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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.

Air New Zealand CCO Jeremy O'Brien, speaking to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific, stated (01-Aug-2025) the carrier's SkyNest product is "a bit like bunk beds in the sky". Mr O'Brien said: "It's six bunk beds and they sit between premium economy and our economy cabin and they will go onto our ultra long haul aircraft". He added: "They come into our fleet in Feb-2026 and Mar-2026 and that aircraft is specifically designed and configured to fly those ultra long haul durations and routes, so it will be on Auckland-New York to begin with". [more - CAPA TV]

Background ✨

Air New Zealand expected delivery of its first two Boeing 787-9s with GE Aerospace engines and ultra long haul capability in Feb/Mar-2026, allowing Auckland-New York services without payload restrictions and featuring increased premium cabin density, with the Skynest product to be deployed specifically on these routes1. The Skynest sleeper pods, the first of their kind, were confirmed for introduction on the new 787-9 fleet2 3.

Airbus reported (07-Aug-2025) the following commercial aircraft orders and deliveries for Jul-2025:

Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) CEO Margy Osmond, speaking to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific, stated (01-Aug-2025) "Cost of living is having a bit of an impact in other parts of the world, in terms of their willingness to travel". Ms Osmond said: "Chinese markets are not back to where we would like to have seen it". She added: "Much of that is to do with Chinese people having discovered their own country in the last few years, and spending a lot of time and energy, and being incentivised, to stay in China". [more - CAPA TV]

Air Canada announced (06-Aug-2025) Aeroplan members will earn points on eligible Air Canada flights based on dollars spent rather than the distance they travel, effective 01-Jan-2026. The carrier will also introduce status qualifying credits, a new single path for achieving Aeroplan Elite status. This will change how members qualify for status based on their activities from 01-Jan-2026. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Aeroplan recently partnered with Chexy, allowing members to earn points on essential expenses such as rent, bills and taxes paid by credit card, broadening earning opportunities beyond travel-related activities1. It also expanded its partnership with Marriott Bonvoy, introducing status matches and two-way currency transfers between the programmes2.

Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) announced (05-Aug-2025) all passengers are allowed to carry liquids, aerosols and gels up to two litres per container in hand luggage at Milan Linate Airport, Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport and at Milan Malpensa Airport Terminal 1, in compliance with new European Commission (EC) provisions. Carrying liquids larger than 100ml in hand luggage is permitted for all passengers at Rome Fiumicino Airport, with the exception of passengers travelling to the US and Israel. The new EC provisions also apply to passengers using the fast track lane at Turin Caselle Airport and the fast track at Milan Malpensa Airport Terminal 2. [more - original PR - Italian]

Background ✨

The European Commission lifted the 100ml restriction on liquids in cabin bags for flights departing EU airports equipped with Smiths Detection's advanced screening equipment, allowing up to two litres per container. This restriction was temporarily reinstated in 2025 due to concerns over technology performance, but these were resolved and the equipment was recertified. Airports using other security equipment must still enforce the 100ml limit1.

LATAM Airlines Group announced (05-Aug-2025) plans to invest over USD100 million towards the launch of its new Premium Comfort class. Pitched between Premium Business and economy, Premium Comfort features include wider seats, greater recline, lower passenger density, 16 inch 4K TV screens and Bluetooth connectivity. The class is expected to be launched in 2027, initially on the Boeing 787 fleet. [more - original PR - Spanish]

Background ✨

LATAM previously invested USD360 million to refurbish its Boeing 787 fleet, introducing Recaro R7 suites with sliding doors in Premium Business and upgraded economy seating, with renovations scheduled for completion in 2H20261 2. It also announced a USD40 million retrofit for 37 A319 cabins, including new seats and improved storage, with completion targeted for early 20273.

Australia's Government launched (06-Aug-2025) the next phase of trials for a digital alternative to the incoming passenger card. The phase involves passengers on select Qantas Airways services arriving into Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport from New Zealand. The pilot initiative was introduced at Brisbane Airport in Oct-2024. After completing the declaration, passengers receive a digital pass with a QR code through the Qantas app and to their nominated email, which is then presented to Australian Border Force and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry officers for streamlined clearance through biosecurity and border controls. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

The digital travel declaration pilot, initially limited to trans-Tasman flights into Brisbane, was expanded to all Qantas international arrivals at Brisbane, allowing eligible passengers to complete the process via the Qantas app up to 72 hours before travel as an alternative to the paper card1. The initiative followed recommendations from the Trans-Tasman Seamless Travel Group, aiming to streamline travel between Australia and New Zealand2 3.

Australia's Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King commented (05-Aug-2025) on Rex Airlines' voluntary administration process, stating: "We want a viable regional airline and that's basically what the Australian Government has said really clearly. We know that Rex has been an important player in the delivery of regional services across the country. It is too important to fail". Ms King added: "It is why when it went into administration, we said very clearly we'd like to see, in the first instance, a commercial outcome and we've worked to support that. But if that is not the case, then we stand willing to step in. We're still hopeful that there is obviously a commercial buyer for Rex". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Virgin Australia rejected government approaches to acquire Rex Airlines and stated it had no plans to invest, highlighting Rex’s lack of fleet investment and its resulting “significant capital cliff” as a key deterrent for potential buyers1 2. The government has supported Rex's administration with financing and a debt acquisition, while administrators extended the sale process amid ongoing negotiations with a narrowed field of interested parties3 4 5.

Malaysia Airlines, via its official LinkedIn account, announced (04-Aug-2025) it received its 14th Boeing 737 MAX 8 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. This is the carrier's final 737 MAX 8 delivery for 2025, with deliveries to resume in 2026.

Background ✨

Malaysia Aviation Group previously outlined a plan to modernise Malaysia Airlines' narrowbody fleet with 55 737 MAX 8s and 12 737 MAX 10s by 2030, phasing out older 737-800s. It had an order for 25 737 MAX 8s via Air Lease Corporation, with remaining deliveries scheduled through 2027, and additional commitments and options in place for more MAX aircraft1.

Joby Aviation entered (04-Aug-2025) a definitive agreement to purchase Blade Air Mobility's urban air mobility passenger business, including operations in the US and Europe, and the Blade brand. Joby will pay Blade up to USD125 million in stock or cash and the transaction is expected to close "in the coming weeks". Blade's passenger operations will continue as a wholly owned subsidiary of Joby. Joby aims to accelerate its commercialisation while reducing infrastructure investment requirements and customer acquisition costs by using Blade's existing infrastructure and gradually transitioning its passenger base from helicopters to Joby aircraft. Blade handled more than 50,000 passengers in 2024 from a network of 12 urban terminals, including dedicated lounge and terminal bases at New York John F Kennedy International Airport and New York Newark Liberty International Airport. Blade's medical division is not included in the transaction and will remain a separate public company, but will partner with Joby on medical transportation. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Joby Aviation has previously partnered with Atlantic Aviation and Helo Holdings to electrify and enable air taxi infrastructure in New York, focusing on developing charging systems and operational bases at key sites, including JFK International Airport and Kearny, New Jersey, to support its forthcoming electric vertical takeoff and landing services in the region1 2.

IATA reported (04-Aug-2025) the following highlights from its World Air Transport Statistics report for 2024:

  • Premium travel:
    • International premium travel (business and first class) grew 11.8% year-on-year to 116.9 million passengers, outpacing growth of 11.5% in economy travel. Premium travellers made up 6% of total international passengers;
    • Asia Pacific led regional growth with a 22.8% increase to 21 million premium passengers and a 28.6% increase to 500.8 million economy class passengers. Growth in premium travel exceeded economy class in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America. Europe remained the largest market for international premium travel with 39.3 million passengers. The Middle East recorded the highest proportion of premium travellers at 14.7%;
  • Top airport pairs:
  • Most used aircraft:
    • Boeing 737 aircraft operated 10 million flights and 2.4 trillion ASKs;
    • A320 aircraft operated 7.9 million flights and 1.7 trillion ASKs, and the A321 operated 3.4 million flights and 1.1 trillion ASKs;
  • Top passenger countries:
    • The US remained the world's largest aviation market with 876 million passengers (+5.2%);
    • China was the second largest market with 741 million passengers (+18.7%). [more - original PR]

Air Niugini CEO Gary Seddon reported (04-Aug-2025) all 15 domestic airports served by the carrier's Fokker fleet in Papua New Guinea can accommodate the incoming A220 aircraft, according to comprehensive technical studies undertaken by Airbus. Mr Seddon stated: "Airbus and Air Niugini have thoroughly evaluated the performance of both the A220-100 and A220-300 models and confirmed these aircraft can serve every airport where our Fokker 70s and 100s operate". Mr Seddon added: "The replacement of our Fokker fleet with Airbus A220s will be a massive change for Air Niugini. The first of these aircraft arrives in September this year". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Papua New Guinea's National Airport Corporation MD and CEO Dominic Kaumu stated that only five out of 13 designated airports were capable of accommodating Air Niugini's A220 aircraft as of the commencement of A220 operations in September 2025, with the remainder requiring pavement resurfacing before handling the new type1. Air Niugini has been preparing for the A220 entry into service with pilot and cabin crew training and a comprehensive re-fleeting programme2 3.