Indonesia is poised to receive a prototype of South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae fighter jet following a recent working-level agreement reached in February under their joint development project.

The deal with South Korea advances amid Jakarta’s ongoing evaluation of multiple combat aircraft options, including the decision to drop talks with Boeing. Industry officials indicate that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) during a state visit in late March to early April, where a ceremonial signing of a preliminary agreement occurred for 16 jets, reduced from an initial plan of 48 due to budget constraints.

The KF-21, a 4.5-generation twin-engine fighter, completed its flight test program in January after over 1,600 sorties since the first prototype rollout in 2021. Originally launched in 2015 with 8.1 trillion won ($5.9 billion) investment, the program faced hurdles as Indonesia cut its contribution to 600 billion won and scaled back technology transfer expectations.

Separate reports note a renegotiation where Indonesia no longer receives the fifth prototype, though a February agreement confirms prototype transfer plans. The two sides aim to finalize an implementation contract in the first half of this year as Indonesia modernizes its air force.

Cutter Aviation has opened a new maintenance facility at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC) in Broomfield, Colorado.

The nearly 22,000-square-foot hangar and office space operates as a designated Service Bulletin Modification Center for the Pilatus PC-24. It provides comprehensive maintenance support for both the Pilatus PC-12 and PC-24 aircraft.

The company plans to break ground later this year on a second hangar of almost 22,000 square feet at the same location.

Will Cutter, president and chief executive of Cutter Aviation, said: We are committed to growing our network throughout the Southwest. Now that the facility is open, we are already delivering faster, more reliable support to our Pilatus customers.

This marks Cutter Aviation’s fifth full-service maintenance center across the Southwest, offering engine and airframe maintenance, avionics installations, interior refurbishments, and parts support.

Chinese cargo carrier SF Airlines has started a direct freighter service between Ezhou Huahu International Airport (EHU) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), extending its long-haul operations into Europe.

The first flight took off from Ezhou on April 1, 2026, using a Boeing 747-400 widebody freighter. The route will carry a range of cargo, including high-volume express parcels, cross-border e-commerce goods, oversized items and heavyweight freight.

According to the airline, the service aims to increase capacity and flexibility in international logistics between China and Europe amid rising demand for efficient cargo links. In a social media statement, SF Airlines noted that the route helps manage complex supply chains and provides reliable air freight for Chinese industries expanding overseas.

Based in Shenzhen, Guangdong, SF Airlines launched in 2009 as the cargo arm of SF Express.

Setna iO has amended and expanded its commercial credit facility, raising the borrowing capacity to $550 million. The company maintains support from six top-tier commercial banks for this arrangement.

The expansion comes amid Setna iO’s reported strong earnings and low leverage, positioning the firm for continued global scaling. Banking partners continue to back the company’s long-term strategy and operating model.

Loganair, the UK regional airline, has appointed Scott Cunningham as its new chief financial officer.

Cunningham brings extensive experience from senior roles at Clyde Blowers Capital, where he served as chief financial officer for InterBulk Group plc, now Den Hartogh Logistics. He also led Iomart Group plc through the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2022 energy crisis. A chartered accountant since 1995, he specializes in financial strategy and corporate governance.

I am delighted to be joining Loganair as Chief Financial Officer. Throughout my career, I have supported growth and transformation across a variety of businesses. Loganair is unique and plays a critical role in providing vital air-links for communities across the UK and beyond. I’m looking forward to working with Luke and the team and to playing my part in delivering further success for the airline, said Cunningham.

Loganair chief executive Luke Farajallah said he was very pleased to have secured Scott. After an extensive and high-calibre search, we decided that Scott’s extensive experience leading international and private equity-backed businesses would be invaluable as we continue to deliver our strategy. We’re delighted to welcome him to the executive team, and looking forward to him joining over the summer, he said.

The appointment follows the earlier hiring of Farrah Malik as interim CFO after Chris Gemmell’s departure in August 2025. Loganair recently expanded its Jersey network for summer 2026, adding services to Paris CDG, Norwich, East Midlands, and Dublin. The Jersey-Paris route, launching May 31, marks its first scheduled service to France. The airline reported a pre-tax profit of £11 million for the year ended March 31, 2025, up from £6.9 million, due to more stable operations and fewer delays.

EDGE Group is participating for the first time at FIDAE 2026, held from April 7 to 12 in Chile, showcasing a broad portfolio of defense technologies aimed at Latin American markets.

The company will display advanced aerial ISR solutions, including unmanned aerial systems such as the HT-100 unmanned helicopter and the REACH-S medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS, along with loitering munitions and precision-guided munitions.

On the ground, EDGE features armored vehicles like the AJBAN MK2 and HAFEET MK2, designed for high mobility and protection across various terrains.

Its offerings also cover counter-UAS systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and secure communications through KATIM platforms for mission-critical applications. Additional systems include the autonomous BORDERSHIELD for border surveillance, as well as GPS PROTECT 2 and GPS PROTECT 4 anti-jamming solutions.

Technologies extend to non-lethal options for public security and civil operations, emphasizing integrated protection for air, land, maritime, and cyber domains.

Waygate Technologies, a Baker Hughes business specializing in nondestructive testing, and GE Aerospace have deployed new automated Menu Directed Inspection (MDI) templates for GEnx-1B and -2B engine borescope inspections. The templates, integrated into Waygate Technologies Mentor Visual iQ+ video borescope, standardize the inspection process for critical parts like High-Pressure Turbine (HPT) S1 and S2 blades.

Developed under a Joint Technology Development Agreement started in 2023, the templates provide advanced visual guidance with image overlays and representative images on the borescope screen. They align with Aircraft Maintenance Manual tasks, incorporate AI-assisted technologies, and combine automated and manual 3D measurement capabilities for line, area, depth, and profile assessments. This reduces operator variability and ensures consistent imaging.

The system enhances data management through automated labeling of images and videos, enabling real-time storage on the InspectionWorks Insight cloud platform. Inspectors can transition seamlessly between areas and share data for fleet optimization. The templates also shorten the learning curve for new technicians amid labor challenges.

Michael Domke, General Manager Visual at Waygate Technologies, stated that the templates offer a standardized approach to inspections and advance automation in engine maintenance. Nicole Jenkins, Chief MRO Engineer at GE Aerospace, noted that the technologies integrate automation and AI to improve standardization, consistency, and efficiency in video borescope inspections.

The GEnx MDI templates are available now through GE Aerospace Customer Technical Education Center.

Lufthansa Technik Component Services (LTCS) has opened a new production facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as part of its strategy to grow its North American operations.

The 2,300-square-meter building, the third on the LTCS campus near Tulsa International Airport, creates 90 new jobs and boosts maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capacities for aircraft components. It includes a modernized avionics workshop and expanded administrative space to meet rising demand in the region.

This facility represents the first phase of a two-stage expansion program, with plans to triple the site's floor space. LTCS, a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik, also intends to introduce new services, such as repairs for Integrated Drive Generators (IDG). The site already features workshops for avionics, hydraulics, and other systems, along with storage, logistics, and round-the-clock component supply.

The expansion supports Lufthansa Technik's focus on strengthening its footprint in North America amid growing MRO needs.

Hamburg – Zehn Klimaaktivisten der Letzten Generation hatten am 13. Juli 2023 zu Beginn der Sommerferien den Hamburger Flughafen blockiert. Sie drangen auf das Gelände ein, schnitten den Zaun durch und legten den Flugverkehr stundenlang lahm. Dadurch fielen 57 Flüge aus.

Das Landgericht Hamburg verurteilte die Gruppe nun in einem Zivilprozess. Sie müssen gemeinsam mehr als 400.000 Euro Schadensersatz an die Lufthansa-Gruppe zahlen, darunter Entschädigungen für Fluggäste und entgangenen Gewinn von Eurowings. Zusätzlich fallen rund 700.000 Euro Prozesskosten an, was den Gesamtwert auf 1,1 Millionen Euro bringt. Bei Nichterfüllung drohen bis zu zwei Jahre Ordnungsstrafe. Das Gericht erließ zudem ein Urteil der Unterlassung: Bei Wiederholung riskieren die Aktivisten eine Strafe von 250.000 Euro.

Die Flughafen Hamburg GmbH meldete Schäden in Höhe von 131.000 Euro plus 13.000 Euro für Reparaturen am Zaun und Asphalt. Eine separate Klage des Flughafens könnte die Forderungen auf über eine halbe Million Euro steigern.

In einem parallelen Strafverfahren vor dem Amtsgericht räumte ein 21-jähriger Angeklagter unter Tränen Vorwürfe wie Sachbeschädigung, Hausfriedensbruch und Störung des Betriebs ein. Die Staatsanwaltschaft forderte 120 Stunden gemeinnützige Arbeit; das Urteil wurde am 7. April erwartet.

Das Gericht würdigte in den Urteilsgründen das Ziel der Aktion als unabdingbar für den Fortbestand der Gesellschaft, kritisierte jedoch die bewusste Überschreitung strafrechtlicher Grenzen. Das Urteil ist noch nicht rechtskräftig.

Iberia will install a shipset of Recaro R1 and R2 economy seats on an A320neo aircraft as part of a six-month trial starting this spring. The seats incorporate literature pockets made from upcycled fishing nets recovered from the ocean and a real wood inlay in the seat bumper.

The trial involves 186 seats in a hybrid cabin layout, marking the first operational installation of these certified sustainable features by Recaro Aircraft Seating. Each single-aisle aircraft shipset, such as for an A320, removes approximately 2 kilograms of discarded fishing net material from marine environments.

These elements draw from Recaro’s R Sphere sustainable concept seat, which uses recyclable components and bio-based materials to cut weight by about 1.5 kg per seat and reduce CO2 emissions by around 55 tons annually per aircraft. Dr. Mark Hiller, CEO of Recaro Aircraft Seating, stated that the seats combine innovation, design, and sustainability.

The modification kit underwent mock-up creation, qualification testing, and material certification before installation on the operational Iberia aircraft.

United Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) have reached a tentative agreement covering the carrier’s 30,000 flight attendants. The deal, announced on March 26, 2026, includes immediate wage increases upon ratification and top rates reaching $100 per hour by the contract’s end, positioning United flight attendants as the highest-paid among major U.S. airlines.

Key provisions feature boarding pay at 50% of the standard hourly rate for passenger boarding time, sit pay for scheduled ground waits exceeding 2.5 hours—calculated at one minute paid for every two minutes beyond that threshold—and a $740 million signing bonus distributed to all flight attendants. The agreement restores requirements for business-class hotels during layovers, mandating clean and quiet accommodations, and preserves personal time off after United dropped plans to eliminate it.

While United sought concessions like a new preferential bidding scheduling system, those demands were removed in final negotiations. The deal permits United to create or control a regional carrier under the United Express brand, where flight attendants could earn nearly 50% less than mainline crew, exempt from the alter-ego airline ban.

The tentative agreement awaits approval from AFA’s Master Executive Council, including local presidents, at a special meeting. If endorsed, voting opens after April 23 and closes May 12; ratification would implement the contract May 31, amendable after five years through August 2030.

TAP Air Portugal has introduced Economy Prime, a new cabin class positioned between standard economy and business on long-haul routes. The product launches June 1, 2026, with bookings now available on Airbus A330 and A321LR aircraft.

The cabin consists of 12 seats in the first three rows behind business class, arranged in a 4-abreast layout where the adjacent seat remains unoccupied. This setup provides extra space and privacy without new hardware or dedicated seats. On the A330’s 2-4-2 configuration, window passengers gain even more room.

Economy Prime passengers receive priority check-in, fast-track security, premium boarding, and priority baggage handling. Onboard, they get a premium main meal with two hot dish options selectable up to 24 hours before departure, plus an amenity kit and enhanced pillow. Baggage allowance includes two 23 kg checked bags.

The offering targets business and leisure travelers seeking flexibility, with improved rebooking, refund policies, and mileage accrual at 150-175%. Fares, such as around $1,400 round-trip from the U.S. East Coast to Portugal, sit between economy and business class pricing.

Air Canada will operate direct flights to Tenerife South Airport from Toronto and Montreal starting in October, running through the winter season until April.

The airline plans three weekly connections: two from Toronto and one from Montreal. From Toronto, flights depart Thursdays and Sundays beginning October 25, with returns on Mondays and Fridays. Montreal services start October 31, departing Saturdays and returning Sundays.

These routes will use the Airbus A321XLR, configured with 14 Signature Class seats and 168 economy seats for 182 passengers total.

Lope Afonso, Tenerife Cabildos vice president and tourism councilor, stated: We are witnessing the realization of one of our roadmap’s key goals, expanding strategic connectivity, particularly with markets suited to repositioning the destination through a diversified offer. This agreement with Air Canada is a decisive step to establish Tenerife as the reference Atlantic destination for the North American market, attracting high-spending visitors who value our quality offerings.

Mark Galardo, Air Canada executive vice president of commercial and cargo president, said: We are further strengthening Air Canadas global network from North America. Adding Tenerife in the iconic Canary Islands this winter reflects our ambition to offer customers and Aeroplan members exceptional, diverse destinations. The next-generation A321XLR enables convenient direct service from North America to the island of eternal spring, known for its volcanic landscapes, adventure activities, and year-round warm climate.

The Artemis II mission crew achieved a new milestone in human spaceflight on April 6, 2026, by traveling farther from Earth than any previous astronauts during a lunar flyby. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, aboard the Orion spacecraft surpassed the Apollo 13 record of 248,655 miles set in 1970.

The crew reached a maximum distance of approximately 252,756 miles from Earth, exceeding the prior mark by over 4,000 miles. This occurred during a seven-hour flyby that began around 2:45 p.m. EDT, with their closest approach to the moon at about 4,070 miles from the surface, roughly the size of a basketball at arm’s length. At that point, moving at an estimated 3,139 mph, they observed both near and far sides of the moon, potentially viewing far-side features with the unaided eye for the first time.

Orion entered the moon’s sphere of influence at 12:37 a.m. EDT, shifting from Earth’s to the moon’s gravitational pull. Mission Specialist Christina Koch noted they were then falling toward the moon. The flyby included a 40-minute communication blackout behind the far side, an Earthrise observation recreating the Apollo 8 image, and a solar eclipse. The crew also carried an Apollo 8 silk patch. After peaking at 7:07 p.m. EDT, Orion exited the lunar sphere and began its four-day return, set for a Pacific splashdown.

A 61-year-old British man has been sentenced to ten months in prison for his disruptive behavior while heavily intoxicated on a commercial flight from Krakow to Bristol.

The incident occurred on a return flight from Poland. The passenger began drinking alcohol before boarding and continued onboard, ignoring all instructions from the crew. He verbally abused flight attendants and other passengers. His refusal to sit during landing forced the pilot to abort the initial approach at Bristol Airport.

Police removed him from the aircraft upon arrival. In court, the man admitted the charges. His lawyer stated he was shocked by his own actions and explained that he had lost his medications for back pain, depression, and anxiety before the flight, leading to excessive drinking. The defendant has a lengthy criminal record.

The judge ruled that only a custodial sentence was appropriate in this case.

Jetstar’s first refurbished Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated its inaugural flight from Melbourne Airport to Phuket International Airport on April 7, 2026. The aircraft had arrived in Melbourne from Hong Kong following a multi-million-dollar cabin refit, initiating a fleet-wide upgrade program for all 11 of the airline’s 787s, set to complete by late 2027.

The refit doubled business class capacity from 21 to 44 seats to meet demand for premium options at lower fares. New business seats feature a 38-inch pitch, seven inches of recline, six-way adjustable headrests, enhanced cushioning, calf and footrests, bi-fold in-arm tray tables with cocktail tables, seatback device holders, and dual USB-C charging ports.

Economy received new RECARO seats with a 30-inch pitch and five inches of recline, surpassing the two inches on Jetstar’s A320neo and A321LR aircraft. These include six-way adjustable headrests, extra cushioning, device holders, and USB-C charging.

In-flight Wi-Fi debuted on the 787 fleet through a partnership with Viasat, supporting streaming, messaging, and browsing. Business passengers receive complimentary unlimited access; economy options include Streaming-Plus from AU$25 (US$17) or Social Plus from AU$20 (US$14). Seatback screens were removed, with passengers advised to use personal devices and headsets.

Six lie-flat crew rest bunks were added at the rear, enabling flights up to 16 hours and potential new routes. Jetstar’s 787s currently serve Asian destinations including Tokyo, Osaka, Singapore, Seoul, Phuket, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and soon Colombo.

Jetstar launched BidCash, allowing cash bids for business upgrades on international 787 flights, with plans to extend to Qantas Frequent Flyer members using points. Jetstar Group CEO Stephanie Tully described the changes as delivering more comfort, connectivity, and destination access.

The Artemis II crew achieved a historic milestone on Monday at 12:56 p.m. EDT, reaching 248,655 miles from Earth and surpassing the previous record set by Apollo 13 in 1970. The four astronauts aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch from NASA, and Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency—will hit a maximum distance of 252,756 miles, or about 406,700 kilometers, before turning back toward Earth.

Launched on April 1 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida atop the SLS rocket, the mission marked the first crewed flight of NASA’s Artemis program. After propulsion maneuvers to exit Earth orbit, Orion headed for the Moon. Six days into the flight, the crew captured images of the lunar surface while traveling farther than any humans before.

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen commented from Orion: From the Integrity cabin, as we surpass the greatest distance humans have traveled from planet Earth, we do so in honor of the extraordinary efforts and feats of our predecessors in human space exploration. We will continue our journey even farther into space before Mother Earth pulls us back to all that we cherish. Most importantly, we choose this moment to challenge this generation and the next to ensure this record does not last long.

During the lunar flyby, Orion approached within 4,067 miles of the surface, allowing the crew to view parts of the far side with the naked eye and witness a solar eclipse. The crew proposed naming two lunar craters: one for the spacecraft Integrity and another for Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll. These names will be submitted to the International Astronomical Union after the mission.

NASA lost contact with the crew for 40 minutes as planned, when the Moon blocked signals via the Deep Space Network. Upon reconnection, Christina Koch said: Houston, we are receiving you loud and clear, and it is wonderful to hear from Earth again.

Cameras captured high-resolution images of previously unseen lunar features. The mission, now past its halfway point, is set to splash down off San Diego at 8:07 p.m. EDT on Friday, April 10. Recovery teams will helicopter the crew to the USS John P. Murtha for post-flight medical checks before returning to NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

A Reims-Cessna F172P Skyhawk II, registered PH-VSS, crashed into a field near the A58 motorway close to Middelburg on Tuesday morning, killing the sole occupant.

The aircraft departed from Midden-Zeeland Airfield at approximately 08:34 local time and came down about 14 minutes later alongside the highway between Middelburg and Ritthem in Zeeland province. Emergency services, including fire crews, ambulances, and police, responded to the scene reported around 08:40.

Photos from the site show the plane broke apart on impact, with wreckage scattered across the field. No fire erupted following the crash. Traffic on the A58 was not disrupted, according to highways agency Rijkswaterstaat.

The Dutch Safety Board dispatched a team for a preliminary investigation into the cause. Public flight data indicates the aircraft vanished from radar at the crash location. Midden-Zeeland Airfield, about 10 kilometers northeast of the site, confirmed the takeoff origin.

Tahiti-based carrier Air Moana has added an ATR 72-600 to its fleet, with the aircraft bearing manufacturer serial number MSN 1553. The turboprop, previously operated in the U.S., was delivered by lessor Azorra and now serves the airline’s inter-island routes within French Polynesia.

The delivery flight originated in Toulouse, France, and covered 51 hours across nine countries before reaching Faa’a International Airport, Air Moana’s main hub. This addition brings the airline’s ATR 72-600 count to at least three, each configured for 72 passengers on domestic services to destinations including Bora Bora in the Society Islands and the Tuamotus.

Founded in January 2022 by Christian Vernaudon, a former Air Tahiti executive, Air Moana secured its domestic operating license in December 2022. Its first aircraft arrived that month, followed by an air operator’s certificate in February 2023. The inaugural flight to Bora Bora occurred on February 8, 2023, with a second ATR 72-600 delivered in March 2023. Sofidep, a French Polynesian development finance company, holds a stake in the airline.

Vietnam Helicopter Corporation (VNH), through its subsidiaries Southern Vietnam Helicopter Company and Northern Vietnam Helicopter Company, has ordered three Airbus H225 helicopters. The acquisition supports expansion of offshore energy operations and replacement of aging aircraft in its fleet.

VNH leadership noted that the H225 has shown strong performance in offshore missions, providing reliability, safety, and operational flexibility. The helicopters will integrate with VNHs existing Airbus fleet, which includes Super Puma and H155 models, and support offshore energy transport, utility services, search and rescue, and general transport.

The H225, the latest in the Super Puma family, handles demanding environments with extended range and payload capacity. Its advanced avionics and autopilot systems improve safety and reduce pilot workload for complex offshore tasks. The H225 has seen growing use in oil and gas missions in regions including Vietnam.

GetJet Airlines has secured US$31 million in external financing from London-based volofin Capital Management. The funding supports the carrier’s Growth Strategy 2026 by expanding its fleet and aviation asset management operations.

The capital will finance the acquisition of up to five additional narrow-body aircraft, with integration into the fleet targeted for the second quarter of 2026. This move addresses a strong pipeline of client demand and rising needs for ACMI services.

GetJet Chief Executive Darius Viltrakis said the financing reflects the confidence of key financial partners in the company’s operational performance and enables rapid response to growing airline customer demand. Volofin Capital Management indicated it plans to continue supporting GetJet with tailored asset-based financing solutions.

Recent contracts with Eurowings and Etihad Airways have bolstered GetJet’s commercial position, alongside ongoing operations for Air Senegal and Wizz Air. Last summer, it also supported Royal Jordanian and TAP Air Portugal.

The financing further advances the group’s aviation asset management and component trading through affiliate Airhub Aviation, based in Northern and Central Europe. Airhub manages a portfolio valued at about €200 million and runs an MRO facility at Šiauliai International Airport in Lithuania.

The Airbus C295 has emerged as a primary tactical multi-mission aircraft for air forces in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Mexico. Operated across these nations, the twin-turboprop platform handles transport, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions in diverse environments from jungles to coasts.

Brazil employs the C295 search and rescue (SAR) variant to monitor ships, detect oil spills, and conduct sea rescues. Chile operates the maritime patrol (MPA) version, which uses sonobuoys and a Magnetic Anomaly Detector to track submarines, while also supporting firefighting through optical and infrared cameras to identify and monitor fire outbreaks early. The Chilean Navy has deployed its C295s for firefighting in the Biobío region.

Colombia has utilized the aircraft for critical evacuations, such as transporting four children lost in the jungle for 40 days to a Bogotá hospital in June 2023. Mechanics converted it to an air ambulance in under 90 minutes, allowing a pilot to land on an unprepared runway using night vision goggles. Colombia also created water lines to combat fires in Vichada near Venezuela.

Mexico fields 14 C295s, with eight in the Air Force and six in the Navy, focused on transport tasks. The aircraft’s versatility stems from its short take-off and landing capability on unprepared strips, plus rapid reconfiguration—often in less than an hour—between roles like medical evacuation, aid delivery, and disaster response to hurricanes, earthquakes, or fires. Latin America operates 41 units in total, with Brazil holding the largest fleet.

GetJet has secured $31 million in financing from London-based volofin Capital Management Ltd. The funding supports the GetJet Group Growth Strategy 2026, which targets fleet expansion and growth in aviation asset management.

The capital will enable the acquisition of up to five additional narrow-body aircraft, with integration into the fleet planned by the second quarter of 2026. This move responds to a strong client pipeline and increased demand for ACMI services, where providers supply aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance.

ACMI leasing has gained traction amid post-pandemic air travel recovery, helping airlines manage seasonal demand, address delivery delays, and enhance flexibility without long-term ownership commitments. Market analysis projects the global ACMI leasing sector to grow at a compound annual rate exceeding 5% through 2032, driven by low-cost carriers and international route expansion.

GetJet’s expansion aligns with broader industry trends, as providers adapt fleets to meet surging capacity needs in passenger and cargo operations.

Spanish aerospace company FOSSA Systems has opened a new office in Tokyo and entered an exclusive strategic agreement with Kanematsu Corporation, a Japanese conglomerate with over 130 years of history in sectors including aerospace, defense, vehicles, and advanced technology.

The partnership focuses on marketing FOSSA’s sovereign satellite technology in Japan, with applications in defense. It covers FOSSA’s secure communications and signals intelligence technologies delivered through its ground and user segment ecosystem. The alliance pairs FOSSA’s space technology and expertise with Kanematsu’s market knowledge and industrial structure in Japan. Kanematsu’s space and defense division provides solutions to government and corporate clients and is expanding in the NewSpace sector.

Julián Fernández, CEO and founder of FOSSA Systems, stated: “The signing of this agreement with Kanematsu represents a historic step for FOSSA Systems and a key milestone in our internationalization strategy in Japan. Our fully sovereign satellite, payload, and user segment capabilities will ensure complete control of their infrastructure for clients in an increasingly complex geopolitical situation.”

Yusaku Sato, Manager of Defense and Space in Kanematsu’s Aerospace Department, said: “This alliance will expand Kanematsu’s portfolio and capabilities in the space sector, providing agile and responsive small satellite technologies for national security, addressing a growing need for space innovation.”

The new office in Shinagawa, Tokyo, serves as the operational hub for the Asia-Pacific region. It supports growth across the continent, strengthens FOSSA’s international presence, and enables direct collaboration with local institutions, infrastructure, and government entities in both private and public sectors.

Recently, FOSSA Systems was selected for NATO’s DIANA program, recognizing its technology in signals intelligence.

FRANKFURT – Lufthansa has warned of potential physical shortages of jet fuel in Europe amid the ongoing Iran war.

Lufthansa Technology board member Grazia Vittadini told Welt am Sonntag that fuel availability is already difficult at some Asian airports. She added that the longer the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, the more critical the jet fuel supply security could become.

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr outlined a two-stage crisis plan to employees last week. Asian airports, facing persistent shortages, could reject both requested and scheduled Lufthansa flights. In extreme cases, supply gaps could emerge in Europe as well.

The airline plans to respond swiftly by cutting unprofitable routes or retiring older aircraft early, potentially idling 20 to 40 planes.

The blockade has driven jet fuel prices up by over 100 percent in some areas, with Lufthansa Group airlines only partially hedged. Passenger airlines have 80 percent of their fuel needs secured for the year, though rising prices still impact operations. Airlines are passing costs to passengers via surcharges, such as an additional 258 euros on some New York round-trips.

Asian carriers like AirAsia X are taking extra fuel on board before landing in restricted areas such as Vietnam, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Tahiti, a costly practice known as tankering that increases consumption.

Air New Zealand has begun installing Next Gen check-in kiosks across its network following a successful trial. The rollout starts this week at Auckland Domestic Airport and will extend to all New Zealand ports by the end of July.

Developed by the airline’s in-house research and development team, the kiosks use touchscreen interfaces powered by iPads and built-in cameras for passport scanning. Average check-in time has dropped from more than two minutes to 37 seconds, with the fastest domestic check-in recorded at 18 seconds. Faster scanning, printing and intuitive prompts contribute to the improvement. One group of 21 passengers completed check-in, including boarding passes and bag tags, in 2.5 minutes.

Each new kiosk costs about one-third of previous models, and Air New Zealand expects annual savings exceeding $1 million in maintenance, with reduced need for external support. The kiosks handled over 30,000 passenger journeys during testing, including group bookings.

Jeremy O’Brien, Air New Zealand’s Chief Customer and Digital Officer, said: We focus our innovation efforts on better customer outcomes. The purpose of our research and development team is to make travel easy and frictionless. And no one knows our customers better than our frontline team. As a business, we’ve worked together to develop, test and launch the new kiosks.

Boeing’s 777-9 program completed a maximum brake energy test at Edwards Air Force Base, simulating a high-demand rejected takeoff scenario.

The aircraft reached its maximum takeoff weight of 775,000 pounds and accelerated to approximately 190 knots before pilots aborted the takeoff. Braking alone stopped the plane, without thrust reversers, using brakes machined to simulate fully worn conditions.

The braking system produced over a billion foot-pounds of torque, with temperatures surpassing 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. This heat melted the wheels’ fuse plugs, releasing tire air pressure as designed.

These conditions exceed normal airline operations but meet certification standards set by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to verify safety margins. Emergency crews waited five minutes before intervening, mimicking real-world response times, then cooled the brakes and wheels.

The test supports Boeing’s ongoing certification efforts with the FAA, which include extensive validation of all aircraft systems.

Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson announced his resignation on April 7, 2026, after nearly four years leading the Tata Group-owned carrier through its post-privatization overhaul. The New Zealand native, who joined in July 2022 following 25 years at Singapore Airlines, informed Chairman N. Chandrasekaran of his plans to step down as early as 2024. He will remain in the position until the board appoints a successor, with a search committee already formed.

During his tenure, Air India merged four airlines, added over 100 aircraft to its fleet, nearly completed narrowbody cabin retrofits, and began widebody deliveries featuring custom interiors. The carrier also invested in training and maintenance, including South Asia’s largest aviation academy and a new MRO base. Wilson described the timing as a transition point ahead of major deliveries from a nearly 600-aircraft order book starting in 2027.

Chandrasekaran credited Wilson with tenacity amid post-Covid supply chain issues, aircraft delays, retrofit setbacks, and geopolitical challenges. The exit occurs amid financial strain, with Air India and Air India Express reporting a combined 98 billion rupees ($1.05 billion) loss in fiscal 2024-2025, and steeper losses projected this year. Operations face scrutiny following the June 12, 2025, crash of Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 that killed 260 people shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad—the first fatal 787 hull loss and the decade’s deadliest aviation disaster. Additional pressures include Pakistan’s airspace closure forcing long-haul reroutings and Middle East instability.

Wilson’s background includes founding and leading Scoot, Singapore Airlines’ low-cost unit, in two stints, plus a role as senior vice president of sales and marketing. The resignation follows IndiGo’s appointment of former IATA head Willie Walsh as its next CEO, reflecting leadership shifts across India’s airlines.

Binter will resume flights connecting the Canary Islands with Vitoria-Gasteiz starting June 15. The airline previously operated the route from 2020 until October 2023, linking the Basque city with Gran Canaria and Tenerife, according to airport records.

For the summer season, Binter has scheduled two weekly flights on Mondays and Thursdays from Gran Canaria Airport. Departures from the island are set for 14:25, with arrivals in Vitoria at 19:05. The service also operates from Vitoria at the same evening time back to Gran Canaria.

Binter maintains its policy of free inter-island connections on this route. Passengers can travel to or from any Canary Island at no extra cost, utilizing the airline’s 220 daily inter-island flights across the archipelago.

The flights will use Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. This resumption strengthens Binter’s presence in northern Spain, where it also serves San Sebastián.

Embraer delivered 44 aircraft in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 47% increase from the 30 units handed over in the same period of 2025. The company attributed the gain to progress in its production stabilization efforts.

In commercial aviation, Embraer delivered 10 new aircraft, including three E195-E2 models, its largest currently in production for the segment. This represented a 43% rise from the seven aircraft delivered in the first quarter of 2025.

The executive aviation division transferred 29 jets to customers, up 26% from 23 in the prior year’s first quarter. The growth stemmed from higher deliveries of light and midsize jets amid steady segment demand.

In defense and security, Embraer delivered one KC-390 Millennium multirole military transport and four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, totaling five units compared to none a year earlier.

Embraer maintained its full-year guidance, projecting 80 to 85 commercial aircraft deliveries and 160 to 170 executive jets, with midpoints indicating 6% growth over 2025.

TEHRAN – An airport in western Iran has been struck by airstrikes. The airport in the city of Khorramabad was bombed, according to Iran’s Mehr News Agency.

The agency cited the deputy governor of Lorestan Province in reporting the attack on Khorramabad Airport. No fatalities were reported in the incident. The extent of the damage remains unclear.

This strike occurs amid an ongoing conflict, with Israel and the United States conducting military operations against Iran for more than five weeks.

Marubeni Corporation has acquired the remaining 50% stake in DASI, a global provider of commercial aviation inventory solutions, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. The transaction was completed through Marubeni Aviation Asset Investment LLC, the company’s U.S.-based arm for aviation aftermarket and asset trading.

DASI manages around 2.5 million stock keeping units, including factory-new and surplus components, and serves more than 3,500 customers worldwide. The company offers data-driven pricing, inventory monetization for suppliers, and an integrated platform with warehouses, an online marketplace, and proprietary systems for rapid delivery.

The deal aligns with rising global demand for aircraft maintenance, driven by increased passenger and cargo traffic, a growing fleet, and prolonged use of older aircraft amid supply chain delays. Industry projections indicate the aircraft maintenance market will grow at a 3.3% compound annual rate to about $215 billion by 2035, while the aviation aftermarket parts segment could reach $23.5 billion, 1.5 times its 2024 size.

Marubeni plans to combine DASI’s strengths in new and surplus parts with those of its subsidiary Magellan Aviation Group, which specializes in used serviceable materials from retired aircraft. This integration supports Marubeni’s focus on aviation aftermarket as a core business area within its Mid-Term Management Strategy GC2027.

Setna iO has amended and expanded its commercial credit facility, raising total borrowing capacity to US$550 million. The move, backed by six leading commercial banks, provides greater financial flexibility for investments across its key units, including Setnix, Setnix UK, PartsLab, Zulu, and LGT.

The expansion supports Setna’s global parts trading and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations. It also aligns with the anticipated addition of J&C Aero to the group, which will extend its international presence and service range.

Setna iO’s recent activities underscore its growth in the aviation aftermarket. The company acquired a majority stake in Landing Gear Technologies (LGT) in Hialeah, Florida, last August and reached an agreement for a majority stake in Zulu Global, a Florida-based component repair and parts manufacturer.[2][3] These moves, along with facility expansions, are expected to increase MRO earnings from 5% to 20% of total earnings by next year, according to CEO David Chaimovitz.[2]

Additional expansions include a Boeing 737-700 teardown at its ecube facility in Coolidge, Arizona, and CFM56-7B engine disassembly in the UK, feeding components into its MRO network for global distribution.[4] Setna iO also purchased a 112,300-square-foot property in Tempe, Arizona, for $27.5 million to bolster operations.[5]

Australia’s Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) will form the basis for Canada’s planned Arctic over-the-horizon radar system, potentially marking Australia’s largest defense export. The collaboration leverages decades of Australian expertise in high-frequency radar technology to address Canada’s needs for monitoring its vast northern region.[1][2]

Australia and Canada signed a technology partnership agreement in June 2025 to advance over-the-horizon radar research and development. The deal enables joint work on technical challenges for Arctic operations, further development of JORN, and planning for manufacturing Canada’s system. Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group is partnering with Canada’s Defence Research and Development Canada and Department of National Defence Digital Services Group.[1][3][5]

Canada’s Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) will use JORN’s core technology and principles, modified for Arctic conditions, as part of NORAD modernization. It detects air and maritime threats over long ranges by bouncing signals off the ionosphere. Initial capabilities are targeted by the end of 2029.[2][5]

Australia’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group issued a request for tender to BAE Systems Australia for design, manufacture, and commissioning of the first stage. BAE has led JORN upgrades, including the ongoing Phase 6 midlife upgrade.[6]

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney viewed JORN during a visit to Australia, where officials demonstrated its capabilities. Air Vice-Marshal Martin Nussio noted mutual benefits from collaborative development, strengthening Australia’s sovereign industry. Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro highlighted BAE’s long involvement in JORN advancements.[6]

The project is valued at around $6 billion CAD ($4 billion USD), with Canada planning $4.9 billion over six years and $38.6 billion over 20 years.[2][4]

A South Korean Army Surion helicopter inadvertently entered the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on March 23, 2026, during wildfire suppression efforts near Yeoncheon County in Gyeonggi Province, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

The domestically developed KUH-1 Surion, a utility helicopter used for troop and equipment transport, was deployed to assist in extinguishing the blaze south of the DMZ, where United Nations Command (UNC) approval is not required. A coordination error led the unarmed aircraft to cross into DMZ airspace and fly near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), which bisects the 4-kilometer-wide buffer zone. South Korean military and UNC officials are investigating whether it crossed the MDL, as entry into the southern portion of the DMZ requires prior UNC authorization, which was not obtained.

North Korea showed no unusual military response, possibly because multiple civilian firefighting helicopters were operating in the area, making it unclear if the military aircraft was identified. The JCS confirmed the incident publicly on April 5 but limited details due to operational sensitivity, stating the matter is under investigation.

This marks the latest such occurrence during firefighting near the border. In April 2019, a South Korean forest agency helicopter crossed about 1.7 kilometers north of the MDL for roughly a minute before returning; Seoul notified UNC and Pyongyang. Wildfires also struck the inter-Korean border area in April 2025 amid heightened North Korean troop activity nearby. The DMZ remains one of the world’s most fortified borders, stemming from the 1950-1953 Korean War armistice.

Vietnam Helicopter Corporation has ordered three Airbus H225 helicopters to renew its fleet and support energy sector missions.

The order, announced by Airbus on April 7, 2026, involves subsidiaries Southern Vietnam Helicopter Co. and another unit under the corporation. The H225, a heavy-lift twin-engine helicopter formerly known as the EC225, suits offshore operations with its long-range capabilities, reaching up to 850 km with standard fuel tanks and 1,130 km with additional tanks. It features all-weather performance, including full de-icing for severe icing conditions, and a maximum speed of 324 km/h.

Southern Vietnam Helicopter has a long history with Airbus, operating the type for offshore transport to installations 200 to 240 nautical miles from base. Past purchases include multiple EC225s, bringing their Airbus fleet to at least 10 aircraft by 2013. The H225 excels in such missions due to its payload capacity, low vibration for crew comfort, and options like precise hoisting and hover control.

This acquisition aligns with Vietnam Helicopter Corporations focus on energy sector support, where the helicopters will handle fleet renewal amid ongoing offshore demands.

A General Atomics YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototype crashed shortly after takeoff during a test flight in the California desert on April 6, 2026. The incident occurred at approximately 1 p.m. Pacific time at the company-owned Gray Butte Airport near Palmdale.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems confirmed no one was injured. The company has paused all YFQ-42A flight test operations temporarily while investigating the cause. Safety procedures functioned as intended, according to company spokesman C. Mark Brinkley.

The YFQ-42A, known internally as Dark Merlin, is one of several production-representative prototypes in the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. This marks the program’s first known flight mishap. The aircraft competes with Anduril’s YFQ-44A for Increment 1, aimed at building a fleet of over 1,000 autonomous wingmen to support crewed fighters like the F-35. General Atomics achieved the YFQ-42A’s first flight in August 2025 and began testing with AI-powered mission software in February 2026. The Air Force plans a production decision by the end of fiscal 2026.

American Airlines Cargo hosted a training and awareness event at its Miami International Airport facility to combat illegal wildlife trafficking. More than 100 team members joined experts from aviation, conservation, and finance sectors to discuss trafficking risks and prevention strategies.

The event featured speakers from United for Wildlife, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, HSBC, and Deloitte. A hands-on exhibit displayed seized wildlife products, underscoring the scale of illicit trade and the role of cargo professionals in spotting suspicious shipments.

Jon Godson, transport taskforce director at United for Wildlife, stated: United for Wildlife is proud to have participated in American Airlines workshop at their cargo facility at MIA, alongside the USFWS and representatives from our Finance Taskforce. We commend American Airlines for their leadership in the fight against the illicit trafficking of animals and for delivering an event that provides a compelling model which can be replicated by other Transport and Finance Taskforce members. The USFWS exhibit of previously seized wildlife offered a powerful, tangible reminder of the scale of the threats our sector continues to face.

Sam Mendenhall, vice president of operations for American Airlines Cargo, said: Bringing together leaders from across aviation, conservation and finance creates a powerful network of awareness and action. The engagement we saw in Miami demonstrates how education at every level of the supply chain can make a real difference in disrupting illegal wildlife trafficking.

Eric Mathieu, managing director of customer experience at American Airlines Cargo, said: Our team members are on the front lines of global logistics. By equipping them with the knowledge and tools, we are empowering them to be active participants in protecting wildlife worldwide.

American Airlines Cargo joined United for Wildlife in 2022 as the first US cargo carrier, signing the Buckingham Palace Declaration. The airline has distributed awareness materials and prevention resources to more than 47 cargo stations worldwide.

A General Atomics YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototype crashed shortly after takeoff from a company-owned airport in the California desert on April 6, 2026, marking the first known flight mishap for the US Air Force’s drone-wingman program.

The incident occurred at approximately 1 p.m. Pacific time at Gray Butte Airport near Palmdale. No injuries were reported. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has paused flight test operations pending an investigation into the root cause. The company described the event as happening following takeoff but provided no further details, stating speculation would be premature.

Safety is our top priority, for our people and the public. In this case, established procedures and safeguards worked as intended, and there were no injuries, said company spokesman C. Mark Brinkley. The affected aircraft is one of at least three production-representative YFQ-42A airframes in testing during the CCA program’s technical maturation phase. General Atomics has not indicated if the airframe is recoverable.

Internally known as Dark Merlin, the YFQ-42A is one of two Increment 1 CCA designs competing for a planned Air Force fleet of over 1,000 autonomous wingmen. It achieved first flight in August 2025, 16 months after contract award in April 2024, with a second airframe flying late last year and a third revealed since. The drone derives from the XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station in the company’s modular Gambit family and integrates Collins Aerospace’s Sidekick autonomy software.

The crash occurs ahead of a fiscal year 2026 production decision for Increment 1. Competitor Anduril Industries’ YFQ-44A Fury completed its maiden flight in October 2025 and began production in March 2026. Flight tests will resume when deemed appropriate.

Malaysia completed the first test flight of its ANKA unmanned aerial system on April 3, 2026, at Labuan Air Base in East Malaysia. The Royal Malaysian Air Force designated the platform as ANKA-THS, a variant of the Turkish-built ANKA-S UAV.

The three-hour flight formed part of final preparations ahead of operational induction, according to RMAF statements. The system will bolster intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance capabilities, focused on Eastern Malaysia and the South China Sea.

RMAF noted the ANKA-THS supports long-endurance missions over 20 hours, day-and-night all-weather operations, and persistent monitoring of maritime and land targets. Labuan’s location aids oversight of Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone near contested waters.

Developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, the MALE-class UAV features up to 24-30 hours endurance, 30,000-foot altitude, electro-optical and radar payloads, and SATCOM for beyond-line-of-sight control. Malaysia acquired three units under a 2023 contract, with deliveries in early 2026; the configuration prioritizes surveillance over strike roles.

This acquisition aligns with RMAF’s 2026 modernization, including preparations like organizational restructuring and infrastructure upgrades, as stated by Air Force Chief Gen Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris. The ANKA-THS enhances maritime domain awareness amid regional tensions.

The Vietnam Helicopter Corporation (VNH), through its subsidiaries Southern Vietnam Helicopter Company (VNH South) and Northern Vietnam Helicopter Company (VNH North), has ordered three Airbus H225 helicopters to support its offshore energy operations.

The acquisition will aid the expansion of VNH’s activities in the offshore oil and gas sector while replacing older aircraft in its fleet. The new H225s will join VNH’s existing Airbus helicopters, which include Super Puma and H155 models, for missions such as offshore transport, utility tasks, search and rescue, and logistical support.

Announced on April 7, 2026, in Hanoi, the order addresses the need to modernize VNH’s fleet amid growing demands in Vietnam’s offshore energy industry. The H225, known for its long range and high payload, is suited for these demanding operations.

Toulouse, April 3, 2026 – Ascendance, a French developer of hybrid-electric propulsion, received €12.2 million in funding through the France 2030 – First Factory program. The grant supports establishment of serial production capacity for its STERNA hybrid-electric system, including batteries, and eventual aircraft assembly.

The four-year funding enables scaling to industrial production at facilities in Muret L’Herm aerodrome. Ascendance plans to equip initial civil aircraft and defense drones, with a new factory targeted for higher volumes using automation and robotics.

STERNA, developed over four years with full-scale testing and patents, pairs a new-generation battery with proprietary Hybrid Operating System software to cut fuel use and CO2 emissions. It powers the ATEA vertical take-off and landing aircraft, now in final integration, for regional transport including passengers, cargo, medical and security missions.

The funding aligns with efforts to build domestic production for decarbonized civil aviation and defense needs. “The aviation of tomorrow cannot simply be declared: it must be built, industrialized, and it must happen here, in Europe. With the support of France 2030, we are reaching a major milestone. This funding allows us to move from prototype to production,” said Jean-Christophe Lambert, CEO of Ascendance.

Founded in 2018 and based in Toulouse, Ascendance targets dual civil and defense markets with STERNA-equipped solutions.

Coimbatore, India – Zeta U Technology has appointed Dr. M. Bharathi as its President and Chief Operating Officer.

Dr. Bharathi offers extensive experience in academic leadership, research, and industry collaboration. He has a record of promoting innovation and operational excellence. In his new position, he will manage strategic operations, academic programs, industry partnerships, and expansion efforts. These include the company’s increasing involvement in airport-based training and international collaborations.

Dr. Bharathi stated, I am honored to become President & Chief Operating Officer of Zeta U Technology at such an exciting phase. The organization’s commitment to innovation, skill-based learning, and real-world exposure is truly inspiring. I look forward to contributing towards building a globally recognized aviation and technology learning platform.

The appointment aligns with Zeta U Technology’s current initiatives, such as expanding operations to Cochin International Airport, introducing AI-powered work-integrated skill programs, enhancing global R&D and academic ties, and developing the Aerospace Biomedical Innovation Hub.

Zeta U Technology focuses on aerospace and advanced technology, including unmanned systems, aviation platforms, and engineering solutions.

Cape Canaveral, Florida – The four astronauts aboard NASA’s Artemis 2 lunar mission have ventured farther from Earth than any humans before, surpassing the Apollo 13 record from 1970.

The crew in the Orion spacecraft achieved a maximum distance of 406,771 kilometers, exceeding Apollo 13’s mark of approximately 400,171 kilometers, according to NASA. The team consists of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

On flight day six, Orion approached the Moon to within about 6,545 kilometers, the closest point during the mission. No landing was planned. The flight path traces a figure-eight around Earth and the Moon, covering more than 2.3 million kilometers in total.

During the pass over the Moon’s far side, the crew temporarily lost radio contact with Earth as planned. Earlier, Orion entered the Moon’s gravitational sphere of influence, where lunar gravity exceeded Earth’s pull on the spacecraft.

A Swiss International Air Lines aircraft operating flight LX325 made an emergency landing at Brussels Airport on Monday evening after reports of a possible fire in the cabin. The Airbus A320neo, registered HB-JDH, departed London City Airport at 18:45 local time and was en route to Zurich, with a scheduled arrival shortly after 20:00.

While flying near Charleroi, the crew identified a technical issue reportedly linked to a possible cabin fire and elected to divert to Brussels-Zaventem as a precaution. The plane landed safely around 19:30, with emergency services standing by on the ground.

No injuries were reported among passengers or crew. The incident follows prior events involving the same aircraft, including a thermal runaway in Greek airspace in February 2025, though details on the current diversion remain preliminary.

Brazilian airline Azul announced that its Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer, Alexandre Wagner Malfitani, one of the company founders, will resign effective April 20, 2026. The board plans to appoint Antonio Carlos Garcia, who recently served more than six years as Embraer Executive Vice President of Finance and Investor Relations, to succeed him as Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer, and Investor Relations Officer on the same date, subject to board approval.

Embraer confirmed Garcia’s departure, stating that CEO Francisco Gomes Neto will assume the CFO responsibilities on an interim basis. Malfitani and Garcia will conduct a transition period starting April 20 to ensure continuity in financial operations and investor communications.

Garcia brings extensive experience from prior roles, including global CFO of ThyssenKrupp Forged Technologies and finance positions at ZF Group and Siemens. Following the announcements, Azul shares rose about 1.6 percent, Embraer shares increased around 1 percent, and Brazil Bovespa index gained 0.4 percent.

San Francisco International Airport has limited simultaneous landings on its parallel east-west runways following a Federal Aviation Administration decision to suspend the practice for safety reasons. The FAA determined that existing visual separation procedures on the runways, spaced about 750 feet apart, no longer meet current aircraft separation standards after an internal review.

This permanent change requires staggered approaches even in clear weather, reducing the airport’s arrival capacity from 54 flights per hour to 36, a one-third cut. It coincides with a six-month repaving project on two north-south runways that began March 30 and will last until October 2, 2026. The $180 million project, with $92.1 million funded by the FAA, also includes taxiway improvements, upgraded lighting, and new striping.

SFO officials initially projected 15% of flights delayed due to construction alone, but with the FAA restrictions, up to 25% of arriving flights now face delays of at least 30 minutes, especially during peak hours like 9-10 a.m. and 9-10 p.m. The north-south closures account for nine of the 18 reduced hourly arrivals, with the rule change impacting the rest.

United Airlines and Alaska Airlines, major carriers at the 13th-busiest U.S. airport, anticipate significant effects. SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel said the airport is collaborating with the FAA to improve arrival rates. Travelers have already reported delays, including one passenger facing a six-hour wait and a missed connection to Los Angeles. FAA spokesperson Ian Gregor noted the measure prohibits side-by-side approaches when pilots visually confirm each other.

Two U.S. Air Force EA-37B Compass Call electronic attack aircraft arrived at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2026, following a transatlantic flight from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. The aircraft, operating under call signs AXIS41 and AXIS43, made a fuel stop at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey before crossing the Atlantic.

The deployment comes amid heightened U.S. operations against Iran under Operation Epic Fury, as confirmed by U.S. Central Command in an April 1 fact sheet that listed the EA-37B for the first time. This marks the platform’s first known combat use, even though it has not yet achieved full operational capability. The Air Force currently operates five EA-37Bs out of a planned fleet of ten, with the type entering service in August 2024 to replace the aging EC-130H Compass Call.

Built on a modified Gulfstream G550 business jet, the EA-37B specializes in non-kinetic electronic warfare, jamming enemy radars, communications, navigation systems, and disrupting command-and-control networks. It supports suppression of enemy air defenses and enables other aircraft to operate in contested environments by degrading adversary situational awareness. The timing follows reports of damage to legacy EC-130H aircraft at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia during an Iranian strike on March 27.

Photographs of one EA-37B at Mildenhall, showing fuselage modifications for electronic warfare gear and tail markings from Davis-Monthan, circulated on social media. The 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron at Davis-Monthan has conducted training sorties since May 2025, but this appears to be the type’s initial operational commitment to the Middle East theater.

Air France-KLM has submitted a non-binding offer for a minority stake in TAP Air Portugal as the Portuguese government advances the state-owned carrier’s privatization.

The bid, lodged on April 2, 2026, ahead of a 17:00 deadline, positions Lisbon as a potential southern European hub for the group, leveraging the airport’s connectivity to the Americas and Africa. Lufthansa followed with its own non-binding offer hours later, confirming its participation through Head of Strategy Tamur Goudarzi Pour, who noted the carrier’s intentions despite regional challenges like the Middle East conflict.

International Airlines Group (IAG), parent of British Airways and Iberia, did not submit a bid by the deadline, effectively withdrawing from the process. The government is offering up to 49.9% of TAP, with 44.9% for investors and 5% for employees, while retaining majority control initially. Bidders must commit to bolstering operations at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport and nine other Portuguese airports, including Porto and Faro.

The process, approved by former President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in August 2025, follows EU mandates. Portuguese Infrastructure Minister Miguel Pinto Luz set the 90-day bidding window ending April 2, with a winner expected by summer.

Embraer is showcasing its KC-390 Millennium multirole aircraft at FIDAE in Santiago, Chile, from April 7 to 12, aiming to secure its first customer in Latin America where it has yet to record regional sales.

The company will present a KC-390 demonstrator featuring a new livery for the first time in the region at the Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio, held at Pudahuel Air Base. Alongside the medium-sized military transport, the A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft will also be on display. Embraer plans to highlight its full defense and security portfolio during the biennial event.

The KC-390 can carry 26 tons of payload, cruise at 470 knots, and perform missions such as cargo and troop transport, airdrops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian aid. It operates from temporary or unpaved runways and, with quick-install air-to-air refueling gear, functions as both tanker and receiver.

The A-29 Super Tucano supports advanced pilot training, close air support, air patrol, interdiction, joint terminal attack, armed ISR, border surveillance, air escort, and drone countermeasures. It operates with 22 air forces worldwide, including some in Latin America.