INTERNATIONAL AVIATION
The F-16 pilot, Hsin Po-yi, is believed to have ejected from the aircraft around 10 nautical miles off the coast. Search and rescue efforts are, at the time of writing, understood to still be in progress. The incident occurred at 19:29 local time (11:29 UTC) on Jan. 6, 2026, when the Republic of China Air…
Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon announced plans to increase the annual production of the PAC-3 MSE interceptor from 600 to 2,000 weapons. Lockheed Martin has announced the signing of a landmark framework agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to rapidly accelerate the production of PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors. This will allow to…
Employing a variety of air assets from 13 nations and seemingly striking targets with precision and impunity, NATO enjoyed overwhelming air superiority over Yugoslavia during the Kosovo War. Relying heavily on contributions from the United States, the operation was intended as an air campaign lasting only a few days to force the end to bloodshed…
As rumors swirl over the deployment of 160th SOAR aircraft to the UK as the sanctioned tanker Bella 1, or Marinera, approaches the GIUK gap, let’s look at what we do and don’t know about the bizarre situation. While the world watched the U.S. stage an impressively swift operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro,…
On December 18, 2025, American Airlines’ new Airbus A321XLR departed New York-JFK Airport (JFK) bound for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This departure marked a fundamental moment for American, as this much-anticipated aircraft is set to redefine how we travel on long-haul routes, shaping the transatlantic market for years to come. A Game Changer For…
The Airbus A380 is the pride of the Emirates fleet. The carrier has 116 examples in service, making up nearly half of the Emirates fleet. It’s by far the world’s largest operator of the iconic double-decker, and the carrier uses the A380 to serve a wide variety of destinations around the world. While it’s not…
The US will have an average of 530 daily passenger flights to Europe this year. Cirium Diio data shows they’ve jumped by 3% year-over-year, with an additional 15 daily services available. Multiple new routes, from US and foreign carriers, contribute to this development. Nearly 40 passenger airlines will fly between the US and Europe. They…
Delta Air Lines has agreed to settle with victims represented in a class action lawsuit related to a January 2020 fuel dumping incident. As reported by Top Class Actions, the carrier will pay $78.75 million to property owners and residents in the Los Angeles area affected by a flight that dumped fuel at a low…
The new year has got off to a challenging start for Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), with the Netherlands’ main air hub crippled by adverse winter weather for several days in a row. Movements at the facility have been limited due to snowfall, with the slower pace of operations leading to congested taxiways at what is…
Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport is expecting one of its busiest years in 2026, with passenger numbers projected to surpass pre-pandemic 2019 levels. That year marked a turning point for the airport, as its home carrier, Adria Airways, which accounted for more than 50% of total traffic, declared bankruptcy in September. The airport is on track…
Emirates operates the largest fleet of two of the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the A380 and the Boeing 777. However, it is also ordering large numbers of Airbus A350s, 787s, and 777Xs. Which of these is replacing the A380? The answer is a bit complicated, as airlines rarely ever neatly replace one generation with another…
Air India is actively hunting for a new CEO. Reports indicate that Tata Group, which holds a majority stake in the airline, has lost faith in current CEO Campbell Wilson, and has been holding active talks with potential replacements. While the timing of the appointment of a new CEO is still unknown, what is known…
The Airbus A321XLR represents some of the latest technological advances in the aviation industry. Combining extended range with strong fuel efficiency, the aircraft presents airlines with a “perfect fit” for long, thin routes that sit between traditional short- and long-haul markets. These are routes that are not economically viable for conventional widebody aircraft and are…
American Airlines has officially launched its centennial celebrations on January 5, 2026, following earlier announcements, including a September 2025 video reveal marking 100 years since the carrier’s first flight in 1926. The airline announced the milestone in early January 2026 through its corporate newsroom and social media channels. Celebrations will take place throughout 2026 across…
What makes the Bombardier Global 8000 the fastest civilian jet since Concorde? The question resonates far beyond the business aviation community because Concorde has long symbolized the pinnacle of civil aviation speed. Since its retirement in 2003, no civilian aircraft has seriously challenged that legacy. In an industry increasingly focused on efficiency, sustainability, and comfort,…
A nearly intact Geran-2, landed upright on the ground, was found with a 9K333 Verba Man-Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS) mounted on the top. A month after a Russian Geran-2 one-way attack (OWA) drone was found with a Soviet-era R-60 infrared (IR)-guided short-range Air-to-Air Missile (AAM), another example has now emerged with a shoulder-fired Man-Portable…
A recently emerged photo shows a Ukrainian Mirage 2000 equipped with a MICA air-to-air missile, after being initially showcased only with the older Magic 2. A MICA air-to-air missile has finally been spotted on a Mirage 2000 of the Ukrainian Air Force. After being initially showcased only with the older Magic 2, a recently emerged…
NEWS FLASH Air Serbia has begun utilisation of its third Embraer E195 aircraft, registered YU-ATA, which was delivered last month. The 118-seat jet entered service on January 2 between Belgrade and Prague and has since operated flights to Podgorica, Milan, Bologna and Porto. Air Serbia will further expand its Embraer fleet with the arrival of…
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NEWS FLASH Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport is experiencing a second consecutive day of delays and disrupted operations due to ongoing adverse weather conditions. However, the scale of delays has eased compared to yesterday, with a limited number of flights cancelled. Air Serbia and Wizz Air operated a number of delayed services overnight in an effort…
Croatia is set to handle four long-haul transcontinental services this coming summer, with Air Transat scheduling a one-off flight from Montreal. The Canadian carrier plans to operate the same number of flights between Toronto and Zagreb as last year. Services will resume on May 9 with one weekly frequency, increasing to three weekly rotations during…
There are perhaps few aircraft as iconic as the Boeing 747, the “Queen of the Skies.” For many people around the world, the aircraft is tied to a memory: a dream holiday, a first flight, a journey to a different continent, or even the spark that shaped a lifelong passion for aviation. For decades, the…
Over the years, improvements in aircraft design and engine efficiency have allowed airlines to operate routes that were once considered impractical. Today, some scheduled passenger routes stretch beyond 9,000 miles and regularly keep aircraft in the air for more than 15 hours in one direction. These ultra-long-haul services have become a regular part of airline…
Originally departing from Ramey Base, a former US Air Force strip at Rafael Hernandez International Airport (BQN), Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has landed in New York City after being taken into custody by the US Army’s elite Delta Force. Tracking information available on Flightradar24 shows that a Department of Justice (DOJ), specifically the Federal Bureau…
On January 4, 2026, a massive failure of air traffic communications in Greece triggered travel chaos affecting flights across Europe. A sudden collapse of radio frequency systems used to coordinate aircraft in the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) led to the suspension of departures and arrivals nationwide, grounding flights at major hubs like Athens International…
An underground facility operated by the terrorist group north of Palmyra, Syria, was hit by strike aircraft in a combined raid on Jan. 3, 2026. The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the operation on the evening of Jan. 3, amid the global news focus on the U.S. operation in Venezuela, shortly after the mission…
The Boeing 777X program promises to bring a jet from the 1990s straight into the 21st century. Once certified, the 777X will be the largest twin-engine commercial airliner ever, offering airlines a tremendous combination of range and passenger capacity, making it an ideal candidate for flagship long-haul operations. However, delay after delay have pushed the…
British holiday makers have had their travel plans thrown into chaos when two TUI Airways flights were forced to make a U-turn halfway across the Atlantic Ocean, following the United States military strikes on Venezuela. Both flights operated by the carriers’ Boeing 787s returned to their departure port when airspace was closed, forcing the cancellation…
On long-haul flights, what happens behind the scenes is often just as important as what passengers experience in the cabin. For aircraft like the Airbus A350, which regularly operates flights well beyond 12 hours, managing cabin crew fatigue is a fundamental part of long-haul operational safety. Dedicated crew rest facilities and structured rest rotations are…
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will reopen Caribbean airspace to US carriers tonight, freeing up airlines to resume service to dozens of airports in the region. The FAA issued an emergency Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) in the early hours of Saturday, January 3, as a significant US military operation took place in Caracas. With airlines…
With news emerging this week that United Airlines plans to increase its stake in Azul Linhas Aereas, fellow US carrier American Airlines is also closing in on a similar investment package with the Brazilian carrier. United was recently cleared by Brazilian regulators to make a $100 million investment in Azul as part of the latter’s…
Operation Absolute Resolve details the aviation-driven mission that brought over 150 aircraft together to support the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas. In the early hours of Saturday, 3 January 2026, an aviation-heavy U.S. military operation unfolded over and around Venezuela that culminated in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his…
Air Serbia plans to roll out its new frequent flyer program this year, replacing the Etihad Guest loyalty scheme it has used since 2013. The airline aims to develop the program into a standalone profit-generating segment of its business. It will utilise the US-based Loyalty Juggernaut’s GRAVTY module, the world’s first cloud-native, patented, enterprise loyalty…
TRIP REPORT I took this flight in September 2025 but only got around to writing a report now. I was hoping to get to fly one of the airline’s new A220s but we had a 25-year-old A319 instead. At check in it was apparent the flight would be full, and it was packed with schoolchildren.…
U.S. officials detail Operation Absolute Resolve, revealing the scale, planning, and aftermath of the joint operation that captured Venezuela’s president. Following the U.S. special operation in Venezuela in the night of Jan. 3, 2026, a press conference was held by the U.S. administration, attended by U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chairman…
Airstrikes and helicopter raids have been seen inside Venezuelan territory as President Trump confirms attacks, stating that President Nicolás Maduro has been captured by U.S. forces. After a huge buildup of military assets, unparalleled to anything seen before in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) region, and attacks against alleged drug trafficking vessels as far back…
The U.S. has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Denmark of up to three P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, worth $1.8 billion. The U.S. Government has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of the P-8 Poseidon to Denmark on Dec. 29, 2025. Should the deal go through, the Danish aircraft…
A frequently cited statistic for Boeing’s newest clean-sheet aircraft, the 787 Dreamliner, is that it is composed of 50% composites. While the carbon fiber reinforced materials (CFRP) do account for half of the widebody jet’s weight, they actually compose far more than that in terms of its structural volume. Those advanced composite materials are much…
Alaska Airlines has confirmed it is accelerating the rollout of Starlink-powered in-flight Wi-Fi across its fleet after strong early performance on regional aircraft. The airline’s leadership highlighted positive initial results following the system’s debut on Embraer E175 jets last month. Installations are now progressing faster than initially planned as Alaska moves toward a fleetwide upgrade.…
When is the best time to request a seat upgrade? It is a question nearly every airline passenger has asked at some point, whether while scrolling through a booking confirmation email, standing at the airport gate, or settling into a cramped economy class seat with lots of bags, wondering if there was a better moment…