American Airlines announced (22-Jan-2026) plans to deploy Boeing 787-9 equipment on select frequencies to London Heathrow Airport from 28-Mar-2026. [more - original PR]
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CAPA News Briefs
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Below is a sample of the latest news headlines. 103 news briefs have been published for CAPA Members in the past 2 days.
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23-Jan-2026 10:37 AM
Cebu Pacific to transfer all turboprop operations from Manila to Clark from 29-Mar-2026
Cebu Pacific, via its official website, announced (Jan-2026) all Cebgo and AirSWIFT services will transfer from Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Clark International Airport from 29-Mar-2026. The change is in line with a resolution from Philippines Department of Transportation's Manila Slot Coordination Committee, which requires the complete transfer of turboprop aircraft operations from Manila to Clark.
Background ✨
Cebu Pacific significantly increased Clark International Airport capacity, with a 25% rise to 1.7 million seats and a 49% increase in aircraft movements projected for 2025. It launched and transferred several new routes, such as Clark-Naga and Clark-San Jose, in response to the government mandate to move turboprop operations from Manila to Clark, with the deadline postponed from Oct-2025 to Mar-20261 2 3.
Singapore Changi Airport announced (22-Jan-2026) 100 airlines operate over 7300 weekly scheduled flights as of Jan-2026, connecting Singapore to 170 cities in 50 countries and territories. [more - original PR]
Background ✨
Changi Airport saw growth in airline count and destinations throughout 2025, with 100 airlines operating around 7000 weekly flights as of 01-Oct-2025, connecting to over 160 cities. The airport added new carriers and destinations during the year, reaching 163 cities and 49 countries by Jan-2025, and subsequently expanded its network further in the following months1 2.
Air Congo captured (15-Jan-2026) 43% of the domestic market in one year of operations. CEO Mesfin Biru said the carrier achieved the market share through a service based competitive advantage and market differentiation. The carrier is preparing for regional expansion. Mr Biru said Air Congo plans to add more Boeing 737-800 or 737 MAX, ATR 72-600 and eventually 787 in the coming years". The carrier plans to receive one 737-800 and two ATR 72-600s on lease in 1H2026. [more - Aviation Week]
Background ✨
Air Congo was established as a joint venture between the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government (51%) and Ethiopian Airlines (49%), with Ethiopian Airlines also managing the airline and supplying initial aircraft and technical support. The carrier commenced operations in Dec-2024 with two Boeing 737-800s, serving seven domestic airports, and planned to expand regionally after the first six months of operations1 2 3. Ethiopian Airlines leased two ATR 72-600s for Air Congo, with deliveries scheduled by Feb-20264.
Edelweiss Air announced (20-Jan-2026) plans to equip its entire A350 fleet with a new cabin design by summer 2027. The first A350 aircraft with the new cabin is expected to enter service in Dec-2026. The new cabin provides more space in all travel classes, free high-speed internet from Starlink, 4K resolution screens, Bluetooth audio connection, and power supply at every seat. [more - original PR]
Background ✨
Edelweiss Air planned to replace its five A340s with six A350s by mid 2027, initially operating the A350s in the original operator’s cabin configuration due to material shortages, before a full cabin conversion from the end of 2026, including premium economy and inflight internet. The new cabin design was scheduled for unveiling in Nov-2025, with deliveries of the fourth A350 expected in Dec-20251 2 3.
Air Niugini confirmed (20-Jan-2026) plans to introduce its A220 equipment to "important domestic destinations" such as Mount Hagen, Wewak and Kimbe as airport runway upgrade works progress across Papua New Guinea. The A220-300 will also be deployed on select regional services including routes to Australia upon completion of regulatory requirements. The aircraft will initially service Cairns ahead of its debut on Port Moresby-Sydney service from 29-Mar-2026. The carrier plans to increase Port Moresby-Sydney frequency from twice to three times weekly from 29-Mar-2026. As previously reported by CAPA, the carrier received its third A220-300 aircraft in mid Dec-2025. [more - original PR]
Background ✨
Air Niugini received its third A220-300 aircraft in Dec-2025 and planned to deploy it on the Port Moresby-Rabaul route from 19-Dec-2025, while also transitioning the Port Moresby-Sydney service from Boeing 737-800 to A220 aircraft in late Mar-2026 and increasing Sydney frequency to three times weekly from 03-Apr-20261 2. The A220 is expected to add significant capacity on the Port Moresby-Cairns route3.
Hahnair added (20-Jan-2026) 29 new partner airlines to its network in 2025, marking the largest number of additions since 2019. Hahnair now has more than 350 partner carriers. [more - original PR]
Background ✨
Hahnair stated it had surpassed 350 partner airlines in 1Q2025, following the addition of new partners including Air Rarotonga, euroAtlantic Airways, Eurowings, MY FREIGHTER and Widerøe, among others. Several of these new carriers became available in major GDSs under their own IATA codes or under the X1 and H1 codes, enhancing global distribution options for travel agencies and partner airlines1 2.
Rolls-Royce delivered (20-Jan-2026) Trent XWB-97 engines to Airbus for the new A350-1000ULR aircraft that is expected to join Qantas Airways' fleet in 2026. [more - original PR]
Background ✨
Rolls-Royce previously secured an agreement with Qantas to provide Trent XWB-97 engines for 12 A350-1000 aircraft, alongside a commitment to a TotalCare service agreement for engine maintenance1. The Trent XWB-97 is the exclusive powerplant for the A350-1000 and has also been selected for Airbus' A350F freighter variant2.
Thai Airways confirmed (20-Jan-2026) it is in negotiations to lease 10 Boeing 787s from Avolon until its own 787 deliveries commence. The aircraft were formerly operated by China Southern Airlines. Deliveries are expected to begin in Mar-2026, with entry into service starting in Jul-2026. As previously reported by CAPA, the carrier has 45 787 aircraft on firm order with Boeing and expects to have 100 aircraft in its fleet by the end of 2026. [more - Aviation Week]
Background ✨
Thai Airways planned to expand its fleet to 100 aircraft by the end of 2026, with 78 aircraft in service as of 30-Sep-2025. The carrier ordered 45 new Boeing 787s, but the first nine deliveries were rescheduled to 2028, leading it to seek additional leased widebodies in the interim. Long-term, Thai Airways aimed to operate 150 aircraft by 2033 and retrofit multiple fleet types1 2 3.
Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport, via its official Twitter account, announced (14-Jan-2026) the opening of a Mob Museum Store near the D Gates by Gate D50. The location offers merchandise and displays exploring Las Vegas' organised crime history.
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20-Jan-2026 1:52 PM
NSW Government announces interim bus service connection to Western Sydney International Airport
New South Wales (NSW) Government announced (20-Jan-2026) a free bus service connecting Luddenham and St Marys train and bus interchange to Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport. The interim service will provide a connection to the wider Sydney public transport network which will be delivered when the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport rail line opens in 2027. The new bus service will commence prior to the airport's opening in 4Q2026. Interim bus service will be phased out when the metro services begin. Track laying on the metro line is at 70% completion with station construction "reaching key milestones". [more - original PR]
Background ✨
Western Sydney International Airport CEO Simon Hickey noted that contingency plans, including the M12 motorway, would be in place if the Sydney Metro rail line was not ready by the airport's scheduled opening in 4Q20261. The metro project had reached 70% track completion, with six new stations under construction and design finalised after stakeholder consultation2 3. The metro line is projected to move up to 7740 passengers per hour in each direction once operational4.
Qantas Group announced (20-Jan-2026) QantasLink plans to gradually deploy A220 equipment on Adelaide-Brisbane service from 03-Mar-2026, replacing Embraer E190. The Group stated the change will mark the first time the A220 has operated in South Australia and result in up to 100,000 additional seats in Adelaide p/a. The Group - via its official LinkedIn and Facebook accounts - confirmed it took delivery of two A220s (VH-X4J and VH-X4K) in Dec-2025, bringing its total fleet to 11. The Group expects to take delivery of four additional A220s by the middle of 2026. [more - original PR]
Background ✨
QantasLink A220s previously replaced Boeing 717s as part of the group's domestic fleet renewal and have been progressively introduced to more routes, with five delivered in FY2025 and a total of 11 in the fleet by Dec-2025. Additional deliveries were expected by mid-2026, supporting broader network expansion and the opening of new routes across Australia and internationally, including the type's first international deployments from early 20261 2 3.