Aviation News

Satellite PaxEx Europe Airbus A320 Airlines Lufthansa

FlightGlobal • Kerry Reals

Lufthansa Group launches Starlink on first A320neo, with 850-aircraft rollout planned by 2029

Lufthansa has begun passenger service with SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed inflight internet on an Airbus A320neo from Frankfurt. The Lufthansa Group plans to equip approximately 850 passenger aircraft across its airlines by 2029, making satellite connectivity a fleet-wide passenger-experience initiative.

4 Sources

2026-08-19T05:20:07.033196-07:00

Helicopter Africa Accident

Reuters

Luxury tour agency &Beyond confirms helicopter carrying its guests crashed in Kenya

By Reuters: Luxury tour agency &Beyond told Reuters on ‌Wednesday that a helicopter carrying its guests had crashed in Kenya's ⁠Samburu County.

Also: Reuters, Aviation Safety Network and atcnews.org

4 Sources

2026-08-19T05:20:46.930145-07:00

Helicopter Africa Accident

Associated Press • Nicholas Komu

Helicopter crashes in a remote area of northern Kenya, aviation authorities say

By Associated Press: A helicopter carrying an unknown number of passengers has crashed in a remote part of northern Kenya.

1 Source

2026-08-19T04:05:20.268485-07:00

eVTOL Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Sustainability & Climate Initiatives Airlines

AeroTime • Miquel Ros

Ampaire raises $19M Series B funding from IAG, Alaska Airlines, VC investors

By AeroTime: Hybrid-electric startup Ampaire has raised $19million in Series B funding from IAG, Alaska Airlines, and venture capital funds.

1 Source

2026-08-19T04:21:18.675331-07:00

Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Aviation Safety & Regulation

FlightGlobal • David Kaminski-Morrow

Tu-204 type certificates consolidated to simplify operations and maintenance

By FlightGlobal: Decision by Russian regulator intended to provide greater flexibility across twinjet models. Russian federal air transport regulator Rosaviatsia has issued a combined type certificate for the Tupolev Tu-204 and Tu-214 family of aircraft, with the aim of providing greater flexibility in operations and maintenance.

Air Data News

Russia consolidates Tu-204 and Tu-214 certification as old jet returns to production

2 Sources

2026-08-19T03:35:26.671499-07:00

Africa Aircraft Demand: Airline Distress & Consolidation Airlines

ch-aviation • Hilka Birns

Gov't sets late-4Q26 target for Kenya Airways investor deal

By ch-aviation: Kenya aims to finalise a strategic partnership for Kenya Airways (KQ, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta) by December 2026 as part of efforts to recapitalise the flag carrier and reduce its dependence on government support, the National Treasury has told the country's parliament.

1 Source

2026-08-19T05:05:28.141236-07:00

Supply Chain Europe Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Airbus

FlightGlobal • David Kaminski-Morrow

Airbus begins expanding Belfast site to allow higher A220 wing output

By FlightGlobal: Airframer aiming to reach 13-per-month build rate for twinjet in 2028. Airbus has commenced construction of an A220 wing plant extension in Belfast to support production ramp-up of the type.

Also: Leeham News and Airbus

3 Sources

2026-08-19T03:50:06.585919-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs

Associated Press • Josh Funk

Amazon set to expand drone delivery of lightweight packages to 500 US cities

By Associated Press: Millions more people may be able to get smaller, lightweight Amazon packages delivered by drones by the end of the year under a plan the company announced Thursday to expand the airborne shipping to suburban areas in nearly 500 U.S.

Also: Atlanta Journal-Constitution and mynorthwest.com

3 Sources

2026-08-19T03:05:18.884111-07:00

Lufthansa Group launches Starlink on first A320neo, with 850-aircraft rollout planned by 2029

Luxury tour agency &Beyond confirms helicopter carrying its guests crashed in Kenya

Helicopter crashes in a remote area of northern Kenya, aviation authorities say

Ampaire raises $19M Series B funding from IAG, Alaska Airlines, VC investors

Tu-204 type certificates consolidated to simplify operations and maintenance

Russia consolidates Tu-204 and Tu-214 certification as old jet returns to production

Gov't sets late-4Q26 target for Kenya Airways investor deal

Airbus begins expanding Belfast site to allow higher A220 wing output

Amazon set to expand drone delivery of lightweight packages to 500 US cities

Helicopter crashes in a remote area of northern Kenya, aviation authorities say

Luxury tour agency &Beyond confirms helicopter carrying its guests crashed in Kenya

Lufthansa’s first Starlink-equipped aircraft enters service

Gov't sets late-4Q26 target for Kenya Airways investor deal

Ampaire raises $19M Series B funding from IAG, Alaska Airlines, VC investors

Tu-204 type certificates consolidated to simplify operations and maintenance

Hydrogen-Aircraft Developer Stralis Shuts Down, Citing Uncertain Commercial Market

Angola's TAAG to debut 5th freedom Dakar-Praia route in 4Q26

India's SpiceJet bankruptcy cases to be reheard in setback for lessors

Israel’s security agency halts El Al’s direct Hanoi ops plan

ATSB finds Qantas A380 flew two long-haul sectors with maintenance lamp left inside wing

Air India Expands Pilot Drug Testing After Phuket–Delhi Incident as Malaysia Airlines Screens Cockpit and Cabin Crews

Google wins Spirit Airlines’ business-data trove for $10 million to train AI models

BFU probes Vietnam Airlines 787-9 tail strike and late takeoff at Munich

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Aviation

Air India on track to induct 100 jets over next two years

Turkish Airlines to resume Havana despite Cuba fuel curbs

Somali Airlines now targets late-3Q26 restart

Klimov developing turboprop demonstrator for An-2 modernisation

‘Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing’ Review: The Cost of Cutting Corners on Netflix

South Korea's Parata Air eyes US flights in early 2Q27

ATR finds demand for 209 new routes across Indonesia

Five Asia-Pacific Airlines, One Huge Fuel Shock, Five Different Outcomes