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ACI EUROPE, A4E and IATA issued (01-Jul-2026) an open letter to European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen calling for "immediate intervention" on the Schengen Entry Exit System (EES) implementation to support travel during the peak summer season. The associations stated the EES implementation is creating "severe" operational consequences, disrupting passengers and putting border authorities, airports and airlines under "unsustainable pressure". The associations called on the EC to implement the following measures:

• Provide member states with flexibility to suspend EES whenever passenger volumes exceed border operational capacity, at least throughout Jul/Aug-2026;
• Establish a permanent operational flexibility mechanism by Sep-2026, allowing border authorities to suspend EES procedures under clearly defined exceptional circumstances to ensure efficient and passenger focused border management. [more - original PR]

US Department of State signed (01-Jul-2026) a bilateral air transport agreement with Cambodia, the first of its kind between the nations. Cambodia joins a network of nearly 140 US Open Skies partners, expanding rights for airlines to offer international passengers and cargo services. The Department of State said the agreement will expand the economic and commercial relationship between the countries, enabling all-cargo seventh freedom traffic rights, which enable US cargo carriers to operate between Cambodia and a third country without an operational nexus to the US. [more - original PR]

Auckland International Airport released (30-Jun-2026) its finalised master plan for the period to the late 2040s. The plan preserves the option of a future second runway, with no construction date set, but also highlights measures to improve capacity and performance through operational improvements. The plan emphasises using existing infrastructure as efficiently as possible before committing to new construction. Long term elements of the master plan include the ongoing move to an integrated domestic and international jet terminal, enhancing regional operations, more efficient airfield and apron operations, a consolidated cargo precinct, improved surface access and infrastructure capable of adapting to future aviation technology, low emission transport and climate resilience requirements. The airport handles nearly 19 million passengers and more than 158,000 aircraft movements p/a, and supports approximately NZD26 billion (USD14.8 billion) in trade. By the late 2040s, it is expected to handle approximately 38 million passengers p/a. [more - original PR]

IATA reported (30-Jun-2026) global passenger demand, measured in RPKs, decreased 2.2% year-on-year in May-2026. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew 0.7% and total capacity - measured in ASKs - decreased 2.3%. IATA director general Willie Walsh stated demand "still appeared to be largely resilient in the face of high fuel prices and airfares". Mr Walsh said: "While the recent sharp drop in oil prices is an encouraging development, the challenges created by the war will likely persist for some time". He noted: "Oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain and it is likely to take time before the benefit of lower oil prices is reflected in 'normalised' jet fuel pricing". Mr Walsh concluded: "In the meantime, airlines who are operating on a 2.0% margin will have little choice but to continue testing demand resilience with higher fares that attempt to cover elevated fuel costs". Further details include:

• Passenger load factor (PLF) was 83.5%, +0.1pp and a "record high for May";
• International demand fell 1.6%. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 3.1% and capacity was down 2.4%. The PLF was 83.7%, +0.7pp;
• Domestic demand contracted 3.1% and capacity decreased 2.1%. The PLF was 83%, -0.8pp. [more - original PR]

SAS ordered (30-Jun-2026) 18 A330-900 aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, as part of an ongoing fleet renewal strategy. The A330-900s will support SAS' international network expansion, allowing the airline to increase frequency on existing high capacity routes globally and introduce new routes. The entire investment comprises up to 40 widebody aircraft, combining new A330-900neo aircraft with additional A330-300 aircraft secured to support near term growth ahead of the arrival of the new fleet. The Airbus order represents the highest value aircraft order ever placed by SAS, with a total list price of over USD10 billion. Together with the ongoing renewal of the A320neo fleet and an order for 55 Embraer E195-E2s in 2025, these investments represent the "most significant modernisation of the SAS fleet in decades, delivering improvements in fuel efficiency, noise performance and customer experience". [more - original PR - Airbus] [more - original PR - SAS] [more - original PR - Rolls-Royce]

Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport confirmed (01-Jul-2026) Texel Air Australasia plans to operate air cargo services from the airport's 24-hour Cargo Precinct - which is scheduled to handle commercial freighter services from 26-Jul-2026. Airport CEO Simon Hickey stated: "Texel Air will join our top-tier Cargo Terminal Operators including Qantas Freight, Menzies Aviation and dnata Cargo as another valued partner for the launch of the hub next month". He added: "Both exporters and importers will benefit from our integrated Cargo Precinct's 24-hour capacity, dedicated access via the recently upgraded Northern Road and proximity to key freight and logistics hubs in Kemps Creek and developing industrial sites across the Aerotropolis". Mr Hickey concluded: "Texel Air's fleet of Boeing 737-800BCFs is well positioned to support those customers - thereby strengthening services for its anchor domestic partners that move freight around the nation each week while offering international charter capability to help drive more access to lucrative global markets". [more - original PR]