Airports News

Aerospace Testing Intnl

Archer completes piloted Midnight eVTOL flights around San Francisco Bay, including Oakland airport operations

Archer Aviation says it conducted several days of piloted flights with its all-electric Midnight aircraft around the San Francisco Bay Area, taking off and landing at Oakland International Airport. The flights demonstrated the aircraft’s operation in busy urban airspace as the company prepares for a Los Angeles demonstration under a U.S. government program to accelerate electric air taxi operations.

AeroTime

Vehicle breaches Leipzig/Halle Airport perimeter fence; two suspected perpetrators contact police

German authorities are investigating after a vehicle damaged a perimeter fence and entered the airside area at Leipzig/Halle Airport overnight. Two people suspected of causing the breach have since contacted police, according to reports; the incident prompted a major security response.

FL360aero

L&T starts work on $2.5 billion New Tashkent airport project

Larsen & Toubro has begun initial activities on Uzbekistan’s New Tashkent International Airport, a $2.5 billion project being developed through a public-private partnership. The airport is targeted to begin operations in 2030.

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

Family loses lawsuit against Salt Lake City over fatal Delta engine ingestion

The family of a man killed after being pulled into the engine of a Delta Air Lines aircraft at Salt Lake City International Airport on New Year’s Day 2024 lost its lawsuit against the city. The suit alleged Salt Lake City failed to do enough to prevent his death.

Bloomberg

Sydney’s A$5.6B Western Sydney Airport opens with few flights as commercial prospects face scrutiny

After decades of delays, protests and funding shortfalls, Sydney’s second airport has opened. The A$5.6 billion (US$4 billion) facility begins operations with barely any flights, raising questions about its commercial prospects.

Reuters

High activity

U.S. lifts restrictions on Mexican airlines’ routes from Mexico City airports, voiding order that canceled 13 routes

The U.S. Department of Transportation has immediately rescinded an October 2025 order that blocked 13 current or planned routes by Aeroméxico, Volaris and Viva from Mexico City International and Felipe Ángeles International airports. Mexican carriers can again propose new U.S. services, but must continue submitting schedules for approval.

Bloomberg

High activity

UK Chancellor backs third Heathrow runway, setting up potential clash with prime minister

Chancellor John Healey has backed plans for a third runway at Heathrow, according to the report, putting him at odds with Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The support revives a major airport-capacity proposal as a point of contention within the UK government.

Reuters

High activity

UN aviation agency finds Beirut airport lacks valid certification, complicating effort to restore direct US flights

A report summary seen by Reuters says Lebanon’s main airport lacks valid certification from the United Nations aviation agency. The finding creates a regulatory obstacle to US President Donald Trump’s move to revive direct flights between the United States and Beirut.