Asia-Pacific (APAC) News

Bloomberg

Commentary challenges Musk’s view of India’s space-sector power brokers

Space.com

High activity

India launches its first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, in 2008

India’s space agency, ISRO, launched Chandrayaan-1 on Oct. 21, 2008, marking the country’s first mission to the moon. The anniversary highlights a milestone in India’s space program and its move into lunar exploration.

Via Satellite

OXG Space raises ₹17 crore for orbital connectivity network; Atombeam secures $18.3 million for satellite and defense networking

Bengaluru-based OXG Space raised ₹17 crore in a round led by Aum Ventures’ India Innovation Fund II to build a satellite connectivity network in orbit. Separately, U.S. startup Atombeam raised $18.3 million to accelerate adoption of networking software for satellite, defense and commercial links, taking its total funding to $55 million.

ch-aviation

VietJetAir faces worldwide asset freeze over $250 million debt

VietJetAir has been hit with a worldwide asset freeze tied to $250 million in debt, according to a report in Commercial Aviation News. The available article summary provides no further detail on the parties seeking the freeze, its scope or its effect on the airline’s operations.

CAPA

High activity

Qatar Airways to launch Western Sydney flights in December 2027, adding a seventh Australian gateway

Qatar Airways plans to begin service to Western Sydney International on Dec. 15, 2027, with three weekly Boeing 777-300ER flights linking the airport to Doha. The airport will be the carrier’s seventh Australian gateway; Qatar Airways says it intends to increase the route to daily service over time.

ch-aviation

Vietnam Airlines seeks to lease up to 25 A321neos for possible low-cost return in 2027

Vietnam Airlines is reportedly seeking to lease 20 to 25 A321-200N aircraft to support a return to the low-cost market as early as 2027, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the plans. The report signals a potential fleet commitment tied to the carrier’s budget-market strategy.

ch-aviation

Air Calédonie wins six-month extension to restructuring observation period

A court has extended Air Calédonie’s observation period in its court-supervised restructuring by six months, through mid-April 2027. The reprieve gives the New Caledonian carrier additional time under judicial oversight as it works through its restructuring.

ch-aviation

Malaysia has not agreed to fund AirAsia Group, Anwar tells Parliament

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told Malaysia’s Parliament on Oct. 19, 2026, that the government had not agreed to provide funding to AirAsia Group. His statement confirms that no government funding commitment had been made as of that date, leaving the question of state support unresolved.