All Nippon Airways Retires Iconic C-3PO Boeing 777 as Star Wars Collaboration Nears End All Nippon Airways (ANA) has officially announced the retirement timeline for its beloved C-3PO-themed Boeing 77...
Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines has announced a transformative $179 million (€154 million) acquisition of Czech carrier Smartwings and its shareholder Czech Airlines, pending regulatory approval. The deal, announced December 8, 2025, represents a major expansion milestone for Pegasus and concludes months of speculation surrounding the Czech carrier’s future ownership. The acquisition ends competitive bidding efforts by Poland’s LOT Polish Airlines, which had appeared close to securing Smartwings in November 2025. Under the agreement, Pegasus will acquire both Smartwings and Czech Airlines, which served as a holding company following its 2024 absorption into the Smartwings Group.
Qatar Airways Group announced a leadership transition on December 7, 2025, with the appointment of Hamad Ali Al-Khater as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Al-Khater assumes the role previously held by Engr. Al-Khater brings extensive operational and strategic experience to the position. Most recently, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar Airways’ primary global hub. His background also includes senior leadership positions at QatarEnergy, the state-owned energy corporation, where he developed substantial expertise in large-scale operations and strategic management.
Air France is accelerating its international expansion of the acclaimed La Première cabin experience while simultaneously strengthening its modern fleet with major Airbus deliveries. On December 5, 2025, the airline announced that its revolutionary first-class service would extend to four new destinations: Atlanta, Boston, Houston, and Tel Aviv, with daily service to each city. The La Première cabin, which underwent a comprehensive revamp earlier in 2025, represents a new benchmark for luxury aviation. Each suite spans nearly 3.5 square meters and features a convertible seat-chaise lounge configuration that transforms into a two-meter bed. The aircraft feature only four suites per cabin, each separated by floor-to-ceiling curtains and positioned across five windows, ensuring maximum privacy and comfort for discerning travelers.
Gulfstream Completes Maiden Flight of New G300 Super-Midsize Jet Gulfstream announced on December 5, 2025, that its highly anticipated G300 super-midsize jet has successfully completed its maiden flig...
DJI has introduced the FlyCart 100, marking a major advancement in commercial delivery drone technology with capabilities that significantly exceed its predecessor. The heavy-lift platform features a 100-kilogram maximum payload capacity, integrated LiDAR terrain mapping, and a comprehensive multi-sensor safety suite designed for demanding operational environments. The FlyCart 100 employs a coaxial four-axis, eight-rotor configuration with larger motors and 62-inch carbon fiber propellers to achieve its enhanced lifting capacity. DJI reports the drone can carry 65 kilograms for 12 kilometers on two batteries, or 80 kilograms for 6 kilometers using a single battery in emergency configurations. The system incorporates hot-swappable 41Ah batteries with integrated thermal management to maintain performance in extreme cold weather, addressing a critical operational challenge in diverse climate zones.
TAP Air Portugal Introduces Premium Economy Service on A330neo and A321LR Aircraft Portuguese flag carrier TAP Air Portugal announced on December 3, 2025, the introduction of a new Premium Economy cab...
Portuguese charter airline Hi Fly has etched its name into aviation history with the successful landing of an Airbus A330 in Antarctica, marking the first commercial deployment of the twin-engine aircraft on the continent’s remote runways. The historic flight occurred on December 1, 2025, when Hi Fly’s Airbus A330-302 (registration 9H-HFI) touched down safely on the blue-ice runway at Wolf’s Fang Runway in Antarctica, piloted by Captain Carlos Mirpuri, Vice-Chairman of Hi Fly.
Boeing’s Chief Financial Officer Jay Malave has signaled optimistic production prospects for 2026, projecting increased deliveries of 737 and 787 aircraft that should bolster the aerospace manufacturer’s cash flow recovery. Speaking December 2 at the UBS Global Industrials & Transportation Conference, Malave provided detailed insights into Boeing’s manufacturing roadmap and the timing between production rate adjustments and actual aircraft deliveries. Production Rate Momentum Malave emphasized that Boeing’s 737 production ramp remains on schedule, despite acknowledging a temporary softness in November 2025 deliveries. “It takes a few months to take the production cadence and move that into output,” Malave explained, highlighting the inherent lag between manufacturing rate increases and delivery fulfillment. The CFO noted that once production systems stabilize at current rates, Boeing’s team begins positioning for the next rate increase, typically requiring a minimum six-month planning window.
Transavia Appoints Paul Terstegge as New CEO to Lead Growth and Sustainability Strategy Transavia, the low-cost airline subsidiary of Air France-KLM, has announced the appointment of Paul Terstegge as...
Virgin Australia has launched its first daily Melbourne-to-Doha service, marking a significant expansion of its international network ahead of the busy Christmas travel period. The route, operational since December 1, 2025, represents a major milestone for the carrier’s long-haul recovery strategy following its return to international flying in June 2025. The new Melbourne-Doha service brings the total daily operations between Australia and Qatar’s capital to four, with Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways now serving Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth. This expanded network capacity is substantial: annual seats on Australia-Doha routes have grown 53 percent to 2.65 million following these additions.
Aerolíneas Argentinas Charts Major Fleet Modernization with 18-Aircraft Investment Plan Aerolíneas Argentinas unveiled a comprehensive fleet modernization strategy on November 28, 2025, announcing the...
Emirates has announced a major fleet optimization initiative for its Baghdad route, transitioning from mixed Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 operations to an all-A350 service beginning January 1, 2026. The shift represents a strategic deployment of the aircraft type and underscores the carrier’s commitment to enhancing service quality on the critical Iraq corridor. The transition builds on Emirates’ initial A350 deployment to Baghdad, which commenced in August 2025 with three-weekly frequencies. The 777s have been operating four times weekly, providing combined daily service. From the New Year, all seven weekly frequencies will be operated exclusively by the A350, allowing the Boeing widebody to be redeployed elsewhere in the network.
The aviation industry’s global calendar for 2026 reflects the sector’s dynamic evolution, with major conferences and airshows scheduled across every continent. These events serve as critical touchpoints for commercial, military, and general aviation stakeholders to showcase innovations, negotiate contracts, and shape industry direction. The year kicks off with Singapore Airshow 2026 (February 3-6), one of Asia’s premier aviation events. Held biennially at Changi Exhibition Centre, the show will feature large indoor exhibits, static aircraft displays, and flying demonstrations. Key forums will address sustainability, advanced air mobility, and emerging defense technologies—topics increasingly central to industry strategy.
Zaha Hadid Architects has secured one of Eastern Europe’s most significant aviation infrastructure projects, winning the contract to design a new arrivals terminal at Vilnius Airport that will r...
Vietjet Thailand has officially taken delivery of its first Boeing 737-8 aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the low-cost carrier’s ambitious $32 billion fleet expansion strategy across the Asia-Pacific region. The aircraft arrived at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on November 22, 2025, during a ceremony celebrating the Thai subsidiary’s strategic growth initiative. The delivery represents the first of 50 Boeing 737-8 aircraft designated for Vietjet Thailand’s operations. These aircraft were part of an original order placed by parent company Vietjet in 2018, with the Vietnamese carrier announcing in May 2025 that the first batch would be transferred to its Thai subsidiary. The complete delivery schedule extends through 2031, providing a clear roadmap for the carrier’s expansion timeline.
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...