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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. 278 news briefs have been published for CAPA Members in the past 2 days.

Vienna International Airport joint CEO and COO Julian Jäger, speaking at The Aviation-Event 2026 Germany, said (03-Feb-2026) it is the airport's ambition "to become a five-star airport and our current terminal expansion works are important to meeting that". The 70,000sqm expansion of Terminal 3 is expected to become operational in 2027, featuring 6000sqm lounge space, 18 new bus gates and a new central security checkpoint.

Prague Václav Havel Airport CEO Jiri Pos, speaking at The Aviation-Event 2026 Germany, commented (03-Feb-2026) on the introduction of new longer-range single-aisle aircraft into commercial service. Mr Pos stated: "New types of aircraft with less capacity offer strong opportunities for growth out of Prague".

Gebr Heinemann co-CEO Raoul Spanger, speaking at The Aviation-Event 2026 Germany, stated (03-Feb-2026) travel retail pricing "is under pressure". "There is a lot of discounting in the market" he noted.

Germany's State Secretary at the Ministry for Transport Stefan Schnorr, speaking at The Aviation-Event 2026 Germany, acknowledged (03-Feb-2026) that "comparatively high" fees are pushing airlines to relocate aircraft outside of the country. Mr Schnorr said: "We take these signals very seriously and want to counter them" he said. To support this, the federal government aims to "reduce government costs and make incentives more precise" according to Mr Schnorr, but in return it "expects the sector to modernise". It can do this, he said, "and must contribute to building connectivity and creating value".

CAPA - Centre for Aviation head of analysis Richard Maslen, speaking at The Aviation-Event 2026 Germany, stated (03-Feb-2026) that for the air travel experience, innovation can "shift aviation from process-led to passenger-led, replace rigid rules with outcome-based systems, and personalise journeys without compromising safety or fairness". Benefits can spread from search and booking, through the airport and airline experiences and also post-trip. Mr Maslen noted: "Innovation succeeds only when regulators are engaged as partners, not obstacles".

CAPA - Centre for Aviation head of analysis Richard Maslen, speaking at The Aviation-Event 2026 Germany, stated (03-Feb-2026) regulation is both good and bad, but overregulation is where the biggest issues lie. He said: "Ultimately, innovation doesn't cut through regulation - it exposes where regulation needs to evolve".

CAPA - Centre for Aviation head of analysis Richard Maslen, speaking at The Aviation-Event 2026 Germany, stated (03-Feb-2026) the biggest problem for aviation related to regulation is fragmentation and misalignment. Mr Maslen said: "Aviation is global by nature, but regulation is national, politically influenced, slow to evolve and often reactive rather than strategic". He said this leads to inconsistent passenger experiences, duplicated costs and innovation being deployed in pilot programmes rather than at scale. He added: "The problem isn't regulation itself - it's regulation that hasn't kept pace with digital transformation".

CAPA - Centre for Aviation head of analysis Richard Maslen, speaking at The Aviation-Event 2026 Germany, stated (03-Feb-2026) the travel experience "is one of the most heavily regulated consumer journeys in the world". Discussing whether innovation can cut through regulation, he said: "Innovation can cut through - but rarely by ignoring regulation. The real breakthroughs happen when innovation works around, works with, or forces the evolution of regulation".

Air France announced (29-Jan-2026) plans to close the SkyPriority check-in area in Terminal 2E (zones 6/7) at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport from 02-Feb-2026 to 17-Apr-2026 due to modernisation works. The works include upgrades to the airport's baggage handling system and the construction of a new baggage bridge. All SkyPriority check-in services will be relocated to zones 4/5 in Terminal 2E during the period. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Air France planned to centralise all its Paris operations at Charles de Gaulle Airport from 29-Mar-2026, positioning Terminal 2E as a key hub for its services during the period of the SkyPriority check-in area closure1. The airline also previously redesigned the SkyPriority check-in area and added expanded self-service features in Terminal 2E, with further upgrades scheduled for late 20252.

Singapore Airlines announced (02-Feb-2026) plans to resume four times weekly Singapore-Riyadh service on 02-Jun-2026 with A350-900, subject to regulatory approvals. Singapore Airlines chief commercial officer Lee Lik Hsin stated: "Beyond a new destination, this service will potentially allow us to work with our partners to offer our customers additional travel options across the region". Singapore Airlines previously operated Singapore-Riyadh service in 2014 and will be the sole scheduled operator on the route, according to OAG. Singapore Airlines and Riyadh Air signed a cooperation agreement in Jun-2024 covering interline connectivity, codesharing, cargo and loyalty programmes, as previously reported by CAPA. [more - original PR] [more - Aviation Week]

Background ✨

Singapore Airlines and Riyadh Air signed a memorandum of understanding in Jun-2024 to explore interline connectivity, codeshare arrangements, reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, cargo collaboration, and a potential long-term strategic partnership, aiming to expand access for both airlines' customers across their respective regions1.

Sudan Airways, via its official Facebook account, announced (01/02-Feb-2026) it commenced Port Sudan-Khartoum service on 01-Feb-2026, marking the resumption of operations at Khartoum International Airport after a suspension since Apr-2023. [more - Aviation Week]

Background ✨

Sudan Airways had previously outlined plans to resume scheduled operations from early Oct-2025, following completion of technical and administrative preparations1. It also earlier resumed Port Sudan-Cairo service, last operated in Nov-2022, with Badr Airlines, EgyptAir and Tarco Aviation also serving the route2. The resumption of international operations at Khartoum Airport followed extended closure periods throughout 2023 due to civil unrest3 4.

Virgin Atlantic Airways announced (30-Jan-2026) plans to increase capacity on Manchester-Orlando service by 12% during peak summer 2026 with additional frequencies. The carrier also plans to deploy A350-1000 aircraft on the route in winter 2026/27 - increasing capacity by 17% - with further capacity increased from Manchester "expected to follow for summer 2027". The decision follows Aer Lingus' base closure at Manchester Airport by 31-Mar-2026, as previously reported by CAPA. Virgin CCO Dave Geer stated: "Manchester has been our home in the North for thirty years and we're in it for the long haul... We're also proud to be welcoming experienced Aer Lingus pilots into Virgin Atlantic and to be supporting customers impacted by their changes". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Virgin Atlantic also extended its seasonal Edinburgh-Orlando service in 2026, adding nearly 5000 seats by operating up to three times weekly from April to October 20261. It resumed Manchester-Las Vegas service with A350-1000 equipment from 02-Jun-2024, making Manchester the only UK airport outside London serving the US west coast2. Aer Lingus previously operated Manchester-Orlando service with A330 aircraft3.