Alaska Air Group reported fourth-quarter results ahead of expectations as demand improved and a major integration milestone was completed following its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. CEO Ben Minicucci pointed to a strong start in 2026, citing positive bookings and revenue growth.
Venezuela has revoked operating rights for six major international airlines—Iberia, TAP Air Portugal, GOL, LATAM, Avianca, and Turkish Airlines—following a 48-hour ultimatum that expired this week. The ban stems from escalating tensions between Caracas and Washington, triggered by an FAA security alert regarding increased US military activity in the Caribbean.
Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defense has approved United Airlines' plan to increase its minority stake in Azul Linhas Aéreas, clearing the way for a roughly $100 million investment tied to the airline's ongoing Chapter 11 restructuring. The decision removes a key regulatory hurdle and provides further clarity on Azul's post-restructuring ownership structure.
Spirit Airways has secured up to $100 million in funding from lenders, who have recognized the airline's significant progress in recent months. CEO Dave Davis expressed gratitude for the support, stating that Spirit continues to provide high-value travel options and looks forward to welcoming guests aboard.
Philippine Airlines has received its first Airbus A350-1000 widebody aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the airline's fleet modernization and global expansion strategy. The delivery was made by Airbus, with whom PAL has partnered for over 40 years.
Norse Atlantic Airways has appointed Eivind Roald as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, replacing founder Bjørn Tore Larsen. Roald brings extensive experience from senior roles at Accenture, Hewlett-Packard, and Scandinavian Airlines, where he led a successful turnaround between 2012-2017.
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.
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) Assembly of Presidents discussed workforce resilience amid generational shifts. Industry leaders emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusive leadership to bridge the gap between senior staff and Gen Z.
Hawaiian Airlines has announced a $600 million investment program aimed at transforming its passenger experience over the next five years. The Kahu'ewai Hawai'i Investment Plan will cover most of the airline's customer touchpoints, from aircraft interiors to IT platforms.
Etihad Airways has announced record financial results for the year 2025, driven by significant revenue growth across both passenger and cargo businesses. Revenue increased by 21% to AED 30.
Engine transitions have become critical value inflection points in commercial aviation, driven by ownership consolidation and frequent aircraft moves. Engine transitions compress technical, regulatory, and commercial risk into a short window, making governance gaps the primary cause of cost overruns and delays.
China Airlines has approved a major fleet modernization plan valued at $7.852 billion, authorizing the acquisition of 18 new widebody aircraft including five Airbus A350-1000s, five Boeing 777-9s, and four 777-8 freighters. The carrier will retire four Boeing 747-400 freighters as part of the strategic plan.
Major Canadian airlines Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, and Porter Airlines have resumed flights to Mexico following violence that disrupted operations. The decision comes after consultation with local authorities and the Government of Canada.
Avelo Airlines has announced plans to scale back its fleet and close several US bases as part of a balance sheet transformation. The airline will remove six Boeing 737-700 aircraft from its fleet and streamline its network around four current bases, including New Haven Tweed, Wilmington New Castle, Concord Regional Airport, and Lakeland Linder.
American Airlines has debuted its first Airbus A321XLR flight, marking a significant milestone for the carrier. The aircraft features American's Flagship Suite, Premium Economy, and main cabin seating configurations.
Allegiant Air has announced the acquisition of Sun Country Airlines for $1.5 billion in cash and stock, with the deal expected to be completed by the end of 2026 if approved by competition authorities. The combined entity will operate under the Allegiant brand and carry around 22 million passengers per year.
Airlines in Spain have scrambled to adapt their capacity in response to several accidents and a general operational reliability crisis affecting the Spanish high-speed rail network. Flag carrier Iberia has increased its seats on southern Spain routes, while Air Europa has added more seats on the Madrid-Malaga route.
Airlines have cancelled flights in and out of Taiwan due to tropical storm Fung-wong's approach. Multiple carriers, including Eva Air, China Airlines, Thai Airways, and UNI Air, have grounded operations at Kaohsiung International Airport.