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AINonline • Charlotte Bailey

CAAS to apply SAF levy to business-jet charter bookings from October

Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS) will extend its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) levy to business aviation charter bookings for journeys from October, adding a surcharge to private‑jet charters. The move brings the bizav charter market into the city‑state’s SAF demand framework.

2026-03-16T10:40:09.435924-07:00

Skift

Air India launches probe after discovery that 4,000+ staff abused leisure travel scheme

2026-03-16T05:55:02.697880-07:00

ch-aviation

Uzbekistan to sell Samarkand International Airport to settle government debts

2026-03-16T04:23:52.048832-07:00

CAPA

SriLankan ups Melbourne services to 10 weekly, adds ~92,000 seats annually

2026-03-15T17:05:07.486683-07:00

News Timeline

AINonline

CAAS to apply SAF levy to business-jet charter bookings from October Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS) will extend its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) levy to business aviation charter bookings for journeys from October, adding a surcharge to private‑jet charters. The move brings the bizav charter market into the city‑state’s SAF demand framework.

2026-03-16T10:40:09.435924-07:00

CAAS to apply SAF levy to business-jet charter bookings from October

Skift

Air India launches probe after discovery that 4,000+ staff abused leisure travel scheme Air India has launched an internal probe after finding that more than 4,000 employees abused its staff travel Employee Leisure Travel scheme, prompting a review of controls and processes. The investigation is examining suspected misuse of discounted leisure travel privileges and potential breaches of company policy.

2026-03-16T05:55:02.697880-07:00

Air India launches probe after discovery that 4,000+ staff abused leisure travel scheme

ch-aviation

Uzbekistan to sell Samarkand International Airport to settle government debts Uzbekistan plans to sell Samarkand International Airport to settle government debts, ch-aviation reports. The proposed divestment transfers ownership of a major regional gateway and represents a direct fiscal step by the state to reduce liabilities, with implications for airport operations and financing.

2026-03-16T04:23:52.048832-07:00

Uzbekistan to sell Samarkand International Airport to settle government debts

ch-aviation

Maldives carrier BeOnd to introduce Airbus A321s in 2026 as it grows network BeOnd, the Maldives-based carrier, will introduce Airbus A321s into its fleet beginning in 2026 as it expands scheduled network operations. The larger single‑aisle type will support longer routes and higher capacity as the airline scales beyond its current island-focused services.

2026-03-15T22:55:36.144234-07:00

Maldives carrier BeOnd to introduce Airbus A321s in 2026 as it grows network

AeroTime

RAAF, RNZAF and Indian Navy P-8As join US-led Sea Dragon 2026 ASW exercise in Guam The Royal Australian and Royal New Zealand air forces have deployed P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to Guam, joining the Indian Navy and other partners in the US Navy-led Exercise Sea Dragon 2026. The multinational anti-submarine warfare training runs throughout March and focuses on airborne and maritime ASW interoperability.

2026-03-15T22:40:51.507338-07:00

RAAF, RNZAF and Indian Navy P-8As join US-led Sea Dragon 2026 ASW exercise in Guam

ch-aviation

Former SriLankan CEO Arrested in Alleged A330 Procurement Corruption Case The former chief executive of SriLankan Airlines has been arrested in an alleged corruption case tied to the carrier’s procurement of Airbus A330 aircraft. Reports identify the arrest as connected to the A330 procurement process, prompting scrutiny of past fleet acquisition decisions and governance at the airline.

2026-03-15T22:09:54.318237-07:00

Former SriLankan CEO Arrested in Alleged A330 Procurement Corruption Case

Airline Weekly

How the Iran conflict is reshaping airlines — Cathay Pacific’s playbook for profitability The Iran conflict is forcing global carriers to reroute services, reshuffle networks and reassess capacity and pricing. This analysis examines how Cathay Pacific is adapting its network, cost base and cargo strategy to protect profitability and growth amid Gulf airspace disruptions and rising operating costs.

2026-03-15T22:03:48.216752-07:00

How the Iran conflict is reshaping airlines — Cathay Pacific’s playbook for profitability

AeroTime

ANA Holdings and Wingtra sign MoU to pilot wide‑area VTOL fixed‑wing drone surveying and inspection in Japan ANA Holdings and Swiss drone maker Wingtra signed a memorandum of understanding to explore wide‑area drone surveying and inspection services across Japan. The partnership will evaluate Wingtra’s VTOL fixed‑wing platforms for efficient, high‑coverage LiDAR and photogrammetry operations to support infrastructure inspection, mapping and disaster response trials.

2026-03-15T21:57:25.546356-07:00

ANA Holdings and Wingtra sign MoU to pilot wide‑area VTOL fixed‑wing drone surveying and inspection in Japan

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Asia-Pacific (APAC) News

CAAS to apply SAF levy to business-jet charter bookings from October

Air India launches probe after discovery that 4,000+ staff abused leisure travel scheme

Uzbekistan to sell Samarkand International Airport to settle government debts

SriLankan ups Melbourne services to 10 weekly, adds ~92,000 seats annually

News Timeline