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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. 251 news briefs have been published for CAPA Members in the past 2 days.

SWISS, via its official LinkedIn account, announced (23-Feb-2026) it commenced the deployment of its second A350-900 aircraft on the Zurich-Montreal route. As previously reported by CAPA, SWISS expects delivery of an additional eight A350s by 2031.

Background ✨

SWISS’ second A350-900, named “Delémont” and the first to carry the classic SWISS livery, entered service on 23-Feb-2026 on Zurich-Montreal.1 It previously underwent an acceptance process in Toulouse, including technical checks, inspections and an acceptance flight, ahead of scheduled operations.2 SWISS planned to use both A350s on Boston and Seoul services from the start of summer 2026.1

Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) announced (23-Feb-2026) plans to implement closures at Honolulu Daniel K Inouye International Airport to facilitate repaving works on Taxiway L from 23-Feb-2026 to 27-Feb-2026. During work, most widebody aircraft at Terminal 1 and the Mauka Terminal will be relocated to Terminal 2 - which may impact Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines passengers travelling on A330 or Boeing 787 aircraft. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Hawaii Department of Transportation previously scheduled multiple airfield closures at Honolulu Daniel K Inouye International Airport under its Runway and Taxiway Shoulder Rehabilitation project, including nightly Runway 4R works in late May/early Jun-2025 and overnight Runway 8R-26L closures in Aug-2025, with overall completion planned for Oct-2025.1 2 HDOT also rolled out LiDAR-generated security checkpoint wait-time displays in Terminal one, and planned to add similar displays in Terminal two after Checkpoint three improvement works due for completion in 4Q2026.3

Qantas Airways, via its official Facebook and LinkedIn accounts, announced (23-Feb-2026) it took delivery of its fourth A321XLR (VH‑OGD) 'Bibbulmun Track' in Brisbane. The aircraft is scheduled to commence commercial service later in Feb-2026.

Background ✨

Qantas Group deployed A321XLRs on Brisbane-Sydney, after the first two aircraft entered service on Sydney-Melbourne and Sydney-Perth in Sep-2025, making Qantas the first Asia Pacific operator and fourth globally.1 2 Qantas Airways received its third A321XLR from Airbus’ Hamburg factory, featuring inflight WiFi and charging.3 CAPA Fleet Database data showed Qantas received an A321XLR on 04-Dec-2025, powered by PW1133GAR-JM engines.4

Transavia launched (23-Feb-2026) a ticket resale service enabling passengers to list their booked tickets for repurchase on Transavia's dedicated online platform if they can no longer travel. Customers whose tickets are repurchased receive a refund of at least the taxes and a maximum of 50% of the ticket value. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Transavia and Amadeus extended their partnership under a new distribution agreement, giving Amadeus-enabled travel sellers access to Transavia and Transavia France NDC content via the Amadeus Travel Platform1. Transavia France also partnered with Planitas to leverage its own data for optimised customer-centric offers and improved ancillary revenue yield, with CCO Nicolas Hénin highlighting dynamic pricing capabilities2.

Air Niugini is scheduled to commence weekly Port Moresby-Nadi service with Boeing 737-800 equipment on 29-Mar-2026, as per a 23-Feb-2026 GDS inventory and timetable display. The carrier will be the sole scheduled operator on the route, according to OAG.

Background ✨

Air Niugini was scheduled to increase Port Moresby-Sydney from twice to three times weekly from 03-Apr-2026, and to switch the route from Boeing 737-800 to A220 from late Mar-2026.1 Air Niugini also reported receiving its third A220-300, which it planned to deploy on four times weekly Port Moresby-Rabaul from 19-Dec-2025 after National Airports Corporation clearance.2

Airports of Thailand (AoT), via its official Facebook account, confirmed (20-Feb-2026) plans to increase the international departure passenger fee to THB1120 (USD36.14) from 20-Jun-2026. As previously reported by CAPA, the fee is being increased from THB730 (USD23.56) and will be implemented at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport, Phuket International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport and Chiang Rai Airport. The domestic passenger rate remains unchanged at THB130 (USD4.19) per person. AoT stated revenue from the departure fee will be used to "continuously upgrade the infrastructure of all six airports".

Background ✨

Airports of Thailand president Paweena Jariyathitipong previously confirmed plans to raise the outbound international passenger service charge by 53% to THB1120, while keeping domestic charges unchanged, across Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Don Mueang, Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai airports.1 AoT had also lifted passenger service charges at the same six airports from Apr-2024, raising international fees to THB730 and domestic fees to THB130.2

Malaysia Airports, via its official Facebook account, announced (19-Feb-2026) the new NIISe eGate system is now live at Penang International Airport, enabling faster border crossing.

Background ✨

Penang's State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai confirmed a new autogate system opened to international visitors after user acceptance testing, with five departure and six arrival units and a second phase planned in 2026 to lift both areas to 12 units. Departures covered travellers from 72 countries, while arrivals covered 64 select countries.1 Malaysia's Ministry of Home Affairs previously planned to trial the National Integrated Immigration System at Penang, KLIA, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, replacing an existing QR code system.2

Uganda Airlines, via its official Facebook and Twitter accounts, announced (20-Feb-2026) it temporarily removed two long haul aircraft from service "due to unscheduled maintenance". The airline is working to rebook affected customers with partner airlines, adjust schedules and support rebooking. The airline's long haul fleet comprises two A330-800s, according to the CAPA Fleet Database, which are used to operate Entebbe-London Gatwick and Entebbe-Mumbai services, according to OAG and the CAPA Route Capacity Analyser.

Background ✨

Uganda Airlines launched four times weekly Entebbe-London Gatwick using A330-800neo equipment, stating it was the first operator of the A330-800neo into Gatwick.1 Uganda Airlines commenced three times weekly Mumbai-Entebbe on 07-Oct-2023 with A330-800, marking its second international destination outside Africa.2 Uganda Airlines also used short term A320 wet leases from Global Airlines and DOT LT to cushion operational challenges and augment services including Nairobi, Lagos and Abuja.3 4

IATA reported (20-Feb-2026) the following highlights from its Air Transport Chartbook for 4Q2025:

  • Passengers:
    • Global passenger traffic in RPKs increased 6% year-on-year. Global passenger capacity in ASKs increased 5.7%, resulting in a 0.2pp increase in load factor to 84%;
    • International traffic increased 8%. Economy class demand grew 8.1% and premium demand grew 6.7%. The international segment contributed more than 80% of total RPK growth;
    • Domestic traffic increased 2.8%, led by Brazil with 10.3% growth. The US market contracted 0.7%, marking its fourth consecutive quarterly decline;
    • Global scheduled seat capacity is forecast to grow 3.3% in 1Q2026, moderating slightly from 3.7% in 4Q2025. Regional growth is expected to remain uneven;
  • Cargo:
    • Global cargo demand in CTKs increased 4.6%, marking the highest quarterly growth of 2025, the 10th consecutive quarter of growth and a new record volume. IATA stated the performance reflects "sustained resilience despite differing regional trajectories". Capacity increased 4.7%, marking the strongest result of 2025 and the 12th consecutive quarterly expansion. Load factor decreased 0.1pp to 45.9% in seasonally adjusted terms. IATA commented: "Demand generally kept pace with supply, even as capacity expanded across most regions";
    • International traffic increased 5.7%, marking the 10th consecutive quarterly gain. All regions except the Americas contributed to the increase. International capacity increased 6.5% for bellyhold and 6.4% for dedicated freighters, marking the fastest growth of 2025 for both categories;
  • Fuel:
    • Crude oil prices decreased 8% compared to 3Q2025 to an average of USD63.7 per barrel. The drop was primarily driven by mounting concerns over persistent oversupply;
    • Jet fuel prices increased 1% compared to 3Q2025 to an average of USD91.4 per barrel. The jet fuel crack spread widened by 30% to USD27.7;
    • Global sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production is estimated at 1.9 million tonnes for 2025, compared to one million tonnes in 2024, accounting for 0.6% of total jet fuel consumption. SAF output is projected to increase at a slower pace to reach 2.4 million tonnes (0.8% of demand) in 2026. IATA stated "ineffective policies", and notably SAF mandates, "are leading to fragmentation, higher prices, though not any discernible increase in production or in CO2 emissions reduction";
    • SAF milestones in 4Q2025 included the start of production in Brazil and Malaysia. Six SAF purchase deals were announced, bringing the total to 39 for 2025 and marking the highest annual total to date. [more - original PR]

IATA stated (20-Feb-2026) electrolytic sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) projects should be developed in regions where renewable electricity is more abundant and affordable, as electricity can account for up to two thirds of production costs. Details include:

  • 40 of the 46 announced commercial scale e-SAF facilities are in Europe, where "the average levelised cost of renewable electricity is among the highest globally". Nordic countries are potential exceptions as relatively low cost electricity markets;
  • There is a "glaring dearth of announced projects" in countries and regions with "significant untapped potential and lower renewable electricity costs", such as Brazil, India, the Middle East and North Africa;
  • e-SAF is expected to account for more than 40% of SAF needs by 2050, but no commercial scale e-SAF facilities are currently in operation. IATA added: "The risk of insufficient supply, particularly by 2030, is increasing". Progress is hindered by high capital investments and production costs, which can be up to 12 times higher than conventional aviation fuel.

IATA stated: "e-SAF project announcements seem to be driven primarily by the mandates in the EU and the UK rather than by project economics. As a result, no commercial scale e-SAF projects in Europe have progressed to a final investment decision (FID), and globally, only one project has reached FID to date and is under construction in the US". The association concluded: "Scaling affordable e-SAF supply should focus on enabling countries with the highest potential to enter the market. Developed economies should also boost their renewable energy production to lower their costs and make their planned production economically viable". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

IATA highlighted that Europe planned for just over 1.5 million tonnes of e-SAF capacity by 2030, but this could consume a substantial share of existing renewable grid capacity in some countries, and overall renewable power generation may ultimately limit e-SAF scale even in regions with higher renewable energy shares1. The high electricity demand of e-SAF projects further complicates cost-competitiveness in Europe1.

Azul concluded (20-Feb-2026) its financial restructuring process in the US, with consequent emergence from Chapter 11 conducted before the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Azul stated all conditions under the plan of reorganisation "have been satisfied or waived", and provided the following restructuring results:

  • Reduction of loans and financing debt by approximately USD1.1 billion;
  • Reduction of aircraft lease debt by nearly 40%;
  • Estimated reduction in annual interest payments of more than 50% compared to pre‑Chapter 11 levels;
  • Estimated reduction of approximately one third of recurring aircraft leasing;
  • Estimated pro forma net leverage after implementation of the plan of reorganisation, upon emergence of less than 2.5x;
  • Capital raise of approximately USD1.4 billion through the issuance of senior notes and USD950 million in equity commitments. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Azul secured equity investments from United Airlines and American Airlines, each committing USD100 million, and received approval from Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defense for United's investment, which was scheduled to settle on 20-Feb-2026. Additional capital was raised through a USD1.4 billion exit financing offer and incremental investments from existing creditors, supporting Azul’s emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings in early 20261 2 3 4.

Qantas Airways, via its official LinkedIn account, announced (21-Feb-2026) its second Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR entered the final assembly line at the Airbus facility in Toulouse, with fuselage sections and wings joined and the tail installed. The first Project Sunrise aircraft is in advanced stages of ground testing ahead of its flight test programme, which is scheduled to commence "in the coming months". The carrier plans to operate the aircraft from Australia's east coast nonstop to London and New York.

Background ✨

Qantas planned to take delivery of three A350-1000ULR aircraft before commencing Project Sunrise flights, with the first commercial services scheduled for 1H2027 following delivery of the initial aircraft in 4Q2026. The aircraft, configured with 238 seats and a Wellbeing Zone, is designed for up to 22 hours of nonstop flying from Australia to London and New York. Extensive flight testing is expected to commence in 20261 2.