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

US Department of Transportation (DoT) issued (09-Oct-2025) an order tentatively proposing to prohibit Chinese airlines from using Russian airspace in operating passenger services between China and the US. The DoT proposed that the prohibition will become effective 30 days after the issuance of a final order on the matter. The order would apply to Air China, Beijing Capital Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Sichuan Airlines and Xiamen Airlines. The DoT stated: "Chinese air carriers face no prohibition on the use of Russian airspace, and this imbalance has become a significant competitive factor in the incremental reopening of the post-COVID US-China air transportation market". The department added: "The practice by some Chinese air carriers in exercising Russian overflights in the conduct of certain China-US scheduled combination service is unfair and has resulted in substantial adverse competitive effects on US air carriers in the US-China combination market". [more - original PR] [more - Aviation Week] [more - Aviation Week - II]

Background ✨

Airlines for America urged the US Government to suspend approvals for additional China-US flights, citing Chinese airlines’ continued access to Russian airspace since Mar-2022 as an anti-competitive practice. The US Department of Transportation authorised Chinese carriers to operate up to 50 weekly return frequencies from 31-Mar-2024, up from previous limits set in late 2023 and earlier in 20241 2 3.

New Zealand Customs Service expanded (13-Oct-2025) eGate services to eligible ePassport holders from 11 additional countries and territories, comprising Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, Seychelles and San Marino. International travellers from 59 countries and territories can now use eGates in New Zealand, with plans to add more countries later in 2025. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Following a successful trial, New Zealand Customs previously expanded eGate access to ePassport holders from Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, the Vatican, Macau, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, bringing the total to 48 eligible countries at that time1.

Qantas Airways confirmed (12-Oct-2025) data was released by cyber criminals following the airline's cyber incident in early Jul-2025. The airline is working with cybersecurity experts to investigate what data was part of the release. The carrier confirmed it secured a court injunction to prevent the stolen data being accessed, viewed, released, used, transmitted or published. Qantas has also implemented additional security measures, increased training and strengthened system monitoring and detection since the incident. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Qantas reported that no credit card, personal financial or passport details were stored in the affected system, and there was no impact to Frequent Flyer accounts. It also stated there had been no further threat activity since the early Jul-2025 cyber incident, and the system remained secure as of the week commencing 07-Jul-20251.

Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism reported (10-Oct-2025) the following tourism highlights for Aug-2025:

Background ✨

Cambodia experienced a sharp decline in tourist arrivals from May-2025 onwards, with the drop accelerating each subsequent month, falling from 547,373 in May-2025 to 338,351 in Aug-2025. This downturn followed consistent year-on-year growth throughout 2024 and early 2025, and was marked by especially steep decreases in arrivals from Thailand, South Korea and Indonesia, while arrivals from China showed continued strength in recent months1 2 3 4.

Lufthansa announced (09-Oct-2025) it commenced deployment of Boeing 787-9 aircraft with the Allegris cabin on Frankfurt-Toronto service. The Allegris cabin will also be available on services from Frankfurt to Rio de Janeiro, Bogota, Hyderabad and Austin from Dec-2025. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Lufthansa received its first Boeing 787-9 with the Allegris cabin at Frankfurt Airport, with plans to deploy it on the Frankfurt-Toronto route from mid Oct-2025. The airline expected up to nine additional 787-9s to be delivered by the end of 2025 and aimed to equip 78 long haul aircraft with Allegris cabins in the coming years1. Lufthansa anticipated operating 15 787-9s from Frankfurt in summer 20262.

SWISS received (09-Oct-2025) its first A350-900 aircraft (HB-IFA) at Zurich Airport. The aircraft will be deployed on short haul routes from 25-Oct-2025, including Zurich-Palma de Mallorca service, before transitioning to long haul operations. The carrier plans to deploy the aircraft on Zurich-Boston service from 20-Nov-2025. The aircraft is the first in the SWISS' long haul fleet to feature the new 'SWISS Senses' cabin interior, offering three suites with up to four seats in first class, 45 seats in business class, 38 seats in premium economy class and 156 seats in economy class. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Background ✨

The first SWISS A350-900, named 'Lausanne', was delivered at Zurich Airport on 09-Oct-2025, with nine more A350s expected by 2031. The aircraft will initially serve short haul routes before transitioning to long haul, with Zurich-Boston as the first long haul destination from 20-Nov-2025. The A350s will feature the new SWISS Senses cabin and are replacing the A340-300 fleet1 2 3 4.

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport highlighted (08-Oct-2025) research from economic advisory firm ConnellGriffin, which found the airport contributed nearly AUD22 billion (USD14.4 billion) in direct and indirect gross value added during FY2025. The airport supported approximately 239,000 direct and indirect jobs and accounted for nearly 1% of Australia's GDP. The research also found one daily international service is worth AUD190 million (USD124.6 million) to the Victorian economy p/a. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport experienced record international passenger volumes and sustained growth in recent months, driven by increased airline capacity and strong demand, while domestic traffic remained stable. The airport has been collaborating with airlines on plans for expanding its international terminal and constructing a third runway to meet future demand and support Victoria’s growing population1 2 3.

Riyadh Air announced (08-Oct-2025) the launch of 'Sfeer', its loyalty programme. Interested customers are able to register for Sfeer membership via the start-up airline's official website, and "early registrants will be welcomed into an exclusive group, 'The Founders', who will receive priority access to bookings on future flights, along with other benefits set to be announced soon". The loyalty programme has a "community-centric design" that permits Sfeer members to "share their points, benefits, and even qualifying spend with friends and family". All Sfeer members will receive complimentary inflight WiFi connectivity and "invitations to exciting events and experiences", and the loyalty programme will offer "a 'no points expiry' policy, ensuring that every point and benefit is meant to be enjoyed, not wasted". As previously reported by CAPA, Riyadh Air plans to commence operations with the launch of daily Riyadh-London Heathrow service with Boeing 787-9 equipment on 26-Oct-2025. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Riyadh Air previously signed a strategic partnership agreement with Loyalty Juggernaut to power its digital loyalty programme, promising real-time engagement, AI-driven personalisation, and dynamic earn and redemption opportunities, according to chief commercial officer Vincent Coste1. It also announced collaborations with Air France-KLM and Singapore Airlines to explore reciprocal loyalty programme rewards and benefits for members2 3.

Riyadh Air announced (08-Oct-2025) plans to commence daily Riyadh-London Heathrow service with Boeing 787-9 equipment on 26-Oct-2025, marking the launch of services for the start-up airline. Riyadh Air aims to commence Riyadh-Dubai international service "soon after". Saudia, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways also operate the Riyadh-London Heathrow route, according to OAG. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Riyadh Air reportedly sought to acquire slots at London Heathrow Airport through a lease from British Airways to enable its planned daily Riyadh-London Heathrow service from 26-Oct-2025, using Boeing 787-9 equipment1. Virgin Atlantic Airways commenced daily London Heathrow-Riyadh flights with A330neo equipment on 30-Mar-2025, providing additional connectivity between the UK and Saudi Arabia2.

SWISS, via its official Facebook and LinkedIn accounts, announced (08-Oct-2025) the delivery of its first A350-900 aircraft (HB-IFA) is scheduled at Zurich Airport on 09-Oct-2025. As previously reported by CAPA, the aircraft was named 'Lausanne'. The carrier expects the delivery of additional nine A350s by 2031.

Background ✨

SWISS planned to deploy its first A350 on short haul routes, such as Zurich-Palma de Mallorca from 25-Oct-2025, before transitioning to long haul operations, including Zurich-Boston from 20-Nov-2025. It confirmed nine further A350 deliveries by 2031 and previously named the aircraft 'Lausanne' following test flights. The new A350s are part of a broader fleet renewal programme replacing A340-300s and introducing new cabin concepts1 2 3 4.

Airbus reported (08-Oct-2025) the following commercial aircraft orders and deliveries for Sep-2025:

Background ✨

Airbus recorded 99 gross orders and 61 deliveries to 39 customers in Aug-2025, with Avolon placing a significant order for 75 A321neos and 15 A330-900s, while IndiGo, Delta Air Lines, and China-based carriers also took multiple deliveries. This followed 67 deliveries in Jul-2025 and 62 in Jun-2025, with gross orders fluctuating month to month, including a peak of 203 orders in Jun-20251 2 3.

Namibia's Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, via its official Facebook account, announced (24-Sep-2025) it approved 36 additional countries and territories for Namibia's visa on arrival scheme. The additions comprise the Åland Islands, American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brunei, Central African Republic, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Grenada, Haiti, Kiribati, Maldives, Malta, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Palestine, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Slovenia, Suriname, Sweden, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu.

Background ✨

Namibia planned to launch its visa on arrival scheme from 01-Apr-2025 for nationals of countries without visa exemption reciprocity, as announced by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board1.