Ryanair announced (15-Jan-2026) plans to reinstate 300,000 seats and launch 11 new routes across Germany in summer 2026, in response to the German Government's decision to reduce the air passenger duty from Jul-2026 and freeze air traffic control fees. Ryanair stated the capacity growth will benefit "proactive German airports" which have collaborated with Ryanair to reduce costs, including Bremen, Cologne, Memmingen and Weeze. The carrier said capacity will be "further reduced" at "high cost" airports such as Berlin (-5%) and Hamburg (-20%). Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson stated: "While this is a positive first step, Germany still lags behind countries such as Sweden, Albania, Hungary, Slovakia and regional Italy - where governments have successfully abolished air passenger duties to promote growth". Mr Wilson added: "If the German government and Transport Minister Patrick Schieder go further and completely abolish this growth-inhibiting tax, lower security fees and reduce air traffic control and airport charges, Ryanair will respond by doubling its annual passenger volume in Germany to 34 million, basing 30 additional aircraft in Germany and creating over 1000 new jobs". [more - original PR - German]
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Below is a sample of the latest news headlines.
Vueling, via its official LinkedIn account, announced (15-Jan-2026) it presented the Rumbo 2035 fleet renewal and passenger growth plan. The plan includes a committed investment of EUR5 billion by 2040, encompassing an initial phase of fleet renewal, and transition and innovation projects with the aim of increasing from 40 million to 60 million passengers p/a over 10 years.
Brisbane Airport reported (16-Jan-2026) it handled 25 million passengers during its 100th anniversary year in 2025, an increase of 5.3% year-on-year and the airport's "busiest year on record". The airport also handled its "busiest month on record" in Dec-2025 with 2.3 million passengers, and the "busiest day in the history of the International Terminal" with 26,111 passengers on 20-Dec-2025. The airport attributed the record number of international travellers in Dec-2025 in part to the resumption of Malaysia Airlines service to Brisbane and the launch of Jetstar Airways service to Cebu. Brisbane Airport CEO Gert‑Jan de Graaff stated: "January 2026 has also started solidly and February is shaping up to be strong as well... In December, we opened new security screening points in both the domestic and international terminals and passengers are experiencing the convenience of being able to keep items like laptops in their bags". Mr de Graaff added: "2026 will see even more transformation at the International Terminal, with passport control permanently relocating to the same level as check‑in and the new security screening area. New dining options will also open and in 2027 a vastly expanded duty free store will welcome travellers". [more - original PR]
Delta Air Lines president Glen Hauenstein, speaking on the airline's 4Q2025 earnings call, stated (13-Jan-2026) revenue has "definitely accelerated", adding: "We're very excited about it, and it's across all entities, it's across all geographies". Mr Hauenstein said: "The booking curve really hasn't moved out that far", adding: "It's just kind of returned to a more normal level".
Background ✨
Delta reported that demand remained "healthy" for 4Q2025, with booking growth returning to expectations after a temporary softening in Nov-2025 due to a government shutdown, which was expected to impact pre-tax profitability by approximately USD200 million1. Glen Hauenstein also emphasised balanced domestic growth across hubs and a focus on aligning products and pricing, alongside expansion plans in Asia and the Middle East2.
Air India and Saudia signed (14-Jan-2026) a codeshare agreement, with codeshare services to commence in Feb-2026. Air India passengers will have access to connections via Jeddah and Riyadh to Dammam, Abha, Gassim, Gizan, Madinah and Taif. Saudia passengers will be able to connect to services from Mumbai and Delhi to Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, Jaipur "and more than 15 other destinations as interline". Air India MD and CEO Campbell Wilson stated: "Saudi Arabia is amongst our most important markets in the Middle East, with the country fast transforming into a major international gateway to the region", adding: "We are happy to be partnering with Saudia to provide greater access to the large Indian diaspora spread across Saudi Arabia as well as to open up the Kingdom's rapidly evolving and diverse tourism offerings and remarkable destinations to holidaymakers from India". [more - original PR]
Background ✨
Air India expanded its codeshare partnerships in recent months, including agreements with Lufthansa Group, Singapore Airlines, Kenya Airways, and several regional carriers, increasing its connectivity to Europe, Africa, and beyond while offering more destinations within India to its partners' customers1 2 3 4. Saudia has also pursued similar codeshare expansions with carriers such as ITA Airways and Malaysia Airlines5 6.
flynas announced (14-Jan-2026) plans to establish Abha Airport as a base from 29-Mar-2026. Abha will be the LCC's fifth base in Saudi Arabia, following Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah. flynas plans to commence services connecting Abha to Dubai, Cairo, Istanbul, Addis Ababa, Kuwait and Trabzon in 2026, expanding its network at the airport to 11 destinations, including existing domestic services to Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah and Tabuk. flynas CEO and MD Bander Almohanna stated: "The launch of our new operations base in Abha represents a strategic investment designed to build an integrated national operating network". [more - original PR]
Lufthansa Group announced (13-Jan-2026) plans to install Starlink inflight connectivity across its entire fleet of approximately 850 aircraft. Starlink connectivity is expected to be available "as early as" 2H2026. Installation is expected to commence in 2H2026 and be completed by 2029, comprising newly delivered aircraft and retrofit installation on existing aircraft. Lufthansa stated: "The new internet service will be free of charge for all status customers and Travel ID users - across all travel classes". Lufthansa Group also confirmed it will be "the largest airline group in Europe to upgrade its fleet with state-of-the-art broadband internet - no other airline will equip more aircraft with Starlink technology". [more - original PR]
Viva-Volaris merger marks potentially transformative moment for Mexico's aviation industry
CAPA - Centre for Aviation, in a report entitled 'Viva-Volaris merger puts Mexico's LCC-driven aviation model at a crossroads', stated (13-Jan-2026) Viva and Volaris' proposed merger marks a potentially transformative moment for Mexico's aviation market, which has been shaped decisively by low cost carriers over the past two decades. The two airlines have played a central role in expanding access to air travel, helping grow Mexico's passenger numbers from fewer than 50 million in 2009 to nearly 120 million in 2024. Their tie up aims to create scale in an increasingly constrained global aviation environment, with both carriers arguing that a combined fleet of more than 250 A320 Family aircraft would materially reduce aircraft ownership costs, which is the largest expense category for airlines in the region. [more - CAPA Analysis]
Background ✨
Viva and Volaris agreed to form a new airline group via a merger of equals, each holding 50% of the new holding company, which will remain publicly listed and retain both airlines' independent operations, with approval pending from regulators and shareholders and closing expected in 2026. The group planned investments in fleet, technology, operational bases, and connectivity, aiming to enhance scale and lower fleet ownership costs1. President Claudia Sheinbaum welcomed the proposal, highlighting its potential benefits for tourism and competition, but confirmed it would undergo antitrust review2.
European Parliament's Transport and Tourism Committee voted (13-Jan-2026) to update EU air passenger rights rules, in force since 2004, to ensure that passengers are sufficiently protected against travel disruption such as denied boarding and delayed or cancelled flights. The vote is the draft Parliament response to the European Council's Jun-2025 position on air passenger rights. European members of parliament consider that air passengers should maintain the following rights:
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Reimbursement or rerouting and the ability to claim compensation if a flight is delayed by more than three hours or cancelled, or if the passenger is denied boarding;
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One personal item plus one small piece of cabin luggage for free;
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Complimentary choice of seating for people accompanying children under 14 or persons with reduced mobility;
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Airlines should provide a pre-filled form for compensation and reimbursement.
Background ✨
Airline associations including IATA, Airlines for Europe, and the European Regions Airline Association criticised the committee's vote, arguing that the proposed rules would increase burdens on airlines and fail to address operational realities, such as appropriate compensation thresholds and carry-on luggage restrictions. The groups called for a more balanced and impact-assessed regulation that supports both consumer protection and the viability of European air services1 2.
Delta Air Lines ordered (13-Jan-2026) 30 Boeing 787-10 aircraft, with 30 additional purchase rights, marking its first direct order with Boeing for 787s. The aircraft will have capacity for up to 336 passengers and will support the carrier's expansion and modernisation plans on trans Atlantic and South American routes. Delta selected GE Aerospace GEnx engines to power the 787-10s, including spare engines and long term services support. The order brings Delta's firm order book with Boeing to 130 aircraft, including its previous order for 100 737 MAX 10s. [more - original PR - Boeing] [more - original PR - Delta Air Lines] [more - original PR - GE Aerospace]
Background ✨
Delta amended its Boeing 737 MAX 10 purchase agreement, with the first 20 deliveries expected in 2026 and the remaining 80 thereafter, following its previous order for 100 737 MAX 10s and options for 30 more aircraft1 2. Additionally, it ordered 20 A350-1000s, with options for 20 more, scheduled for delivery from 2026 to support international expansion and fleet renewal3.
Boeing and Aviation Capital Group (ACG) finalised (13-Jan-2026) an order for 50 737 MAX aircraft. The order comprises 25 737 MAX 8 and 25 737 MAX 10 variants scheduled for delivery in 2032 and 2033. The aircraft increase ACG's 737 MAX orders to 121. [more - original PR - Aviation Capital Group] [more - original PR - Boeing]
Background ✨
Aviation Capital Group previously ordered 35 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, scheduled for delivery by 2031, and managed a portfolio of 364 owned and managed aircraft as of 31-Mar-2024, with a total fleet of 483 including previous orders1. It also delivered its last of three 737 MAX 8s to Neos from its Boeing order book2.
Shannon Airport Group reported (12-Jan-2026) Shannon Airport it handled more than 2.3 million passengers in 2025, an increase of 9% year-on-year and the busiest annual traffic at the airport in 16 years. The airport reported serving airlines are scheduled to operate 40 routes in 2026 to destinations across Europe, the US and the UK, including new connections to Rome, Warsaw, Madrid and Poznan with Ryanair - as well as Frankfurt with Discover Airlines. Shannon Airport Group interim CEO Ray O'Driscoll stated: "We achieved our highest passenger numbers in over 16 years and invested over EUR20 million in projects that have a very tangible benefit to both passengers and our sustainability goals. This brought our overall investment in the Group to almost EUR200 million in just over a decade". Mr O'Driscoll added: "We're looking forward to an even more ambitious 2026, during which passengers will have the choice of 40 routes, the highest number operating from Shannon Airport in 17 years". [more - original PR]
Background ✨
Ryanair scheduled a record 30 routes from Shannon for summer 2026, including new services to Rome, Warsaw, Madrid and Poznan, and added a fourth based aircraft, contributing over 180,000 additional seats and supporting forecast traffic of more than two million seats per annum1. It marked its 22 millionth passenger milestone at Shannon since 1987, underlining the significance of its expanded operations at the airport2.