Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management News

FlightGlobal

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Greenland opens 2,200-meter Ilulissat airport as Air Greenland starts nonstop Copenhagen flights

The new airport gives Ilulissat a runway capable of handling larger aircraft and enables Air Greenland to connect the town directly with Copenhagen. The opening completes a recent expansion of Greenland’s civilian airport network, following new airports in Nuuk and Qaqortoq, while Air Greenland’s handling subsidiary serves airports and passengers across the territory.

Flying Magazine

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FAA plans 2027 rollout of digital IFR departure clearances through ForeFlight and Garmin apps

General aviation pilots will be able to request IFR departure clearances digitally through ForeFlight and Garmin applications beginning in 2027, shifting the process from voice communications. The planned capability brings mobile tools into a routine ATC interaction, though the available reporting does not specify rollout scope or operational requirements.

ch-aviation

Cox’s Bazar to begin international operations with Biman Dhaka–Muscat stopover in November 2026

International operations at Cox’s Bazar are scheduled to start in early November, when Biman Bangladesh Airlines adds a stop at the airport to its regular Dhaka–Muscat service. The route will be operated with a Boeing 777-300ER, opening the coastal airport to scheduled international traffic.

AINonline

Chicago Midway closes a runway for three weeks

Flying Magazine

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How will the U.S. airspace system accommodate uncrewed drones?

The National Airspace System has long been built around crewed aircraft, raising questions about how it will manage uncrewed drones. The issue centers on adapting traffic control to integrate a growing class of aircraft into shared airspace; the article provides no further details about a proposed system or timeline.

ch-aviation

Sydney Western opens with Jetstar domestic service and Air New Zealand’s Auckland flights

Sydney Western began passenger operations on Oct. 25, 2026, with Jetstar operating the inaugural flight to Gold Coast Coolangatta. Air New Zealand launched the airport’s first international services the following day, linking it with Auckland. The opening adds a new Sydney gateway for domestic and international traffic.

ch-aviation

Sydney Western opens to passenger traffic

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

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Heathrow plans 2028 terminal reshuffle, moving Delta to T4 and splitting it from Virgin Atlantic

Heathrow’s review of terminal capacity would relocate five airlines from 2028, including Delta from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4. Virgin Atlantic opposes the move, warning that separating the joint-venture partners could lengthen passenger transfers and raise competition concerns, with potential legal challenges. Other airlines would also shift terminals.