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Latest News Headlines

SkyTeam opened (22-Apr-2026) a lounge on the fourth floor mezzanine in Terminal 3's non-Schengen zone at Frankfurt Airport. The 550sqm lounge offers seating for 126 guests and welcomes first, business and SkyTeam Elite Plus customers departing on international services operated by China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia and Vietnam Airlines. Operated in partnership with Global Lounge Network, the lounge opens three hours before the first SkyTeam departure and remains open until the final SkyTeam departure of the day. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

SkyTeam previously said it would open a branded lounge at Frankfurt Airport Terminal three in Apr-2026, with Global Lounge Network as operator and access for eligible customers travelling with China Airlines, China Eastern, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia and Vietnam Airlines.1 SkyTeam also refurbished its Vancouver International Airport lounge, a 528sqm facility for Elite Plus, first and business class passengers.2

Ryanair announced (22-Apr-2026) check-in and bag drop services at all its airports will close 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure - up from 40 minutes currently - effective 10-Nov-2026. The change is designed to provide more time for passengers to pass through airport security and passport queues. Ryanair chief marketing officer Dara Brady stated: "We are also installing self-service kiosks at over 95% of Ryanair airports before Oct-2026. This means a quicker bag-drop service, less queuing at airport desks and an even more punctual service for the 20% of our customers who still wish to check-in a bag, while the 80% [who don't check-in baggage] will be unaffected by this small 20 minute change, as they will continue to check-in online before they arrive at the departure airport and they go straight through airport security to their departure gate". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Ryanair previously pushed further digitisation of the airport journey, delaying its move to 100% paperless boarding passes to 03-Nov-2025 for the 2025/26 winter schedule, with almost 80% of passengers already using digital boarding passes via the myRyanair app.1 Ryanair Group CEO Michael O'Leary had also outlined plans for a fully digital check-in process by May-2025, aiming to eliminate airport check-in desks.2

Qantas Airways, via its official Facebook and LinkedIn accounts, announced (22-Apr-2026) it took delivery of its fifth A321XLR (VH‑OGE) 'Murray River' in Brisbane. The carrier plans to deploy the aircraft on Brisbane-Perth service in May-2026.

Background ✨

Qantas previously stated it planned to deploy A321XLR equipment on Brisbane‑Manila from Oct-2026, lifting the route from five times weekly to daily from 25-Oct-2026.1 Qantas’ first two A321XLRs entered service in Sep-2025 on Sydney‑Melbourne and Sydney‑Perth, with the fleet planned to reach seven aircraft by end-FY2026.2 Qantas took delivery of its fourth A321XLR in Brisbane in Feb-2026.3

Air France-KLM announced (22-Apr-2026) French authorities have removed the airport transit visa requirement for Indian nationals transiting through French airports. This visa free airport transit is only permitted if customers remain within the international transit area. [more - original PR]

Alaska Air Group CEO Benito Minicucci, on the company's 1Q2026 earnings call, announced (21-Apr-2026) Hawaiian Airlines joined oneworld.

Background ✨

Hawaiian Airlines previously confirmed it was scheduled to join oneworld in late Apr-2026.1 Alaska Airlines also received a single operating certificate from the US FAA to operate alongside Hawaiian Airlines as two separate brands, with a unified passenger service system planned for Apr-2026 and all flights to carry the ‘AS’ code after the change.2

Ryanair Group CEO Michael O'Leary confirmed (21-Apr-2026) the LCC is considering Morocco as a potential site for an in-house engine MRO location. Mr O'Leary stated: "We are in active negotiations with six locations for engine MRO facilities. This includes Spain, Italy, Poland, the Baltic states, Northern Ireland and Morocco". Mr O'Leary added: "These are the most likely locations for our two engine MRO sites. We have to make a decision on the first location in a couple of months. For both sites we will invest a total of USD800 million". [more - Aviation Week]

Background ✨

Ryanair and CFM International signed an MoU under which CFM provided spare parts and parts repair for two new European engine MRO shops planned from 2029, as Ryanair expected to bring CFM56-7B and LEAP-1B maintenance in-house towards the end of the decade.1 Ryanair Group CEO Michael O'Leary previously said it aimed to announce one or two in-house engine MRO shops within 12 months, with a three-to-four-year build timeline.2 3 Morocco also advanced LEAP capability, with Safran Aircraft Engines and the Moroccan Government signing an MoU for a Casablanca shop scheduled to open by 2026 with capacity for 150 engines p/a.4

Most Read News Headlines

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Fiji Airways, via its official website, advised (15-Apr-2026) passengers travelling to and from Funafuti that the Government of Tuvalu has declared a state of emergency due to critical fuel shortages arising from the ongoing Middle East conflict. As a result, Fiji Airways services are required to operate with return fuel being carried on the outbound sector and flights cannot operate at full seating capacity. The arrangement may also result in baggage restrictions, cargo limitations or potential offloads of baggage or cargo to accommodate fuel requirements and ensure safe operations.

Background ✨

Fiji Airways previously reduced passenger and baggage capacity to Funafuti due to the unserviceability of Funafuti International Airport’s fuel truck, noting it was taking interim steps while seeking a fix.1 It also said Tuvalu services were affected by fuel shortage and supply issues at Funafuti International Airport, prompting reviews of flight loads while it worked with local counterparts to resolve ground operational issues.2

VietJet Air signed (16-Apr-2026) a lease agreement with SPDB Financial Leasing for 10 COMAC C909 aircraft. The aircraft are expected to be deployed on routes between Vietnam and China. VietJet has been operating two C909s since Apr-2025 on services from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao, under a wet lease agreement with Chengdu Airlines. [more - original PR] [more - Aviation Week]

Background ✨

VietJet reported a fleet of 107 aircraft as of Dec-2025, including two COMAC C909s alongside A320/A321 and A330 aircraft1. VietJet suspended its C909-operated Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City-Con Dao services and said it intended to resume them in mid Nov-2025 after launching the wet-leased operation on 19-Apr-20252. VietJet later confirmed a Dec-2025 restart, with daily services from 03-Dec-2025 and increased frequencies from 15-Dec-20253 4.

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