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Jet2.com partnered (02-Apr-2026) with Airbourne Colours to apply lightweight paint to its existing fleet, as well as new A321neo aircraft being delivered to the carrier. The company has applied the paint to more than 80 aircraft thus far, with the entire fleet projected to be completed by 2030. The pain is manufactured by AkzoNobel and provides fuel savings due to a weight reduction of more than 20kg per aircraft. [more - original PR]

Vertical Aerospace announced (06-Apr-2026) it completed its first "piloted thrustborne transition by a full scale eVTOL aircraft" at Cotswold Airport on 02-Apr-2026. The aircraft took off vertically and transitioned into wingborne flight. The flight was conducted under the oversight of the UK CAA, which is working in collaboration with EASA towards certification of Vertical's Valo aircraft. Vertical described the flight as "a first for a piloted, full scale eVTOL aircraft of this class operating under the oversight of the UK Civil Aviation Authority". [more - original PR]

Air France-KLM and Lufthansa submitted (02-Apr-2026) non binding offers for a 44.9% minority stake in TAP Air Portugal. Air France-KLM stated: "Lisbon would become the Group's unique Southern European hub, offering extensive connectivity notably to the Americas - including Brazil, a key market for both TAP and Air France-KLM, as well as Africa". IAG did not submit a bid, stating: "We have always said that in any acquisition situation we need a route to full ownership in order to be able to manage and transform the business". As previously reported by CAPA, Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro stated the bidders in the privatisation of TAP Air Portugal must strengthen TAP's operations and routes ​not only at its Lisbon hub, but also at Portugal's nine ​other airports. Mr Montenegro said: "We will demand that the full use of our airport capacity potential is guaranteed. There will be no privatisation if we don't guarantee this". [more - original PR - Air France-KLM] [more - Aviation Week]

Kuwait Airways announced (05-Apr-2026) plans to resume services from Kuwait to the following destinations in India via Dammam, commencing Apr-2026:

• Ahmedabad: Weekly, commencing 05-Apr-2026;
• Kochi: Twice weekly, commencing 06-Apr-2026;
• Delhi: Weekly, commencing 07-Apr-2026;
• Mumbai: Weekly, commencing 10-Apr-2026.

The airline will transport passengers from Kuwait to Dammam King Fahd International Airport on buses. [more - original PR]

Brazil Ministry of Ports and Airports announced (06-Apr-2026) the following measures to mitigate the impacts of an increase in aviation fuel prices:

• Brazil's Government will make available a financing line through the National Civil Aviation Fund, aimed at the acquisition of fuel, with risk assumed by the companies, of up to BRL2.5 billion (USD486.27 million) per company. The operation will be the responsibility of the National Bank for Economic and Social Development;
• A credit line for working capital worth BRL1 billion (USD194.51 million) will be created. The financial conditions and eligibility criteria will be defined by the National Monetary Council, with the "risk borne by the Federal Government";
• Brazil's Government will publish a decree that eliminates PIS/Cofins taxes on aviation fuel, which "should generate" a direct reduction of approximately BRL0.07 (USD0.01) per litre of fuel;
• Airlines will be able to postpone, until Dec-2026, the payment of air navigation fees to the Department of Airspace Control, relating to the months of Apr-2026 to Jun-2026;
• PETROBRAS announced a transition mechanism for aviation kerosene distributors, who will be able to stagger the fuel price adjustment, with an initial pass through of 18% of the adjustment and the remainder to be paid in six instalments, starting in Jul-2026. [more - original PR - Portuguese]

AerCap Holdings reported (03-Apr-2026) it leased, purchased and sold 286 assets in 1Q2026. Details include:

• Signed 202 lease agreements, including 22 widebody aircraft, 59 narrowbody aircraft, 102 engines and 19 helicopters;
• Completed 32 purchases:
  • 10 aircraft: Three A320neo Family, five Boeing 737 MAX, one 787-9 and one Embraer E195-E2 for the owned portfolio;
  • 20 engines for the owned portfolio;
  • Two helicopters;
• Completed 52 sales:
  • 47 aircraft:
    • 14 A320 Family, 12 A320neo Family, three A330s, one A350, one 737NG, three 737 MAX, one 787-8, one 767-300ER, one 777-300ER and one E195-E2 from the owned portfolio;
    • Nine aircraft from the managed portfolio;
  • Four engines (two owned and two managed);
  • One helicopter;
• Signed financing transactions for approximately USD3 billion. [more - original PR]