Aviation Safety & Regulation News

FlightGlobal

Spain probes A320neo airprox with firefighting aircraft during Malaga approach

Spanish investigators are examining an airprox involving an Airbus A320neo and aircraft supporting a wildfire response near Malaga. The airliner aborted its approach after encountering firefighting traffic; two aircraft involved in the Cadiz wildfire operation were reportedly heading to a heliport to refill.

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

High activity

Israir wins U.S. approval to sell Tel Aviv–New York tickets for October 2026 launch

Israel’s low-cost Israir has received U.S. Department of Transportation approval to begin selling tickets for nonstop Tel Aviv–New York flights starting October 19, 2026. The carrier still requires final operating approval from the Federal Aviation Administration before it can launch the service.

FlightGlobal

High activity

ATSB finds Qantas A380 flew two long-haul sectors with maintenance floodlight left inside wing

A work light was inadvertently left inside a Qantas Airbus A380 wing during maintenance in Sydney, according to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau final report. The aircraft subsequently flew to Dallas Fort Worth and back, carrying nearly 1,000 passengers, before the light was recovered; Qantas has revised tool-control procedures and is pursuing new technology.

AirInsight

Netflix to Examine Boeing Culture, 787 Dreamliner and Whistleblower Allegations in New Documentary

A new Netflix documentary scheduled for release August 19 will examine Boeing’s corporate culture, the 787 Dreamliner program and allegations raised by whistleblowers. The film places the manufacturer’s people, production practices and reported internal concerns at the center of a broad public-facing investigation.

Leeham News

Merlin clears AI certification hurdle for autonomous flight in New Zealand

Merlin has cleared a certification hurdle in New Zealand for using artificial intelligence in autonomous flight, addressing one of the most persistent regulatory challenges facing safety-critical aviation systems. The development signals progress toward regulatory acceptance of AI in aircraft operations, though the article provides no further details on scope or timing.

Air Data News

Russia’s PD-14-Powered MC-21 Completes Longest Flight, but Range Still Trails A320neo

The first production MC-21-310 fitted with Russian-made systems flew 5 hours and 50 minutes from Irkutsk to Zhukovsky near Moscow, apparently the longest flight yet for the PD-14-powered variant. The flight follows tests showing about 2,000 nautical miles of range in an operational configuration.

FlightGlobal

Russia to tighten financial and compliance checks for airlines seeking international routes

Russian authorities are proposing stricter criteria for approving international services, including closer scrutiny of carriers’ compliance with mandatory requirements and financial condition. Airlines with unresolved regulatory violations or financial weaknesses could be blocked from opening new international routes under the proposed rules.

FlightGlobal

Azur Air chief to step down weeks after regulatory action over operational problems

Evgeny Korolev is leaving his position as chief of Russian leisure carrier Azur Air after almost five years, with the airline’s former deputy chief taking over leadership. The change comes weeks after regulators acted over operational problems, placing management continuity and compliance under scrutiny.