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NASA Spaceflight • Chris Bergin

FAA clears SpaceX Starship launches and landings at Kennedy Space Center; recommends up to 44 flights per year

The FAA has issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision approving SpaceX Starship launches and landings at Kennedy Space Center’s LC‑39A, recommending up to 44 launches per year. The ruling removes the primary environmental hurdle despite airline and sonic‑boom objections.

2026-01-30T07:34:55.589539-08:00

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

Virgin Atlantic to fill Aer Lingus gap at Manchester, boosting long‑haul capacity

2026-01-30T08:58:58.694213-08:00

ch-aviation

Ethiopian Airlines halts Addis Ababa–Tigray flights after renewed clashes

2026-01-30T06:04:37.740125-08:00

AeroTime

U.S. winter storm forces 20,000+ flight cancellations as carriers preemptively scrub East Coast and Southeast schedules

2026-01-30T02:15:37.905585-08:00

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AINonline

Echodyne metamaterial radars deployed by ESA to close critical drone-detection gaps The European Space Agency has deployed Echodyne's metamaterial radars to close critical drone-detection gaps. The solid-state sensors, with no moving parts, low weight and low power requirements, offer a compact, lower-maintenance option to fill surveillance blind spots and reduce sustainment burdens.

2026-01-30T19:13:38.784665-08:00

Echodyne metamaterial radars deployed by ESA to close critical drone-detection gaps

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

Virgin Atlantic to fill Aer Lingus gap at Manchester, boosting long‑haul capacity Virgin Atlantic will increase long‑haul capacity from Manchester to replace routes vacated by Aer Lingus after the Irish carrier ends transatlantic services and closes its Manchester base. The move expands Virgin’s presence at MAN and aims to capture displaced demand and connecting traffic.

2026-01-30T08:58:58.694213-08:00

Virgin Atlantic to fill Aer Lingus gap at Manchester, boosting long‑haul capacity

NASA Spaceflight

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FAA clears SpaceX Starship launches and landings at Kennedy Space Center; recommends up to 44 flights per year The FAA has issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision approving SpaceX Starship launches and landings at Kennedy Space Center’s LC‑39A, recommending up to 44 launches per year. The ruling removes the primary environmental hurdle despite airline and sonic‑boom objections.

2026-01-30T07:34:55.589539-08:00

FAA clears SpaceX Starship launches and landings at Kennedy Space Center; recommends up to 44 flights per year

ch-aviation

Ethiopian Airlines halts Addis Ababa–Tigray flights after renewed clashes Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights between Addis Ababa International and the northern Tigray region and nearby areas on Jan. 29 after renewed clashes, halting scheduled connectivity to the conflict‑affected zone and prompting immediate operational and safety reviews for services into Ethiopia's north.

2026-01-30T06:04:37.740125-08:00

Ethiopian Airlines halts Addis Ababa–Tigray flights after renewed clashes

Reuters

Niger junta accuses France, Benin and Ivory Coast of sponsoring Niamey airport attack; three aircraft damaged Niger's junta accused the presidents of France, Benin and Ivory Coast of sponsoring a pre-dawn assault on an air force base at Niamey international airport that wounded four soldiers and damaged three aircraft operated by ASKY and Air Côte d'Ivoire. The junta said Russian forces helped repel the attackers.

2026-01-30T05:38:32.334550-08:00

Niger junta accuses France, Benin and Ivory Coast of sponsoring Niamey airport attack; three aircraft damaged

AeroTime

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U.S. winter storm forces 20,000+ flight cancellations as carriers preemptively scrub East Coast and Southeast schedules A powerful winter storm across the United States prompted airlines to cancel more than 20,000 flights, concentrating disruption at East Coast and Southeast hubs as carriers preemptively scrubbed weekend schedules. American Airlines reported ongoing recovery after over 10,000 cancellations; Delta announced broad customer flexibility and waivers.

2026-01-30T02:15:37.905585-08:00

U.S. winter storm forces 20,000+ flight cancellations as carriers preemptively scrub East Coast and Southeast schedules

Simple Flying

Virgin Australia to launch three-times-weekly nonstop Canberra–Bali service, Canberra’s first scheduled international link Virgin Australia will launch three-times-weekly nonstop Canberra–Bali flights from 22 June 2026, adding roughly 40,000 seats a year and becoming the first carrier to operate scheduled international services from Canberra. The 2,800-mile link complements Bali capacity from Australia’s major gateways.

2026-01-29T12:06:35.535767-08:00

Virgin Australia to launch three-times-weekly nonstop Canberra–Bali service, Canberra’s first scheduled international link

calgaryherald.com

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Etihad to launch first nonstop Abu Dhabi–Calgary 787 service from Nov 2026 Etihad Airways will begin the first-ever nonstop Abu Dhabi–Calgary service in November 2026, creating a direct scheduled link between the UAE and Western Canada. Announced in Calgary on Jan. 29, 2026, the route will be operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and expand Etihad's long‑haul network.

2026-01-29T10:33:50.887969-08:00

Etihad to launch first nonstop Abu Dhabi–Calgary 787 service from Nov 2026

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Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management News

FAA clears SpaceX Starship launches and landings at Kennedy Space Center; recommends up to 44 flights per year

Virgin Atlantic to fill Aer Lingus gap at Manchester, boosting long‑haul capacity

Ethiopian Airlines halts Addis Ababa–Tigray flights after renewed clashes

U.S. winter storm forces 20,000+ flight cancellations as carriers preemptively scrub East Coast and Southeast schedules

News Timeline