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

Air New Zealand announced (20-Nov-2025) it has been notified by E tū, a union representing the carrier's cabin crew, of its intention to take 24 hour industrial action on 08-Dec-2025. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Air New Zealand previously received notification from two unions representing its cabin crew regarding potential industrial action, stating at that time no formal notice had been received and there was no impact to flights as it worked towards a resolution with union representatives1.

San Diego International Airport introduced (20-Nov-2025) SAN Pass, a programme enabling visitors to enter post security areas without a boarding pass or ticket. The airport said a limited number of passes are available daily and are issued on a first come, first served basis, subject to TSA approval. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Other US airports, including Philadelphia, San Antonio, Palm Springs and Seattle-Tacoma, previously implemented similar guest pass programmes enabling non-ticketed visitors to access post-security areas, typically with daily limits and advance application requirements1 2 3 4.

SkyTeam announced (20-Nov-2025) the following updates on lounges and air-rail travel:

Background ✨

SkyTeam previously opened a joint lounge with Global Lounge Network at São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport and completed a major refurbishment of its Vancouver International Airport lounge, offering enhanced amenities for eligible passengers of its member airlines1 2. The alliance also updated its lounge access policy, extending domestic lounge access to Elite Plus customers at selected member lounges from 01-Apr-20253.

UATP chief marketing officer Wendy Ward, speaking to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Asia, stated (31-Oct-2025) all forms of payment are becoming prevalent, commenting: "Every kind of form of payment that exists... is becoming the norm". CFO Michael Marrone added: "We're seeing the rise of more usage of virtual card". Ms Ward said Southeast Asia is expected to "explode with forms of payment" and Latin America and Africa are also "real areas of growth opportunity". [more - CAPA TV]

Air Transat announced (20-Nov-2025) plans to launch twice weekly Toronto Pearson-Accra service from 17-Jun-2026 to 22-Oct-2026. No other carriers operate the route, according to OAG. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Air Transat recently announced several new long haul routes from Toronto and Montreal, including Toronto-Berlin and Montreal-Agadir, and planned to increase frequencies on services from Toronto to Berlin, Lima, and Istanbul to three times weekly for summer 2026, further diversifying its transatlantic network and targeting underserved markets1 2.

Etihad Airways and Vietnam Airlines launched (20-Nov-2025) an expanded codeshare and frequent flyer partnership. The codeshare will be implemented gradually, with Vietnam Airlines passengers to gain access to Athens, Addis Ababa, Bahrain, Muscat, Cairo and Istanbul. Etihad passengers will be able to access destinations in Vietnam and Asia through a single ticket for the entire journey. Etihad Guest and Lotusmiles members can earn and redeem miles across either carrier's network. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Etihad Airways previously signed a frequent flyer agreement with Vietnam Airlines, allowing loyalty members to earn and redeem miles across both networks, and scheduled to launch Abu Dhabi-Hanoi service from 03-Nov-20251. The two carriers also signed a bilateral MoU covering collaboration in areas such as passenger services, cargo, ground handling and maintenance2.

Qantas Group announced (20-Nov-2025) plans to implement the following restrictions on the use of portable power banks across all Qantas Airways, QantasLink and Jetstar Airways services from 15-Dec-2025:

  • The use of and charging of power banks on board will be prohibited;
  • Customers can carry up to two power banks in their cabin baggage;
  • All power banks must display battery specifications;
  • Lithium batteries that are part of a smart bag must be removed from the bag and taken as carry on, and stowed in the same way as power banks;
  • Power banks will continue to be prohibited from checked baggage. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Major airlines and regulators in the Asia-Pacific and beyond have recently introduced similar restrictions prohibiting the use or charging of power banks in the aircraft cabin, often citing safety concerns following incidents involving lithium battery fires. Airlines such as Emirates, Vietnam Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, and China Airlines, as well as authorities in China and Hong Kong, implemented comparable measures throughout 2025, with some also limiting the number and capacity of power banks allowed onboard1 2 3 4 5 6 7.

Brussels Airport, via its official website, announced (19-Nov-2025) the cancellation of all departing services on 26-Nov-2025 due to a national industrial action called by trade unions. The airport stated arrivals may also be affected.

Background ✨

Brussels Airport experienced similar nationwide industrial actions in 2025, including cancellations of all departures on 14-Oct-2025 and 25-Jun-2025, both due to strikes called by trade unions, with arrivals also potentially impacted1 2. On 31-Mar-2025, a national strike by ground handling and security staff also led to the cancellation of all departing services, highlighting ongoing labour unrest affecting Belgian airports this year3.

Emirates announced (18-Nov-2025) the next phase of its fleet retrofit programme, under which 60 A380s and 51 Boeing 777s will receive the following cabin improvements from Aug-2026:

  • Safran Seats' S Lounge seats to be installed in business class cabins on both aircraft types;
  • RECARO Aircraft Seating "advanced seating technology with a mechanical recline system" to be installed in premium economy cabins on both aircraft types;
  • Safran Seats' Z400 seats to be installed in economy class cabins on both aircraft types;
  • Panasonic Avionics Corporation to install Astrova inflight entertainment platform and integrated Arc 3D 4K Moving Map throughout cabins on both aircraft types;
  • Starlink to install free high-speed inflight WiFi connectivity throughout cabins on both aircraft types.

As previously reported by CAPA, Emirates' fleet retrofit programme commenced in 2021 with 120 aircraft, later expanding to 191 aircraft in May-2024 and to 219 aircraft in late 2024. To date, 76 aircraft have been retrofitted and "the programme maintains a steady cadence, with two freshly refurbished aircraft emerging each month". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Emirates planned to install Starlink inflight connectivity across its entire operational fleet of 232 aircraft by mid-2027, with the first Boeing 777 deployment scheduled for 23-Nov-2025 and A380 installations starting in Feb-2026, making it the first airline globally to offer Starlink on A380s. The rollout targeted installation on approximately 14 aircraft per month, offering free high-speed WiFi in all cabins1. Safran Seats was selected for both business and economy cabins2.

Air Europa signed (18-Nov-2025) an MoU with Airbus for up to 40 A350-900 aircraft. The agreement forms a central part of the carrier's long haul fleet replacement programme and aims to increase Air Europa's profitable growth to key markets in Latin America. Air Europa president Juan Jose Hidalgo stated: "The A350-900 is a game-changer for key destinations in Latin America. It provides an exceptional cabin experience and the operational performance and economics needed to expand the airline's network without compromise, delivering the highest standards in air travel". [more - original PR - Airbus] [more - original PR - Air Europa]

Background ✨

Air Europa has implemented a sustainability programme which included the addition of Boeing 787 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft to reduce fuel consumption and emissions on its medium and long haul services, and by 2024 its fleet comprised 28 787s and two 737 MAX 8s1. The airline reported a net profit of EUR165 million for 2023, with plans to complete repayment of its Official Credit Institute loan by Aug-20242.

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport introduced (18-Nov-2025) European Union's (EU) new Entry/Exit System for the registration of non EU citizens travelling for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period. The measure was introduced at all border crossing points in 29 European countries, with the aim of strengthening internal security in the Schengen area. The regulation is for passengers with non EU passports, who may temporarily have to expect longer waiting times during border checks. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

The EU's new Entry/Exit System became operational on 12-Oct-2025, with a progressive rollout over six months and full implementation at all external border points expected by 10-Apr-2026. The system digitally registers the data and biometric details of non-EU travellers for short stays, with each country determining its own deployment timeline and location for the system's introduction1 2.

Emirates selected (18-Nov-2025) Safran Seats to install business and economy class seats on 111 Emirates aircraft, comprising Boeing 777-300ERs and A380s. Safran Seats' S-Lounge seats will be installed in the business class cabins of both aircraft types. The seat "incorporates a wireless charger alongside the host of comfort enhancements already featured such as a premium trim & finish, a mini bar, massage & lumbar support and a tablet personal control unit". The company's Z400 seats will be installed in the economy class cabins of both aircraft types. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Emirates previously retrofitted 25 A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft with refurbished cabins, introducing premium economy and new business class seats, and scheduled an additional 17 aircraft for retrofitting by Dec-20241. It also deployed its first retrofitted Boeing 777 with new business class and premium economy cabins on Dubai-Geneva service, with plans for further deployment to Tokyo Haneda and Brussels2.