Aviation, Defense and Space Industry News by Hype

aviation Israel Middle East Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation Airlines Boeing Boeing 737

Axios • Herb Scribner

Flydubai 737 MAX survives attempted cockpit attack and 14,000-foot plunge; rudder section torn away

A Tel Aviv-bound flydubai 737 MAX survived an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft after a cockpit struggle triggered an extreme 14,000-foot descent and tore away part of the rudder. Israel and the UAE are investigating the incident, while flydubai has suspended flights to Israel.

Simple Flying • Luke Bodell

flydubai 737 MAX survives 14,000-foot plunge after cockpit attack; rudder section torn away

The Independent • Shweta Sharma

What was the motive behind attempted Flydubai plane hijacking?

Also: The Guardian, Financial Times, Aviation A2Z and tass.com

9 Sources

2026-10-01T01:06:09.019424-07:00

space Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Boeing NASA

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

NASA Sets 2028 Crewed Return for Boeing Starliner after 2024 Flight Problems

By SpaceWatch Global: NASA and Boeing target a 2028 Starliner return after a new uncrewed test in 2026, with spacecraft upgrades and Vulcan certification ahead.

2 Sources

2026-10-01T01:15:54.488398-07:00

defense Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Breaking Defense Video

What Europe's military air fleets will look like in 30 years

By Breaking Defense: Breaking Defense's roundtable looks into a crystal ball to discuss the more distant future for the continent's air forces.

1 Source

2026-10-01T01:36:35.748633-07:00

aviation Middle East Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation Airlines

New York Times • Mujib Mashal

Who Is Captain Smit Machchhar, the Pilot Hailed as a Hero After FlyDubai Cockpit Stabbing?

By New York Times: Capt. Smit Machchhar from India suffered stab wounds while fending off an attack from his co-pilot, saving the lives of around 170 people on board, officials said.

Associated Press

Indian airline captain hailed as a hero after cockpit stabbing on FlyDubai flight bound for Israel

Economic Times

Indian pilot Smit Machchhar in stable condition after Flydubai cockpit attack

Also: newsable.asianetnews.com, The Independent, ANI News Agency and 8 more

14 Sources

2026-09-30T22:49:47.540788-07:00

aviation Aircraft Demand: Airline Distress & Consolidation Airbus Airlines

AeroTime • Miquel Ros

Romanian airline Animawings files for insolvency, disposes of entire A220 fleet

By AeroTime: Romanian private airline Animawings has filed for insolvency at a court in Bucharest, and plans to downsize by disposing of its entire A220 fleet.

Also: Airline Economics

3 Sources

2026-10-01T01:20:45.834559-07:00

space Satellite M&A Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

investors.rocketlabcorp.com • Rocket Lab Corporation

Rocket Lab Secures Largest-Ever Electron Commercial Deal: 20-Launch Contract for Synspective

By investors.rocketlabcorp.com: PDF Version The deal marks Rocket Lab’s single largest commercial launch contract for Electron to date, reinforcing Electron’s position as the world’s most in-demand rocket for small satellite constellation deployment LONG BEACH, Calif., Sept.

SpaceWatch Global

Rocket Lab Signs 20-Launch Electron Deal With Synspective Through 2031

Aviation Week

Rocket Makers Reassess the Economics of a More Competitive Launch Market

7 Sources

2026-09-30T16:28:40.434240-07:00

aviation MRO M&A Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Airbus

Reuters

Malaysia Aviation Group signs deal to buy Airbus unit Sepang Aircraft Engineering

By Reuters: Malaysia Aviation Group, the parent of national ‌carrier Malaysia Airlines, said on Thursday it has signed a sale and purchase agreement to ⁠acquire Airbus unit Sepang Aircraft Engineering.