Aviation News

Frequent-flyer programs M&A Airline Industry & Market Trends Air Canada Airlines

Reuters • Sebastian Pellejero

Air Canada’s loyalty program valued above the airline in $1.8 billion Blackstone-led deal

A $1.8 billion transaction involving Air Canada’s loyalty program suggests the customer-rewards business is worth more than the airline itself, highlighting the financial value of frequent-flyer data, membership and recurring partner revenues relative to core airline operations.

1 Source

2026-08-17T10:20:48.423680-07:00

AI Aviation Safety & Regulation Policy & Regulation

NEW

Leeham News • Howard Hardee

Merlin Clears AI Certification Hurdle in New Zealand

By Leeham News: 17, 2026, © Leeham News/AIN: Few obstacles in autonomous flight have proved more stubborn than persuading regulators to accept artificial intelligence in a safety-critical role.

1 Source

2026-08-17T10:50:02.800097-07:00

ATC North America Airports Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management

NEW

AINonline • Kerry Lynch

FAA Installs Surface Radars at Key Airports and Awards $74.3M to AT&T

By AINonline: KDCA and KEWR receive SMR-4 installations, while IDIQ AT&T covers coms.

1 Source

2026-08-17T11:06:10.972274-07:00

North America Airports Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management Policy & Regulation

AINonline • Kerry Lynch

FAA Administrator Bedford, U.S. Senators Oppose Burke Lakefront Closure

By AINonline: Neither FAA nor Congress appear open to helping Cleveland expedite airport closure.

1 Source

2026-08-17T09:50:54.640855-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Air Cargo & Freight Logistics

Flying Magazine • Jack Daleo

Uber’s Drone Delivery Bet: 1 Million Daily Trips by 2029

By Flying Magazine: Uber, DoorDash, Walmart, and other delivery platforms are turning to drones to cut trip times.

Also: DroneDJ

2 Sources

2026-08-17T09:37:57.500680-07:00

Policy & Regulation Sustainability & Climate Initiatives Airlines Delta Air Lines

Skift • Tasmin Lockwood

Lawsuit Against Delta Raises a Bigger Question: How Airlines Use Carbon Offsets

By Skift: emissions reductions hold up — along with the language used to disclose them. A judge rejected Delta Air Lines’ bid to dismiss a lawsuit over its prior advertising claims of carbon neutrality, adding fresh scrutiny on how airlines promote efforts to reach net zero.

1 Source

2026-08-17T09:32:56.069170-07:00

BizAv Helicopter Europe Airports

AINonline • Charles Alcock

Flexjet Bases European Helicopter Fleet at Blackbushe Airport in the UK

By AINonline: S-76s and AW139s will carry passengers to and from London-area airports.

1 Source

2026-08-17T10:06:07.497561-07:00

Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Aviation Safety & Regulation

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Russia’s PD-14-Powered MC-21 Completes Longest Flight, but Range Still Trails A320neo

By Air Data News: The first production MC-21-310 equipped with Russian-made systems flew for 5 hours and 50 minutes from Irkutsk to Zhukovsky, near Moscow, in what appears to be the longest flight yet performed by the PD-14-powered version of Russia's new narrowbody.

1 Source

2026-08-17T08:32:52.653411-07:00

Air Canada’s loyalty program valued above the airline in $1.8 billion Blackstone-led deal

Merlin Clears AI Certification Hurdle in New Zealand

FAA Installs Surface Radars at Key Airports and Awards $74.3M to AT&T

FAA Administrator Bedford, U.S. Senators Oppose Burke Lakefront Closure

Uber’s Drone Delivery Bet: 1 Million Daily Trips by 2029

Lawsuit Against Delta Raises a Bigger Question: How Airlines Use Carbon Offsets

Flexjet Bases European Helicopter Fleet at Blackbushe Airport in the UK

Russia’s PD-14-Powered MC-21 Completes Longest Flight, but Range Still Trails A320neo

FAA Installs Surface Radars at Key Airports and Awards $74.3M to AT&T

Merlin Clears AI Certification Hurdle in New Zealand

Air Canada’s Loyalty Program Valued Above Airline in $1.8 Billion Deal

Flexjet Bases European Helicopter Fleet at Blackbushe Airport in the UK

FAA Administrator Bedford, U.S. Senators Oppose Burke Lakefront Closure

Uber’s Drone Delivery Bet: 1 Million Daily Trips by 2029

Brussels Airlines expands Arctic network with services to Norway and Finland

ATR targets year-end for ‘baseline’ design of hybrid-electric demonstrator

Malaysia Airlines Pilots Test Negative for Drugs After Colleague’s Indonesia Arrest

Boeing's Deferred Production Costs Growing Again, Part II

Vietnam Airlines 787-9 returns to Munich after reported runway overrun and tail strike

Identical American Airlines Callsigns Contributed to Phoenix Conflict Between Two 737-800s

Vietnam Airlines 787-9 sustains substantial damage after late rotation and runway overrun at Munich

Azul targets a ‘transition year’ after cutting capacity amid surging fuel costs

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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