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Breeze Airways CEO David Neeleman, speaking to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Americas, stated (27-May-2026) the LCC does not see an immediate need for the proposed A220-500 variant, noting the extra seats are not necessary for its network profile. Mr Neeleman explained the LCC is not a high load factor airline, adding that on its "best days", load factors are in the low 80s percentage range. The LCC has 54 A220-300 aircraft in its fleet. [more - Aviation Week]

US TSA Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl, speaking at GAD Americas, confirmed (27-May-2026) four US airports will participate in the launch of the TSA Gold Plus programme, a public private partnership aiming to enhance efficiency and safety at security checkpoints. Mr Stahl noted the Gold Plus programme will model a "reconceptualisation of a checkpoint", and "augment security, long term". [more - Aviation Week]

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg stated (27-May-2026) certification of the 737 MAX 7 and 737 MAX 10 has entered the final stages with more than 80% of the flight test campaign completed, noting: "There's clearly light at the end of the tunnel here, and we're going to get these certification programs done". Mr Ortberg said: "We have authority from the FAA for the entire flight test regime now, so we don't need any more [type inspection authorisation] approvals from the FAA". He continued: "We're really banging this down, and that will get to the end of the year where we'll get the certification, so we can really support next year's deliveries". Mr Ortberg stated: "We're building -10s, so we need to get that certification done so that we can start those deliveries", noting certification of the MAX 7, which required a smaller work package, "is likely to come slightly earlier than its larger sibling". [more - Aviation Week]

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg stated (27-May-2026) the company completed a capstone review with the US FAA to increase production of the 737 MAX from 42 to 47 aircraft per month. Mr Ortberg said: "We are now in the process of running the line at the 47 a month rate. It'll probably take us a few months of stabilisation there, but I'll say when we went from 38 to 42 that stabilisation didn't take too long". He continued: "My guess is we continue to go up in rate, it may take a little bit longer, but we're off and rolling now for the 47 a month rate, and we should be there next couple months now". Mr Ortberg noted he remains cautious of a follow up rate increase to 52 aircraft per month, stating: "We'll have to watch that, because that's going to be more of a strain than going to 47 because of the inventory". He added that part of the increased rate will depend on the introduction of capacity from the new line Boeing is preparing to debut at its facility in Everett, Washington. [more - Aviation Week]

Airlines for Europe (A4E) warned (27-May-2026) planned reforms to passenger rights legislation could double airlines' annual compensation costs to EUR15 billion, leading to higher ticket prices. A4E MD Ourania Georgoutsakou stated: "This burden will inevitably lead to structurally higher airfares for European passengers, at a time when many families are already feeling the pressure of rising travel costs". A4E argued that compensation expenses should be shared among all parties involved in passenger travel, noting that air traffic control delays and lengthy border control queues also contribute to travel disruptions, yet airlines bear sole financial responsibility for compensating passengers. [more - Aviation Week]

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg stated (27-May-2026) securing an initial commitment for 200 aircraft from Chinese customers is "a major accomplishment" for the company. Mr Ortberg said: "My primary objective was to reopen that market to our narrowbody airplanes", noting: "We hadn't had an order [from China] in nearly a decade, and we accomplished that". He continued: "200 is a huge number of airplanes, so it's a good start, and I'm very confident that keeping that market open, that's an initial tranche of aircraft. There'll be more to come". Mr Ortberg stated: "Once the government decides a batch of narrowbody aircraft, they then allocate them to the Chinese airlines, and then we go work with the airlines to actually get a firm order, and that's what you'll see as we book those orders on an individual airline by airline basis". He added the initial commitment of 200 "will turn into an order later on in the year". [more - Aviation Week]