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AINonline • Matt Thurber

Washington repeals 10% 'luxury' aircraft tax; replacement raises fuel tax 7¢/gal

Washington's governor repealed a controversial 10% "luxury" tax on most general aviation aircraft — scheduled to take effect April 1 — and replaced it with a 7¢ per gallon increase in aviation fuel tax. The NBAA welcomed the repeal as relief for the state's GA community.

2026-04-01T11:05:32.160610-07:00

ch-aviation

Icelandair in talks to buy 49% of PLAY Europe’s Maltese AOC to expand EU operations

2026-04-01T07:59:35.828457-07:00

AINonline

Lithium‑ion battery thermal runaways average ~2 per week, mostly in cruise

2026-04-01T05:07:06.762905-07:00

ch-aviation

EU court opinion: Air France–KLM benefited from state aid to KLM

2026-04-01T05:00:16.072402-07:00

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AINonline

Washington repeals 10% 'luxury' aircraft tax; replacement raises fuel tax 7¢/gal Washington's governor repealed a controversial 10% "luxury" tax on most general aviation aircraft — scheduled to take effect April 1 — and replaced it with a 7¢ per gallon increase in aviation fuel tax. The NBAA welcomed the repeal as relief for the state's GA community.

2026-04-01T11:05:32.160610-07:00

Washington repeals 10% 'luxury' aircraft tax; replacement raises fuel tax 7¢/gal

Canada.ca

Canadian Coast Guard assumes operational control of the Government of Canada’s civilian aerial fleet The Canadian Coast Guard has taken operational control of the Government of Canada’s civilian aerial fleet and absorbed Transport Canada’s aircraft services personnel. The transfer consolidates federal aviation services — including operational flights, environmental and disaster response, and remote-community outreach — under the Coast Guard’s Defence Team.

2026-04-01T08:06:19.820994-07:00

Canadian Coast Guard assumes operational control of the Government of Canada’s civilian aerial fleet

ch-aviation

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Icelandair in talks to buy 49% of PLAY Europe’s Maltese AOC to expand EU operations Icelandair has signed a letter of intent to acquire 49% of PLAY Europe, the Maltese carrier holding an EU air operator certificate, giving Icelandair access to expanded traffic rights and the option to register aircraft in Malta to support wider EU and charter operations.

2026-04-01T07:59:35.828457-07:00

Icelandair in talks to buy 49% of PLAY Europe’s Maltese AOC to expand EU operations

AINonline

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Lithium‑ion battery thermal runaways average ~2 per week, mostly in cruise Industry monitoring indicates roughly two lithium‑ion battery thermal runaways occur each week on aircraft — most while in cruise. That cadence exposes a persistent in‑flight fire risk and underscores the need for effective detection, containment systems and crew response protocols to prevent escalation.

2026-04-01T05:07:06.762905-07:00

Lithium‑ion battery thermal runaways average ~2 per week, mostly in cruise

ch-aviation

EU court opinion: Air France–KLM benefited from state aid to KLM An EU court opinion concluded Air France–KLM derived a benefit from state aid measures granted to KLM, ch-aviation reports. The finding forms part of an ongoing legal review of past government support under EU state-aid rules and related proceedings.

2026-04-01T05:00:16.072402-07:00

EU court opinion: Air France–KLM benefited from state aid to KLM

Washington Post

Pentagon chief blocks Army probe, absolves crews after Kid Rock helicopter flyby The Pentagon chief intervened to block an Army investigation and lift disciplinary action after a helicopter flyby at a Kid Rock event, posting “No punishment. No investigation.” on social media hours after military officials said they had grounded the pilots involved. The move halts the service's probe.

2026-04-01T02:58:25.323360-07:00

Pentagon chief blocks Army probe, absolves crews after Kid Rock helicopter flyby

Leeham News

FAA issues another Temporary Flight Restriction over southern Texas On Feb. 26 the FAA announced another Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) covering southern Texas airspace, a repeat of a closure enacted two weeks earlier. The restriction limits operations in the affected sector while the agency and other authorities manage the situation; detailed public rationale has not been released.

2026-04-01T00:25:46.897019-07:00

FAA issues another Temporary Flight Restriction over southern Texas

Leeham News

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Explainer: Who Can Close U.S. Airspace — FAA, DHS or DoD? The FAA on Feb. 26 issued another Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over southern Texas, following a similar closure two weeks earlier. This explainer lays out which federal authorities—the FAA, Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense—have legal and operational roles in issuing TFRs and how those roles overlap.

2026-04-01T00:25:46.608471-07:00

Explainer: Who Can Close U.S. Airspace — FAA, DHS or DoD?

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Policy & Regulation News

Washington repeals 10% 'luxury' aircraft tax; replacement raises fuel tax 7¢/gal

Icelandair in talks to buy 49% of PLAY Europe’s Maltese AOC to expand EU operations

Lithium‑ion battery thermal runaways average ~2 per week, mostly in cruise

EU court opinion: Air France–KLM benefited from state aid to KLM

News Timeline