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

UPS reported (27-Jan-2026) the following updates for 4Q2025:

  • US Domestic: Revenue declined 3.2% year-on-year, primarily driven by an expected decline in volume. Revenue per piece increased 8.3%;
  • International: Revenue increased 2.5%, driven by a 7.1% increase in revenue per piece;
  • Supply Chain Solutions: Revenue decreased 12.7%, primarily due to a decline in volume in the Mail Innovations business;
  • The company accelerated its fleet modernisation plans and completed the retirement of its MD-11F fleet in 4Q2025. UPS reported an after-tax charge of USD137 million due to the write off of the MD-11F fleet;
  • CFO Brian Dykes, speaking on the company's earnings call, stated: "Over the next 15 months, we expect to take delivery of 18 new Boeing 767 aircraft, with 15 expected to deliver this year". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

UPS experienced declining revenue in its US domestic and supply chain segments throughout 2025, following similar downward trends in previous quarters, while international revenue showed modest growth. In 3Q2025, US domestic and supply chain revenues both declined, while international revenue rose 5.9%. Operating profit for the US domestic segment decreased sharply during the year, and supply chain and freight revenues have fallen for several consecutive quarters1 2.

Virgin Australia announced (28-Jan-2026) plans to launch three times weekly Canberra-Bali service with Boeing 737-800 equipment on 22-Jun-2026. The service complements the carrier's existing services from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast to Bali. It is scheduled to operate seasonally from April to January to align with market demand, with the potential to increase frequency during peak travel periods. The new service coincides with Virgin capacity boosts from Canberra during the week ending 01-Feb-2025, including the replacement of Fokker 100 equipment on Brisbane-Canberra service - operated by Alliance Airlines - with 737 equipment operated by Virgin. CEO Dave Emerson stated: "This is the first time in the history of the company that we will operate internationally from the capital, marking an important milestone in our broader network expansion story". Mr Emerson added: "Virgin Australia will be the only Australia-based airline operating internationally out of Canberra and the only carrier on this new route". Mr Emerson concluded: "Indonesia has now overtaken New Zealand as one of Australia's most popular international travel destinations. Last year, we carried more than half a million guests between Australia and Bali and it's great to see demand for the destination continue to grow". [more - original PR - Virgin Australia] [more - original PR - Canberra Airport]

Emirates announced (26-Jan-2026) plans to expand its Chauffeur-Drive service in Japan to Tokyo Narita Airport, commencing 01-Feb-2026, and to Osaka Kansai International Airport, commencing 01-Mar-2026. The Chauffeur-Drive service, which is available to first class and business class Emirates passengers, "offers a seamless, door-to-door travel experience, providing complimentary private transfers between the airport and a customer's home, hotel or office". It is already available at Tokyo Haneda Airport. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Emirates reintroduced its complimentary Chauffeur Drive service for first and business class passengers at Tokyo Haneda Airport, with a range of high-end vehicles available for transfers across the Tokyo metropolitan area. The Chauffeur Drive service is now offered in over 70 cities across the airline's network, including recent launches in Hong Kong and Riyadh, and was previously available at Tokyo Haneda only for premium passengers1 2 3.

Wizz Air UK applied (23-Jan-2026) to US Department of Transportation (DoT) for exemption authority and a foreign air carrier permit to enable it to conduct foreign scheduled and charter air transportation of persons, property, and mail, between a point or points in the UK and a point or points in the US.

Background ✨

US Department of Transportation previously dismissed Wizz Air's application for exemption and a foreign air carrier permit due to unresolved questions regarding safety oversight by EASA and Hungary's Civil Aviation Authority, stating that further information was required before a determination could be made1.

London Heathrow Airport completed (23-Jan-2026) its GBP1 billion (EUR1.15 billion) security technology upgrade. Passengers no longer need to remove liquids or electronics from their hand luggage at security screening across all terminals. Heathrow Airport stated it is "the largest airport in the world to fully roll out next generation CT security scanners". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Several UK airports, including Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, Edinburgh, Southampton, and Leeds Bradford, recently completed similar upgrades to their security screening technology, allowing passengers to keep liquids and electronics in carry-on bags in compliance with a UK Government mandate. Heathrow had previously sought extensions to meet the Government's deadline and reported delays with deployment, but invested heavily to complete the rollout across all terminals1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8.

Adelaide Airport reported (23-Jan-2026) passenger numbers increased 4.1% year-on-year in 2025 to reach a new record and exceed nine million p/a for the first time. International passenger numbers increased 20.7%. Details include:

  • 4Q2025: 2.44 million passengers, +6.4%;
    • Domestic: 2.12 million, +4%. Demand was underpinned by growth across key trunk routes and from the basing of additional aircraft by Jetstar Airways. Demand was further boosted by major events;
    • International: 322,000, +26% and reaching a new record. Performance was driven by growth in international travel and network expansion. The airport offered 11 international destinations with 12 airlines as of 31-Dec-2025;
  • 2H2025: 4.7 million passengers, +6%;

Background ✨

Adelaide Airport's international segment posted particularly strong growth, with international passenger numbers up 26% year-on-year in 4Q2025 and 27.2% in 2H2025, supported by expanded airline frequencies and seasonal boosts, including Malaysia Airlines and Fiji Airways in mid-2025. Domestic demand was also resilient despite Rex Airlines' domestic market exit, driven by leisure travel and major events, resulting in a new annual passenger record in the year to 30-Jun-20251 2.

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]

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.