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

Aer Lingus, via its official website, confirmed (Feb-2026) new travel document requirements for travel between Ireland and the UK, effective 25-Feb-2026. All customers will require a passport or an Irish passport card for travel, and non-Irish and non-British nationals will be required to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) or eVISA.

Background ✨

The UK Government extended electronic travel authorisation (ETA) requirements to eligible non-Europeans from 08-Jan-2025 and to eligible Europeans from 02-Apr-2025, with ETAs being digitally linked to passports and valid for two years or until expiry of the passport. ETAs permit multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time, at a cost of EUR101.

Venice Marco Polo Airport announced (09-Feb-2026) disruptions to airport operations are expected on 16-Feb-2026 due to a national air transport strike. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Venice Marco Polo Airport experienced similar disruptions due to national air transport strikes on 09-May-2025 and 18-Oct-2024, and has also faced multiple strikes by ground handling personnel and unions in recent months, all resulting in delays and cancellations for passengers1 2 3 4 5 6 7.

Executive Jet Support announced (09-Feb-2026) a three year lease agreement with German Airways for an Embraer E190 (D‑ABKE). The aircraft is scheduled to enter service in summer 2026. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

German Airways planned to deploy an additional Embraer E190 in summer 2026 to support its domestic network and increase capacity for European charter and ACMI operations1. It also announced a new two year Multi-Crew Pilot Licence training course, including E190 type rating, to commence from 20262.

IATA reported (06-Feb-2026) the following highlights for airlines entering and exiting the market in 2025:

  • 28 new airlines commenced operations, marking the lowest number of market entrants since 1999 and continuing the decline in new airline launches since 2021;
    • IATA noted the spike in new airlines in 2021 was "driven by numerous post-COVID reorganisations that temporarily boosted these figures", adding: "Since then, the trend has reversed". The association stated: "The slowdown in new airline creation does not point to market saturation. Instead, it reflects a combination of economic, supply chain and geopolitical hurdles";
    • Factors impacting the conditions for new airline creation include:
      • Aircraft, engine and spare parts shortages, resulting in constrained fleet availability and increased costs;
      • Policy uncertainty, which complicates strategic planning for new carriers;
      • Stricter regulatory and certification requirements, which increase the complexity of launching operations;
  • 28 airlines ceased operations, matching the number of new entrants and suggesting that the industry "has entered a period of relative stability compared with the volatility of the early 2020s";
    • 21 of the ceased airlines were full service carriers, four were low cost carriers and three were leisure airlines. [more - original PR]

Airbus reported (06-Feb-2025) the following commercial aircraft orders and deliveries for Jan-2026:

Air New Zealand confirmed (05-Feb-2026) cabin crew unions E tū and the Flight Attendants' Association of New Zealand (FAANZ) plan to follow through on strike action planned for 12/13-Feb-2026. As previously reported by CAPA, the unions previously confirmed plans to undergo strike action impacting the carrier's widebody fleet on 11/12/13-Feb-2026. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Cabin crew unions E tū and the Flight Attendants' Association of New Zealand had previously notified Air New Zealand of planned strike action affecting its widebody fleet on 11, 12 and 13-Feb-20261. Earlier proposed industrial actions by cabin crew in Dec-2025 were withdrawn, with the most recent concerning narrowbody fleet crew for 18-Dec-2025 also cancelled2 3.

Qantas Group announced (05-Feb-2026) plans to implement regional lounge closures to facilitate upgrade works:

The upgrades form part of the Group's "broader investment in regional Australia" including an extensive regional fleet renewal programme. [more - original PR]

Wizz Air reported (05-Feb-2026) the following operating highlights for 2025:

  • Fleet: Added 42 new aircraft;
  • The airline operated close to 335,000 scheduled flights across its network;
  • Network: Launched 320 new routes, expanding connectivity across Europe and beyond;
  • Traffic: 68.6 million passengers, up 9.4% year-on-year and 335,000 scheduled aircraft movements;
  • Completion rate: 99.61% (the second highest across major European carriers);
  • OTP for departures: 73.38% (among the ten highest ones across major European carriers).

CEO József Váradi said: "Our focus is firmly on accelerating growth in Central and Eastern Europe and unlocking opportunities in markets that remain underserved and full of potential. We are building an airline that doesn't just follow demand - we create it". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Wizz Air outlined plans to handle more than 80 million passengers in 2026, following a strategic focus on scaling operations and deepening its presence in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in underserved markets with significant long term potential1. In 2025, the airline recorded a passenger load factor of 91% and a 4.6% increase in CO2 emissions, alongside a 3.2% reduction in CO2 per RPK2.

Binter Canarias, via its official Facebook account, announced (04-Feb-2026) changes to its carry-on lithium battery rules, effective immediately. The carrier prohibits the use and charging of spare lithium batteries on board, including power banks.

Background ✨

Several airlines, including Austrian Airlines, Fiji Airways, Qantas Group, Virgin Australia, and Malaysia Airlines, updated their lithium battery and power bank policies recently, prohibiting use and charging onboard, restricting stowage to certain areas, and limiting the number of power banks allowed per passenger. These changes followed increased concerns over inflight fire risks and regulatory updates from authorities such as ICAO and EASA1 2 3 4 5 6.

ST Engineering AirX advanced (03-Feb-2026) plans to bring AirFish Wing-in-Ground (WIG) craft to market through two strategic partnerships. BatamFast regional ferry operator will lease and operate an AirFish Voyager craft and introduce it to the ferry route between Singapore and Batam. Operations are expected to commence in 2H2026, subject to regulatory approvals. ST Engineering AirX and BatamFast will also explore opportunities to expand operations to new destinations across Southeast Asia. Wings Over Water Ferries (WOW) will lease and operate up to four AirFish Voyager craft in India from late 2026, with the commencement of operations subject to route approvals by the local authorities. AirFish WIG craft is expected to achieve classification by mid 2026. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

ST Engineering AirX previously signed a collaboration with Bureau Veritas to focus on classification and certification of the AirFish Wing-in-Ground (WIG) craft, aiming to establish a framework for future platforms and serial production, and to work with flag states for marine registration in respective countries1. It also collaborated with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on trials of its AirFish 8 prototypes2.

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5-Feb-2026 11:32 AM

SWISS receives second A350

SWISS received (04-Feb-2026) its second A350-900 aircraft (HB-IFB) at Zurich Airport. The aircraft was named 'Delémont' and is the first A350 to feature the classic SWISS livery. The aircraft will enter into service on 23-Feb-2026 on the Zurich-Montreal route. The carrier plans to deploy both A350s on services to Boston and Seoul from the beginning of summer 2026. As previously reported by CAPA, SWISS expects delivery of an additional eight A350s by 2031. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

SWISS initially deployed its first A350 on short haul routes before commencing long haul services to Boston in Nov-2025, with Montreal set as the second long haul destination and Seoul as the third from 29-Mar-2026, replacing A340 equipment. The A350s feature the new 'SWISS Senses' cabin interior, and the carrier expects delivery of an additional eight A350s by 2031, all similarly equipped1 2.

IndiGo announced (04-Feb-2026) plans to implement the following temporary schedule changes to its long haul international services operated with Boeing 787-9 equipment, due to recent issues with on time performance stemming from regional airspace closures and congestion at airports:

  • Mumbai-Copenhagen: Suspend service from 17-Feb-2026 until further notice;
  • Delhi-Manchester: Reduce frequency from five to four times weekly, effective from 07-Feb-2026, further reduce frequency to three times weekly, effective from 19-Feb-2026;
  • Delhi-London Heathrow: Reduce frequency from five to four times weekly, effective from 09-Feb-2026. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

IndiGo was the sole scheduled operator on the Mumbai-Copenhagen and Delhi-Manchester routes, both of which were launched with Boeing 787-9 equipment in late 2025 as part of its long haul expansion. The Mumbai-Copenhagen service marked its third long haul international route, and the Delhi-Manchester service commenced at five times weekly from 15-Nov-20251 2.