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CAPA News Briefs

CAPA publishes more than 1,000 global News Briefs every week, covering all aspects of the aviation and travel industry. It’s the most comprehensive source of market intelligence in the world, with around 50 per cent of content translated from non-English sources. The breadth of our coverage means you won’t need any other news sources to monitor competitors and stay informed about the latest developments in the wider aviation sector.

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Below is a sample of the latest news headlines. 284 news briefs have been published for CAPA Members in the past 2 days.

Aurigny Air Services announced (15-Jul-2025) a strategic career partnership with Norse Atlantic UK. The partnership will provide Aurigny first officers operating ATR 72-600 equipment with the opportunity to progress to Norse's Boeing 787 equipment upon gaining the required experience. The initiative aims to provide Norse with a pipeline of first officers whilst providing Aurigny pilots with the opportunity to accelerate their career progression. [more - original PR]

Air France introduced (18-Jul-2025) new La Première suites on daily Paris CDG-Singapore service. The Boeing 777-300ER is equipped with four La Première suites, along with 60 seats in business, 44 in premium and 204 in economy. As previously reported by CAPA, Air France first introduced La Première suites on daily Paris CDG-New York JFK service in Apr-2025. The new suites will gradually be rolled out on select 777-300ERs on service to Los Angeles in summer 2025 and Tokyo Haneda in winter 2025/2026, with plans to expand to additional destinations "in the future". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

The new La Première suites featured a seat and chaise longue convertible into a 2m by 75cm bed, nearly 3.5 sqm of space per suite, and enhanced privacy with floor-to-ceiling curtains. These suites debuted on Paris CDG-New York JFK service on 08-Apr-2025 and were scheduled for progressive rollout to Los Angeles, Singapore and Tokyo Haneda on select 777-300ERs in summer 2025 and beyond1 2.

Vertical Aerospace announced (17-Jul-2025) its VX4 prototype eVTOL aircraft completed a flight from Cotswold Airport to RAF Fairford on 16-Jul-2025. Vertical stated the operation marked "the aircraft's first landing at a public location" and the "first airport-to-airport flight by a full scale, piloted, winged, tilt rotor eVTOL designed for commercial service". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Vertical Aerospace previously completed the first piloted wingborne flight of the VX4 in European open airspace at Cotswold Airport, and aimed to complete a piloted transition flight in 2H20251. The VX4's second full scale prototype had finished over 30 piloted test flights, with preparations for piloted wingborne flight considered a key step towards certification and commercial viability2.

KLM announced (16-Jul-2025) Air France pilots will operate KLM Boeing 777-200 equipment on Amsterdam-New York JFK service until 25-Oct-2025. The pilots will work alongside KLM cabin crew, the first time that Air France pilots and KLM crew will jointly operate a KLM service. KLM COO Maarten Stienen stated: "This collaboration will help KLM to operate its scheduled flights this summer". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

KLM previously operated Amsterdam-New York JFK services with both Boeing 787-9 and 777-200ER aircraft, often in coordination with Delta Air Lines, its trans-Atlantic joint venture partner. It also increased JFK frequencies in past years and has been the sole scheduled operator on several other North American routes in recent seasons1 2 3.

Southwest Airlines announced (14-Jul-2025) plans to commence selling assigned and premium seating in 3Q2025. The LCC plans to operate with its new fare bundles and a reconfigured fleet, including extra legroom seating in 1Q2026. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Southwest introduced new fare products, including Choice Extra and Choice Preferred, to coincide with assigned and premium seating sales in 3Q2025, and rebranded its Wanna Get Away fare as Basic from 28-May-2025. The retrofit programme, featuring RECARO extended legroom seats and larger bins, began 01-May-2025, targeting over 800 aircraft, with operations on retrofitted jets planned for 1Q20261 2.

No1 Lounges announced (14-Jul-2025) plans to open a 5900sqft location at Jersey Airport on 18-Jul-2025. The lounge will be the brand's only outside the UK. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Jersey Airport previously announced that the No1 Lounges facility would feature panoramic sea views and complimentary catering, and that the opening was part of a long term master plan to enhance the passenger experience, which also included recent upgrades to security screening technology1.

Wizz Air Holding announced (14-Jul-2025) the suspension of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi operations as part of a strategic realignment. Wizz Air will suspend all locally based flight operations effective 01-Sep-2025 and intends to exit from the joint venture and focus on core markets. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi faced increasing operational challenges over the past year, including:

  • Engine reliability constraints, particularly in hot and harsh environments, which impacted aircraft availability and operational efficiency;
  • Geopolitical volatility, which led to repeated airspace closures and operational disruptions across the region, as well as affecting consumer demand;
  • Regulatory barriers, which limited the ability to access and scale in key markets.

Wizz Air CEO József Váradi said: "The operating environment has changed significantly. Supply chain constraints, geopolitical instability, and limited market access have made it increasingly difficult to sustain our original ambitions". Wizz Air will intensify its focus on core Central and Eastern European markets, as well as select Western European countries such as Austria, Italy and UK. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi had progressively suspended multiple routes in 2025, including services to Belgrade, Varna, Tirana, Krakow, Kutaisi, and Sarajevo, and had also suspended services to Cluj, Sofia, Budapest, Vienna, Katowice, Astana, and Samarkand ahead of the full operational suspension1. It also planned to suspend all services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi between 03-Jul-2025 and 15-Sep-20252.

Jetstar Airways announced (15-Jul-2025) plans to launch the following services to the Philippines:

  • Brisbane-Cebu: Three times weekly from 03-Dec-2025 with A321LR aircraft;
  • Perth-Manila: Three times weekly from 27-Nov-2025 with A321LR aircraft.

The services will add over 108,000 seats p/a from Australia to the Philippines. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - Brisbane Airport]

Background ✨

Jetstar Airways’ planned Perth-Manila and Brisbane-Cebu services were subject to regulatory approval by Australia’s International Air Services Commission, with applications for the Perth-Manila rights lodged in late Mar-2025. Philippine Airlines was the only scheduled operator on the Perth-Manila route at the time of application, while Qantas had recently launched Brisbane-Manila service, joining Philippine Airlines on that sector1 2 3.

Finnair announced (13-Jul-2025) Service Sector Employers Palta and Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) approved a settlement proposal, forming the basis for a new collective agreement for aviation services. The new agreement will be in effect for approximately 1.5 years, ending on 15-Jan-2027. As a result of the agreement, the planned strikes announced by IAU for 16-Jul-2025, 18-Jul-2025, 21-Jul-2025, 23-Jul-2025 and 25-Jul-2025 were cancelled, and Finnair will operate its flights according to the normal schedule. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Finnair had faced ongoing industrial action by the Finnish Aviation Union throughout 2H2025, resulting in multiple flight cancellations and significant disruption to operations at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, with strike warnings issued for several dates in June and July-2025 prior to the recent settlement proposal1 2 3 4.

China Airlines announced (09-Jul-2025) plans to offer free inflight WiFi connectivity to all passengers travelling on the airline's Boeing 777s, A350s and A321neos, commencing 01-Aug-2025. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Several Asian airlines have recently announced or launched complimentary inflight WiFi, including Cathay Pacific across its entire fleet from Aug-20251, EVA Air for business class and frequent flyers from 01-Jul-20252, and All Nippon Airways on both domestic and select international flights from 13-Jun-20253. These moves reflect a broader regional trend toward expanding free connectivity for passengers.

Qantas Airways and Air France-KLM expanded (10-Jul-2025) an existing partnership to improve air connectivity between Australia and Europe. Details include:

Virgin Atlantic Airways announced (08-Jul-2025) the following updates to its fleet and product offering:

  • Following completion of a USD17 billion fleet transformation, the carrier will operate a mixed fleet of 45 next generation, fuel efficient aircraft: 19 A330-900s, 12 A350-100s and 14 Boeing 787-9s, with an average age of under seven years.
    • The 787-9s will undergo a full cabin re-design, offering 44 Upper Class and 56 Premium seats, including eight Retreat Suites in Upper Class. The economy cabin will reduce from 192 to 127 seats. The roll-out is scheduled to take place between 2028 and 2030;
    • From 3Q2026, 10 A330neos will be delivered configured with increased premium cabins, with 48 Upper Class, 56 Premium and 128 economy seats, including four additional Retreat Suites in Upper Class for a total of six;
  • Introduction of 'Fantastic Flying Club' recognition for guests with multi-year loyalty who may not travel enough for tier status progression;
  • Deployment of free, streaming-quality unlimited WiFi throughout its fleet using Starlink technology, with roll-out scheduled to take place from 3Q2026 and be completed by the end of 2027;
  • Introduction of a new 'World of Virgin Atlantic in your Pocket' mobile app from Dec-2025, integrating both airline and holiday journeys into one platform;
  • Partnership with OpenAI and Tomoro.ai to create a digital concierge featuring an integrated advanced voice mode;
  • Partnership with Joby Aviation announced in Mar-2025, supporting electric air taxi services across the UK by the end of 2030;
  • Investing in Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses. Following the opening at Los Angeles International Airport in Mar-2025, the carrier plans to open refurbished clubhouses at London Heathrow Airport and New York John F Kennedy International Airport;
  • The carrier recently launched 10 signature food and beverage creations;
  • Partnership with Votary to provide skincare product on board from the beginning of 2026. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Background ✨

Virgin Atlantic placed a firm order for seven additional A330-900neo aircraft, bringing its total fleet commitment for the type to 19, with deliveries scheduled from 2027. It also extended leases on seven Boeing 787-9s, aiming to operate 45 next generation aircraft by 2028 with an average age of 6.4 years. CEO Shai Weiss highlighted the environmental benefits of operating a younger, more efficient fleet1.