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

Malawi Airlines, via its official LinkedIn and Facebook accounts, announced (05/06-Nov-2025) plans to commence three times weekly Lilongwe-Johannesburg service on 06-Dec-2025. The nonstop service will complement the airline's existing seven times weekly Lilongwe-Blantyre-Johannesburg service. Malawi Airlines also plans to commence four times weekly Lilongwe-Entebbe service on 15-Dec-2025. The carrier will be the sole scheduled operator on the route, according to OAG.

Background ✨

Malawi Airlines had previously increased Lilongwe-Blantyre frequency from five times weekly to daily, while Ethiopian Airlines operated the route 14 times weekly as of the latest update1. The carrier also expressed intentions to launch services to Uganda and Kigali, with no nonstop competition on these routes at that time2.

Qanot Sharq Airlines, via its official Telegram account, announced (17-Nov2025) plans to launch nonstop London service from 15-Dec-2025 with A321XLR.

Background ✨

Qanot Sharq Airlines' first A321XLR was reported undergoing testing in Hamburg, following a Feb-2025 agreement with Air Lease Corporation for three A321-200XLRs and two A321-200LRs on long term lease, with deliveries scheduled in 2026 and 2027 from ALC's orderbook with Airbus1 2.

Condor Flugdienst scheduled to launch 21 times weekly Frankfurt-London Gatwick service using A320 equipment from 01-Apr-2026, as per a 17-Nov-2025 GDS inventory and timetable display.

Background ✨

Condor Flugdienst announced plans to operate three times daily between Frankfurt and London Gatwick from April 2026, alongside the resumption and launch of other international routes, including Düsseldorf-Sulaymaniyah and Frankfurt-Tbilisi, reflecting a broader network expansion for the coming year1.

South African Airways (SAA) and Emirates signed (17-Nov-2025) a MoU to expand their codeshare agreement, explore further collaboration across loyalty and cargo operations, and explore synergies between their shared network and schedules. Emirates will gain codeshare access to SAA services from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Abidjan, Accra, Botswana, Dar Es Salaam, Harare, Kinshasa, Lagos, Lusaka, Lubumbashi, Mauritius, Victoria Falls and Windhoek. Emirates plans to increase Dubai-Cape Town frequency from twice to three times daily from 01-Jul-2026, increasing its overall frequency between Dubai and South Africa to 56 times weekly. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Emirates increased its Dubai-Johannesburg frequency from three to four times daily from 01-Mar-2025, restoring its South African operations to pre-pandemic levels with 49 weekly frequencies to the country, and no other carriers currently operate this route1. Emirates also partnered with South Africa Tourism Board to promote the destination and support tourism recovery efforts2.

SWISS and Breitling partnered (17-Nov-2025) to co-launch a new Breitling watch to mark the arrival and entry into service of SWISS' new A350. The Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46 SWISS Limited Edition will be produced in just 350 examples and will be available exclusively to passengers travelling on SWISS long haul services from 01-Dec-2025. The new watch can also be pre-ordered online via Duty Free Shopping at swiss.com. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

SWISS received its first A350-900 at Zurich Airport in Oct-2025, initially deploying it on short haul European routes before transitioning to long haul operations, including Zurich-Boston from 20-Nov-2025. The aircraft, named 'Lausanne', is the first in the fleet to feature the new 'SWISS Senses' cabin interior and is part of an order for 10 A350s, with nine more to be delivered by 20311 2 3.

Emirates ordered (17-Nov-2025) 65 additional Boeing 777-9s and signed an agreement with GE Aerospace to purchase 130 additional GE9X engines to power the 65 777-9s. The airline now has 270 777X aircraft on order, comprising 777-8s and 777-9s, "further cementing its position as the largest 777X customer". Emirates now has more than 540 GE9X engines on order, "making the carrier the largest GE9X customer worldwide". The airline expects to take delivery of its first 777-9 in 2Q2027. [more - original PR - Emirates] [more - original PR - Boeing - II] [more - original PR - GE Aerospace - III]

Background ✨

Emirates' previous delivery expectations for the 777X were delayed, with the airline recently anticipating first deliveries no earlier than 2Q2027 and possibly later, despite having 205 777X aircraft on order at the time1 2. The GE9X engine, which powers the 777X, completed extensive testing and was expected to enter service on the type in 20263.

AirAsia X launched (17-Nov-2025) four times weekly Kuala Lumpur-Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen service on 14-Nov-2025. The service is expected to provide over 150,000 seats p/a between the destinations. AirAsia X is the sole scheduled operator on the route, according to OAG. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

AirAsia announced plans to introduce a 'Fly-Thru' service from Manila to facilitate connections onto AirAsia X's new Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen route from Nov-20251. AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail highlighted that the service would mark the LCC's entry into Europe and Türkiye's Ambassador to Malaysia, Emir Salim Yüksel, noted the route would strengthen ties between Malaysia and Türkiye2.

Drukair signed (17-Nov-2025) a global distribution agreement with Amadeus, under which the airline's content will be available to travel agencies and sellers in India, Thailand, Singapore, Nepal, Bangladesh, the UAE, Australia, the UK, Germany and France via the Amadeus Travel Platform, with plans to expand to additional countries in 2026. Amadeus EVP of travel unit and Asia Pacific MD Javier Laforgue stated: "Amadeus is proud to be Drukair's first distribution partner as it seeks to expand its global reach". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Drukair previously sought general sales agents for Drukair Holidays in Thailand, Nepal and Bangladesh, with the deadline for bids on 14-Jun-20241. Bhutan Airlines, another Bhutanese carrier, also entered a distribution partnership with Amadeus to increase its visibility among global travel sellers2.

Aurigny Air Services scheduled (14/15-Nov-2025) additional frequencies on Guernsey-Southampton and Guernsey-Jersey services in Nov-2025, in response to Blue Islands entering administration. Aurigny also introduced rescue fares on the services until 21-Nov-2025. Aurigny CEO Nico Bezuidenhout stated: "We have served the Channel Islands with pride since 1968 and are pleased to return to the essential airbridge route between Guernsey and Jersey... We have developed these interim schedules within eighteen hours of Blue Islands entering administration and will announce additional frequencies for Christmas and through the entire winter over the coming days". [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II] [more - original PR - UK Civil Aviation Authority]

Background ✨

Aurigny Air Services previously operated Guernsey-Jersey and Guernsey-Southampton services alongside Blue Islands, with both carriers at times codesharing to maintain connectivity between the Channel Islands and the UK. Past agreements required each airline to market seats and manage fares independently, ensuring competition and capacity on key inter-island routes1 2 3.

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17-Nov-2025 3:38 PM

Blue Islands suspends trading

Blue Islands, via its official Facebook and LinkedIn accounts, announced (15-Nov-2025) it suspended trading, effective 14-Nov-2025. All future flights operated by Blue Islands have been cancelled. The carrier stated: "After 26 years of serving the Channel Islands, we deeply regret that Blue Islands has this evening suspended its operations". The carrier added: "After very constructive dialogue with Government of Jersey in recent months - including what we understood to have been ongoing assessments of the future options - we were informed that they are unable to provide further support". [more - Aviation Week] [more - original PR - Government of Jersey] [more - original PR - UK Civil Aviation Authority]

Background ✨

Blue Islands had recently terminated its codeshare agreement with Loganair after Loganair announced plans to compete on the Southampton-Jersey route, which Blue Islands also operated1. Earlier in 2025, the airline removed 28 frequencies from its summer schedule due to delayed aircraft deliveries and engine maintenance issues, impacting services from Jersey and Guernsey2.

Loganair, via its official LinkedIn account, announced (15-Nov-2025) plans to offer new flights in Jersey to support passengers impacted by the suspension of Blue Islands operations, including the essential medical route to Southampton. Loganair plans to commence operations on 16-Nov-2025 and establish a new permanent base in Jersey in the future. According to Jersey's Government, Loganair will operate rescue services between Jersey and Guernsey, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton, as well as between Guernsey and Southampton. [more - original PR - Government of Jersey] [more - original PR - UK Civil Aviation Authority]

Background ✨

Blue Islands had served notice to Loganair regarding the immediate termination of their codeshare agreement after Loganair announced plans to operate the Southampton-Jersey service in early 2026, a route also operated by Blue Islands1. Loganair planned to commence the Southampton-Jersey service in Jan-2026 using Embraer ERJ145 equipment, emphasising the importance of reliable connectivity on this route2.

Air China Cargo signed (14-Nov-2025) an agreement with Airbus to purchase six A350Fs, becoming the first airline in China to order the aircraft type. The A350Fs will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines. Air China Cargo VP Wang Hongyan stated: "The introduction of the A350F to our existing mixed cargo fleet contributes to efficiency in operation and maintenance". adding: "The A350F will enhance Air China Cargo's capability to withstand risks in its long-term stable operation". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Cathay Cargo had also signed a firm order for six A350F aircraft, with purchase options for 20 more, scheduled to begin delivery in 2027 and powered by Trent XWB-97 engines under a TotalCare agreement with Rolls-Royce; it aimed to connect Hong Kong and mainland China with long haul destinations in the Americas and Europe1. Airbus anticipated delivering its first A350F in 2025 and reported strong industry interest in the type2.