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CAPA News Briefs

CAPA publishes more than 1,000 global News Briefs every week, covering all aspects of the aviation and travel industry. It’s the most comprehensive source of market intelligence in the world, with around 50 per cent of content translated from non-English sources. The breadth of our coverage means you won’t need any other news sources to monitor competitors and stay informed about the latest developments in the wider aviation sector.

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Below is a sample of the latest news headlines. 144 news briefs have been published for CAPA Members in the past 2 days.

British Airways partnered (23-Oct-2025) with British wellness specialist anatomē to launch a new limited-edition range of amenity kits in its Club World long haul business class cabin for services from London Gatwick Airport, effective 26-Oct-2025. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

British Airways recently partnered with Birchall to introduce a new tea selection for customers both onboard and on the ground, with service commencing from 01-May-20251. The airline also announced a GBP7 billion transformation plan, which included more than 600 modernisation initiatives and significant investments in customer experience, lounges, and premium cabin products2.

Manchester Airport, via its official Twitter account, announced (22-Oct-2025) Icelandair and Air Transat plan to move operations to Terminal 2. Icelandair services will move to the terminal on 28-Oct-2025, with Air Transat services moving on 02-Nov-2025.

Background ✨

Manchester Airport had previously announced that Aer Lingus would move its services to Ireland from Manchester to Terminal 2 from 16-Sep-2025, consolidating its operations at the airport under one roof1. Other carriers, including Aurigny Air Services and EgyptAir, also outlined plans to relocate to Terminal 2 as part of the airport's transformation programme2 3.

Finnair announced (22-Oct-2025) plans to replace approximately 1700 seat covers in eight A321s. Six aircraft will return to service within a week and all eight A321s will be back in service by the end of Oct-2025. New seat covers are being installed to allow the aircraft to return to service. New covers are being sourced from multiple suppliers. As previously reported by CAPA, Finnair temporarily suspended operations of eight A321s on 13-Oct-2025, after being informed by the seat cover manufacturer that the impact of washing on fire protection of the seat covers was not verified in the required manner. The affected seat covers were manufactured by a long standing Finnair partner, based on specifications provided by the original seat manufacturer. The covers were washed in accordance with the information received from the original seat manufacturer. Finnair had to cancel approximately 70 flights since 13-Oct-2025, affecting travel plans of around 11,000 customers. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Finnair temporarily suspended eight A321s following indications from the seat cover manufacturer that the cleaning method's impact on fire protection had not been properly verified, leading to flight cancellations and operational adjustments, including aircraft type changes and cooperation with DAT to minimise disruption to passengers between 13-Oct-2025 and 21-Oct-20251 2 3.

Berlin Brandenburg Airport reported (22-Oct-2025) it handled its 100 millionth passenger since commencing operations. The busiest day in the airport's history was 17-Oct-2025 with 101,893 passengers. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Berlin Brandenburg Airport anticipated handling approximately 1.4 million passengers and 9400 aircraft movements during the autumn holiday period from 17-Oct-2025 to 02-Nov-2025, with services to 140 destinations in 50 countries and Türkiye and Spain as the most popular destinations1. During the summer holiday period in 2025, it expected 3.7 million passengers, connecting to 150 destinations across 50 countries2.

Onex Partners and WestJet closed (22-Oct-2025) the sale of minority equity stakes in WestJet to Delta Air Lines, Korean Air and Air France-KLM. Delta Air Lines has acquired a 15% minority equity stake in WestJet from the Onex Group, with Korean Air acquiring a further 10%. Upon closing, Delta Air Lines sold and transferred a 2.3% stake in WestJet to its JV partner Air France-KLM. As a result, the respective stakes of the partners stand as follows:

The Onex Group will continue to own and control WestJet, retaining 75% of the group's original investment. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Delta Air Lines and Korean Air invested USD300 million and USD220 million respectively to acquire a combined 25% equity stake in WestJet from Onex Partners, with Delta transferring 2.3% to Air France-KLM for USD50 million upon closing. Barclays acted as financial advisor, and the transaction was subject to regulatory approvals at the time of announcement1.

VietJet Air confirmed (22-Oct-2025) the suspension of Hanoi-Con Dao and Ho Chi Minh City-Con Dao services operated with COMAC C909 aircraft. The LCC said the decision had been made "to streamline operations and further enhance its products and services on these routes". VietJet stated it intends to resume the services in mid Nov-2025. As previously reported by CAPA, VietJet launched the twice daily services on 19-Apr-2025, which were operating under a wet lease agreement with Chengdu Airlines. It marked the first time the C909 had been deployed on routes within Vietnam. VietJet is the third carrier in Southeast Asia to operate the C909, after Lao Airlines and TransNusa Air Services. [more - Aviation Week]

Background ✨

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam previously stated it was working with COMAC and the CAAC to address technical and regulatory issues related to the C909, as the government considered removing regulatory obstacles for the aircraft to operate in Vietnam1. VietJet Air was the third Southeast Asian carrier to use the C909, after Lao Airlines and TransNusa Air Services2.

Singapore Changi Airport reported (22-Oct-2025) 100 airlines operate approximately 7000 weekly scheduled flights from the airport, as of 01-Oct-2025. The services connect Singapore to over 160 cities in 50 countries and territories worldwide. Changi Airport Group VP for air hub and cargo development Lim Ching Kiat stated: "Changi Airport continues to build on the positive momentum in travel demand this quarter, particularly on Asia routes". Mr Lim added: "We are expanding our network with new airlines and destinations that further reinforce Changi's connectivity to the region". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and India were Changi Airport's top five markets in 2Q2025, with Jakarta and Shanghai experiencing the fastest growth among its leading city pairs. Changi handled similar airline numbers and robust passenger traffic growth during this period, driven by steady demand across key Asian markets1. The airport added new airline services and destinations throughout 2024, enhancing regional and global connectivity2.

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) announced (20-Oct-2025) plans to close Terminal 5 for a complete demolition by 28-Oct-2025. The new Terminal 5 is scheduled to reopen ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. LAWA confirmed the following changes to check-in and ticketing activities until the new Terminal 5 opens:

LAWA also confirmed plans to open its Midfield Satellite Concourse South (MSC South) to the public on 21-Oct-2025. MSC South is an extension of the West Gates at the Tom Bradley International Terminal and will add 150,000sqft and eight gates to the airport's footprint. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Midfield Satellite Concourse South was constructed in nine offsite segments, which were relocated to Los Angeles International Airport for final assembly, with significant completion scheduled in 2025. This facility is designed to add approximately 150,000sqft and eight gates for narrowbody aircraft as an extension of the West Gates at the Tom Bradley International Terminal1 2.

Perth Airport released (21-Oct-2025) the preliminary draft major development plan (MDP) for its new terminal for public review and comment. CEO Jason Waters stated: "With the passenger journey at the top of mind we will create a seamless and intuitive terminal experience for all passengers whether they are starting their journey, transferring or returning home. Its sustainable design and proven best-in-class technology will also drive new levels of efficiency for our airline partners". Mr Waters added: "The new terminal infrastructure will include an expansion to the international terminal and a new domestic terminal all of which will seamlessly connect with the current Terminal 1 allowing passengers to cross between existing and new facilities". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Perth Airport's Master Plan 2026 set out a multi-billion dollar investment programme including a new runway, car parks, a hotel, and the expansion of both Terminal 1 International and new domestic terminal facilities, with projections for passenger numbers to grow from 17.5 million in FY2025 to 30.8 million by FY2046 and airport-generated jobs to almost triple by 20461.

Embraer Commercial Aviation reported (21-Oct-2025) the following highlights for 3Q2025:

  • Delivered 20 new aircraft, compared to 16 in 3Q2024;
  • Deliveries totalled 46 aircraft for the first nine months of 2025;
  • Backlog increased 37% year-on-year to USD15.2 billion, supported by a 2.7x book-to-bill ratio over the past year. Firm order backlog:
    • E175: 200;
    • E190-E2: 37;
    • E195-E2: 253;
  • Avelo Airlines placed a firm order for 50 E195-E2 aircraft with 50 purchase rights;
  • LATAM Airlines Group signed a firm order for 24 E195-E2 aircraft with 50 purchase rights;
  • The company recorded one net cancellation for the E175 programme;
  • The recently signed agreement with TrueNoord for 20 E195-E2 aircraft with 20 purchase rights and up to 10 E175 aircraft will be included in 4Q2025. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Embraer projected full year 2025 commercial aircraft deliveries of 77 to 85 units, after delivering 46 through the first nine months, up from 42 in the same period of 2024. The 3Q2025 output comprised seven E175s, two E190-E2s, and 11 E195-E2s, compared to four, two, and 10 respectively in 3Q2024. Deliveries in 2024 totalled 73 commercial aircraft, with a backlog of USD10.2 billion at year end1 2.

Air T Inc entered (21-Oct-2025) into a sale and implementation deed with the administrators of Rex Airlines and certain of its subsidiaries. Air T expects to close the acquisition of the carrier by the end of 2025 if creditor and other approvals are obtained. Rex's financing arrangements will be restructured in connection with the acquisition. Air T stated the proposed agreement "contemplates a continuation and growth of Rex's regional airline business and continuing employment for its workforce". Air T added that it "likes the Rex Saab 340 programme" and intends to fund the carrier's engine renewal programme and return its fleet to service. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Rex Airlines' voluntary administration process was extended to 05-Dec-2025 to allow further negotiations with a narrowed bidding field, with the Australian Government providing up to AUD30 million in additional financing if needed and continuing to support regional connectivity during ongoing sale efforts1. Industry leaders highlighted the need for a sustainable fleet strategy, citing significant supply chain challenges in maintaining the Saab 340 aircraft2 3.

IATA confirmed (17-Oct-2025) direct air services between China and India are expected to resume on 26-Oct-2025. Operations between the countries were halted in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and remained suspended amid "prolonged border tensions". Prior to the suspension, China-India passenger traffic was growing at double digit rates and had doubled between 2011 and 2019, reaching nearly one million p/a on "roughly a dozen" daily flights. IATA noted "the volume of direct air travel remained modest" compared to the scale of the countries' populations. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

IndiGo scheduled the launch of daily Kolkata-Guangzhou service on 26-Oct-2025, representing the first nonstop service between India and China since early 2020, and also planned to add Delhi-Guangzhou by the end of 2025. China Eastern Airlines set plans to start three times weekly Shanghai Pudong-Delhi service from 09-Nov-2025, further restoring direct connectivity between the two countries1 2.