Europe News

One Mile at a Time • Ben Schlappig

Lufthansa unveils six‑aircraft 'Anniversary Fleet' livery for 2026 centenary

Lufthansa will mark its 2026 centenary by rolling out a six‑aircraft 'Anniversary Fleet' painted in a commemorative 100‑year livery across narrow‑ and widebody types. The scheme debuts on the Boeing 787 “Berlin” in December, is applied in stages across nearly all models, and completes in 2H 2026.

2025-11-24T06:44:19.231545-08:00

Simple Flying

Air Arabia to launch double-daily Sharjah–London Gatwick A321LR non-stops from 29 March 2026

2025-11-24T01:50:16.105881-08:00

European Spaceflight

The Exploration Company opens French facility to build Europe’s cargo‑return capability

2025-11-24T09:03:06.082158-08:00

CAPA

Eurowings launches Premium BIZ 2x2 premium seats on A320neo for Berlin–Dubai direct service

2025-11-23T18:09:01.030681-08:00

Europe News Timeline

Reuters

easyJet beats full-year operating profit expectations and raises holidays target easyJet reported a better-than-expected full-year operating profit and upgraded the medium-term target for its holidays arm after meeting the prior goal ahead of schedule. The revision follows early delivery on the holidays target, signalling accelerated progress in the carrier's leisure strategy.

2025-11-25T00:22:03.538194-08:00

easyJet beats full-year operating profit expectations and raises holidays target

Reuters

Romania scrambles fighters after Russian drones cross from Ukraine into NATO airspace Romania scrambled fighter jets after two Russian long‑range drones crossed into Romanian (and NATO) airspace from Ukraine near the border on Tuesday, the defence ministry said. One device continued advancing deeper into Romanian territory, prompting heightened alerts along the frontier.

2025-11-25T00:22:03.324381-08:00

Romania scrambles fighters after Russian drones cross from Ukraine into NATO airspace

The Aviationist

Exercise Pinion Titan: British and French helicopter forces stage up to 50 aircraft and ~2,000 personnel across the UK Throughout November, British and French forces staged up to 50 helicopters and roughly 2,000 personnel across the UK in Exercise Pinion Titan, a major bilateral rotary‑wing exercise aimed at testing cross‑border operations, sustainment and interoperability between their helicopter fleets.

2025-11-24T14:17:18.525829-08:00

Exercise Pinion Titan: British and French helicopter forces stage up to 50 aircraft and ~2,000 personnel across the UK

Aviation Source

Skybus commences Newquay–Gatwick flights, launches refreshed timetable Skybus operated its first scheduled flight from Cornwall Airport Newquay to London Gatwick on Sunday, inaugurating a refreshed timetable and restoring a direct scheduled link to the capital. The restarted service bolsters Cornwall's connectivity for business travel and tourism and reintroduces regular access to key London connections.

2025-11-24T13:42:18.287578-08:00

Skybus commences Newquay–Gatwick flights, launches refreshed timetable

Via Satellite

Kyivstar launches Starlink-powered direct-to-cell SMS service across Ukraine Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest mobile operator, has rolled out Starlink Direct-to-Cell nationwide, allowing customers to send and receive SMS where terrestrial mobile coverage is absent. The move makes Ukraine one of the early national adopters of SpaceX’s satellite-to-phone capability and strengthens civilian connectivity resilience.

2025-11-24T13:31:10.403896-08:00

Kyivstar launches Starlink-powered direct-to-cell SMS service across Ukraine

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

Aer Lingus halts Manchester cabin crew strikes after threatening to close base Aer Lingus has halted planned cabin crew strikes at its Manchester base after warning it may close the station amid an ongoing pay dispute. The carrier’s threat prompted the union to pause industrial action to protect jobs while talks resume.

2025-11-24T12:48:23.423947-08:00

Aer Lingus halts Manchester cabin crew strikes after threatening to close base

The War Zone

UK government report criticises F-35 programme over cost‑cutting and standoff munitions shortfall A UK government review has sharply criticised the nation's F‑35 programme, faulting cost‑cutting decisions and highlighting a glaring shortfall in standoff air‑to‑ground munitions. The report warns the capability gap could erode strike effectiveness and increase operational risk in high‑end conflict, prompting calls for interim fixes.

2025-11-24T11:27:10.115739-08:00

UK government report criticises F-35 programme over cost‑cutting and standoff munitions shortfall

Flying Magazine

NATO fighters intercept rare Russian Tu-134 ‘Black Pearl’ ELINT aircraft over the Baltics Earlier this month NATO fighters intercepted a rare Russian Tupolev Tu‑134 electronic‑intelligence (ELINT) aircraft — nicknamed “Black Pearl” by Western analysts — operating over the Baltic Sea and escorted by NATO air‑policing assets. The contact signals renewed use of a seldom‑seen SIGINT platform in the region.

2025-11-24T09:53:18.070523-08:00

NATO fighters intercept rare Russian Tu-134 ‘Black Pearl’ ELINT aircraft over the Baltics