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EUROCONTROL published (31-Mar-2026) the 11th edition of 'Aviation Trends' paper focusing on the impact of the Middle East crisis on European aviation since 28-Feb-2026. Highlights include:

• 59% fewer flights between the Middle East and Europe;
• 1150 impacted flights per day;
• 206,000 additional kilometres flown per day;
• 602 tons of additional fuel burned per day;
• 1900 excess tons of CO2 emissions per day.

EUROCONTROL director general Raúl Medina stated: "The European aviation network remains resilient despite these impacts, with global network traffic up 2% compared to 2025 right now, and flows up to all other regions by between 4% and 23%". [more - original PR]

Ryanair opened (01-Apr-2026) its new base with four aircraft at Tirana Rinas Airport (TIA) on 31-Mar-2026. The LCC's 2026 summer schedule from Tirana features 44 routes, including 21 new connections to destinations such as Alghero, Dublin, Eindhoven, Genoa, Malta, Milan and Naples. The schedule is projected to support 50% traffic growth to four million passengers p/a, with operations to support more than 3000 jobs in Albania. The carrier plans to "continue this investment" over the next five years, basing up to six aircraft in Tirana and growing traffic to more than six million passengers p/a while operating over 60 routes by 2030. TIA COO Piervittorio Farabbi stated: "Since starting its operation in Oct-2023, Ryanair has continuously challenged us to raise our standards and deliver true operational excellence. TIA staff and management have certainly risen to the occasion: not only we delivered terminal and airside capacity in record time, by completing a EUR120 million capex plan addressing all key airport infrastructures, but we were ready to evolve and to adapt our operational best practices to the needs of a modern airline, focusing on efficiency, turnaround times and performance". [more - original PR - Ryanair] [more - original PR - Tirana Rinas Airport]

Qatar Airways released (01-Apr-2026) "its latest revised schedule, reflecting the gradual increase in flights to, and from, Doha to more than 120 destinations by mid-May 2026". The airline added: "All flights to, and from, Doha continue to operate through dedicated flight corridors established in close co-ordination with the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority". [more - original PR]

Icelandair signed (01-Apr-2026) a LoI regarding the possible purchase of a 49% share in PLAY Europe. PLAY Europe is registered in Malta and holds a Maltese air operator's certificate (AOC). Icelandair expects a share in the company would open up new opportunities, for example in charter services, as PLAY Europe has access to more extensive air service agreements and double taxation treaties. The move would also create opportunities to separate Icelandair's fleet operations, with aircraft intended for the long term in Icelandair's passenger route network being operated in Iceland, while other aircraft would be operated in Malta. The LoI forms the basis for further discussions. Icelandair CEO Bogi Nils Bogason said: "Most airlines in our markets, especially in Europe, operate more than one air operator certificate, giving them greater flexibility in their operations. If the transaction goes through it would similarly increase Icelandair's flexibility and competitiveness". [more - original PR]

GOL completed (01-Apr-2026) its merger with Gol Investment Brasil to become Gol Linhas Aéreas, effective 01-Apr-2026. The privately held Gol Linhas Aéreas absorbed all assets and liabilities of GOL and Gol Investment Brasil and issued new common shares via a capital increase. [more - original PR]

Delta Air Lines and Amazon signed (31-Mar-2026) an agreement to introduce Amazon Leo inflight connectivity, expanding the Delta Sync WiFi and seat back experiences. The initial installation will commence on 500 aircraft from 2028. [more - original PR]