Air Data News
• Ricardo Meier
Latvian carrier airBaltic is seeking approval for up to €257 million ($300 million) in emergency financing at a 25% annual interest rate. The funding is intended to provide liquidity while the airline undertakes a major operational restructuring.
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Latvian carrier airBaltic is seeking approval for up to €257 million ($300 million) in emergency financing at a 25% annual interest rate. The funding is intended to provide liquidity while the airline undertakes a major operational restructuring.
Ryanair and Wizz Air are calling for urgent reforms at the United Kingdom’s National Air Traffic Services after a technical issue disrupted more than 1,000 flights at major British airports on Sept. 8-9, 2026. The disruption has renewed scrutiny of the resilience of the country’s air traffic-control infrastructure.
Wizz Air plans to resume 12 Middle Eastern routes this winter, operating them with a mix of Airbus A321neos and longer-range A321XLRs. Abu Dhabi will account for half of the flights, although the low-cost carrier says it does not plan to re-establish a base there.
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Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary warned that fares could rise significantly if oil and jet-fuel prices remain elevated, with higher prices expected particularly in winter. He said more expensive tickets at rival airlines could strengthen Ryanair’s relative fare advantage and renewed criticism of UK air traffic control operator NATS.
India and Russia are expanding discussions on localized production of the SJ-100 regional jet and Il-114-300 turboprop, with Indian demand estimated at roughly 100 SJ-100s and more than 100 Il-114s over the next decade. UAC has signed preliminary supply agreements covering 105 Il-114-300s and expects a near-term HAL deal.
Oman’s SalamAir will begin twice-weekly flights between Muscat and Copenhagen Kastrup on Nov. 14, 2026, with fifth-freedom rights allowing the carrier to sell the Copenhagen-Baghdad sector. The route expands SalamAir’s European footprint while targeting strong demand between Denmark and Iraq.
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Qatar Airways reported a $1.94 billion profit after carrying 41.8 million passengers and said it is advancing a Boeing agreement covering as many as 210 widebody aircraft. The carrier also highlighted a maintenance hub with approximately $4 billion in assets and inventory supporting nearly 600 daily flights.
Russia’s Pobeda says it needs to update its fleet to support further growth, according to the low-cost airline’s chief executive. The comments point to fleet availability and renewal as central constraints on the carrier’s expansion plans.
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