Airline Industry & Market Trends News

AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

Qantas boosts Perth hub with nonstop Perth–Johannesburg and Perth–Auckland; Gold Coast–Auckland returns June 2026

Qantas has launched nonstop Perth–Johannesburg and Perth–Auckland services, adding roughly 150,000 annual seats and reinforcing Perth's role as the carrier's international hub. The airline also confirmed Gold Coast–Auckland will resume in June 2026, restoring international flying from the Gold Coast for the first time since before COVID‑19.

2025-12-09T02:09:01.655845-08:00

View from the Wing

American to buy two Spirit gates (G8, G10) at Chicago O'Hare for $30 million after bankruptcy court approval

2025-12-08T04:26:03.105256-08:00

AirInsight

Airbus surges into year‑end with higher first flights and deliveries; Boeing, COMAC and Embraer lag

2025-12-08T08:30:16.855694-08:00

FlightGlobal

Pegasus launches €154m ($179m) takeover bid for Smartwings, outbidding LOT to accelerate Central Europe expansion

2025-12-08T00:27:20.803924-08:00

Airline Industry & Market Trends News Timeline

ch-aviation

Russia's S7 Airlines "intends" to switch to Russian aircraft

2025-12-09T04:29:02.908581-08:00

Russia's S7 Airlines "intends"

AeroTime

Cebu Pacific to launch four‑weekly Manila–Riyadh service from March 2026 Cebu Pacific will launch a four‑weekly nonstop Manila–Riyadh service from March 2026, targeting lower‑cost travel for Filipino overseas workers and expanding the carrier’s Middle East network. The rotation offers a direct link between Manila and Riyadh and new affordable options for OFWs.

2025-12-09T03:46:28.963816-08:00

Cebu Pacific to launch four‑weekly Manila–Riyadh service from March 2026

AeroTime

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Qantas boosts Perth hub with nonstop Perth–Johannesburg and Perth–Auckland; Gold Coast–Auckland returns June 2026 Qantas has launched nonstop Perth–Johannesburg and Perth–Auckland services, adding roughly 150,000 annual seats and reinforcing Perth's role as the carrier's international hub. The airline also confirmed Gold Coast–Auckland will resume in June 2026, restoring international flying from the Gold Coast for the first time since before COVID‑19.

2025-12-09T02:09:01.655845-08:00

Qantas boosts Perth hub with nonstop Perth–Johannesburg and Perth–Auckland; Gold Coast–Auckland returns June 2026

ch-aviation

Malawi start-up Flytech seeks CAA approval for inaugural international passenger services Malawian start‑up Flytech, based at Lilongwe International, is awaiting clearance from the Malawi Civil Aviation Authority to begin international passenger flights. If approved, the move would allow the carrier to commence scheduled cross‑border services from Lilongwe, marking its first announced step into international operations.

2025-12-09T02:03:36.406338-08:00

Malawi start-up Flytech seeks CAA approval for inaugural international passenger services

Reuters

IATA: 17,000-aircraft delivery backlog and $11bn supply‑chain hit threaten industry growth At its Media Day, IATA warned that more than 17,000 aircraft are currently awaiting delivery, an unprecedented backlog that threatens global aviation growth. IATA’s supply‑chain analysis estimates the crisis will add about $11 billion in extra costs to airlines in 2025.

2025-12-09T01:47:34.359711-08:00

IATA: 17,000-aircraft delivery backlog and $11bn supply‑chain hit threaten industry growth

ch-aviation

Qatar Airways phases out 737-8s and damp-leases A321neos Qatar Airways is phasing out its Boeing 737-8 narrowbodies and is damp‑leasing Airbus A321neos to maintain short- and medium‑haul capacity. The swap indicates a tactical fleet reshuffle that increases reliance on lessors for immediate narrowbody demand and could reshape regional network deployment.

2025-12-08T22:27:28.627712-08:00

Qatar Airways phases out 737-8s and damp-leases A321neos

ch-aviation

Vietnam Airlines to receive first dedicated freighter, launch cargo operations by year‑end 2025 Vietnam Airlines will take delivery of its first dedicated freighter and launch cargo operations by year‑end 2025, the carrier told ch-aviation. The move establishes Vietnam Airlines as a participant in scheduled freighter services and expands capacity beyond passenger bellyhold traffic.

2025-12-08T18:08:39.248257-08:00

Vietnam Airlines to receive first dedicated freighter, launch cargo operations by year‑end 2025

ch-aviation

Urumqi Air accepts its first C909 — milestone for China’s regional jet programme Urumqi Air has taken delivery of the first C909, a milestone for the Chinese aircraft programme. The handover represents a visible commercial placement of the domestically built regional jet and underscores progress in the C909’s certification and production pathway to entry into service.

2025-12-08T15:09:39.004352-08:00

Urumqi Air accepts its first C909 — milestone for China’s regional jet programme

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