The Italian competition authority has imposed a €255.7 million fine on Ryanair, alleging the airline engaged in abusive practices that hindered the ability of travel agents to sell its services. According to AeroTime, the AGCM found Ryanair used its dominant position to block or complicate online access to its offerings and coerced travel agents into making unfair distribution agreements.
Pakistan International Airlines has been sold to a consortium of investors led by Arif Habib Limited, with the Pakistani government receiving 10 billion Pakistani Rupees in cash. The new owners will take full control from April 2026, retaining all employees for at least 12 months.
Spain has acquired four Patriot fire units for $1.7 billion, as confirmed by RTX's Raytheon, and 200 F-404 engine fans for its F/A-18 fleet from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The deals follow Spain's recent defense shopping spree, which allocated €3.
Libya's army chief of staff, Gen. Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, has been confirmed killed after the Dassault Falcon 50 business jet carrying him crashed near Ankara, Turkey, on December 23, 2025.
Breaking Defense reports on five stories that surprised the space world in 2025, including the ESA's new defense role, US loosening of counterspace ops rules, and a prize competition for SBI prototypes. The agency's billion-euro funding package signals a significant shift in its capabilities.
A Mexican Navy Beech King Air operating as a medical aircraft crashed into Galveston Bay in Texas on December 22, 2025, killing at least five people. The twin-engine turboprop was flying from Mérida, Mexico, to Galveston when it went down near the Galveston Causeway during its approach to land.
Libyan United Airlines is set to launch in Q1 2026 with a fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft, focusing on regional routes linking Libya with North Africa and the Middle East. The airline aims to establish itself as a modern, passenger-focused operator based in Tripoli.
Breaking Defense reporters look back on the most significant news stories of 2025 and forward to what 2026 may hold. The year saw notable changes in leadership, increased military activity near Alaska, and consideration of building new 'battleships'.
Coulson Aviation USA has announced its support for the Boeing 767 Very Large Airtanker (VLAT) program, aiming to find a sustainable replacement for legacy platforms. The company highlighted the recent grounding of MD11 and DC10 fleets after the UPS MD-11 crash in Louisville on November 4, 2025, as a significant challenge for firefighting agencies worldwide.
The US Army has announced significant changes to its acquisition process, aiming to boost funding for network modernization and software acquisition. The service plans to invest $750 million per year in emerging technologies through the FUZE program.
Riyadh Air has completed its first test flight on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at Boeing's Charleston facility in South Carolina. The aircraft took off as part of standard certification procedures, marking an important step towards operational readiness for the Middle Eastern carrier.
Wizz Air has announced plans to expand its operations at London-Luton Airport, basing an additional Airbus A321neo aircraft and launching six new routes in summer 2026. This expansion comes after acquiring some of TUI Airways' Luton slots.
Airbus has confirmed an order from the Spanish Ministry of Defense for 18 Airbus C295 transport aircraft that will replace the country's CN235 and C212 fleets. The agreement includes comprehensive support for the C295 fleet at the Military Transport School, which will cover aircraft maintenance, material management, and training center operations until December 2032.
Shenzhen Airlines has launched its first direct flight to Melbourne, marking a significant expansion of Australia's air connectivity with southern China. The new route, operated by Airbus A330 aircraft three times weekly, adds over 90,000 seats annually between Melbourne and China.
Howmet Aerospace has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing (CAM), the aerospace division of Stanley Black & Decker, for approximately $1.8 billion. CAM provides critical fasteners, fittings, and other engineered components for the aerospace and defense industries.
LEVEL Air Lines has announced the launch of a new nonstop route between Barcelona (BCN) and Lima (LIM), Peru, starting June 3, 2026. Peruvian Minister Aldo Prieto revealed plans for the service earlier in December 2025.
Wizz Air plans to launch its first route from Israel to Budapest in March 2026, with flights from Ramon Airport (ETM) expected to commence in March. The airline will create two new bases at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) and Ramon Airport (ETM).
President Donald Trump announced plans to build a new class of battleships as part of the 'Golden Fleet' concept. The Navy will pursue a competition to find a vendor and plans to procure the first ship in 2030.
ScaleWings has introduced a larger propeller for its SW-51 Mustang, developed in partnership with MT-Propeller. The MTV-22 propeller improves climb performance by roughly 15% and reduces takeoff distance by a similar margin.
Garmin's Emergency Autoland system successfully landed a Beechcraft King Air 200 after pilot incapacitation on December 20, 2025. According to AeroTime, the aircraft was flying from Aspen-Pitkin County Airport to Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield when the system activated roughly 20 minutes into the flight.