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Qantas Airways commenced (16-Jun-2026) three times weekly Gold Coast-Auckland service, marking the return of the carrier's international operations from Gold Coast Airport. The service is expected to add 52,000 seats p/a between the destinations. Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans stated: "Auckland is our busiest international route, with around 330,000 people travelling between the two cities in the past year alone and flights averaging around 90% full - a clear reflection of the demand between our two regions". Qantas International and Freight CEO Cam Wallace added: "This is the first time in five years that international flights have been available from the Gold Coast, and we know there is strong demand from locals wanting to reconnect with New Zealand and explore more of our network". Jetstar Airways and Air New Zealand also operate the route, according to OAG. [more - original PR]

Porter Airlines announced (15-Jun-2026) the following network expansion from MET - Montreal Metropolitan Airport, marking the airport's commencement of commercial operations:

• Montreal Metropolitan-St John's: Seasonal seven times weekly service from 15-Jun-2026;
• Montreal Metropolitan-Billy Bishop Toronto City: 27 times weekly from 15-Jun-2026;
• Montreal Metropolitan-Toronto Pearson: 20 times weekly from 15-Jun-2026;
• Montreal Metropolitan-Vancouver: 14 times weekly from 15-Jun-2026;
• Montreal Metropolitan-Edmonton: Seven times weekly from 16-Jun-2026;
• Montreal Metropolitan-Calgary: Seven times weekly from 17-Jun-2026;
• Montreal Metropolitan-Halifax: 14 times weekly from 17-Jun-2026;
• Montreal Metropolitan-Charlottetown: Seasonal seven times weekly from 18-Jun-2026;
• Montreal Metropolitan-Winnipeg: Seasonal seven times weekly from 18-Jun-2026;
• Montreal Metropolitan-Moncton: Seasonal seven times weekly from 19-Jun-2026;
• Montreal Metropolitan-Hamilton: 14 times weekly from 22-Jun-2026.

Porter will serve Montreal Metropolitan Airport with 78 seat Dash 8-400 and 132 seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. [more - original PR - Porter Airlines] [more - original PR - MET - Montreal Metropolitan Airport]

European Council and the European Parliament reached (15-Jun-2026) an agreement on proposed revisions to the EU261 passenger rights regulation. Key provisions include:

• Passengers are entitled to compensation for flight delays exceeding three hours, with amounts based on journey distance:
  • EUR250 for journeys up to 1500km;
  • EUR400 for journeys between 1500 km and 3500km;
  • EUR600 for all other journeys;
• Airlines must send passengers documents enabling them to claim compensation within 96 hours of the delay;
• Airlines must immediately acknowledge receipt of a claim and reply within 30 days by either paying compensation or providing a clear justification for refusing the claim;
• Passengers are entitled to receive refreshments every two hours of waiting time, a meal after three hours and every five hours thereafter (up to three meals per day). Passengers must also be provided with internet access and two phone calls;
• Passengers choosing rerouting at the earliest opportunity following a cancellation or denied boarding must be offered an alternative route within three hours;
• Passengers must be informed "more clearly and comprehensively" about their rights in the event of disruption;
• Extraordinary circumstances may only be invoked where they directly affect the flight concerned;
• No seat selection fee for children under 14 years old sitting next to an accompanying person.

The provisional agreement must be confirmed by the European Parliament and Council within six weeks, with a possibility two week extension. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Embraer head of research and technology (R&T) Maurílio Albanese Noaves stated (12-Jun-2026) Embraer's advanced design team is exploring new executive and commercial jets, as well as agricultural and supersonic aircraft. Mr Noaves said: "We do have a single aisle aircraft as one of our potential products for the future. We do have others in the executive market as well as defence and agriculture". He noted: "Supersonic is a possibility, but to be honest it is not as advanced as potential products in executive jets and single aisle", adding: "This is not for Embraer in a short period of time". [more - Aviation Week]

Embraer head of zero emissions aviation Vinicius Di Nucci stated (12-Jun-2026) Embraer is preparing to commence tests in a fuel cell rig as it explores the potential of hydrogen as a fuel to decarbonise aviation. Mr Di Nucci said the rig will be used to characterise fuel cells, explore operating modes, demonstrate thermal management and understand hydrogen handling. [more - Aviation Week]

ICAO announced (15-Jun-2026) the ICAO Council will expand from 36 to 40 member states and the ICAO Air Navigation Commission will expand from 19 to 21 members. The protocols for expansion required ratification by 128 states and Ecuador became the 128th country to ratify the instruments, bringing the protocols into immediate effect. The ICAO Council will consider convening an extraordinary session of the ICAO Assembly to elect four new members. The appointment of the two additional members of the Air Navigation Commission will also be considered by the ICAO Council. [more - original PR]