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• Hilka Birns
TAAG Angola Airlines plans to introduce a fifth-freedom service linking Dakar, Senegal, and Praia, Cape Verde, in the fourth quarter of 2026. The route would expand the Angolan carrier’s regional network and create a new West African connection operated under TAAG’s traffic rights.
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TAAG Angola Airlines plans to introduce a fifth-freedom service linking Dakar, Senegal, and Praia, Cape Verde, in the fourth quarter of 2026. The route would expand the Angolan carrier’s regional network and create a new West African connection operated under TAAG’s traffic rights.
Israel’s security agency has halted El Al’s plan to launch direct flights between Israel and Hanoi, blocking the airline’s proposed expansion into Vietnam. The decision underscores how security approvals can determine route viability, even after an airline has developed plans for new international service.
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An Indian court will rehear bankruptcy petitions filed by aircraft lessors against cash-strapped SpiceJet before a new bench, after the airline reached a last-minute settlement with one lessor. The ruling delays proceedings and resets a closely watched test of lessors’ remedies against distressed airlines in India.
Turkish Airlines plans to resume Istanbul–Havana service on Oct. 25, 2026, more than six months after suspending its Cuba operations. The planned restart comes as the country continues to face jet-fuel shortages and broader operational instability, leaving the schedule exposed to fuel availability and execution risk.
Somali Airlines is targeting a return to scheduled operations in mid-September 2026, more than 35 years after suspending service. The Somali Civil Aviation Authority says preparations for the relaunch are complete, marking a significant step in the revival of the country’s flag carrier.
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Air India is on track to add 100 aircraft to its fleet over the next two years, signaling continued fleet expansion as the airline advances its growth and renewal plans.
India’s Akasa Air has signed a sale-and-leaseback agreement covering seven Boeing 737-8 aircraft, adding a fleet-financing transaction to the carrier’s expansion strategy. The deal highlights the role of leasing structures in supporting fleet growth while preserving airline capital flexibility.
Japan’s two largest airlines will coordinate flight schedules on the Tokyo Haneda–Okayama route from late October, marking their first domestic schedule-coordination agreement. The move is part of efforts to maintain a more sustainable domestic network, with both carriers leaving open broader future cooperation, including with competitors.
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