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Latest News Headlines

Uganda's Government, via the official Uganda Media Centre Facebook and Twitter accounts, announced (16-Feb-2026) President Yoweri Museveni directed Minister of Works and Transport Katumba Wamala to appoint Girma Wake as "a Consultant/Advisor to assist in rectifying a number of management weaknesses" at Uganda Airlines. Mr Museveni also directed that outgoing Uganda Airlines CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki "be enabled to step aside immediately". Mr Wake will serve as acting CEO until a new permanent CEO is appointed by Jul-2026. Mr Wake formerly served as Ethiopian Airlines chairman until 2023.

Background ✨

Jenifer Bamuturaki had served as acting CEO of Uganda Airlines from mid 2021 and was appointed to the permanent role in mid 2022 before stepping down. The airline's board reportedly began advertising to recruit her successor following her departure1.

Saint Helena's Government announced (15-Feb-2026) full air operations will resume at Saint Helena Airport on 17-Feb-2026, with services operated by Airlink (South Africa). The airport regained Category 6 accreditation for its firefighting capabilities following repairs to its fire tenders. The government stated it is considering longer term replacement options for the airport fire tenders, "to ensure better resilience". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

The airport had been closed to commercial services since 06-Feb-2026 after it was unable to maintain Category 6 firefighting compliance due to unserviceable fire vehicle water pumps, with Airlink suspending bookings and no commercial flights expected before 21-Feb-2026. During the suspension, the airport was permitted to operate at Category 4 for medevac and executive jet operations only1.

Spirit Airlines CFO Fred Cromer confirmed (12-Feb-2026) the LCC intends to auction 13 A320ceo and seven A321ceo aircraft. A sale agreement designates CSDS Asset Management LLC as the stalking horse buyer, an agreement setting the floor price at USD533.5 million. If additional bids are received, Spirit will conduct an auction on 20-Apr-2026, otherwise a sale to CSDS would proceed for court approval. Mr Cromer said the auction "will enable Spirit to rightsize its fleet to match its go-forward business and commercial strategy, significantly reduce costs ... and improve Spirit's financial position at this critical stage of the Chapter 11 Cases". He added: "The aircraft, are, I believe, not necessary for Spirit's continued operation or successful reorganisation". Mr Cromer stated: "Spirit is also continuing to evaluate its fleet needs, noting that it "may determine that it is appropriate for additional aircraft and related equipment to be retired". [more - Aviation Week]

Background ✨

Spirit Airlines received court approval for a USD475 million debtor-in-possession financing facility and a USD150 million payment from AerCap Ireland, its largest aircraft lessor, as part of its Chapter 11 restructuring. The agreement also included the rejection of 27 aircraft leases and resolved all claims and disputes with AerCap, supporting Spirit's efforts to reduce operating costs and rationalise its fleet during the restructuring process1 2.

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17-Feb-2026 12:17 PM

Air Niugini appoints new CEO

Air Niugini, via its official Facebook and LinkedIn accounts, announced (16-Feb-2026) the appointment of Alan Milne as CEO. Mr Milne has more than 44 years of aviation experience across Papua New Guinea and Australia, having previously served as Air Niugini CEO from 2018 to 2020. Mr Milne has also previously served in numerous leadership roles within the Qantas Group.

Background ✨

Alan Milne previously served as Air Niugini CEO from 2018 to 2020, having been appointed by Papua New Guinea's Minister Public Enterprise and State Investments, William Duma, who cited Mr Milne's 36-year tenure at Qantas and extensive industry experience as key reasons for his selection1. During his prior tenure, Mr Milne launched initiatives such as the 'Higher Altitudes' programme to drive internal transformation and customer service improvements2.

Air India announced (16-Feb-2026) plans to deploy aircraft featuring new, retrofitted or upgraded cabin interiors on the following international services from northern summer 2026:

  • Mumbai-London Heathrow: Deploy new Boeing 787-9 equipment and retrofitted 787-8 equipment from 01-Jul-2026, replacing 777-300ER equipment;
  • Delhi-Melbourne: Deploy 777-300ER equipment in three class configuration on daily service from 01-Jul-2026, marking the introduction of first class on the route;
  • Bengaluru-London Heathrow: Deploy retrofitted 787-8 equipment from 01-Aug-2026, marking introduction of premium economy class on the route;
  • Delhi-Toronto: Deploy 787-9 equipment in three class configuration on select frequencies from 01-Aug-2026, marking introduction of premium economy class on the route;
  • Delhi-Birmingham: Deploy 777-300ER equipment from 01-Aug-2026, marking introduction of first class on the route;
  • Amritsar-Birmingham: Deploy 777-300ER equipment from 01-Aug-2026, marking introduction of first class on the route;
  • Ahmedabad-London Gatwick: Deploy 777-300ER equipment from 01-Aug-2026, marking introduction of first class on the route;
  • Amritsar-London Gatwick: Deploy 777-300ER equipment from 01-Aug-2026, marking introduction of first class on the route. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Air India commenced deployment of its first new, line fit Boeing 787-9 aircraft featuring new interiors on Mumbai-Frankfurt service from 01-Feb-2026, following delivery of the aircraft in early Jan-2026. It planned to receive five additional widebody aircraft, including more 787-9s and A350-1000s, during 2026. Some initial restrictions applied to the new 787-9s pending full US FAA certification, affecting business class and a subset of economy seats1 2 3.

Air New Zealand and BETA Technologies completed (17-Feb-2026) their four-month Next Generation Aircraft Technical Demonstrator Programme. BETA's ALIA CX300 electric aircraft completed more than 100 frequencies across 12 airports and aerodromes in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The aircraft also completed New Zealand's first low-emissions instrument flight rules operation in Dec-2025, enabling pilots to operate using flight deck instruments rather than visual cues. The programme also included Wellington-Blenheim crossings, demonstrating how the aircraft operated across Cook Strait in real-world conditions. Air New Zealand GM strategy, networks and fleet Baden Smith stated: "Flying the aircraft in real conditions, across real routes, with our people and partners involved has given us a much deeper understanding of what next-generation aircraft could mean for New Zealand aviation in the future". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Air New Zealand began operating the BETA ALIA CX300 electric aircraft in New Zealand in Oct-2025, with the aircraft initially based at Hamilton before relocating to Wellington for two months of further trials. The demonstrator programme marked the first use of an electric aircraft carrying the Air New Zealand name and was designed to assess performance across real routes and conditions1 2 3.

Most Read News Headlines

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Webjet Group issued (13-Feb-2026) an update on the following previous announcements:

  • On 19-Nov-2025, the company received a non-binding and indicative offer from Helloworld Travel Limited to acquire 100% of the shares in Webjet that Helloworld did not already own by way of a scheme of arrangement;
  • On 21-Nov-2025, the company received a revised non-binding and indicative offer from BGH Capital to acquire all the shares in Webjet not already owned by BGH and its associates via an off-market takeover.

Webjet stated it has "engaged constructively" with both entities over the past 12 weeks, providing each with due diligence access. WebJet added that it has not received a proposal from either party which is consistent with "the respective indicative proposals" or a proposal "capable of being put to shareholders". WebJet concluded that discussions with both Helloworld and BGH have ceased. Webjet projected underlying EBITDA for FY2026 to be in the range of AUD28 million (USD19.8 million) to AUD29 million (USD20.6 million), excluding Webjet Business Travel. Webjet also confirmed it lodged the requisite notification to commence its on-market share buy-back programme of up to AUD25 million (USD17.7 million), which was put on hold following receipt of the Helloworld proposal and revised BGH proposal. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Helloworld Travel Limited had obtained clearance from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for its potential acquisition of Webjet and was progressing with due diligence following its proposal to acquire all Webjet shares it did not already own1 2. Helloworld held a 17.3% stake in Webjet, and its proposal was subject to several conditions, including due diligence, regulatory approval and a scheme implementation deed2.

Virgin Australia announced (13-Feb-2026) the following executive changes:

  • Appointment of Andrew Cleary as chief customer officer and CEO Velocity, effective 23-Mar-2026. The role consolidates all aspects of customer experience under one team. Mr Cleary most recently led the customer experience team at Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong, having also previously served in loyalty, customer experience and partnership-related roles at Qantas Airways;
  • CEO Velocity Frequent Flyer and Virgin Australia Regional Airlines group executive Nick Rohrlach plans to depart the company, effective 30-Apr-2026. Mr Rohrlach will work closely with Mr Cleary during the transition period;
  • Chief strategy and transformation officer Alistair Hartley plans to depart the company, effective 30-Apr-2026.

Virgin also announced its Strategy and Transformation team will transition to report directly to CEO Dave Emerson, effective 30-Apr-2026. The airline stated the change is "an acknowledgment of the critical nature of this function going forward". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Dave Emerson was appointed CEO of Virgin Australia, formally assuming the position on 14-Mar-2025 after previously serving as chief commercial officer. Former CEO Jayne Hrdlicka continued to support the transition following her departure announcement after four years in the role. Matthew Ongarello was also confirmed as group head of public relations and brand in Aug-2025, having returned from a Virgin Group role in London1 2 3.

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