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airlinergs.com • Eddie Saunders

ZeroAvia CEO Val Miftakhov steps down effective 26 May; Christine Ourmieres-Widener named interim operational leader

Hydrogen-electric aviation propulsion startup ZeroAvia said founder and CEO Val Miftakhov will step down as CEO effective 26 May 2026, to pursue new opportunities. Christine Ourmieres-Widener will become interim CEO while remaining in an operational leadership role, according to the company.

2026-05-29T04:41:11.328282-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Space Force seeks to channel more startups into national-security market

2026-05-29T08:00:04.813837-07:00

Skift

IndiGo founder Rahul Bhatia pledges “low-cost DNA” stays unchanged as Willie Walsh takes over

2026-05-29T07:25:16.045444-07:00

Reuters

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg: China’s 200-jet commitment is an “initial tranche” that could expand toward ~700 jets

2026-05-28T00:15:35.356336-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

Space Force seeks to channel more startups into national-security market The U.S. Space Force is working to pull more defense-and-space startups into the national security market, positioning itself as a “commercial gatekeeper” and outlining a playbook for companies trying to win Space Force business.

2026-05-29T08:00:04.813837-07:00

Space Force seeks to channel more startups into national-security market

Skift

IndiGo founder Rahul Bhatia pledges “low-cost DNA” stays unchanged as Willie Walsh takes over IndiGo founder and promoter Rahul Bhatia said the carrier’s low-cost, single-aisle “core” will remain untouched even after the appointment of IATA director-general Willie Walsh as CEO. The comments aim to reassure stakeholders on strategy continuity as leadership transition follows recent turbulence.

2026-05-29T07:25:16.045444-07:00

IndiGo founder Rahul Bhatia pledges “low-cost DNA” stays unchanged as Willie Walsh takes over

airlinergs.com

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ZeroAvia CEO Val Miftakhov steps down effective 26 May; Christine Ourmieres-Widener named interim operational leader Hydrogen-electric aviation propulsion startup ZeroAvia said founder and CEO Val Miftakhov will step down as CEO effective 26 May 2026, to pursue new opportunities. Christine Ourmieres-Widener will become interim CEO while remaining in an operational leadership role, according to the company.

2026-05-29T04:41:11.328282-07:00

ZeroAvia CEO Val Miftakhov steps down effective 26 May; Christine Ourmieres-Widener named interim operational leader

FlightGlobal

WestJet president/COO Diederik Pen to retire by Q1 2027 WestJet Group EVP, Chief Operating Officer and president of WestJet Airlines, Diederik Pen, will retire, with timing expected in the first quarter of 2027 at the latest. WestJet said Pen will continue his normal duties until his retirement as the airline follows through on prior operational recovery initiatives.

2026-05-29T03:35:44.120073-07:00

WestJet president/COO Diederik Pen to retire by Q1 2027

Via Satellite

Swissto12 appoints new CCO and expands leadership team to support global growth Swissto12 says it is strengthening its leadership bench as it targets international expansion, naming a new chief commercial officer and adding executives focused on government affairs and partnerships. The moves underscore a push to scale commercial engagement alongside relationships needed for program access and growth.

2026-05-28T12:53:34.156070-07:00

Swissto12 appoints new CCO and expands leadership team to support global growth

Washington Post

JD Vance warns Air Force Academy grads: AI will change warfare, but humans must make life-and-death decisions Vice President JD Vance told 2026 U.S. Air Force Academy graduates that AI will “inevitably change warfare,” but he cautioned against delegating life-and-death decisions to machines. In remarks at commencement in Colorado, he urged cadets to stay adaptable amid expanding Pentagon work on AI in combat.

2026-05-28T12:44:33.435137-07:00

JD Vance warns Air Force Academy grads: AI will change warfare, but humans must make life-and-death decisions

Reuters

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Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg: China’s 200-jet commitment is an “initial tranche” that could expand toward ~700 jets Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said China’s promise to buy 200 Boeing aircraft following President Trump’s visit is only a starting point, with “more to come” expected later this year as the order is firmed up. He framed the 200-jet commitment as a “major accomplishment” that could grow toward roughly 700 jets.

2026-05-28T00:15:35.356336-07:00

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg: China’s 200-jet commitment is an “initial tranche” that could expand toward ~700 jets

Breaking Defense

DAF space acquisition chief says finalized Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) structure and office leaders to be announced so The Department of the Air Force says it is still working to sort space programs into the finalized acquisition “PAE” structure. Acting space acquisition chief Thomas Ainsworth said the coming-days rollout will include the finalized portfolio structure and the names of each office leader.

2026-05-27T13:14:20.191068-07:00

DAF space acquisition chief says finalized Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) structure and office leaders to be announced so

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Leadership News

ZeroAvia CEO Val Miftakhov steps down effective 26 May; Christine Ourmieres-Widener named interim operational leader

Space Force seeks to channel more startups into national-security market

IndiGo founder Rahul Bhatia pledges “low-cost DNA” stays unchanged as Willie Walsh takes over

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg: China’s 200-jet commitment is an “initial tranche” that could expand toward ~700 jets

News Timeline