Skift
• Gordon Smith
Korean Air is expanding its maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities and pursuing third-party work as it nears completion of its Asiana Airlines integration. Separately, Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul are merging to create South Korea’s largest low-cost carrier, consolidating the country’s airline sector.
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Korean Air is expanding its maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities and pursuing third-party work as it nears completion of its Asiana Airlines integration. Separately, Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul are merging to create South Korea’s largest low-cost carrier, consolidating the country’s airline sector.
A U.S. bankruptcy court postponed a hearing on Google’s proposed $10 million acquisition of internal business data from bankrupt Spirit Airlines after objections from the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. The hearing is now scheduled for Sept. 9, 2026, extending uncertainty around the disposition of the airline’s data assets.
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SpaceX reportedly acquired xAI in an all-stock transaction valuing the combined company at $1.25 trillion, a figure that would make it the largest merger on record. The reported deal brings a major launch provider and an artificial-intelligence company under common ownership.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby outlined his views on potential large-scale airline transactions, the role of artificial intelligence and the carrier’s strategic direction in a wide-ranging CNBC interview. The discussion offers insight into how United is framing consolidation and technology as it plans for the future.
Former bidders for Asiana Airlines are disputing the breakdown of an attempted takeover, underscoring continued uncertainty around the carrier’s ownership and restructuring prospects. The available reporting does not provide further detail on the parties’ claims or the consequences for Asiana’s operations.
SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile are reportedly interested in acquiring Grain Management’s spectrum for direct-to-phone satellite services, while Muon Space raised $250 million at a $1.5 billion valuation. Muon plans to scale production to 500 satellites annually by 2027 and expand defense, NASA and NOAA work.
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Rocket Lab announced an agreement on June 29 to acquire Iridium, a move that would significantly broaden the launch company’s position in the satellite sector. Analysts are assessing how the transaction could accelerate Rocket Lab’s strategy to build a next-generation space company.
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Icelandair Group has completed its purchase of a 49% shareholding in Fly Play Europe Holdco, Play’s Malta-based airline entity, for $686,000. The deal gives Icelandair flexibility to streamline operations through the former rival’s European operating certificate and corporate structure.
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