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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.

IATA confirmed (17-Oct-2025) direct air services between China and India are expected to resume on 26-Oct-2025. Operations between the countries were halted in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and remained suspended amid "prolonged border tensions". Prior to the suspension, China-India passenger traffic was growing at double digit rates and had doubled between 2011 and 2019, reaching nearly one million p/a on "roughly a dozen" daily flights. IATA noted "the volume of direct air travel remained modest" compared to the scale of the countries' populations. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

IndiGo scheduled the launch of daily Kolkata-Guangzhou service on 26-Oct-2025, representing the first nonstop service between India and China since early 2020, and also planned to add Delhi-Guangzhou by the end of 2025. China Eastern Airlines set plans to start three times weekly Shanghai Pudong-Delhi service from 09-Nov-2025, further restoring direct connectivity between the two countries1 2.

Kenya Airways and Qatar Airways launched (20-Oct-2025) codeshare services to 19 destinations, effective for travel from 26-Oct-2025, with plans to add more destinations "in the near future". Details include:

The codeshare is the first major milestone in the airlines' partnership, which was signed in Jul-2025. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Background ✨

Kenya Airways and Qatar Airways signed an MoU in Jul-2025 outlining intentions for a strategic partnership, including codeshare arrangements and increased frequencies between Kenya and Doha. Under the agreement, Qatar Airways planned to introduce a third daily Doha-Nairobi frequency and Kenya Airways was to operate a Mombasa-Doha service, marketed by Qatar Airways, from winter 20251.

Air Peace, via its official Facebook and Twitter accounts, confirmed (20-Oct-2025) plans to commence Abuja-London Heathrow service on 26-Oct-2025. The airline is scheduled to operate the service three times weekly with Boeing 777-200ER equipment, alongside Abuja-London Gatwick service, according to OAG.

Background ✨

Air Peace received authorisation to operate Abuja-London Heathrow service from 26-Oct-2025, with plans to operate four times weekly to Heathrow, complementing three times weekly Abuja-London Gatwick service1. It previously launched daily Lagos-London Gatwick service on 29-Mar-2024 and has responded to strong demand by increasing capacity on that route2 3.

Air New Zealand, via its official LinkedIn account, announced (20-Oct-2025) Nikhil Ravishankar officially succeeded Greg Foran as CEO. Mr Ravishankar most recently served as chief digital officer for the carrier, as previously reported by CAPA.

Background ✨

Nikhil Ravishankar was appointed CEO of Air New Zealand effective 20-Oct-2025, succeeding Greg Foran, who led the airline for six years and assisted with the leadership transition. Mr Ravishankar previously served as chief digital officer for the carrier before his promotion1 2. Following his appointment, Scott Wilkinson was named chief commercial officer, and the loyalty business was added to his portfolio3.

Airport Authority Hong Kong, Hong Kong's Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) and Civil Aviation Department (CAD) confirmed (20-Oct-2025) an accident involving a Boeing 747-400F at Hong Kong International Airport on 20-Oct-2025. The aircraft deviated from the north runway after landing and crashed into the sea. The four crew members were rescued. A patrol car from the Aviation Security Company was hit by the aircraft and fell into the water, resulting in the deaths of the two people in the car. The north runway was temporarily closed due to the accident, but flight operations were not affected. The AirACT aircraft (TC-ACF) was operating for Emirates SkyCargo under a wet lease arrangement and was arriving from Dubai World Central. [more - original PR - AAHK] [more - original PR - AAIA] [more - original PR - CAD] [more - Aviation Week]

Emirates Airline deployed (17-Oct-2025) A350 aircraft on daily Dubai-Oslo service. The aircraft features Emirates' newest business class, premium economy and economy class interiors. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Emirates configured its A350s with 32 business class, 21 premium economy and 259 economy seats, and by 01-Sep-2025, it planned to deploy the aircraft on daily Dubai-Oslo service as part of a broader A350 rollout to multiple destinations, aiming to reach 17 A350-served cities by the end of 2025. The introduction of the A350 also marked an expanded premium economy offering in Emirates' network1 2 3.

Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA), via its official LinkedIn account, stated (19-Oct-2025) CEO Aaron Munetsi said African aviation has been underestimated for too long. Mr Munetsi noted: "Africa is home to 1.4 billion people, the world's youngest population and a growing middle class, but with just 2.2% of global air transport market share, we are still idling on the runway".

Background ✨

AASA CEO Aaron Munetsi previously highlighted "an embarrassingly low level of intra-African connectivity" caused by inadequate infrastructure, restrictive policies and high traveller charges. He proposed visa-free intra-Africa travel, more city pairs, and regulatory reforms to foster competitive and affordable air services as key steps for the sector's advancement1. He has also stated that ticket and fuel costs in Africa are unsustainably high due to limited interline agreements and elevated levies2.

Phnom Penh Techo Takmao International Airport announced (20-Oct-2025) it is currently accommodating 31 airlines offering 44 direct routes, with 130 daily aircraft movements and approximately 13,500 daily passengers since its opening on 09-Sep-2025. The airport added it is expected to generate an estimated 10,000 jobs. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Phnom Penh Techo Takhmao International Airport commenced operations on 09-Sep-2025, replacing Phnom Penh International Airport, with all commercial services gradually relocated to the new facility. The airport is designed for a capacity of 13 million passengers per year in its first phase, and Cambodia Airport Investment Company appointed partners including VINCI Airports, Lagardere Travel Retail, Newrest and SIA Engineering to manage operations and services1 2.

Air Peace plans to launch Lagos-Accra-Antigua-Barbados service from 21-Dec-2025 (Independent/realnewsmagazine.net, 17-Oct-2025). The service is scheduled to operate daily. Air Peace will become the only African carrier to operate nonstop between West and Central Africa and the Caribbean.

Background ✨

Air Peace previously delivered two Embraer E145s to Antigua and Barbuda's Government for LIAT 2020's operations, as part of a joint venture between the parties, and has operated flights to Antigua and Barbuda since Aug-2023, including a round trip service between Antigua and Barbados in Dec-20231 2 3.

Bucher announced (16-Oct-2025) it delivered sets of interior components for Air Côte d'Ivoire's new A330-900 aircraft. Bucher engineered and manufactured galleys, stowages and self-service counters for the aircraft. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Air Côte d'Ivoire took delivery of its first A330-900, the first widebody in its fleet, configured with four first, 44 business, 21 premium economy and 173 economy class seats. The aircraft will support the airline's expansion into Europe, the Middle East and North America, commencing with Paris, and a second A330-900 remains on order1 2 3.

Air Côte d'Ivoire, via its official Facebook and Twitter accounts, announced (15-Oct-2025) it commenced six times weekly Abidjan-Paris CDG service with A330-900 equipment on 15-Oct-2025. Paris is the airline's first destination outside Africa. Air France also operates on the route, according to OAG.

Background ✨

Air Côte d'Ivoire took delivery of its first A330-900, its first widebody aircraft, which it planned to use to launch European services starting with Paris, and to serve further long haul destinations including the Middle East and North America. A second A330-900 is on order. The aircraft features a four class configuration and is expected to support intercontinental network growth1 2.

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17-Oct-2025 12:36 PM

Madagascar Airlines CEO resigns

Madagascar Airlines announced (15-Oct-2025) CEO Thierry de Bailleul decided to "step back from his duties", effective immediately, "following internal communications that have created a climate of tension within the company". Mr de Bailleul proposed that the executive committee ensure operational continuity to maintain normal operations and uphold commitments to the company's partners. The airline stated that Mr de Bailleul "expressed deep concern over the potential consequences of prolonged managerial instability on cash flow, investor confidence and the long term sustainability of the airline". [more - original PR] [more - Aviation Week]

Background ✨

Madagascar Airlines under CEO Thierry de Bailleul faced significant financial challenges, including monthly losses of USD2.8 million primarily due to high fuel costs and long haul ACMI operations, leading to cash flow issues and operational disruptions. The airline suspended its own long haul operations to Europe, restructured its fleet, and pursued a new business plan to return to profitability, with government and investor support secured for the restructuring effort1.