Europe News

Bloomberg

High activity

UK Chancellor backs third Heathrow runway, setting up potential clash with prime minister

Chancellor John Healey has backed plans for a third runway at Heathrow, according to the report, putting him at odds with Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The support revives a major airport-capacity proposal as a point of contention within the UK government.

Reuters

Anduril says Steelfin interceptor missiles could eventually be manufactured in Europe

Anduril could produce its newly unveiled Steelfin interceptor missiles in Europe, a company executive said, as governments seek to expand air-defense production. Conflicts have exposed shortages of interceptor missiles, making local manufacturing a potential part of efforts to increase supply.

Via Satellite

ESPI urges Europe to extend MSS spectrum controls to the space segment

As Europe considers reserving part of its mobile satellite services spectrum authorization for European operators, the European Space Policy Institute says the approach should go further. It argues that Europe should maximize its control over the space segment as well, making strategic autonomy a central consideration in spectrum policy.

ch-aviation

High activity

Airlines announce new routes and expand joint venture and traffic rights

Air Canada and United are adding summer 2027 flights from Toronto, Montréal and Edmonton to U.S. cities and hubs, while Transport Canada has opened public consultation on an update to their joint venture. Separately, Delta plans daily Boston–Keflavík service from April 2027, American will serve Barcelona, Venezuela, and JetSMART has approval for ninth-freedom operations in Argentina.

FlightGlobal

Condor CEO says loss of Lufthansa feeder agreement forced business-model shift toward ‘bleisure’

Condor chief executive Peter Gerber says the airline changed its business model after losing its feeder agreement with Lufthansa Group. He also criticized European airline regulations as Condor pursues a strategy built around combining business and leisure travel.

Breaking Defense

Germany’s 2029 target to field a collaborative combat aircraft is in doubt as Berlin shifts course on MQ-28

Germany had aimed to become the first European country to field a collaborative combat aircraft by 2029, but a change in its plans to acquire Boeing’s MQ-28 drone wingman has put that timeline in doubt, according to a Boeing official. The shift leaves the country’s path to the milestone uncertain.

Fortune

Italian ATC network failure cuts capacity by half, cancels 192 flights; ENAV says issue resolved

A fault in the data-transmission network supporting air-traffic control services disrupted operations across Italy on Oct. 16, reducing ATC capacity to 50% and leading to 192 flight cancellations, according to one report. Civilian air-navigation provider ENAV said the problem was resolved Friday.

ch-aviation

Denmark grants Nordic Seaplanes reprieve on relocation until first half of 2027

Nordic Seaplanes has been granted until the first half of 2027 to relocate, giving the Danish operator additional time before it must move its operations. The available report does not specify the reason for the relocation, the proposed destination or the terms of the reprieve.