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Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

MasOrange to trial Starlink Direct-to-Cell in Spain

MasOrange will trial Starlink's Direct-to-Cell service under a new agreement with SpaceX, the companies said Monday; the announcement references Spain's telecom regulator. The pilot introduces Starlink's capability to reach standard mobile phones in Spain and will test coverage and interoperability with existing mobile networks.

2026-02-03T13:34:05.110823-08:00

AINonline

Congress approves $12B FAA budget, ends partial shutdown after ~10,000 furloughs

2026-02-03T11:37:55.106946-08:00

Bloomberg Law

Appeals court vacates DOT rule requiring airlines to disclose ancillary fees upfront

2026-02-03T10:35:59.354777-08:00

Reuters

Senate Commerce Committee to question NTSB chair after 67‑fatal mid‑air collision

2026-02-03T09:42:57.537011-08:00

News Timeline

Via Satellite

MasOrange to trial Starlink Direct-to-Cell in Spain MasOrange will trial Starlink's Direct-to-Cell service under a new agreement with SpaceX, the companies said Monday; the announcement references Spain's telecom regulator. The pilot introduces Starlink's capability to reach standard mobile phones in Spain and will test coverage and interoperability with existing mobile networks.

2026-02-03T13:34:05.110823-08:00

MasOrange to trial Starlink Direct-to-Cell in Spain

AINonline

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Congress approves $12B FAA budget, ends partial shutdown after ~10,000 furloughs Congress approved a $12 billion appropriation for the FAA, ending a partial agency shutdown that temporarily furloughed about 10,000 employees. The funding restores operations, resumes safety oversight and certifications, and averts further disruptions across U.S. airspace after recent staffing gaps.

2026-02-03T11:37:55.106946-08:00

Congress approves $12B FAA budget, ends partial shutdown after ~10,000 furloughs

Bloomberg Law

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Appeals court vacates DOT rule requiring airlines to disclose ancillary fees upfront The Fifth Circuit vacated a Biden‑era Department of Transportation rule that would have required U.S. carriers to display ancillary charges — including checked-bag, ticket-change and cancellation fees — upfront during booking. The court concluded the DOT violated federal administrative law, setting aside an earlier ruling that had upheld the regulation.

2026-02-03T10:35:59.354777-08:00

Appeals court vacates DOT rule requiring airlines to disclose ancillary fees upfront

Reuters

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Senate Commerce Committee to question NTSB chair after 67‑fatal mid‑air collision The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee will hold a Feb. 12 hearing with the National Transportation Safety Board chair after the NTSB found a series of systemic Federal Aviation Administration failures contributed to a mid‑air collision last year that killed 67 people. Lawmakers will press for accountability and regulatory fixes.

2026-02-03T09:42:57.537011-08:00

Senate Commerce Committee to question NTSB chair after 67‑fatal mid‑air collision

ch-aviation

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FAA warns foreign regulators under-resourced to certify U.S. aircraft, pushes for level international playing field The FAA warned that several foreign regulators are not allocating "sufficient resources" to certifying U.S. aerospace products and urged international partners to bolster capability and align processes. The agency framed the move as necessary to ensure consistent safety outcomes and a level playing field for U.S. manufacturers.

2026-02-03T09:35:32.170809-08:00

FAA warns foreign regulators under-resourced to certify U.S. aircraft, pushes for level international playing field

Runway Girl

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ZeroAvia cites net‑zero policy headwinds, slashes workforce and delays certification ZeroAvia says changes in the net‑zero policy landscape over the past year have created material headwinds, prompting a significant reduction in staff and the postponement of previously targeted certification timelines for its hydrogen‑electric propulsion programs. The move signals recalibration of resources and milestones amid funding and regulatory uncertainty.

2026-02-03T07:49:01.729299-08:00

ZeroAvia cites net‑zero policy headwinds, slashes workforce and delays certification

New York Times

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SpaceX and xAI to merge in $1.25T deal ahead of June 2026 IPO Elon Musk has merged SpaceX and AI startup xAI into a single entity valued at $1.25 trillion, positioning the combined company for a June 2026 IPO expected to raise at least $50 billion. The deal unites launch, Starlink connectivity and AI assets and raises investor and national-security concerns.

2026-02-03T05:35:35.133579-08:00

SpaceX and xAI to merge in $1.25T deal ahead of June 2026 IPO

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

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Belgian court orders Ryanair to stop misleading online booking practices; faces €5,000/day fine A Brussels commercial court has ruled Ryanair's online booking practices breach EU consumer law, ordering the carrier—after a Test-Achats injunction—to stop 'pressure selling' and improve pricing and fee transparency or face a €5,000-per-day fine. The mixed ruling compels immediate website changes.

2026-02-03T04:54:03.582097-08:00

Belgian court orders Ryanair to stop misleading online booking practices; faces €5,000/day fine

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Policy & Regulation News

MasOrange to trial Starlink Direct-to-Cell in Spain

Congress approves $12B FAA budget, ends partial shutdown after ~10,000 furloughs

Appeals court vacates DOT rule requiring airlines to disclose ancillary fees upfront

Senate Commerce Committee to question NTSB chair after 67‑fatal mid‑air collision

News Timeline