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Aviation Source • Len Varley

airBaltic carries a record 5,206,700 passengers in 2025 as flights and capacity rise, load factor slips to 80.2%

Latvian carrier airBaltic recorded a company-high 5,206,700 passengers in 2025, a 1.4% increase versus 2024, operating 47,600 flights (+2.6%). System load factor eased to 80.2% from 81.2% as capacity grew; December traffic was broadly stable at ~422,900 passengers.

2026-01-14T13:50:09.469640-08:00

LARA

Wizz Air hits 500 million passengers after hyper-growth adds 200 million in three years

2026-01-14T09:37:57.033703-08:00

Space Intel Report

French MPs warn German and Italian space spending could skew ESA governance as Paris HQ renewal proceeds

2026-01-14T12:46:40.520650-08:00

Reuters

Ryanair to cut 2.2 million seats at Charleroi in 2026–27 over Belgian passenger tax

2026-01-14T06:06:32.114481-08:00

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Aviation Source

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airBaltic carries a record 5,206,700 passengers in 2025 as flights and capacity rise, load factor slips to 80.2% Latvian carrier airBaltic recorded a company-high 5,206,700 passengers in 2025, a 1.4% increase versus 2024, operating 47,600 flights (+2.6%). System load factor eased to 80.2% from 81.2% as capacity grew; December traffic was broadly stable at ~422,900 passengers.

2026-01-14T13:50:09.469640-08:00

airBaltic carries a record 5,206,700 passengers in 2025 as flights and capacity rise, load factor slips to 80.2%

Space Intel Report

French MPs warn German and Italian space spending could skew ESA governance as Paris HQ renewal proceeds A French parliamentary committee warned rising German and Italian space spending risks reshaping governance at the European Space Agency as France pursues renewal of the Paris headquarters. MPs said shifting national investments could influence programme allocation and industrial decision‑making among member states.

2026-01-14T12:46:40.520650-08:00

French MPs warn German and Italian space spending could skew ESA governance as Paris HQ renewal proceeds

SpaceNews.com

ESA advances Comet Interceptor launch after delay to another mission A delay to another European Space Agency mission has created an opening that allows Comet Interceptor to launch sooner than previously scheduled and under a more favourable profile. The change gives ESA an opportunity to enhance the spacecraft's performance and scientific return by exploiting the newly available launch slot.

2026-01-14T10:36:53.178108-08:00

ESA advances Comet Interceptor launch after delay to another mission

AINonline

DRF Maintenance expands Straubing MRO to boost aeromedical helicopter support DRF Maintenance has expanded its Straubing, Germany facility to increase dedicated maintenance capacity for aeromedical helicopters. The expansion creates additional shop space and resources for air‑ambulance and SAR rotorcraft, aiming to shorten turnaround times, boost regional sustainment and improve fleet availability.

2026-01-14T10:19:40.670735-08:00

DRF Maintenance expands Straubing MRO to boost aeromedical helicopter support

AINonline

ACC Aviation: Taxation the most immediate cost driver for charter in 2026 ACC Aviation's leasing team says robust global charter demand will persist into 2026, but regional operational differences — notably across Europe — will shape costs and capacity. The firm identifies taxation, including new per‑passenger levies, as the most immediate upward pressure on charter pricing and operator economics next year.

2026-01-14T09:57:32.044492-08:00

ACC Aviation: Taxation the most immediate cost driver for charter in 2026

LARA

Wizz Air hits 500 million passengers after hyper-growth adds 200 million in three years Wizz Air has carried its 500 millionth passenger since launching nearly 22 years ago, a landmark for the Hungarian low-cost carrier. The milestone caps a period of rapid expansion: the airline added roughly 200 million travellers in the past three years alone.

2026-01-14T09:37:57.033703-08:00

Wizz Air hits 500 million passengers after hyper-growth adds 200 million in three years

Reuters

France explores sending Eutelsat terminals to Iran to restore connectivity amid nationwide blackout France is examining provision of Eutelsat satellite terminals to Iran to give citizens internet access after Tehran imposed a nationwide blackout amid its most violent domestic unrest in decades. The move would use space-based communications to bypass state-controlled terrestrial networks.

2026-01-14T08:33:04.664576-08:00

France explores sending Eutelsat terminals to Iran to restore connectivity amid nationwide blackout

AeroTime

Vueling unveils 'Rumbo 2035' with 60m-passenger target and Boeing 737 MAX rollout Vueling announced Rumbo 2035, targeting 60 million annual passengers by 2035 and committing €5 billion to fleet renewal through 2030. The plan lays out a rollout calendar for a new Boeing 737 MAX narrowbody fleet and forecasts a €17.5 billion contribution to Spain’s GDP.

2026-01-14T06:49:11.112451-08:00

Vueling unveils 'Rumbo 2035' with 60m-passenger target and Boeing 737 MAX rollout

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airBaltic carries a record 5,206,700 passengers in 2025 as flights and capacity rise, load factor slips to 80.2%

Wizz Air hits 500 million passengers after hyper-growth adds 200 million in three years

French MPs warn German and Italian space spending could skew ESA governance as Paris HQ renewal proceeds

Ryanair to cut 2.2 million seats at Charleroi in 2026–27 over Belgian passenger tax

News Timeline