FlightGlobal
• David Kaminski-Morrow
Icelandair Group has completed its purchase of a 49% shareholding in Fly Play Europe Holdco, Play’s Malta-based airline entity, for $686,000. The deal gives Icelandair flexibility to streamline operations through the former rival’s European operating certificate and corporate structure.
Airlines
Latest source-backed stories
WestJet is preparing to begin South American operations in the fourth quarter of 2026, marking a new regional expansion for the Canadian carrier. The announcement establishes a broad timing target, but the available information does not identify destinations, frequencies or aircraft deployment.
Icelandair Group has completed its purchase of a 49% shareholding in Fly Play Europe Holdco, Play’s Malta-based airline entity, for $686,000. The deal gives Icelandair flexibility to streamline operations through the former rival’s European operating certificate and corporate structure.
United Airlines has completed the first phase of an expansion at its Denver flight-training center, adding dozens of simulators as its pilot workforce approaches 18,000. The carrier says the more than $145 million investment will support 1,600 direct jobs and capacity to train 860 pilots daily.
Air Canada is seeking to buy back as much as $580 million of its outstanding shares, a move that would return capital to investors and reduce the company’s share count if fully executed. The announcement adds a significant capital-allocation decision to the carrier’s financial strategy.
High activity
Alaska Airlines will launch nonstop Seattle–Athens and Seattle–Paris services in May 2027, expanding its intercontinental network from Washington state to seven destinations. The new routes extend the carrier’s Boeing 787 international strategy and increase competition with Delta on transatlantic markets.
High activity
Oman Air will appoint Nasser Al Sharji as chief executive on Sept. 1, 2026, succeeding Con Korfiatis, while SalamAir will name Yaqoob bin Saif bin Hamoud Al Kiyumi on Oct. 1, succeeding Adrian Hamilton-Manns. The appointments come as both Omani airlines pursue their respective growth strategies.
High activity
American Airlines is adding 4K seatback entertainment at every narrowbody seat and expanding premium seating, while Eurowings is introducing premium seats across its A320neo fleet. Shenzhen Airlines is taking the opposite approach, converting seven A320neos to 174-seat all-economy layouts to increase capacity.
Norse Atlantic says it has received strong interest in a possible takeover following a disappointing second quarter. The Scandinavian carrier expects a decision within a month on how to reallocate Boeing 787s returned by IndiGo after the termination of their leases.
Create a free account to see more recent Airlines stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
