Bloomberg
• Alex Wickham, Jacob Reid
Britain’s opposition Conservatives say they will “do whatever it takes” to build a third runway at London Heathrow, putting the project at the center of a political divide after Prime Minister Andy Burnham declined to support the planned expansion.
Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management
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China Eastern Airlines’ board approved a CNY3.4 billion ($507 million) investment in a production support area at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The project is part of the airport’s Phase IV expansion, linking the carrier’s base development to a major airport infrastructure program.
Britain’s opposition Conservatives say they will “do whatever it takes” to build a third runway at London Heathrow, putting the project at the center of a political divide after Prime Minister Andy Burnham declined to support the planned expansion.
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The FAA recruited 2,235 air traffic controller trainees in fiscal year 2026, exceeding its hiring target and setting an agency record. The milestone strengthens the staffing pipeline, but the agency continues to face a chronic controller shortage that remains an operational constraint.
Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Paraguay have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance a regional “single sky” framework. The agreement signals closer coordination on airspace management and could shape future approaches to cross-border air traffic operations among the four South American countries.
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Thai Airways has removed chief executive Chai Eamsiri and appointed Samrit Samniang as acting CEO after severe Bangkok flooding triggered major operational disruptions, including thousands of stranded bags at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The board is reviewing the flag carrier’s crisis-management procedures and response to the weather event.
New satellite imagery shows China’s construction of a runway on Antelope Reef in the disputed Paracel Islands gathering pace. Analysts estimate the facility could be completed by mid-2027, potentially strengthening Beijing’s military control and operational reach in the South China Sea.
The airline passenger experience association has joined aviation leaders calling on Congress to fund the $30 billion Modern Skies Act. The proposed investment would modernize the U.S. air traffic control system and improve the passenger experience.
Wizz Air will maintain its aircraft base at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport through the 2026/27 winter season after Serbian authorities postponed revised rules governing foreign airlines. The six-month delay removes, for now, a measure that could have effectively prevented the Hungarian low-cost carrier from basing aircraft in Serbia.
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