Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management News

AeroTime

High activity

Explosive-Laden Drone Found Near Leipzig Airport Runway, Prompting Counterterrorism Investigation

German authorities launched a counterterrorism investigation after discovering an armed drone near a runway at Leipzig Airport, reportedly close to a Ukrainian cargo aircraft and allegedly carrying Semtex. The incident temporarily shut runways and intensified concerns over airport security, potential Russian involvement and the use of captured Ukrainian drones.

AeroTime

Bahamas bills aircraft operators retroactively, raising fees as much as 700% for flights since 2021

The Bahamas is retroactively billing some aircraft operators for flights dating back to May 2021, with fee increases ranging from 300% to 700%. The move creates unexpected cost exposure for operators and raises operational and compliance concerns over the country’s aviation-fee collection practices.

ch-aviation

Ethiopian Airlines delays contractor selection for $12.5 billion Bishoftu airport to January 2027

Ethiopian Airlines has pushed back contractor selection for its planned Bishoftu International Airport from August 2026 to early January 2027. Bidders requested additional time to prepare proposals and arrange financing for the multibillion-dollar project, valued at approximately $12.5 billion.

eVTOL Insights

High activity

Atoms and Joby partner to build a U.S. vertiport network for electric air taxis

Atoms, an industrial AI and infrastructure company, and Joby Aviation are forming a strategic partnership to acquire and develop vertiport sites across the United States, creating physical infrastructure intended to support Joby’s planned commercial electric air-taxi operations.

Associated Press

High activity

Explosive-laden drone found at Leipzig/Halle as DHL freighter strikes unidentified object

Leipzig/Halle Airport temporarily suspended flights after authorities found a drone carrying explosives near a Ukrainian An-124 and removed its detonator. The disruption followed a DHL cargo aircraft’s apparent midair collision with an unidentified object, prompting a major security investigation at the German cargo hub.

Flying Magazine

High activity

FAA awards $870 million for airport infrastructure, safety and passenger upgrades

The FAA is awarding $870 million for airport improvements, with funding directed toward infrastructure upgrades, safety enhancements and more family-friendly features. The grants underscore continued federal investment in airport facilities and passenger-facing infrastructure, though the announcement provides no further breakdown of recipients or individual project amounts.

ch-aviation

UK CAA allows Heathrow to charge airlines and travelers for third-runway investment

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has authorized Heathrow Airport Limited to recover the early-stage costs of its proposed third runway through additional charges to airlines and travelers. The decision establishes a regulatory mechanism for funding the project before construction and broader expansion decisions are finalized.

Yahoo Finance

High activity

Joby partners with Atoms and Travis Kalanick to build U.S. vertiport network ahead of air taxi launch

Joby Aviation is partnering with Atoms, the redevelopment company led by Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick, to acquire and develop vertiport sites in New York, California, Texas and Florida. Separately, UrbanV outlined plans for a vertiport network supporting future eVTOL operations in Brazil’s São Paulo state.