CAPA News Briefs

Qantas Airways announced (26-Feb-2026) plans to progressively implement the following changes to its frequent flyer programme in 2026, emphasising that these mark "the most significant changes to earning and retaining status since the programme's inception, giving members the ability to roll over unused Status Credits and earn them through everyday spending for the first time":

• Earning Status Credits on the ground: All members will be able to earn up to 140 additional Status Credits p/a from 10 everyday categories, following a trial in 2025 "where members embraced earning Status Credits via credit cards, retail partners, and utility providers";
• Status Credit roll over: Tiered members will be able to roll over up to 50% of their unused Status Credits into their next membership year. At present, Status Credits reset from one membership year to the next;
• More lifetime milestones: Greater recognition for Lifetime Gold members, including the ability to earn and 'bank' up to five complimentary years of Platinum Status. Launching in 2027;
• Enhanced tier benefits: Additional lounge invitation each membership year for Silver members, as well as new on-the-ground vouchers and discounts for all tiered members Silver and above;
• Removing programme complexity: Retirement of overlapping sub-programmes, including Points Club and Green Tier, in favour of one core recognition pathway, with the benefits valued most integrated into the core frequent flyer programme;
• Single Status Credit targets: Removal of separate attain and retain requirements, in favour of a single target for each tier level;
• An improved digital experience: Launch a new search tool on official website in Mar-2026 "to help members find international Classic Reward seats on Qantas and 30 partner airlines in seconds".

Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson stated: "Our most frequent flyers tell us that status retention is the single most important milestone as a member, with thousands achieving or retaining their tier every day", adding: "These changes are about creating more opportunities for members to unlock status, while ensuring the programme remains as relevant and rewarding in the future as it has been for the past four decades". [more - original PR]

Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport, via its official Facebook account, announced (24-Feb-2026) the following airline terminal changes, as part of ongoing efforts to optimise terminal capacity and improve passenger movement:

• From Terminal 1 to Terminal 3:
  
  • Air China;
  • China Eastern Airlines;
  • Vietnam Airlines;
  • Royal Brunei Airlines;
  • Shenzhen Airlines;
• From Terminal 3 to Terminal 1:
  
  • Philippines AirAsia international services only;
  • AirAsia;
  • Japan Airlines from 01-Apr-2026.

SWISS, via its official LinkedIn account, announced (23-Feb-2026) it commenced the deployment of its second A350-900 aircraft on the Zurich-Montreal route. As previously reported by CAPA, SWISS expects delivery of an additional eight A350s by 2031.

Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) announced (23-Feb-2026) plans to implement closures at Honolulu Daniel K Inouye International Airport to facilitate repaving works on Taxiway L from 23-Feb-2026 to 27-Feb-2026. During work, most widebody aircraft at Terminal 1 and the Mauka Terminal will be relocated to Terminal 2 - which may impact Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines passengers travelling on A330 or Boeing 787 aircraft. [more - original PR]

Qantas Airways, via its official Facebook and LinkedIn accounts, announced (23-Feb-2026) it took delivery of its fourth A321XLR (VH‑OGD) 'Bibbulmun Track' in Brisbane. The aircraft is scheduled to commence commercial service later in Feb-2026.

Transavia launched (23-Feb-2026) a ticket resale service enabling passengers to list their booked tickets for repurchase on Transavia's dedicated online platform if they can no longer travel. Customers whose tickets are repurchased receive a refund of at least the taxes and a maximum of 50% of the ticket value. [more - original PR]

Air Niugini is scheduled to commence weekly Port Moresby-Nadi service with Boeing 737-800 equipment on 29-Mar-2026, as per a 23-Feb-2026 GDS inventory and timetable display. The carrier will be the sole scheduled operator on the route, according to OAG.

Airports of Thailand (AoT), via its official Facebook account, confirmed (20-Feb-2026) plans to increase the international departure passenger fee to THB1120 (USD36.14) from 20-Jun-2026. As previously reported by CAPA, the fee is being increased from THB730 (USD23.56) and will be implemented at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport, Phuket International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport and Chiang Rai Airport. The domestic passenger rate remains unchanged at THB130 (USD4.19) per person. AoT stated revenue from the departure fee will be used to "continuously upgrade the infrastructure of all six airports".

Malaysia Airports, via its official Facebook account, announced (19-Feb-2026) the new NIISe eGate system is now live at Penang International Airport, enabling faster border crossing.

Uganda Airlines, via its official Facebook and Twitter accounts, announced (20-Feb-2026) it temporarily removed two long haul aircraft from service "due to unscheduled maintenance". The airline is working to rebook affected customers with partner airlines, adjust schedules and support rebooking. The airline's long haul fleet comprises two A330-800s, according to the CAPA Fleet Database, which are used to operate Entebbe-London Gatwick and Entebbe-Mumbai services, according to OAG and the CAPA Route Capacity Analyser.

IATA reported (20-Feb-2026) the following highlights from its Air Transport Chartbook for 4Q2025:

• Passengers:
  • Global passenger traffic in RPKs increased 6% year-on-year. Global passenger capacity in ASKs increased 5.7%, resulting in a 0.2pp increase in load factor to 84%;
  • International traffic increased 8%. Economy class demand grew 8.1% and premium demand grew 6.7%. The international segment contributed more than 80% of total RPK growth;
  • Domestic traffic increased 2.8%, led by Brazil with 10.3% growth. The US market contracted 0.7%, marking its fourth consecutive quarterly decline;
  • Global scheduled seat capacity is forecast to grow 3.3% in 1Q2026, moderating slightly from 3.7% in 4Q2025. Regional growth is expected to remain uneven;
• Cargo:
  • Global cargo demand in CTKs increased 4.6%, marking the highest quarterly growth of 2025, the 10th consecutive quarter of growth and a new record volume. IATA stated the performance reflects "sustained resilience despite differing regional trajectories". Capacity increased 4.7%, marking the strongest result of 2025 and the 12th consecutive quarterly expansion. Load factor decreased 0.1pp to 45.9% in seasonally adjusted terms. IATA commented: "Demand generally kept pace with supply, even as capacity expanded across most regions";
  • International traffic increased 5.7%, marking the 10th consecutive quarterly gain. All regions except the Americas contributed to the increase. International capacity increased 6.5% for bellyhold and 6.4% for dedicated freighters, marking the fastest growth of 2025 for both categories;
• Fuel:
  • Crude oil prices decreased 8% compared to 3Q2025 to an average of USD63.7 per barrel. The drop was primarily driven by mounting concerns over persistent oversupply;
  • Jet fuel prices increased 1% compared to 3Q2025 to an average of USD91.4 per barrel. The jet fuel crack spread widened by 30% to USD27.7;
  • Global sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production is estimated at 1.9 million tonnes for 2025, compared to one million tonnes in 2024, accounting for 0.6% of total jet fuel consumption. SAF output is projected to increase at a slower pace to reach 2.4 million tonnes (0.8% of demand) in 2026. IATA stated "ineffective policies", and notably SAF mandates, "are leading to fragmentation, higher prices, though not any discernible increase in production or in CO2 emissions reduction";
  • SAF milestones in 4Q2025 included the start of production in Brazil and Malaysia. Six SAF purchase deals were announced, bringing the total to 39 for 2025 and marking the highest annual total to date. [more - original PR]

IATA stated (20-Feb-2026) electrolytic sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) projects should be developed in regions where renewable electricity is more abundant and affordable, as electricity can account for up to two thirds of production costs. Details include:

• 40 of the 46 announced commercial scale e-SAF facilities are in Europe, where "the average levelised cost of renewable electricity is among the highest globally". Nordic countries are potential exceptions as relatively low cost electricity markets;
• There is a "glaring dearth of announced projects" in countries and regions with "significant untapped potential and lower renewable electricity costs", such as Brazil, India, the Middle East and North Africa;
• e-SAF is expected to account for more than 40% of SAF needs by 2050, but no commercial scale e-SAF facilities are currently in operation. IATA added: "The risk of insufficient supply, particularly by 2030, is increasing". Progress is hindered by high capital investments and production costs, which can be up to 12 times higher than conventional aviation fuel.

IATA stated: "e-SAF project announcements seem to be driven primarily by the mandates in the EU and the UK rather than by project economics. As a result, no commercial scale e-SAF projects in Europe have progressed to a final investment decision (FID), and globally, only one project has reached FID to date and is under construction in the US". The association concluded: "Scaling affordable e-SAF supply should focus on enabling countries with the highest potential to enter the market. Developed economies should also boost their renewable energy production to lower their costs and make their planned production economically viable". [more - original PR]