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

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14-Nov-2025 12:45 PM

Finnair to expand network in 2026

Finnair announced (13-Nov-2025) plans to launch the following services:

This capacity addition is enabled by expanding Finnair's wet lease partnership with Danish Jettime. With these additions, Finnair's network for 2026 comprises 93 European destinations, 11 Asian destinations, seven North American destinations and two destinations in the Middle East. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - Estonian] [more - original PR - Norwegian]

Background ✨

Finnair also announced new summer 2026 routes from Helsinki to Florence, Catania, Valencia and Kos, supplementing its extensive Southern European network, which includes destinations in Italy, Spain and Greece, according to chief revenue officer Christine Rovelli1. For winter 2025/26, it planned a record number of flights to Lapland, with increased frequencies to Rovaniemi, Ivalo and Kittilä, focusing on the high season2.

Lufthansa Technik introduced (13-Nov-2025) a demonstrator of the 'nice intellitable' folding tray table with an embedded touchscreen. The demonstrator integrates content such as flight information, moving map, seat adjustment, food and beverage preview and ordering, music and video content players, and digital magazines. Touchscreen functions can be minimised or turned off when the tray table is in use for meals. The surface is resistant to spilled fluids and mechanical forces from silverware or other hard items. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

SmartTray launched tray tables with integrated QR code advertising and PED holder solutions, aiming to turn tray tables into revenue-generating assets by supporting device use and advertising display1. Other airlines and suppliers, such as Interjet and Astronics, have also adopted SmartTray’s tech-friendly tray tables that facilitate hands-free use of personal electronic devices2 3.

Laos' Government agreed (13-Nov-2025) to sell a 49% stake in Lao Airlines to COMAC, with the state to retain the remaining 51% share. As previously reported by CAPA, COMAC had proposed to hold at least a 51% stake in the carrier and requested Lao Airlines' existing debts be excluded from the venture deal. COMAC delivered one C909 to Lao Airlines on 30-Mar-2025. [more - Aviation Week]

Background ✨

Lao Airlines received its first COMAC C909 on lease in Mar-2025, followed by a second in Sep-2025, and has deployed the type on domestic routes as well as on Vientiane-Bangkok Suvarnabhumi service, marking the aircraft's debut in Thailand1 2 3 4. COMAC had initially sought a majority stake and requested exclusion of Lao Airlines' existing debts from the deal5.

Jet2.com announced (12-Nov-2025) plans to launch operations from London Gatwick Airport from Mar-2026, bringing the LCC's footprint to 14 UK airport bases. The carrier stated the announcement marks the "first major leisure airline arrival into London Gatwick since 2020", as well as the "largest new based airline at London Gatwick this century". The carrier plans to operate 29 total routes from London Gatwick in summer 2026 with six total aircraft, including five permanently based A321neos. Jet2.com plans to launch three times weekly London Gatwick-Tenerife service on 26-Mar-2026, serving as the first flight from the new base. [more - original PR - Jet2.com] [more - original PR - London Gatwick Airport]

Background ✨

Jet2.com began base operations at London Luton in Apr-2025, its 13th UK base, with two A321neo aircraft and a network of 17 destinations for summer 2025, later expanding its schedule and adding a third aircraft for summer 2026. It also launched its first ever ski programme from Luton for winter 2025/26, operating to Geneva from 10 UK bases and offering over 360,000 seats during peak periods1 2 3 4 5.

TAAG reported (30-Oct-2025) it expects to receive eight A220s and two Boeing 787-10s by the end of 2026. Deputy director Celfa Alves said the airline expects to open new routes to destinations such as Abidjan, Accra, Guangzhou, Harare, Libreville and London Gatwick in 2026. The Guangzhou service will commence in Mar-2026 and TAAG is "looking at other countries in Asia". [more - Aviation Week]

Background ✨

TAAG received its first A220-300 in Nov-2024 and had incorporated at least two aircraft by mid-2025, with further A220s on order and recent deployments on new regional routes such as Luanda-Nairobi and increased capacity to Cape Town using this type. It also added two Boeing 787-9s in 2025 and received its first 787-10, expanding its widebody fleet for intercontinental operations1 2 3 4 5 6.

Beond announced (12-Nov-2025) a new multi air operator certificate (AOC) strategy and an additional investment round of USD100 million to support global expansion in new markets. CEO Tero Taskila said: "In just two years, we have been accelerating inbound premium tourism into the Maldives. On the strength of this performance, we are partnering with local stakeholders in the Middle East, the United States and India to open new AOCs and bases of operation". New capital will be used to:

  • Expand beOnd's operations to 22 aircraft in the Maldives, 14 across the GCC countries, 10 aircraft in the US, and 12 aircraft in India, for a total of 56 aircraft by 2030;
  • Grow beOnd's charter platform for events, sports teams, government delegations, and luxury travel agents;
  • Advance the airline's digital and guest experience platforms, enhancing personalisation and efficiency;
  • Strengthen sustainability initiatives, including operational efficiency and partnerships with environmentally responsible suppliers. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Beond previously outlined ambitions to establish air operator certificates in the Middle East and Europe to serve premium luxury travel markets, and planned to expand its network to 18 additional international destinations by the end of 2026, including major cities in Europe, Asia, India and the Middle East1 2. It also targeted a fleet of 32 aircraft within five years and successfully closed earlier funding rounds to support this growth3 4.

Federal Association of German Airlines (BDF) expressed (10-Nov-2025) concerns that the recovery rate of Germany's aviation sector will remain below 90% in 2025, compared to 2019, and is not expected to change in 1H2026. BDF stated: "The recovery rate in seating capacity will remain at 89% in 1H2026, while the recovery in the rest of Europe will increase further from 108% to 112%. This will also widen the growth gap between Europe and Germany, reaching a new high of 23 percentage points". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Germany's aviation sector has lagged behind the rest of Europe in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily due to high government-imposed taxes and fees, which have more than doubled since 2019 and are projected to increase further in 2025. This situation has led airlines to relocate capacity to other markets, resulting in job losses and reduced economic value for Germany, while the rest of Europe has surpassed pre-pandemic traffic levels1 2 3.

IndiGo and China Southern Airlines signed (11-Nov-2025) an MoU to establish a codeshare partnership, subject to regulatory approval. Under the proposed agreement, "China Southern Airlines will be able to offer enhanced connectivity into India while IndiGo customers will be able to connect on the China Southern Airlines' extensive network beyond Guangzhou". As previously reported by CAPA, IndiGo commenced daily Kolkata-Guangzhou service on 26-Oct-2025, marking the resumption of scheduled nonstop services connecting India and China for the first time since early 2020. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

IndiGo launched daily Delhi-Guangzhou service on 10-Nov-2025, becoming the sole scheduled passenger operator on the route, and also resumed daily Kolkata-Guangzhou service from 26-Oct-2025 after a suspension since February 2020, marking the return of scheduled nonstop flights between India and China for the first time since early 20201 2 3.

Bangkok Airways confirmed (11-Nov-2025) it entered a purchase agreement with ATR in Aug-2025 for 10 to 12 ATR 72-600 aircraft. The acquisition aims to replace and expand the carrier's existing ATR 72-600 fleet. The airline plans to receive two aircraft in 4Q2026 and an additional eight to 10 aircraft between 2027 and 2028. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Bangkok Airways aimed to restore its fleet to the pre-pandemic level of 40 aircraft within five years, focusing on replacing its 10 existing turboprop ATRs with new ATR 72-600s as part of this strategy, according to president Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth. It expected to close 2025 with 23 aircraft, reflecting ongoing fleet renewal and growth efforts1.

EY Parthenon announced (11-Nov-2025) creditors of Rex Group voted in favour of a deed of company arrangement (DOCA) proposed by Air T Inc. Following the signing of the DOCA, the deed administrators will move to satisfy the conditions of the DOCA - after which Air T will become the new owner of Rex Group. Transition of operational control and legal ownership is expected before mid Dec-2025. Operations include:

  • The regional business servicing 54 airports across Australia with Saab 340 equipment;
  • Pilot training school The Australian Airline Pilots Academy;
  • Aviation service provider Australian Aero Propellor Maintenance;
  • Frequent flyer business Rex Flyer;

Creditors voted to place Rex Airlines Pty Ltd - the entity that operated Rex Airlines' 737 capital city network - into liquidation. This entity was not part of the Air T DOCA proposal. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Background ✨

The Australian Government restructured approximately AUD90 million of Rex’s debt and provided a new AUD60 million commercial loan to support Air T Inc's acquisition, supplementing Air T's AUD50 million capital injection. In exchange, Air T committed to increasing aircraft in service and flight frequencies. The Government retained security over Rex’s Saab fleet and simulator, ensuring continued regional service, and introduced a separate AUD5 million support package for affected regional airports1 2 3.

Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, via its official Twitter account, announced (10-Nov-2025) IndiGo commenced daily Delhi-Guangzhou service on 10-Nov-2025. The LCC is the sole scheduled passenger operator on the route, according to OAG. As previously reported by CAPA, IndiGo commenced daily Kolkata-Guangzhou service on 26-Oct-2025, marking the resumption of scheduled nonstop services connecting India and China for the first time since early 2020.

Background ✨

China Eastern Airlines also commenced Shanghai Pudong-Delhi service with A330-200 equipment on 09-Nov-2025, further restoring connectivity between India and China after a hiatus since early 2020. IndiGo’s Kolkata-Guangzhou launch on 26-Oct-2025 marked the first scheduled nonstop service resumption between the two countries during this period1 2.

Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) confirmed (10-Nov-2025) plans to introduce a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) levy for all passenger, cargo shipment and general and business aviation flights departing Singapore from 01-Oct-2026, applicable for tickets or services sold from 01-Apr-2026. Economy and premium economy class passengers will pay SGD1.00 (USD0.77), SGD2.80 (USD2.15), SGD6.40 (USD4.91) and SGD10.40 (USD7.98) for example to Bangkok, Tokyo, London and New York, respectively. Business and first class passengers will pay SGD4.00 (USD3.07), SGD11.20 (USD8.60), SGD25.60 (USD19.65) and SGD41.60 (USD31.93). The SAF levy will only apply to origin-destination passengers and not those transiting through Singapore. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Singapore's Government legislated a fixed SAF levy on all departing flights to fund sustainable aviation fuel procurement, with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore managing the SAF fund and procurement process1 2. The SAF levy forms part of Singapore's broader Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint, which initially targeted 1% SAF usage from 2026 and aims for 3% to 5% by 2030, subject to supply developments3.