reductions compared to last year. The airline has introduced a tiered structure for the program, which now includes 15 corporate partners across Diamond, Gold and Silver levels. Program partners have committed to using 2,650 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel in

Air Charter Service has recorded its strongest performance in Greater China with significant growth across its Shanghai and Hong Kong operations. The aircraft charter specialist reported an 18 per cent revenue increase in Hong Kong, while its Shanghai office saw charter numbers surge 40 per cent in 2024. The company’s growth followed a strategic decision

British Airways has resumed services to Bangkok following a four-year hiatus from the Thai capital. The first flight departed London Gatwick on Monday night and landed at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on Tuesday afternoon. Traditional dancers welcomed passengers with flower garlands and local gifts upon arrival. The airline will operate three weekly flights initially, increasing to

Embraer will provide advanced flight training solutions for the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s C-390 Millennium aircraft program. The package includes a full flight simulator and cargo handling station trainer developed with Rheinmetall, plus computer-based training developed with ETI. All training systems are expected to be operational by late 2026. Embraer Services & Support President and

Eve Air Mobility has chosen Embraer-CAE Training Services to provide training for its electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft program. The agreement covers training for pilots, maintenance technicians and ground handling personnel as part of Eve’s TechCare service portfolio. Eve Vice President of Customer Services Luiz Mauad said the partnership would ensure safe operations. “This

Cathay Pacific has commenced direct passenger flights between Hong Kong and Riyadh, strengthening connections between Asia-Pacific and Saudi Arabia. The inaugural flight departed on October 28, marked by a ceremony at Hong Kong International Airport attended by senior government officials and business leaders. The thrice-weekly service will operate using Airbus A350-900 aircraft featuring business, premium

IATA has called on Thailand to strengthen its aviation foundations as passenger numbers are forecast to grow nearly 4 percent annually until 2043. The country’s air travel demand has already recovered to 88 percent of pre-pandemic levels, with further growth expected from 2025. IATA’s Regional Vice President for North Asia and Asia-Pacific, Dr Xie Xingquan,

More than 35,000 American Airlines technical operations, fleet service, cargo and central load planning employees have voted to accept a new 27-month contract extension. The agreement covers improved economic conditions and pay rate increases for workers represented by the TWU-IAM Association. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom welcomed the ratification of the new agreement. “With this

The International Air Transport Association has announced plans to integrate digital currencies into its aviation industry financial settlement systems. The digital yuan will become the first digital currency accepted in IATA’s China Billing and Settlement Plan by December 2024. IATA’s Senior Vice President for Financial Settlement and Distribution Services, Muhammad Albakri, said the move reflected

Kazakhstan’s national carrier Air Astana has unveiled a significant expansion of its international network for the winter season. The airline has launched new direct flights between Atyrau and Dubai, operating twice weekly. Flights from Almaty to Dubai have increased to eleven times weekly, while Astana to Dubai services will operate nine times per week. New

Emirates has resumed daily flights between Adelaide and Dubai, offering more than 220,000 passenger seats annually on the route. The South Australian Tourism Commission estimates the service will generate $62 million in tourism spending and create 315 full-time jobs. South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas welcomed the airline’s return. “We’re not just welcoming back a world-class

LATAM Airlines Group has ordered 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners with options for five more aircraft as part of its fleet modernisation strategy. The South American carrier plans to expand its Dreamliner fleet to 52 aircraft by 2030. LATAM Chief Financial Officer Ramiro Alfonsín highlighted the aircraft’s efficiency benefits. “The Boeing 787 is a much more

Delta Air Lines will celebrate its centenary with an immersive keynote presentation at the Sphere in Las Vegas during CES 2025. The January 7 event will mark the first CES keynote hosted at the venue, featuring its advanced display and audio technology. Delta CEO Ed Bastian highlighted the airline’s focus on innovation. “Technology is a

Qatar Airways has become the first airline to offer Starlink satellite internet on a Boeing 777 aircraft, marking a significant advancement in in-flight connectivity. The inaugural Starlink-equipped flight operated between Doha and London on October 22. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Badr Mohammed Al-Meer announced ambitious expansion plans. “This milestone, paired with our commitment

Air India and Singapore Airlines will significantly expand their codeshare agreement to include 51 new destinations across Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The expansion marks the largest update to the airlines’ codeshare arrangements since 2010. From October 27, both carriers will share codes on flights between Singapore and the Indian cities of Bengaluru

Global air transport technology provider SITA has appointed Nathalie Altwegg as Senior Vice President of its Airports business unit. Altwegg will oversee SITA’s expansion plans across more than 1,000 airports worldwide. The appointment aims to accelerate the digitisation of airport operations and passenger journeys. SITA CEO David Lavorel welcomed Altwegg’s expertise. “It’s wonderful to be

United Airlines will sponsor Ballet International Gala’s production of The Nutcracker across Australia and New Zealand during the 2024 holiday season. The partnership marks United’s second year as principal airline partner for the ballet company. Performances will be staged in nine cities including Perth, Auckland, Hobart, and Melbourne between October and December. United Airlines Regional

Emirates SkyCargo has ordered five additional Boeing 777 freighters to expand its cargo fleet, marking its second order for the aircraft type this year. The deal will nearly double Emirates’ dedicated freighter fleet to 21 aircraft in the coming years. Emirates Airline and Group Chairman and CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said the

Textron Aviation has announced three new Cessna Citation light jets featuring advanced safety technology and upgraded avionics. The Citation M2 Gen3, CJ3 Gen3 and CJ4 Gen3 will include Garmin Emergency Autoland technology across all models. Textron Aviation President and CEO Ron Draper said the aircraft would carry on the Citation legacy while introducing new capabilities.

Delta Air Lines will roll out a comprehensive cabin interior redesign across its fleet, starting with a Boeing 757 aircraft later this year. The refresh comes as the airline approaches its 100-year anniversary and includes new seating, enhanced lighting and updated brand elements. Delta’s Vice President of Customer Experience Design, Mauricio Parise, said the changes