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

Avinor commenced (12-Feb-2026) a trial of multiple operations at its remote tower centre in Bodo. The trial involves four selected airport pairs, comprising Rorvik-Namsos, Mehamn-Hasvik, Vardo-Berlevag and Rost-Svolvær. Avinor said it is the first in the world with multiple operations for digital towers. The trial undergoes continuous evaluation in close cooperation with Widerøe and the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Avinor aimed to operate 21 towers remotely from Bodø by 2027 and highlighted cost savings and improved service delivery as key drivers of its digitalisation initiative. As of the most recent updates, it operated 14 towers remotely and planned further expansions, including the technical capability for each work position to manage up to three airports simultaneously as part of its phased remote towers programme1 2.

Emirates announced (12-Feb-2026) plans to expand premium economy in 2026, offering both new destinations and increased frequencies for multiple destinations where premium economy is already available, with deployment of premium economy class configured Boeing 777s, A350s and A380s on the following routes:

  • Dubai-Zurich: Commence deployment of A380 on select frequencies from 01-Mar-2026;
  • Dubai-Entebbe: Commence deployment of A350 on select frequencies from 29-Mar-2026;
  • Dubai-Mauritius: Commence deployment of 777-200LR on select frequencies from 29-Mar-2026;
  • Dubai-New York JFK: Commence deployment of A380 on select frequencies from 01-Apr-2026;
  • Dubai-Ho Chi Minh City: Commence deployment of 777-200LR on select frequencies from 01-May-2026;
  • Dubai-Basrah: Commence deployment of 777-300ER on select frequencies from 01-May-2026;
  • Dubai-Milan: Commence deployment of 777-200LR on select frequencies from 10-May-2026;
  • Dubai-Hong Kong: Commence deployment of A380 on select frequencies from 01-Oct-2026;
  • Dubai-Dublin: Commence deployment of 777-200LR on select frequencies from 25-Oct-2026.

Emirates will deploy premium economy class configured aircraft on 99 routes by the end of 2026. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

By 01-Jul-2026, Emirates planned to operate premium economy class configured aircraft on more than 84 routes, including new services to destinations such as Kochi, Basrah, Kuwait, Barcelona, Mexico City, Karachi, Addis Ababa, Taiwan Taoyuan, Rome, Brisbane, Tehran, Copenhagen, Phuket and Cape Town, utilising Boeing 777s and A350s, with further network expansion and increased frequencies throughout 20261.

Dubai Airports reported (11-Feb-2026) the following traffic and operational highlights for Dubai International Airport (DXB) in 2025:

  • Passengers: 95.2 million, +3.1% year-on-year and marking a new record year for the airport;
    • Dec-2025: 8.7 million, +6.1% and marking a new record month for the airport;
    • 4Q2025: 25.1 million, +5.9% and marking a new record quarter for the airport;
  • Aircraft movements: 454,800, +3.3%;
    • 4Q2025: 118,000, +5%;
  • Load factor: 77.6%, +0.5pp;
  • Top international destinations: London, Riyadh, Mumbai, Jeddah and Delhi;
  • Network: Served by 108 airlines operating to 291 destinations across 110 countries.

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths stated: "Airports are often defined by moments of intensity, but long-term performance is defined by how well those moments are sustained. In 2025, DXB showed that record traffic is no longer an exception, but part of its operating reality". Mr Griffiths added: "We expect traffic to approach 99.5 million [passengers] in 2026". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Dubai International Airport achieved a new record of 92.3 million passengers in 2024 and exceeded forecasts, with CEO Paul Griffiths expressing confidence in reaching 100 million annual guests by 2027 and highlighting ongoing expansion plans for Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International to accommodate future growth1 2. The airport's ultimate capacity was projected at 115 million, with a full transition to DWC expected by 20323.

Emirates announced (12-Feb-2026) it expects to complete works to retrofit its first high density two class A380 to three class configuration by mid Apr-2026. The retrofitted A380 will be configured with 76 business, 56 premium economy and 437 economy class seats. The airline expects to complete works to retrofit all 15 of its two class A380s into the new three class configuration by Nov-2026. Emirates will commence deployment of retrofitted three class configuration A380 equipment on the following services in 2026:

Background ✨

Emirates' retrofit programme has included upgrades to both A380 and Boeing 777 fleets, with premium economy introduced across a growing network and more than 70 destinations served with the product by the end of 2025. The airline aimed to retrofit 219 aircraft by late 2024, with two aircraft refurbished each month, and planned further enhancements to cabin products from Aug-2026, including new seats and inflight entertainment1 2.

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13-Feb-2026 11:02 AM

Air Tahiti Nui appoints new CEO

Air Tahiti Nui board of directors appointed (12-Feb-2026) Lionel Guérin as CEO, effective 11-Feb-2026. Mr Guérin joined the board in Apr-2025 and succeeds Philippe Marie in the role. Mr Guérin previously served in leadership and executive roles across Air France, Airlinair, Transavia France and HOP!, having most recently served with Air Moana. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Air Tahiti Nui previously appointed Philippe Marie as CEO, succeeding Michel Monvoisin, with Mr Marie having most recently served as president of MARARA Paiement, a Tahitian financial institution1. Lionel Guérin was also appointed president and CEO of Air Moana, effective immediately, prior to his new role at Air Tahiti Nui2.

Virgin Australia announced (13-Feb-2026) the following executive changes:

  • Appointment of Andrew Cleary as chief customer officer and CEO Velocity, effective 23-Mar-2026. The role consolidates all aspects of customer experience under one team. Mr Cleary most recently led the customer experience team at Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong, having also previously served in loyalty, customer experience and partnership-related roles at Qantas Airways;
  • CEO Velocity Frequent Flyer and Virgin Australia Regional Airlines group executive Nick Rohrlach plans to depart the company, effective 30-Apr-2026. Mr Rohrlach will work closely with Mr Cleary during the transition period;
  • Chief strategy and transformation officer Alistair Hartley plans to depart the company, effective 30-Apr-2026.

Virgin also announced its Strategy and Transformation team will transition to report directly to CEO Dave Emerson, effective 30-Apr-2026. The airline stated the change is "an acknowledgment of the critical nature of this function going forward". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Dave Emerson was appointed CEO of Virgin Australia, formally assuming the position on 14-Mar-2025 after previously serving as chief commercial officer. Former CEO Jayne Hrdlicka continued to support the transition following her departure announcement after four years in the role. Matthew Ongarello was also confirmed as group head of public relations and brand in Aug-2025, having returned from a Virgin Group role in London1 2 3.

Webjet Group issued (13-Feb-2026) an update on the following previous announcements:

  • On 19-Nov-2025, the company received a non-binding and indicative offer from Helloworld Travel Limited to acquire 100% of the shares in Webjet that Helloworld did not already own by way of a scheme of arrangement;
  • On 21-Nov-2025, the company received a revised non-binding and indicative offer from BGH Capital to acquire all the shares in Webjet not already owned by BGH and its associates via an off-market takeover.

Webjet stated it has "engaged constructively" with both entities over the past 12 weeks, providing each with due diligence access. WebJet added that it has not received a proposal from either party which is consistent with "the respective indicative proposals" or a proposal "capable of being put to shareholders". WebJet concluded that discussions with both Helloworld and BGH have ceased. Webjet projected underlying EBITDA for FY2026 to be in the range of AUD28 million (USD19.8 million) to AUD29 million (USD20.6 million), excluding Webjet Business Travel. Webjet also confirmed it lodged the requisite notification to commence its on-market share buy-back programme of up to AUD25 million (USD17.7 million), which was put on hold following receipt of the Helloworld proposal and revised BGH proposal. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Helloworld Travel Limited had obtained clearance from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for its potential acquisition of Webjet and was progressing with due diligence following its proposal to acquire all Webjet shares it did not already own1 2. Helloworld held a 17.3% stake in Webjet, and its proposal was subject to several conditions, including due diligence, regulatory approval and a scheme implementation deed2.

Saint Helena's Government confirmed (10-Feb-2026) the temporary suspension of commercial services at Saint Helena Airport since 06-Feb-2026. Airlink (South Africa) has suspended bookings to St Helena. The government does not expect any scheduled commercial services to operate before 21-Feb-2026, "at the earliest". The suspension occurred after the airport was unable to maintain compliance with Category 6 requirements for commercial services, due to unserviceable water pumps on the airport's firefighting vehicles. The airport was approved to continue at Category 4 for medevac and executive jet operations. The government stated that restoring Category 6 status "remains our highest priority". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Airlink had previously operated scheduled services between Johannesburg and Saint Helena, increasing frequency during peak seasons, and supplementing with Cape Town-St Helena flights during high demand periods1 2. The airport has experienced past disruptions, including a temporary closure in 2018 following operational changes, and has periodically relied on medevac and executive jet operations during such interruptions3.

London Heathrow Airport reported (11-Feb-2026) it handled 6.5 million passengers in Jan-2026, an increase of 2.2% year-on-year and the airport's busiest January on record. The airport reported Jan-2026 was the first month in which every passenger used new security lane technology across all terminals. The performance included multiple peak days exceeding 250,000 passengers, surpassing the previous January record of 246,000 despite adverse weather across the US and Europe. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Heathrow's passenger growth in Jan-2026 followed a record-breaking 2025, when it surpassed 84 million passengers for the first time, with December also marking its busiest on record. CEO Thomas Woldbye highlighted the airport's strong punctuality and ongoing expansion plans, noting the government's support and the need for regulatory certainty to secure private investment for future growth and connectivity enhancements1.

AirAsia X (AAX) announced (11-Feb-2026) plans to commence daily Kuala Lumpur-Bahrain-London Gatwick service on 26-Jun-2026 with A330 aircraft. This marks the establishment of "Bahrain as AAX's first global hub", "marking the expansion of the airline beyond its homeground Asia" and "Leveraging Bahrain's strategic location and aviation structure" to connect Southeast Asia to the Middle East and Europe. Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes stated: "This is a defining step in the next phase of AAX's growth. Bahrain as our strategic aviation hub allows us to connect Asia with the Middle East and Europe more effectively while creating a scalable platform for future growth". The LCC will be the sole scheduled operator on the Kuala Lumpur-Bahrain sector of the route, according to OAG. [more - original PR - AirAsia X] [more - original PR - AirAsia X - II] [more - original PR - London Gatwick Airport III]

Background ✨

Capital A completed the disposal of its aviation businesses, including AirAsia and AirAsia Aviation Group, to AirAsia X, consolidating all AirAsia-branded airlines under one platform and enabling more integrated network planning and improved fleet utilisation. The transaction included the issuance of new AAX shares and assumption of significant debt, with the shares scheduled for listing on Bursa Malaysia on 19-Jan-20261.

Airforwarders Association (AfA) reported (10-Feb-2026) 83% of respondents to a member survey have experienced reduced shipping volumes from clients as a direct result of US import tariffs. AfA stated "more than half" of respondents said tariffs required changes to their clients' supply chains and shipping routes, and "nearly half" reported increased operational costs and administrative workload. Customs delays, airport congestion, reduced flight schedules, and inconsistent security and documentation processes were cited as factors that are compounding the impact of tariffs on operations. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Asia Pacific carriers reported that US tariffs led to higher supply costs and disrupted trade routes, with AAPA director general Subhas Menon warning that these measures threatened to undermine recent supply chain recovery and delay delivery of aircraft, parts, and components1. The end of the de minimis exemption further increased costs and compliance burdens for US airfreight forwarders, resulting in fewer but larger shipments and heightened operational complexity2.

Qantas Airways confirmed (11-Feb-2026) Cloncurry Airport is scheduled to remain closed until 15-Feb-2026. As previously reported by CAPA, the airport closed to facilitate runway repairs following rainfall damage in early Jan-2026. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced an AUD38 million recovery package for the Cloncurry region, with AUD11.5 million allocated specifically for urgent airport repairs following the "catastrophic" runway damage caused by monsoonal rainfall in early Jan-2026, and highlighted the need for rapid restoration to support local industry and connectivity1 2.