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NABLA CEO Shinji Tanaka, speaking at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Asia, stated (01/02-Oct-2026) the "efficiency agenda" for airlines "has been shifted from the sustainability agenda to the profit-and-loss agenda". Mr Tanaka noted that due to elevated fuel costs, fuel savings can determine whether or not airlines are profitable. He said airlines must fully utilise their existing fleets and personnel due to persistent supply chain issues. Mr Tanaka also highlighted growth by Asian carriers, resulting in busier airspace, and meaning that any initiatives to save fuel or prevent delays has a bigger impact across the whole system. [more - CAPA TV]

Masterise Aviation Infrastructure deputy CEO Denis Bugrov stated (21-Oct-2026) Gia Binh International Airport is aiming to commence commercial operations at its main passenger terminal in 2029. The airport's initial network priorities are expected to include routes to Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and other cities in Vietnam, alongside international services to Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and India. The longer term strategy is focused on developing connections to Europe, North America and Australia, addressing gaps in Hanoi's long haul network. Mr Bugrov said: "We want to build a network in which domestic routes generate passenger feed, regional routes provide feed traffic and the long haul network creates international transfer capability". Airline incentives will include co-marketing campaigns, route launch support and destination marketing with tourism and trade partners. A new expressway is intended to provide connections of approximately 30 minutes between the airport and central Hanoi, with high speed rail and metro connections also planned. Technology plans at the airport include biometric passenger processing, automated baggage handling and a Total Airport Management Platform intended to integrate airline, airport and ground handling decisions. The operating model targets a 40 minute narrowbody turnaround and a 60 minute transfer process. As previously reported by CAPA, Vietnam's National Assembly approved an investment policy for Gia Binh Airport, with projected throughput of 30 million passengers p/a and 1.6 million tons of cargo p/a by 2030, rising to 50 million passengers p/a by 2050. [more - Aviation Week]

Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) unveiled (21-Oct-2026) the new PT9 turboprop engine, featuring a new centerline that delivers 33% more power at altitude and reduces fuel consumption by 20% compared to previous generation engines. The engine amassed more than 14,000 development hours and was recently certified by Transport Canada. Production will take place in Lethbridge, Alberta. PWC president Satheeshkumar Kumarasingam said the engine features "advanced digital capabilities and future-ready hybridization" and "its architecture can be tailored to diverse airframe types". [more - original PR]

Qatar Airways announced (21-Oct-2026) plans to launch three times weekly Doha-Western Sydney service from 15-Dec-2027 and increase frequency to daily in 2028. The airline will operate the service with Boeing 777-300ER equipment configured with 42 QSuite business class and 312 economy class seats. Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) will be the airline's seventh destination in Australia. WSI CEO Simon Hickey said the launch will expand WSI's network to more than 250 destinations within 14 months of the airport's opening. The route benefits from a contribution from the Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund, a AUD16 million (USD11.22 million) joint initiative between the airport and the New South Wales Government. The service will arrive at Western Sydney at 23:45 and depart at 16:10 and Mr Hickey said the airport's 24 hour capacity is one of its "key competitive advantages". [more - original PR - Western Sydney Airport] [more - original PR - Australian Government] [more - original PR - Qatar Airways]

Malaysia's Government stated (20-Oct-2026) "So far, the government has not made any agreement or commitment to provide financing support to AirAsia, whether in the form of guarantees, loans or public fund injections". The government added any request for support "will be considered based on the interests of the country and the people, the fiscal sustainability of the government and the protection of public funds, in accordance with applicable laws and procedures". [more - Aviation Week]

US FAA issued (20-Oct-2026) certification for the Boeing 737 MAX 10, enabling deliveries of the aircraft type to airlines to commence "in the coming months". The FAA issued an amended type certificate, which confirms the aircraft complies with all applicable design and safety requirements, and an updated Production Limitation Record, which authorises aircraft production. Prior to granting approval, the FAA required the MAX 10 to incorporate "key improvements" that address requirements in the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (ACSAA) and NTSB recommendations, including updates to the flight control system with an enhanced angle of attack sensor. US Transportation Secretary Sean P Duffy stated: "After extensive safety reviews - including thousands of hours of test flights - the team at the FAA is ready to approve this critical aircraft for sale". More than 30 customers have purchased the 737 MAX 10, with orders totalling 1555 aircraft to date, making up more than 30% of the 737 MAX programme's order book. The 737 MAX 10 is the first commercial aircraft to be certified to the full extent of the 2020 ACSAA. [more - original PR - US FAA] [more - original PR - Boeing] [more - Aviation Week]