
Air Charter Service raises record $200,000 for global charities in 2024
Air Charter Service (ACS) has reported its highest-ever annual total for charitable giving, with more than $200,000 raised in 2024 through staff-led fundraising, volunteering, and donation drives across its global offices. Lloyd Robinson, the company’s director of corporate environmental and social responsibility (CESR), praised the collective effort from teams worldwide. “The worldwide team has really

Cathay launches refreshed ‘I Can Fly’ youth programme with focus on aviation careers
Cathay has launched the 2025 edition of its flagship youth development programme, I Can Fly, unveiling a refreshed format aimed at inspiring young people in Hong Kong to explore careers in aviation while contributing to the community. The programme, which began in 2003, will this year involve around 2,000 participants aged 10 to 18 and

KlasJet pilot trainer explains how crews prepare for the world’s most difficult airports
Operating in some of the world’s most demanding airports requires exceptional flying skill, rigorous preparation and precise execution, according to Zbigniew Mlotkowski, Director of Crew Training at European charter airline KlasJet. Pilots must be trained to handle a range of hazards, including short runways, surrounding terrain, unpredictable weather and complex procedures. Airports such as Madeira

Qatar Airways Cargo launches TechLift for semiconductor shipments
Qatar Airways Cargo has launched a new dedicated air freight service for the semiconductor industry, introducing a specialised product called TechLift to meet the growing global demand for secure and efficient semiconductor transport. TechLift is designed for the consumer electronics, communications, satellite, automotive and AI industries. It provides customised solutions for handling integrated circuits, chipsets,

Air New Zealand and Air India sign codeshare deal and explore direct flights
Air New Zealand and Air India have signed a new codeshare agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen air connectivity between India and New Zealand. The agreement was signed at an event in Mumbai attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and other dignitaries. The partnership will see codeshare arrangements on 16

Singapore Airlines reports solid February results amid steady passenger demand
Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group has reported stable operating performance for February 2025, with continued strength in passenger travel helping offset seasonal softness in cargo demand. Group passenger traffic rose by 0.5 per cent year-on-year, outpacing a 0.2 per cent increase in capacity. The result lifted the group’s passenger load factor to 86.5 per cent, up

Ethiopian Airlines expands charter fleet with Boeing 737-800 Business Jet
Ethiopian Airlines has added a Boeing 737-800 Business Jet to its fleet, marking a new phase in the airline’s premium charter service offering. The aircraft, configured exclusively for VIP and small group charter operations, features a luxurious cabin design and is aimed at business leaders, diplomats and private travellers seeking flexible and secure travel options.

Comprehensive de-/anti-icing training key to ensuring flight safety, says Aviator
Aviator Airport Alliance has highlighted the importance of comprehensive de-/anti-icing training to ensure safe and efficient aircraft operations in winter conditions. Operating at 15 airports across the Nordics, Aviator is part of Avia Solutions Group and provides full-range aviation services throughout Northern Europe. With snowfall and freezing conditions common in the region, ensuring aircraft are

Globe Air Cargo Dominican Republic marks 20 years in the air cargo industry
Globe Air Cargo Dominican Republic is celebrating 20 years of operations, marking two decades of contribution to the country’s air cargo sector. A subsidiary of ECS Group, the company has played a key role in modernising and formalising the air freight landscape in the Dominican Republic since its establishment. Its focus on customer service, operational

Embraer extends registration deadline for Startup Marathon at Web Summit Rio 2025
Embraer has extended the registration deadline for its Startup Marathon, an initiative aimed at fostering innovation in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and aviation technologies. The event will take place during Web Summit Rio 2025, from 27 to 30 April at Riocentro, Rio de Janeiro. Startups interested in participating must complete an application form by 28

Air Race X 2025 season to launch in Fukushima on April 29
The high-speed motorsport Air Race X will begin its 2025 season in Fukushima, Japan, on 29 April, marking the return of world-class pilots alongside rising talents competing in the series. The season opener will be a Remote Race, a broadcast-only format, allowing global audiences to witness the action live on the Air Race X YouTube

Air Charter Service appoints Andreas Spies as new head of time critical services
Air Charter Service (ACS) has announced the appointment of Andreas Spies as the new CEO of its time critical services division for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Spies will be based in the company’s Frankfurt office. Dan Morgan-Evans, Group Cargo Director for ACS Time Critical’s parent company, highlighted Spies’ contributions to the company.

American Airlines unveils new seasonal menu and loyalty perks
American Airlines has introduced a refreshed selection of in-flight and lounge offerings for spring, featuring expanded dining options and the ability for AAdvantage members to use miles for onboard food and beverage purchases. New In-Flight Dining Options Starting 12 March 2025, passengers on domestic premium cabin flights will have access to an updated breakfast menu,

Delta expands Shake Shack partnership with new routes and promotions
Delta Air Lines has announced an expansion of its partnership with Shake Shack, bringing its popular onboard cheeseburgers to additional First Class routes. Starting 4 March 2025, Shake Shack’s signature cheeseburgers will be available on flights over 900 miles departing from Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, and Seattle. The airline first introduced the offering on

Air Canada partners with Michelin-starred Chef Masaki Hashimoto for Signature Class dining on Japan routes
Air Canada has partnered with Michelin-starred Chef Masaki Hashimoto to introduce elevated dining experiences in its Signature Class on all flights between Canada and Japan. Chef Hashimoto, the owner of Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto in Toronto, brings his expertise in the traditional art of Kaiseki cuisine to the airline’s premium service. His exclusive dishes debuted on

Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer marks 10 million members with promotions
Singapore Airlines’ lifestyle rewards program, KrisFlyer, has reached a milestone of 10 million members and is celebrating with a series of exclusive promotions and bonus mile offers throughout March 2025. Launched in 1999 as a frequent flyer program, KrisFlyer has evolved into a global lifestyle rewards platform. Of its 10 million members, 1.7 million are

New Horizons in African Aviation: Air Cargo Trends, Challenges, and Growth
The African air cargo industry is expanding as increased investment enhances its efficiency. Over the past 15 years, Magma Aviation has played a role in shaping this sector, with CEO Peter Kerins offering insights into its evolution. Rising Demand for Air Cargo in Africa Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that global

FL Technics joins ALTA with plans for expansion in the Americas
The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) has welcomed FL Technics as a new member, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion within the region. FL Technics, a global provider of aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services, is developing a state-of-the-art MRO facility at Punta Cana International Airport, the second busiest

Embraer adds Fly Across MRO to its authorized service network in Mexico
Embraer has expanded its Authorized Service Center Network for executive jets by adding Fly Across MRO, a Mexican company based at Toluca International Airport. Fly Across MRO will provide base maintenance services for Embraer’s Phenom and Praetor series, as well as the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 jets. The facility will offer both scheduled and

F-35 fleet reaches one million flight hours milestone
Lockheed Martin has announced the global F-35 fleet has surpassed one million flight hours. The defence contractor said the milestone demonstrated the program’s scale and capability in maintaining air dominance for the US and allied forces worldwide. “Reaching 1 million flight hours is a monumental achievement for the F-35 program. It highlights the unwavering dedication

Business aviation surge propels UAS International to expand in Asia Pacific
UAS International Trip Support is exhibiting at Asia Pacific’s new dedicated business aviation event, Business Aviation Asia Forum & Expo 2025. The global aviation solutions provider, now in its 25th year of operations, has identified significant growth potential across the region. “Specifically Southeast Asia, India and into Australia, with new airports being built, significant increases

Air Astana to launch new direct flights between Almaty and Da Nang
Air Astana will begin operating direct flights between Almaty and Da Nang, Vietnam, from 4th June 2025. The twice-weekly service will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays using Airbus A321LR aircraft. Flight KC599 will depart Almaty at 00:55 local time, arriving in Da Nang at 10:05 after a flight time of 7 hours and 10 minutes.

Air New Zealand launches exclusive wine label to celebrate aviation milestone
Air New Zealand has introduced its own wine label called Thirteen Forty Five, now available exclusively to airline customers and through the Airpoints Store. The name commemorates the 1345-mile inaugural flight from Auckland to Sydney in 1940, operated by the airline’s predecessor, TEAL (Tasman Empire Airways Limited). The new wine brand features two varieties –

Samarkand airport adds new routes to Baku and Krasnoyarsk
Samarkand International Airport has expanded its route network with new direct services to Baku and Krasnoyarsk starting April 1. Azerbaijan Airlines will operate twice-weekly flights between Samarkand and Baku on Wednesdays and Sundays, with departures from Samarkand scheduled for 2:55am. The journey to the Azerbaijan capital will take approximately two hours and 20 minutes. Ural

Qatar Airways installs Starlink on 30 Boeing 777 aircraft ahead of schedule
Qatar Airways has equipped 30 of its Boeing 777 aircraft with Starlink high-speed internet, achieving the milestone four months after launching its first Starlink-enabled flight. The airline has now fitted over 50 per cent of its Boeing 777 fleet with the technology, significantly outpacing its original timeline. Qatar Airways has reduced installation time per aircraft

British Airways unveils revamped Seattle lounge as global refresh continues
British Airways has reopened its Seattle lounge following an extensive refurbishment, marking the latest milestone in the airline’s worldwide lounge enhancement program. The newly renovated Seattle facility coincides with the airline’s 45-year flying history to the Emerald City and joins recently refreshed lounges in Singapore, Lagos, Washington and London Gatwick. The Seattle lounge has been

Avion Express Philippines to introduce ACMI services amid rising aviation demand
Avion Express Philippines, a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group, is set to launch its Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) services in the country. The announcement was made at an industry event on February 20 at Nara Hall, Shangri-La The Fort, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The event, led by Avia Solutions Group Chairman Gediminas Ziemelis,

Aircraft charter firm logs record 30,000 flights in 2024
Air Charter Service has reached a new milestone by arranging more than 30,000 flights in a single year for the first time. The aircraft charter specialist coordinated 30,290 flights during 2024, averaging one departure every 17.5 minutes worldwide. Chris Leach, Founder and Chairman of ACS, said: “In 2024 we arranged 30,290 flights, which is a

Etihad Airways records highest-ever profit of AED 1.7 billion in 2024
Etihad Airways has announced its third consecutive year of profitability with a record AED 1.7 billion (US$476 million) profit after tax for 2024. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier reported its annual profit has more than tripled compared to the previous financial year. Passenger numbers increased by 32 per cent year-on-year, rising from 14 million to 18.5

British Airways expands aircraft maintenance operations with Gatwick Boeing hangar acquisition
British Airways has announced it will acquire Boeing’s hangar facility and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business at Gatwick Airport. The move aims to secure jobs at the site while expanding the airline’s presence at the key airport. Under the agreement, the airline will create a new wholly-owned engineering subsidiary called British Airways Engineering Gatwick

Brazilian aerospace giant announces $3.5b investment plan
Embraer has unveiled plans to invest US$3.5 billion by 2030 as part of Brazil’s national industry development program. The aerospace manufacturer announced the investment during a ceremony for Mission 6 of the New Industry Brazil initiative in Brasília, attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The funding will support increased aircraft production, international market

Airlines cut cleaning time and water use with automated washing robots
Aircraft operators have slashed exterior cleaning times by up to 80 percent through the adoption of automated washing robots, according to industry experts. The robotic systems can reduce cleaning time for wide-body aircraft like the Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 from six hours to two hours. For narrow-body aircraft such as the Boeing 737, ground

French navy set to replace patrol aircraft fleet with Airbus A321
Airbus Defence and Space has secured a new contract to study France’s future maritime patrol aircraft, marking a significant step toward replacing the nation’s ageing Atlantique 2 fleet. The French Defence Procurement Agency awarded the 24-month risk-assessment contract to Airbus and its partner Thales, building on an earlier architecture study launched in 2022. The study

Embraer marks 10 years since first flight of KC-390 Millennium
Embraer is celebrating a decade since the first flight of the KC-390 Millennium, its multi-mission tactical transport aircraft. The aircraft took off for its maiden flight on 3 February 2015 from Gavião Peixoto, completing a 1-hour and 25-minute test flight to assess its flight characteristics and performance. Since then, the KC-390 Millennium has established itself

Munich Airport strengthens role as key hub for Asian travel
Munich Airport recorded a 38.7 per cent increase in long-haul passenger traffic to Central, South, and East Asia in 2024, with 2.6 million travellers flying from or via the airport to destinations in the region. Bangkok was the most popular destination, followed by Singapore and Beijing. Over the northern summer, the airport had 105 weekly

Embraer launches free technology training program for women and people with disabilities
Embraer has opened registrations for its Social Tech Careers program, a free technology training initiative aimed at women and people with disabilities. The program, offered in partnership with edtech SoulCode, will train 70 participants in data analysis, low-code development, and beginner-friendly programming techniques. The online course will run from March to June 2025, with live

Airbus Helicopters reports strong sales growth with 455 orders in 2024
Airbus Helicopters secured 455 gross orders in 2024, marking nearly 10 per cent growth for the second consecutive year as demand for its light, light twin-engine, and heavy helicopters remained strong. The company delivered 361 helicopters, maintaining a preliminary 57 per cent share of the civil and parapublic market. Orders came from 182 customers across

Singapore Airlines reports record passenger numbers in December 2024
Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group carried a record 3.6 million passengers in December 2024, marking a 7.1 per cent increase compared to the previous year. The airline group’s overall passenger capacity rose by 7.1 per cent, while passenger traffic increased by 6.0 per cent. SIA recorded a passenger load factor (PLF) of 88.4 per cent, while

Aid charity orders advanced flight simulator for remote training
Mission Aviation Fellowship International has ordered a specialized flight simulator to train pilots for operations in challenging remote environments. The humanitarian organisation commissioned European manufacturer Euramec to build a Cessna Caravan training device that will be installed in the Netherlands by late 2025. MAF Flight Simulator Project Lead Rene Don said the simulator would enhance

Delta Air Lines reports record revenue as travel demand surges
Delta Air Lines has posted record quarterly revenue and operating profit for the December quarter of 2024, driven by strong travel demand and operational performance. The airline reported operating revenue of $15.6 billion and operating income of $1.7 billion for the quarter, achieving an operating margin of 11 per cent. Delta CEO Ed Bastian said

Qatar Airways adds Malta flights to expand European network
Qatar Airways will resume services to Malta with four weekly flights from July 2025, marking its return to the Mediterranean destination. The route expansion will take Qatar Airways’ European network to nearly 50 destinations, with flights operating from Doha’s Hamad International Airport to Malta International Airport. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Badr Mohammed Al-Meer

Frontier Airlines expands free seat upgrades in loyalty program revamp
Frontier Airlines has announced expanded access to complimentary seat upgrades for its Elite Status members as part of its service overhaul for 2025. The ultra-low-cost carrier revealed Platinum members would be eligible for upgrades 12 hours before departure, while Gold members could access upgrades four hours prior to their flight. The changes formed part of

Air New Zealand carried 16.2m passengers in milestone-filled 2024
Air New Zealand transported more than 16 million passengers and operated 171,605 flights during a bustling 2024. The carrier’s engineering team completed 92 engine changes and spent 1.2 million hours maintaining aircraft amid ongoing engine availability challenges. CEO Greg Foran said the airline achieved significant milestones despite facing hurdles throughout the year. “We’d like to

Delta Air Lines forecasts record profits for 2025 after strong 2024
Delta Air Lines expects to deliver its best financial performance in company history this year after reporting strong results for 2024. The US carrier plans to distribute $1.4 billion in profit sharing payments to employees next month following what it called industry-leading operational and financial performance. CEO Ed Bastian said consumer demand for premium travel

Taiwan’s STARLUX doubles A350F freighter order to 10 aircraft
STARLUX Airlines has ordered five additional A350F cargo aircraft from Airbus, doubling its initial order from last year. The Taiwanese carrier will operate the A350F fleet on major global freight routes through its STARLUX Cargo division. STARLUX CEO Glenn Chai said the cargo market would become crucial to the airline’s operations. “The cargo market is

Vietjet expands fleet with 12 aircraft ahead of lunar new year rush
Vietjet has added 12 new aircraft to its fleet including two Airbus A321neo planes and four wet-leased aircraft. The Vietnamese carrier received two A321neo ACF (Airbus Cabin Flex) aircraft from Airbus in late December 2024. The airline secured an additional four wet-leased aircraft in January 2025 to handle increased passenger demand during lunar new year

Global air travel demand surges 8.1 per cent in November despite supply constraints
Global air passenger demand rose 8.1 per cent in November 2024, with international travel leading the growth as airlines faced ongoing aircraft delivery challenges. Total capacity grew 5.7 per cent year-on-year while load factors hit an all-time November high of 83.4 per cent, according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). International travel

Munich Airport reports record growth as passenger numbers surge
Munich Airport emerged as Germany’s fastest-growing airport in 2024, with passenger numbers climbing by 4.5 million to reach 41.6 million travellers. Aircraft movements at the Bavarian hub increased 8 per cent to more than 327,000 takeoffs and landings, while maintaining a seat load factor above 82 per cent. Long-haul routes showed the strongest expansion, rising

Embraer reports 14 per cent rise in aircraft deliveries for 2024
Aircraft manufacturer Embraer delivered 206 aircraft in 2024, marking a 14 per cent increase from its 2023 total of 181. The Brazilian aerospace company shipped 75 aircraft in the fourth quarter, matching its delivery volume from the same period in 2023 and exceeding third-quarter deliveries by 27 per cent. Commercial Aviation achieved 73 deliveries for

Qatar Executive adds two Gulfstream G700s to private jet fleet
Qatar Executive has expanded its private jet fleet to 24 aircraft with the delivery of two additional Gulfstream G700s. The luxury charter division of Qatar Airways Group now operates six G700 aircraft, with four more scheduled for delivery through early 2026. The company’s fleet includes 15 Gulfstream G650ER aircraft, two Bombardier Global 5000s and one