Asia-Pacific (APAC) News

FlightGlobal

Archer’s Midnight completes California city-to-city flight as eVTOL sector advances commercial and defense applications

Archer Aviation’s piloted, all-electric Midnight prototype flew roundtrip between Salinas Municipal and Monterey Regional airports on July 30. Separately, Korean Air is exploring a military transport version with Archer, while Indonesia’s Whitesky Group ordered 60 Volant VE25-100 aircraft in a deal valued at approximately $221 million.

Reuters

High activity

Qantas exits Jetstar Japan in ¥8.2 billion stake sale as airline shifts to wholly Japanese ownership

Qantas has completed the sale of its 33.32% Jetstar Japan stake to the low-cost carrier for ¥8.2 billion ($52.1 million). The restructuring, involving Japan Airlines and the Development Bank of Japan, will leave Jetstar Japan wholly Japanese-owned and redirect Qantas capital toward its Australian operations.

The War Zone

U.S. Aircraft Carrier Deployments: USS George Washington Visits Vietnam as Two Carriers Hold Arabian Sea Blockade Line

Aviation Week

Bamboo Airways halts ticket sales as scheduled operations dwindle and fleet shrinks to three aircraft

Bamboo Airways has effectively stopped selling individual domestic tickets, with its website showing no flights on major Vietnam routes including Ho Chi Minh City–Hanoi, Hanoi–Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City–Da Nang. The move intensifies questions about the carrier’s viability as its operating fleet contracts to three aircraft.

ch-aviation

Thai Airways to sign 50-year lease for 336,000-square-meter Utapao MRO site in August 2026

Thai Airways International plans to sign a 50-year lease on Aug. 4, 2026, for a 210-rai, or 336,000-square-meter, site at Thailand’s Utapao airport. The lease will take effect Sept. 1, establishing the contractual basis for the airline’s planned MRO presence at the facility.

Airline Weekly

High activity

Willie Walsh takes over as IndiGo CEO as India’s largest airline targets global expansion

Willie Walsh officially became IndiGo’s chief executive on Aug. 3, succeeding Pieter Elbers as the Indian carrier enters a new phase. Walsh, the former leader of IAG, takes charge as IndiGo pursues international growth while navigating the strategic demands of building out its long-haul ambitions.

Aviation Source

High activity

Air India expands Canada network and 787 cabin upgrades as United plans premium Houston deployment

Air India is introducing its new Boeing 787-9 cabin on Delhi–Toronto flights, adding Mumbai–Toronto service and 4,400 monthly Canada seats while accelerating 787-8 retrofits through Shanghai MRO. Separately, United will deploy its 222-seat “Elevated” 787-9 on Houston long-haul routes from October 2026.

AeroTime

High activity

Malaysia Airlines first officer detained in Jakarta over alleged smuggling of 70,114 ecstasy pills and methamphetamine

Indonesian authorities detained a Malaysia Airlines first officer after allegedly finding 70,114 ecstasy pills and methamphetamine in his bags following a flight from Kuala Lumpur. The pilot reportedly tested positive for methamphetamine, prompting Malaysia’s aviation regulator to launch a security review; Indonesian prosecutors could seek the death penalty.