Paddle Your Own Kanoo
• Mateusz Maszczynski
Air India and Air India Express have suspended service to Riyadh and Dammam through Nov. 7 and to Jeddah through Oct. 31, while Akasa Air has extended its Saudi flight suspensions. Riyadh Air plans to restart limited operations from Al Qassim, about 400 km from Riyadh, with a complimentary 4.5-hour bus connection after attacks on Riyadh’s airport.
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Air India and Air India Express have suspended service to Riyadh and Dammam through Nov. 7 and to Jeddah through Oct. 31, while Akasa Air has extended its Saudi flight suspensions. Riyadh Air plans to restart limited operations from Al Qassim, about 400 km from Riyadh, with a complimentary 4.5-hour bus connection after attacks on Riyadh’s airport.
Mauritius’ state-owned carrier plans to add single-aisle aircraft while reviewing a planned wide-body acquisition as part of a long-term strategy review. The shift signals a reassessment of fleet composition, though the available report does not specify aircraft types, quantities or timing.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation fined Air France $105,000 and KLM $320,000 over more than 130 flights carrying Delta Air Lines’ code through Iraqi airspace below 32,000 feet, in violation of an FAA restriction in place for over six years. The airlines said pilots followed air traffic control instructions.
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JetBlue is pairing the introduction of its new BlueFirst cabin with upgrades to its Mosaic loyalty program, including changes set to take effect in 2027. The approach mixes familiar loyalty benefits with differentiated choices as the airline seeks to shape how members earn and use perks.
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A group of JetBlue creditors is working with PJT Partners and Akin as the airline faces cash burn and rising fuel costs, according to people familiar with the matter. The lenders are organizing ahead of the carrier’s third-quarter earnings report, as its turnaround comes under mounting pressure.
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Israel’s EL AL plans to introduce Starlink inflight internet from November 2026, making it the latest airline to select the service. The rollout is part of an expanded premium offering, though the available reports do not specify which aircraft or routes will receive connectivity, or the timing of fleetwide installation.
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Allegiant has exercised options under its 2021 purchase agreement with Boeing for six 737-8 MAX aircraft, with deliveries scheduled for 2028. The additional jets bring the airline’s firm purchases under the agreement to 56; one report values the six-aircraft commitment at more than $720 million.
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