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Latest News Headlines

Dohop CEO David Gunnarsson, speaking to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit - Airlines in Transition, stated (24-Apr-2026) airline alliances of the past are "more about governance rather than the partnerships of today", which are "tech enabled partnerships that are about APIs and technology". Mr Gunnarsson commented: "The cost and commitment of entering an alliance is much more significant than entering a simple partnership with another airline for the sole purpose of extending your network". He noted the "commercial benefit" of the simplicity, low cost and speed at which airlines can enter modern partnerships, compared to "the slow, cumbersome way of doing it the old fashioned way". [more - CAPA TV]

Norse Atlantic Airways accelerated (07-May-2026) implementation of the Project Falcon cost reduction programme, to improve efficiency, simplify operations and reduce costs. The programme is expected to deliver cost savings of upwards to USD50 million p/a compared to the 2025 baseline. Programme measures include:

  • Reduce administrative workforce by approximately 75 positions (35% of administrative staff) and consolidate selected office functions;
  • Relocate head office to Oslo, to support closer commercial and operational integration, and subsequently close Arendal office;
  • Crew furloughs;
  • Temporary pay cuts for non-flying crew;
  • More flexible base structure and simplified agreements with airborne personnel;
  • Rationalise IT and partner systems.

CEO Eivind Roald said: "Geopolitical tension has affected jet fuel prices and traffic flows, requiring Norse Atlantic to accelerate Project Falcon to strengthen our financial resilience and pave the way towards profitability". [more - original PR]

Background

Norse Atlantic Airways’ Oslo Stock Exchange filing outlined a fully underwritten USD110 million rights issue, a USD70 million bridge loan and a strategic review to explore options including sale, merger or partnership, after a fuel-price shock added about USD10 million per month from end-Feb-2026 and prompted suspension of 2026 guidance1. It previously said Project Falcon targeted USD40 million to USD50 million in annual cost reductions, with about 80% of measures identified and being implemented1 2.

Travelport group VP and global head of travel partners Damian Hickey, speaking at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit - Airlines in Transition, stated (24-Apr-2026) that in order for New Distribution Capability (NDC) to deliver its promised return on investment (ROI), the aviation industry needs "to have the courage to actually move beyond where we are today", to simplify, unify and modernise its technology and platforms. Mr Hickey commented: "NDC has absorbed years of investment… but many are still asking 'where's the payoff?'". He noted that airlines have each implemented NDC differently, with unique integrations through different APIs, schemes, standards, service rules and workflows. Mr Hickey stated: "While NDC was meant to simplify, it's just got a lot more complicated". He said: "Normalisation can become that economic engine to unlock profitability and generate that return on investment". [more - CAPA TV]

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury, speaking to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit - Airlines in Transition, described (24-Apr-2026) Europe as a "diverse" and "fragmented" market, with a mix of many small carriers alongside large airline groups. Mr Faury also noted the ongoing consolidation in the market, including ITA Airways, SAS and TAP Air Portugal. He also highlighted the high seasonality of the European market, with high demand in summer, and the number of start-up carriers in regions such as the Caucasus, Central Asia, Romania and the UK. [more - CAPA TV]

Travelport group VP and global head of travel partners Damian Hickey, speaking to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit - Airlines in Transition, stated (24-Apr-2026) the company's recent public announcement of its 2025 earnings and USD50 million in new capital "signalled the next step in the evolution of the growth of Travelport". Mr Hickey said the investment will "help us accelerate that next step of our journey". [more - CAPA TV]

Riyadh Air applied (05-May-2026) to the US Department of Transportation (DoT) for an exemption authority and a foreign air carrier permit to operate scheduled and charter air transportation of persons, property and mail between Saudi Arabia and the US. [more - original PR]

Background

Riyadh Air previously received its air operator certificate from Saudi Arabia's GACA, after earlier planning domestic and international non-commercial flights while working towards AOC approval.1 2 It also signed a strategic cooperation MoU with Delta Air Lines covering interline and codeshare links and exploring a future direct US-Riyadh service, subject to regulatory approvals.3 Riyadh Air launched daily Riyadh-London Heathrow service on 26-Oct-2025.4

Most Read News Headlines

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General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA UAE), via its official Twitter account, announced (02-May-2026) "the full resumption of normal air navigation operations across UAE airspace". The authority added: "Following a comprehensive evaluation of operational and security conditions, we have officially lifted the temporary precautionary measures previously in place".

Background

UAE GCAA reported air traffic gradually returned towards normal after regional “exceptional circumstances”, with UAE airports handling more than 1.4 million passengers and 7839 aircraft movements between 01-Mar-2026 and 12-Mar-2026; GCAA director general Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi said UAE national carriers’ activity reached about 44.6% of pre-tensions levels.1 During early Mar-2026, UAE carriers and airports implemented phased restarts after a temporary, partial airspace closure, with limited schedules, passenger access restrictions and contingency routing capacity of up to 48 flights per hour.2 3 4 5 6 Iraq Civil Aviation Authority also reopened Iraqi airspace, and Iraqi Airways planned a phased resumption from 10-Apr-2026.7

7-May-2026 2:24 PM

Riyadh Air joins IATA

IATA, via its official website, announced (May-2026) Riyadh Air became an IATA member. Riyadh Air is the sixth airline to become an IATA member in 2026.

Background

Riyadh Air secured regulatory milestones ahead of its planned launch, including receiving an air operator certificate from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and targeting commercial services by end-2025.1 It also prepared for scale-up through a Boeing deal for up to 72 787-9s and expectations of one 787 delivery per month from 2026 to 2028.2 3 Riyadh Air also signed distribution and cargo-handling agreements with Amadeus and SATS Saudi Arabia.4 5

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