Asia-Pacific (APAC) News

Reuters

High activity

Malaysia weighs whether rival airlines could absorb AirAsia domestic capacity amid financial-health review

Malaysia’s government has asked Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air whether they could take on AirAsia’s domestic market share, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The scenario planning comes as authorities monitor the financial health of Southeast Asia’s largest low-cost carrier, without indicating that a restructuring or exit has been decided.

FlightGlobal

Japan confirms loss of RQ-4B Global Hawk in Sea of Japan

Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force confirmed that one of its three Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawks crashed in the Sea of Japan off Tottori Prefecture after the service lost contact on Sept. 15. The accident is the tenth reported loss of a Global Hawk variant.

Leeham News

Air Cambodia’s COMAC C909 order supports regional fleet expansion through 2029

Air Cambodia is preparing to introduce the COMAC C909, with its first two aircraft due in November 2026. The carrier’s remaining firm orders comprise two regional jets scheduled for delivery in 2027, three in 2028 and three in 2029.

Reuters

Poland seeks new defense partnerships with Philippines after Black Hawk deliveries

Poland is pursuing additional defense cooperation with the Philippines after completing deliveries of Black Hawk helicopters to Manila last month, according to a senior Polish foreign ministry official. The effort signals Warsaw’s interest in expanding bilateral defense ties beyond the recently completed helicopter program.

Australian Aviation

Qantas opens Adelaide Product Innovation Centre, creating 400 technology jobs

Qantas has opened a Product Innovation Centre in Adelaide’s central business district, consolidating product managers, digital-experience designers, software engineers, and data and AI specialists. The center will develop digital travel experiences and advance the airline group’s use of artificial intelligence.

Reuters

High activity

Airbus expects Asia-Pacific to drive nearly half of 42,000 global aircraft deliveries through 2045

Airbus expects Asia-Pacific’s expanding middle class, new city-pair routes and fleet growth to sustain demand for thousands of aircraft over the next two decades. Despite geopolitical headwinds and supply-chain constraints, the manufacturer sees no significant regional slowdown and forecasts the region will account for about 45% of new jet deliveries.

ch-aviation

US-Bangla Airlines targets $4–5 billion aircraft leasing program by November 2026

US-Bangla Airlines plans to launch another aircraft leasing program valued at $4–5 billion within the next 60 days, Managing Director Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun said. The proposed transaction would follow the Bangladeshi carrier’s recently announced plan to acquire 21 Boeing aircraft worth approximately $1.5 billion.

AirInsight

UAC pitches localized SJ-100 and Il-114-300 production in India, but economics and support will decide airline uptake

Russia’s UAC is exploring localization of the SJ-100 regional jet and Il-114-300 turboprop in India. The proposition’s viability will depend on aircraft pricing, commercial terms and the strength of after-sales support—factors likely to determine whether Indian airlines view localized production as a credible fleet option.