Qantas has marked a significant milestone in its pandemic recovery by welcoming its tenth and final Airbus A380 back to Sydney on December 2, 2025, concluding nearly six years of storage and completin...
China Eastern Airlines has made aviation history with the launch of the world’s longest intercontinental flight, establishing a direct connection between Shanghai and Buenos Aires via Auckland, New Zealand. The inaugural service, which successfully completed its first journey on December 4, 2025, represents a significant milestone in global aviation and marks a strategic expansion of connectivity across three continents. Operating as Flight MU745, the service utilizes a Boeing 777-39P(ER) aircraft registered as B-7882, specially adorned with China Eastern Airlines’ inaugural ‘National Museum of China’ themed livery. The route comprises two substantial flight legs: a 9,346-kilometer journey from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Auckland International Airport, followed by a 10,334-kilometer transoceanic flight to Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport.
The Federal Trade Commission has issued a landmark decision that could reshape Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, requiring the aerospace giant to divest critical manufacturing operations to address competitive concerns. Under the consent order announced December 3, 2025, Boeing must sell Spirit’s aerostructures business in Subang, Malaysia to Composites Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM), along with all associated assets and personnel. The $8.3 billion acquisition, which Boeing announced in July 2024, aimed to reintegrate its former parts supplier and bring significant manufacturing in-house. Spirit AeroSystems is among the world’s largest producers of fuselages, wings, and aerostructures, supplying approximately 70% of the structural components for Boeing’s 737 series while also providing critical parts to competitor Airbus.
Qantas has announced the restoration of direct flights between Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport and Port Moresby Jacksons International Airport, marking a significant development in regional aviation connectivity. The twice-weekly service launches in March 2026, operating on Boeing 737 aircraft as flight QF203/204, scheduled for Mondays and Fridays year-round. The route reinstatement adds approximately 35,000 seats annually to Papua New Guinea’s capacity and complements Qantas’ existing daily Brisbane-Port Moresby service. According to Qantas CEO International Cam Wallace, the decision reflects anticipated demand growth driven by multiple factors, particularly Papua New Guinea’s entry into the National Rugby League in 2028.
Thailand’s Aviation Sector Gets Boost as BBN Airlines Thailand Launches ACMI Operations BBN Airlines Thailand, the nation’s first specialized Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (AC...
Qatar Airways marked the conclusion of the Qatar Grand Prix weekend with a groundbreaking debut: a Formula 1-themed Boeing 777 livery designed by Grammy-winning artist and producer Swizz Beatz. The aircraft, registered A7-BEG, made its official appearance during celebrations at Lusail International Circuit, combining the worlds of motorsports, music, and aviation in an unprecedented collaboration. The livery unveiling took place during a star-studded launch event at the Qatar Airways Hangar, featuring celebrity appearances including David Beckham, Jessica Alba, Rio Ferdinand, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and tennis champion Novak Djokovic. Comedian Kevin Hart provided entertainment by performing as a Formula 1 driver, adding theatrical flair to the proceedings.
Airbus has introduced operational restrictions for A320neo-family aircraft equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared turbofan engines, limiting takeoffs during freezing fog conditions when visibility falls below 150 meters. The measure follows reported engine performance issues in extreme winter weather and represents a significant operational consideration for airlines operating in cold-climate regions. The restriction emerged into public view after Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, experienced weather-related delays at Almaty Airport on November 15, 2025. The airline attributed the disruptions to heavy engine icing impairing engine performance under freezing fog and sub-zero temperature conditions. Air Astana confirmed the limitation applies across its A320neo, A321neo, and A321LR fleet—comprising 11 A320neos, four A321neos, and 13 A321LRs.
Latvian airline airBaltic has officially welcomed Erno Hildén as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2025, marking a significant leadership transition for the Baltic carrier. Hildén, a Finnish aviation executive, brings more than 25 years of international experience in aviation operations and finance to the role, positioning the airline for continued strategic development. Hildén’s most recent position was Executive Vice President and Group Chief Financial Officer at SAS Scandinavian Airlines, where he served until June 2025. During his tenure at the Scandinavian carrier, he played a instrumental role in the airline’s transformation initiatives and capital-raising efforts, demonstrating expertise in navigating complex aviation industry challenges.
Airbus Reports Near-Completion of A320 Precautionary Fleet Updates Following Flight-Control Vulnerability Airbus has announced substantial progress in implementing precautionary software and system up...
Moldova’s airspace closure on the night of November 28-29, 2025, highlighted the growing risks facing regional aviation as Russia’s air campaign against Ukraine continues to violate neighboring territories. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that two Gerbera-type drones triggered an emergency shutdown from 22:43 to 23:53 after crossing Moldovan airspace along the Stanislavka-Vărăncău axis en route to Ukraine. The incident resulted in immediate flight diversions, with two inbound aircraft redirected to Romania and one outbound flight held at Chisinau International Airport. The northern sector remained restricted until 23:32, when both drones were confirmed to have exited national territory. No debris or casualties were reported on Moldovan soil.
China’s aerospace industry is making a strategic push into the small turboprop market with the development of the AEP20, a lightweight engine designed to challenge the dominance of piston engines in light aircraft and unmanned systems. Developed by Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) at its Hunan Aviation Powerplant Research Institute in Zhuzhou, the engine represents a significant engineering achievement aimed at capturing growing demand in China’s rapidly expanding aviation sectors.
Australia’s First AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters Enter Service Australia’s first AH-64E Apache attack helicopters have begun flying operations at RAAF Base Townsville, representing a sig...
Norse Atlantic Airways Appoints New CEO as Carrier Pursues Strategic Turnaround Norse Atlantic Airways, the Norwegian long-haul low-cost carrier, announced a significant leadership change on November ...
Air Canada is making a bold statement about its international expansion strategy with the announcement of five new transatlantic routes launching in summer 2026. The carrier’s latest network development underscores its commitment to strengthening connections between North America and Europe while capitalizing on growing demand for convenient transatlantic travel. The expansion includes three new European destinations from Montreal-Trudeau International Airport: nonstop service to Berlin Airport operating three times weekly and to Nantes Atlantique Airport, also three times per week. From Toronto Pearson, Air Canada will launch service to Ponta Delgada Airport in Portugal’s Azores archipelago, operating three times weekly. Halifax Stanfield will gain its second international destination with new Brussels Airport service, running three times per week. Additionally, Air Canada will resume its seasonal Montreal-Tel Aviv route.
Korean Air announced a significant sustainability milestone, committing to replace its traditional plastic meal containers with plant-based packaging manufactured from agricultural waste materials. Beginning December 2025, the South Korean flag carrier will gradually introduce containers made from straw, sugarcane, and bamboo across select routes, with complete network implementation targeted for the end of 2026. The new containers, primarily designated for economy class main entrées including Korean and Western meal options, are manufactured from non-wood pulp, eliminating the need for tree harvesting. According to Korean Air, the packaging maintains heat resistance and durability comparable to conventional plastic containers while reducing associated carbon emissions by approximately 60%.
Air India Express, Air India’s low-cost subsidiary, has announced it will launch operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport on its opening day, December 25, 2025, marking a significant mile...
The Federal Aviation Administration is embarking on a transformative modernization initiative, issuing a request for information (RFI) to develop a Common Automation Platform (CAP)—a unified system de...
Saudi Arabia is pushing forward with an ambitious aviation expansion plan that will add two more airlines to its growing fleet of national carriers, according to revelations from a senior government t...
Etihad Airways has announced plans to return its eighth Airbus A380 to commercial service with the launch of daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Tokyo, signaling continued confidence in premium long-h...
Air New Zealand is bracing for significant operational disruption as cabin crew unions have confirmed plans for industrial action on December 8, 2025, following the breakdown of contract negotiations ...
Aer Lingus is conducting a comprehensive review of its Manchester Airport base that could result in the complete withdrawal of long-haul services from the UK hub and place approximately 200 jobs at risk. The Irish carrier has entered formal consultation with employees and trade unions as it evaluates the future of an operation launched with considerable optimism just four years ago. The Manchester base opened in 2021 as part of Aer Lingus’s strategy to tap into strong demand from North England travelers for transatlantic leisure routes. The facility currently supports three long-haul destinations—New York JFK, Barbados, and Orlando—alongside short-haul connections to Dublin and Belfast. The Orlando route has proven particularly popular with UK families visiting Walt Disney World.