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Latest News Headlines

Virgin Australia reported (28-Aug-2026) underlying EBIT for H1FY2027 is expected to be "broadly in line with H1FY2026" based on "the forward fuel curve" and "demand and forward bookings" remaining strong as consumers continued to prioritise travel. The carrier reported an underlying EBIT of AUD490 million (USD352.6 million) in H1FY2026. Key assumptions for H1FY2027 include:

  • Capacity will continue to be managed "with discipline", with domestic capacity to decline by 3%;
  • RASK is expected to grow between 6% and 8% reflecting "strong demand, transformation and disciplined capacity management";
  • Benefits from the carrier's Transformation Programme and lower maintenance costs are expected to partly offset headwinds in airports and labour costs, resulting in CASK (excluding fuel) growth being less than RASK growth;
  • Fuel is expected cost of approximately AUD700 million (USD503.7 million) based on the forward curve and 3.2 million barrels of oil consumed with hedging for the remainder of the period of 96% (brent) and 20% (refining margins);
  • Velocity is expected to achieve continued strong underlying momentum in active member growth and external billings, offset by one-off impact of Reserve Bank of Australia interchange fees and ramp up of investment in three year Velocity transformation programme, resulting in FY2027 underlying EBIT being "broadly in line" with FY2026. This investment is targeted to deliver low double digit underlying EBIT growth for FY2028 and FY2029;
  • Capex is expected to be approximately AUD900 million (USD647.6 million) to AUD1 billion (USD719.6 million) FY2027, including the purchase of five Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and two Embraer E190-E2 aircraft;
  • Leverage expected to be towards the low end of the target range of one to two times net debt/underlying EBITDA;
  • Significant Items excluded from FY2027 underlying results are expected to be approximately AUD40 million (USD28.8 million), which includes transformation-related restructuring and IT costs of approximately AUD20 million (USD14.4 million), IPO-related share-based payments of approximately AUD20 million and any foreign exchange movements in aircraft lease liabilities.

Virgin CEO and MD Dave Emerson stated: "Looking ahead, we remain focused on providing value and choice to Australians to meet their travel needs. As an industry, we all have a role to play in managing costs so aviation doesn't become unaffordable for Australians". He continued: "The cumulative impact of rising costs across many parts of the aviation supply chain, particularly airport charges, remains a concern and reinforces the importance of continued financial discipline and transformation". [more - original PR]

Virgin Australia reported (28-Aug-2026) an underlying EBIT of AUD753 million (USD541.8 million) for the 12 months ended 30-Jun-2026, an increase of 13.4% year-on-year and a result supported by "strong demand, benefits from the Transformation Programme and disciplined capacity management". Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) increased 21.9% to AUD404 million (USD290.7 million), reflecting "EBIT growth, a moderate increase in net finance costs and a 30% effective tax rate". Virgin stated its performance was underpinned by more than AUD450 million (USD323.8 million) in gross benefits from its Transformation Programme during FY2026 which, when combined with effective fuel hedging and benefits from its newer fuel-efficient aircraft, partly offset above-inflation cost increases, particularly in airport charges and labour. Virgin CEO and MD Dave Emerson stated: "Our FY2026 results demonstrate that Virgin Australia has become a stronger and more resilient airline," adding: "Our strategy is working. We have built a simpler, more focused business with a primarily domestic network, targeted short-haul international services and global connectivity through our airline partners". Mr Emerson continued: "We delivered strong earnings growth and further margin expansion despite significant inflationary pressure across the aviation supply chain and a more challenging operating environment, while continuing to invest in the long-term competitiveness of the business". [more - original PR]

Aerolineas Argentinas announced (26-Aug-2026) the following services for the 2027 summer season:

The carrier will reach a total offering of 1.5 million seats during Jan-2027, a 13% year-on-year increase driven mainly by the domestic network, which will see a 13% increase, and by the regional operation, which will grow by 16%. [more - original PR]

Abra Group CCO Angus Clark confirmed GOL will commercially represent avianca in the Brazilian market (Aeroin/PANROTAS, 26-Aug-2026). GOL's commercial team will take over the management of avianca's flight offerings, connections and products in Brazil.

Background

Avianca and GOL expanded their codeshare partnership effective Jul-2025, adding numerous GOL domestic routes from Brasília into the joint network.1 Avianca sales director for Colombia and South America David Alemán said it promoted Brazil, citing connectivity via GOL and direct services to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, alongside initiatives with Embratur.2 Abra Group CCO Angus Clarke said the group aimed for "a single face to the customer" across subsidiaries, while interaction "evolving".3

Delta Air Lines announced (26-Aug-2026) plans to resume daily New York JFK-Tel Aviv service with A330-900neo equipment on 06-Sep-2026. El Al and Neos also operate the route, according to OAG. [more - original PR]

Qantas Group unveiled (27-Aug-2026) a new business suite for its A321XLR fleet, bringing a lie-flat bed to a Qantas single-aisle aircraft for the first time. The suites are designed to transform the travel experience on longer routes including transcontinental services to and from Perth, as well as on short and medium haul international routes. The suites are arranged in a 1-1 configuration in an angled herringbone layout, a first for a Qantas single-aisle aircraft. Each offers a 19 inch entertainment screen, wireless and USB-C charging, free WiFi and storage. The first of 16 A321XLRs configured with the business suites is scheduled to arrive in 2028. Qantas also announced an evolved business suite product for its additional Boeing 787-9s on order, with 42 suites on each aircraft to feature a sliding privacy door for the first time on a Qantas Dreamliner. The product featues 80-inch lie-flat beds, a 19-inch screen and restyled personal storage space. [more - original PR]

Most Read News Headlines

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Jin Air signed (24-Aug-2026) an agreement with Air Busan and Air Seoul to merge all three LCCs into a single low cost airline under the Jin Air brand, expected to launch on 17-Mar-2027. The three airlines plan to seek final approval from shareholders in Dec-2026 and Jin Air will subsequently apply to South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) for approval for required modifications to its air operator's certificate. Under the merger agreement, Jin Air will assume all of Air Busan and Air Seoul's assets, liabilities, rights and obligations and employees. The merger ratio is set as one Jin Air share to 0.29 shares of Air Busan and 0.75 shares of Air Seoul. Jin Air stated: "Through this merger, the three companies plan to efficiently combine their respective routes, fleets, and human and material capabilities to secure economies of scale and further enhance their networks and service quality", adding: "In addition, they intend to increase the competitiveness of key hubs and develop new demand to expand the range of destinations and flight schedules available to customers". As previously reported by CAPA, Korean Air plans to complete its acquisition of and merger with Asiana Airlines and launch as an integrated airline under Korean Air's air operator certificate on 17-Dec-2026. [more - original PR - Korean]

Background

Korean Air and Asiana Airlines secured board and shareholder approvals for their merger agreement, with an integrated airline scheduled to launch on 17-Dec-2026, and it accelerated systems integration and joint training ahead of that date1. Jin Air reportedly planned KRW708 billion of aircraft lease agreements with Korean Air and Asiana Airlines covering 10 A321neos, one A321ceo and three 737-900s, with deliveries from Sep-2026 through Dec-20352. Jin Air also introduced an A320neo full flight simulator in May-2026 to prepare for Airbus deliveries in 2H2026 and the planned LCC consolidation in 1Q20273.

Thailand's Government and New Zealand's Government signed (21-Aug-2026) a joint declaration to launch a strategic partnership between the two countries. Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced: "Thai Airways plans to resume direct flights between Bangkok and Auckland, targeted for Mar-2027", adding: "This renewed connectivity will support tourism, trade, business, education and people-to-people exchanges". New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon commented: "Thai Airways served Auckland for more than 30 years before the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the service. Its return is great news for tourism and trade - making it easier to connect, restoring an important air-freight link and strengthening connections through Bangkok to wider Asia". There are no operators on the Bangkok-Auckland route at present, according to OAG. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Background

Thailand and New Zealand’s leaders previously agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a strategic partnership by 2026, while also backing the resumption of direct air services and visa facilitation, targeting 100,000 New Zealand visitors to Thailand and 40,000 Thai tourists to New Zealand by 2025.1 ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East later confirmed Thai Airways’ intention to resume daily Bangkok Suvarnabhumi-Auckland services from 2H2026, noting the route supported about 50,000 New Zealand visitors in 2019 from markets including Thailand, India and Europe.2

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