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Flying Magazine • Jack Daleo

Merlin launches “Merlin Pilot” autonomy platform for large commercial cargo aircraft

Merlin, the US autonomy company building an “operating system of record” for autonomous flight, announced “Merlin Pilot for Commercial Cargo.” The aircraft-agnostic, AI-powered autonomy core is intended to add automation to large multi-crew civil and military transport platforms, starting with commercial cargo aircraft deployments.

2026-05-14T10:50:57.055655-07:00

FlightGlobal

ACI: Iran-war hit to Gulf hubs—27M passenger loss and up to $1B in revenue; cargo down 620,000 tonnes across nine airports

2026-05-14T02:22:30.019935-07:00

AirInsight

Strait of Hormuz closure triggers record US Jet fuel exports—and raises risk of global JetA shortage as stocks deplete

2026-05-13T10:34:23.641397-07:00

aeroroutes.com

Fiji Airways and WestJet to launch codeshare from May 2026, linking Nadi–Vancouver and expanding Canada–South Pacific connectivi

2026-05-12T00:27:01.810385-07:00

News Timeline

Flying Magazine

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Merlin launches “Merlin Pilot” autonomy platform for large commercial cargo aircraft Merlin, the US autonomy company building an “operating system of record” for autonomous flight, announced “Merlin Pilot for Commercial Cargo.” The aircraft-agnostic, AI-powered autonomy core is intended to add automation to large multi-crew civil and military transport platforms, starting with commercial cargo aircraft deployments.

2026-05-14T10:50:57.055655-07:00

Merlin launches “Merlin Pilot” autonomy platform for large commercial cargo aircraft

FlightGlobal

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ACI: Iran-war hit to Gulf hubs—27M passenger loss and up to $1B in revenue; cargo down 620,000 tonnes across nine airports Airports Council International (Asia-Pacific & Middle East) and Flare Aviation Consulting estimate that the Iran conflict cut demand at nine major Middle East airports by up to 27 million passengers and up to $1 billion in revenue over roughly two months after late-February. Cargo losses are estimated at 620,000 tonnes, and pre-conflict schedule capacity fell to 53% in March/April 2026.

2026-05-14T02:22:30.019935-07:00

ACI: Iran-war hit to Gulf hubs—27M passenger loss and up to $1B in revenue; cargo down 620,000 tonnes across nine airports

AirInsight

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Strait of Hormuz closure triggers record US Jet fuel exports—and raises risk of global JetA shortage as stocks deplete With the Strait of Hormuz closed, US oil refiners are sending more Jet fuel overseas than ever, aiming to plug emerging supply gaps. The closure is also expected to drive a likely global JetA shortage, as restoring normal supply levels quickly is now infeasible—amplifying price pressure worldwide.

2026-05-13T10:34:23.641397-07:00

Strait of Hormuz closure triggers record US Jet fuel exports—and raises risk of global JetA shortage as stocks deplete

FlightGlobal

Iran–U.S. conflict drives fuel and energy shock, raising airline and business-aviation stress As the Strait of Hormuz remains a bottleneck for tankers, the Iran war is pushing oil and jet-fuel costs higher and compressing global energy supply. The cluster points to knock-on effects including airline “operational stress” by August, squeezed liquidity and higher costs across passengers, cargo and private-charter demand.

2026-05-12T09:52:01.304499-07:00

Iran–U.S. conflict drives fuel and energy shock, raising airline and business-aviation stress

aeroroutes.com

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Fiji Airways and WestJet to launch codeshare from May 2026, linking Nadi–Vancouver and expanding Canada–South Pacific connectivi Fiji Airways and Canada’s WestJet have signed a new codeshare agreement set to begin service in May 2026. It will cover international travel between Nadi and Vancouver, alongside domestic connections within Canada, aiming to expand one-stop itineraries across the South Pacific and Canada.

2026-05-12T00:27:01.810385-07:00

Fiji Airways and WestJet to launch codeshare from May 2026, linking Nadi–Vancouver and expanding Canada–South Pacific connectivi

ch-aviation

Uzbekistan’s Stratos Freight secures AOC Uzbekistan’s Stratos Freight has secured an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), positioning the cargo operator to scale commercial flight operations. The certification milestone broadens the carrier’s ability to launch and expand freighter services and access additional charter and scheduled cargo opportunities.

2026-05-11T21:32:02.931251-07:00

Uzbekistan’s Stratos Freight secures AOC

ch-aviation

RGA-Black Stone Airlines to add Boeing 737 freighters Indonesia’s RGA-Black Stone Airlines is planning to add Boeing 737 freighters to expand its cargo lift capability. The move underscores continued investment in medium-size freighter capacity, complementing broader fleet initiatives that include 737 freighter conversions and larger-aircraft freighter refresh programs.

2026-05-11T20:07:28.851775-07:00

RGA-Black Stone Airlines to add Boeing 737 freighters

Bloomberg

IFM Investors threatens to walk away from A$3 billion Australia SAF project unless airlines are mandated to use the fuel IFM Investors warned it could scrap a planned A$3 billion sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) investment in Australia unless the government mandates airline uptake. The ultimatum spotlights how SAF supply-developer economics remain highly dependent on binding demand signals, not only production funding.

2026-05-11T19:36:12.298843-07:00

IFM Investors threatens to walk away from A$3 billion Australia SAF project unless airlines are mandated to use the fuel

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Air Cargo & Freight Logistics News

Merlin launches “Merlin Pilot” autonomy platform for large commercial cargo aircraft

ACI: Iran-war hit to Gulf hubs—27M passenger loss and up to $1B in revenue; cargo down 620,000 tonnes across nine airports

Strait of Hormuz closure triggers record US Jet fuel exports—and raises risk of global JetA shortage as stocks deplete

Fiji Airways and WestJet to launch codeshare from May 2026, linking Nadi–Vancouver and expanding Canada–South Pacific connectivi

News Timeline