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CNBC • Lora Kolodny

Two xAI co‑founders and six researchers depart amid merger into SpaceX, raising IPO questions

xAI has lost two co‑founders and six AI researchers in recent weeks amid its merger into SpaceX, a turnover Elon Musk said was part of a reorganisation that "required parting ways with some people." The departures raise questions about leadership stability as Musk advances a SpaceX–xAI IPO.

2026-02-11T13:35:23.273851-08:00

European Spaceflight

Orbex enters administration after acquisition and funding talks collapse, jeopardising ~150 UK small‑launcher jobs

2026-02-11T05:50:29.940052-08:00

ch-aviation

Romanian government to seek strategic partner for flag carrier TAROM

2026-02-11T05:50:28.397886-08:00

FlightGlobal

Sheremetyevo operator to buy Domodedovo; vows profitability as runway found non-compliant

2026-02-10T23:33:27.910331-08:00

News Timeline

CNBC

Two xAI co‑founders and six researchers depart amid merger into SpaceX, raising IPO questions xAI has lost two co‑founders and six AI researchers in recent weeks amid its merger into SpaceX, a turnover Elon Musk said was part of a reorganisation that "required parting ways with some people." The departures raise questions about leadership stability as Musk advances a SpaceX–xAI IPO.

2026-02-11T13:35:23.273851-08:00

Two xAI co‑founders and six researchers depart amid merger into SpaceX, raising IPO questions

European Spaceflight

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Orbex enters administration after acquisition and funding talks collapse, jeopardising ~150 UK small‑launcher jobs Orbex has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators after acquisition talks with The Exploration Company and other fundraising efforts collapsed, initiating insolvency proceedings that put about 150 UK-based jobs at risk. The failure casts doubt on the viability of the UK’s domestic small‑launcher strategy.

2026-02-11T05:50:29.940052-08:00

Orbex enters administration after acquisition and funding talks collapse, jeopardising ~150 UK small‑launcher jobs

ch-aviation

Romanian government to seek strategic partner for flag carrier TAROM The Romanian government will seek a strategic partner for national flag carrier TAROM, launching a formal process to identify an investor or operator to support the airline’s future. The move signals official intent to change TAROM’s ownership or governance to improve its commercial prospects.

2026-02-11T05:50:28.397886-08:00

Romanian government to seek strategic partner for flag carrier TAROM

FlightGlobal

Sheremetyevo operator to buy Domodedovo; vows profitability as runway found non-compliant The operator of Moscow Sheremetyevo — via subsidiary Perspektiva and partner PSB — signed an agreement to acquire Domodedovo, auctioned 29 January after a government takeover. Sheremetyevo's CEO says Domodedovo's new runway was built in violation of standards and may need costly reconstruction.

2026-02-10T23:33:27.910331-08:00

Sheremetyevo operator to buy Domodedovo; vows profitability as runway found non-compliant

ch-aviation

SmartLynx Australia reverts to Skytrans after Avia Solutions Group divestment SmartLynx Australia (QN, Cairns) has returned to its former Skytrans brand after Avia Solutions Group divested the operation. The rebrand reflects the transfer of control and signals a transition in regional operations as the carrier separates from the SmartLynx group.

2026-02-10T16:48:59.543646-08:00

SmartLynx Australia reverts to Skytrans after Avia Solutions Group divestment

ch-aviation

Jeju Air to sell IT unit AK IS stake to parent AK Holdings for KRW43.3bn (~$30m) Jeju Air will sell its entire stake in IT subsidiary AK IS to parent company AK Holdings for KRW43.3 billion (about US$29.7 million). The related‑party transaction moves ownership of the carrier’s IT arm into the group’s holding company.

2026-02-10T15:15:59.826872-08:00

Jeju Air to sell IT unit AK IS stake to parent AK Holdings for KRW43.3bn (~$30m)

AirInsight

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Harith agrees to buy FlySafair, ending ASL’s stake and foreign-ownership dispute Harith General Partners and affiliates have signed a sale-and-purchase agreement to acquire full ownership of low-cost carrier FlySafair, after purchasing ASL Aviation’s stake. The deal—subject to South African regulatory approvals—resolves a long-running foreign-ownership row; FlySafair holds 67% domestic seat-capacity and operates 39 Boeing 737s.

2026-02-10T01:29:26.362222-08:00

Harith agrees to buy FlySafair, ending ASL’s stake and foreign-ownership dispute

SpaceWatch Global

Anywaves and EmTroniX to merge, create global space RF and payload-subsystems leader Anywaves and EmTroniX are merging to form a global leader in space radio-frequency components and payload subsystems, consolidating antenna, RF and payload expertise into a single supplier. The combined company aims to better serve commercial and government satellite programs with integrated RF and payload solutions.

2026-02-09T02:53:42.798437-08:00

Anywaves and EmTroniX to merge, create global space RF and payload-subsystems leader

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M&A News

Two xAI co‑founders and six researchers depart amid merger into SpaceX, raising IPO questions

Orbex enters administration after acquisition and funding talks collapse, jeopardising ~150 UK small‑launcher jobs

Romanian government to seek strategic partner for flag carrier TAROM

Sheremetyevo operator to buy Domodedovo; vows profitability as runway found non-compliant

News Timeline