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IATA reported (06-Feb-2026) the following highlights for airlines entering and exiting the market in 2025:

• 28 new airlines commenced operations, marking the lowest number of market entrants since 1999 and continuing the decline in new airline launches since 2021;
  • IATA noted the spike in new airlines in 2021 was "driven by numerous post-COVID reorganisations that temporarily boosted these figures", adding: "Since then, the trend has reversed". The association stated: "The slowdown in new airline creation does not point to market saturation. Instead, it reflects a combination of economic, supply chain and geopolitical hurdles";
  • Factors impacting the conditions for new airline creation include:
    • Aircraft, engine and spare parts shortages, resulting in constrained fleet availability and increased costs;
    • Policy uncertainty, which complicates strategic planning for new carriers;
    • Stricter regulatory and certification requirements, which increase the complexity of launching operations;
• 28 airlines ceased operations, matching the number of new entrants and suggesting that the industry "has entered a period of relative stability compared with the volatility of the early 2020s";
  • 21 of the ceased airlines were full service carriers, four were low cost carriers and three were leisure airlines. [more - original PR]

Airbus reported (06-Feb-2025) the following commercial aircraft orders and deliveries for Jan-2026:

• Gross orders: 49;
  • Air Algérie: One A330-900;
  • IAG: Eight A320neos and two A321neos;
  • Spring Airlines: 24 A320neos and six A321neos;
  • Undisclosed customer: Six A321neos;
  • Undisclosed customer: Two A321neos;
• Deliveries: 19 aircraft to 15 customers;
  • Aer Lingus: One A321neo;
  • Air Canada: One A220-300;
  • Air France: One A220-300;
  • Avolon: One A320neo (Condor), one A320neo (Hainan Airlines) and one A320neo (Royal Jordanian);
  • Breeze Airways: One A220-300;
  • CALC: One A321neo (United Airlines);
  • Frontier Airlines: One A320neo;
  • IndiGo: One A320neo;
  • Lufthansa: One A350-900 (SWISS);
  • Qantas Airways: One A321neo (Jetstar Airways);
  • SMBC Aviation Capital: One A321neo (Turkish Airlines);
  • Turkish Airlines: One A321neo;
  • United Airlines: Two A321neos;
  • VietJet Air: One A321neo;
  • Wizz Air: Two A321neos. [more - original PR]

Air New Zealand confirmed (05-Feb-2026) cabin crew unions E tū and the Flight Attendants' Association of New Zealand (FAANZ) plan to follow through on strike action planned for 12/13-Feb-2026. As previously reported by CAPA, the unions previously confirmed plans to undergo strike action impacting the carrier's widebody fleet on 11/12/13-Feb-2026. [more - original PR]

Qantas Group announced (05-Feb-2026) plans to implement regional lounge closures to facilitate upgrade works:

• Rockhampton: 05-Feb-2026 to 18-Feb-2026;
• Kalgoorlie: 08-Feb-2026 to 14-Feb-2026;
• Gladstone: 08-Feb-2026 to 26-Feb-2026;
• Tamworth: 12-Feb-2026 to 21-Feb-2026;
• Coffs Harbour: 14-Feb-2026 to 24-Feb-2026;
• Mackay: 15-Feb-2026 to 09-Mar-2026;
• Karratha: 08-Mar-2026 to 19-Mar-2026.

The upgrades form part of the Group's "broader investment in regional Australia" including an extensive regional fleet renewal programme. [more - original PR]

Wizz Air reported (05-Feb-2026) the following operating highlights for 2025:

• Fleet: Added 42 new aircraft;
• The airline operated close to 335,000 scheduled flights across its network;
• Network: Launched 320 new routes, expanding connectivity across Europe and beyond;
• Traffic: 68.6 million passengers, up 9.4% year-on-year and 335,000 scheduled aircraft movements;
• Completion rate: 99.61% (the second highest across major European carriers);
• OTP for departures: 73.38% (among the ten highest ones across major European carriers).

CEO József Váradi said: "Our focus is firmly on accelerating growth in Central and Eastern Europe and unlocking opportunities in markets that remain underserved and full of potential. We are building an airline that doesn't just follow demand - we create it". [more - original PR]

Binter Canarias, via its official Facebook account, announced (04-Feb-2026) changes to its carry-on lithium battery rules, effective immediately. The carrier prohibits the use and charging of spare lithium batteries on board, including power banks.