Loading

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.

Request More Information

Complete the following to request more information.

Our daily News Briefs are only available to CAPA Members

Membership provides access to more than 1,000 News Briefs every week, with quick links to our Analysis Reports, Research Publications, Data Centre and more.

It’s easy to keep your News Briefs relevant by customising your email alerts based on topic, region, sector, frequency and more. Once you’ve saved your settings, you can stay up-to-date wherever you are, by quickly scanning our News Briefs online or via the CAPA mobile app.

Membership also provides full access to our Analysis Reports, in-depth Research Publications and comprehensive Data Centre. Premium CAPA Members can also access add-ons such as our exclusive Fleet Database, Airline Cask Data tools and more, to enjoy the full capabilities of our global platform.

Below is a sample of the latest news headlines. 129 news briefs have been published for CAPA Members in the past 2 days.

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]

Background ✨

Cabin crew unions E tū and the Flight Attendants' Association of New Zealand had previously notified Air New Zealand of planned strike action affecting its widebody fleet on 11, 12 and 13-Feb-20261. Earlier proposed industrial actions by cabin crew in Dec-2025 were withdrawn, with the most recent concerning narrowbody fleet crew for 18-Dec-2025 also cancelled2 3.

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

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]

Background ✨

Wizz Air outlined plans to handle more than 80 million passengers in 2026, following a strategic focus on scaling operations and deepening its presence in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in underserved markets with significant long term potential1. In 2025, the airline recorded a passenger load factor of 91% and a 4.6% increase in CO2 emissions, alongside a 3.2% reduction in CO2 per RPK2.

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.

Background ✨

Several airlines, including Austrian Airlines, Fiji Airways, Qantas Group, Virgin Australia, and Malaysia Airlines, updated their lithium battery and power bank policies recently, prohibiting use and charging onboard, restricting stowage to certain areas, and limiting the number of power banks allowed per passenger. These changes followed increased concerns over inflight fire risks and regulatory updates from authorities such as ICAO and EASA1 2 3 4 5 6.

ST Engineering AirX advanced (03-Feb-2026) plans to bring AirFish Wing-in-Ground (WIG) craft to market through two strategic partnerships. BatamFast regional ferry operator will lease and operate an AirFish Voyager craft and introduce it to the ferry route between Singapore and Batam. Operations are expected to commence in 2H2026, subject to regulatory approvals. ST Engineering AirX and BatamFast will also explore opportunities to expand operations to new destinations across Southeast Asia. Wings Over Water Ferries (WOW) will lease and operate up to four AirFish Voyager craft in India from late 2026, with the commencement of operations subject to route approvals by the local authorities. AirFish WIG craft is expected to achieve classification by mid 2026. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

ST Engineering AirX previously signed a collaboration with Bureau Veritas to focus on classification and certification of the AirFish Wing-in-Ground (WIG) craft, aiming to establish a framework for future platforms and serial production, and to work with flag states for marine registration in respective countries1. It also collaborated with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on trials of its AirFish 8 prototypes2.

×
5-Feb-2026 11:32 AM

SWISS receives second A350

SWISS received (04-Feb-2026) its second A350-900 aircraft (HB-IFB) at Zurich Airport. The aircraft was named 'Delémont' and is the first A350 to feature the classic SWISS livery. The aircraft will enter into service on 23-Feb-2026 on the Zurich-Montreal route. The carrier plans to deploy both A350s on services to Boston and Seoul from the beginning of summer 2026. As previously reported by CAPA, SWISS expects delivery of an additional eight A350s by 2031. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

SWISS initially deployed its first A350 on short haul routes before commencing long haul services to Boston in Nov-2025, with Montreal set as the second long haul destination and Seoul as the third from 29-Mar-2026, replacing A340 equipment. The A350s feature the new 'SWISS Senses' cabin interior, and the carrier expects delivery of an additional eight A350s by 2031, all similarly equipped1 2.

IndiGo announced (04-Feb-2026) plans to implement the following temporary schedule changes to its long haul international services operated with Boeing 787-9 equipment, due to recent issues with on time performance stemming from regional airspace closures and congestion at airports:

  • Mumbai-Copenhagen: Suspend service from 17-Feb-2026 until further notice;
  • Delhi-Manchester: Reduce frequency from five to four times weekly, effective from 07-Feb-2026, further reduce frequency to three times weekly, effective from 19-Feb-2026;
  • Delhi-London Heathrow: Reduce frequency from five to four times weekly, effective from 09-Feb-2026. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

IndiGo was the sole scheduled operator on the Mumbai-Copenhagen and Delhi-Manchester routes, both of which were launched with Boeing 787-9 equipment in late 2025 as part of its long haul expansion. The Mumbai-Copenhagen service marked its third long haul international route, and the Delhi-Manchester service commenced at five times weekly from 15-Nov-20251 2.

Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes, via his personal LinkedIn account, confirmed (04-Feb-2026) plans to delay his retirement and negotiate with the boards of AirAsia X and Capital A to extend his contract by a further five years.

Background ✨

Capital A recently met all conditions for the disposal of its airline business to AirAsia X, with sale and purchase agreements becoming unconditional and completion expected by Dec-2025. Tony Fernandes stated this transition will see the formation of a newly unified AirAsia Group and allow Capital A to focus on its five core travel and digital companies as distinct entities1.

Fraport AG senior EVP aviation Alexander Laukenmann, speaking at The Aviation-Event 2026 Germany, stated (03-Feb-2026) airports have to have the right partners to grow. In Frankfurt Airport's case, the new business strategy of Condor has changed the dynamics at the airport. Mr Laukenmann added: "It is a nice situation that we now have two hub operators in one airport, which is rare".

New Caledonia's Government confirmed (30-Jan-2026) the transfer of Air Caledonie operations from Noumea Magenta Airport to Noumea Tontouta Airport, effective 02-Mar-2026. The Government stated that coordination with authorities and institutional partners has enabled the carrier to "anticipate the technical, operational and logistical aspects essential to the success of this transition". The Government added the carrier is "ready to welcome its passengers and operate its flights from La Tontouta Airport under optimal conditions". [more - original PR - French]

Condor VP of network planning and partnerships David Carlisle, speaking at The Aviation-Event 2026 Germany, stated (03-Feb-2026) partnerships will be a key ingredient in the carrier's new business strategy. Ms Carlisle said: "Lots of partners are very interested in working with us". These extend beyond Europe to markets across North America and Asia.

Condor VP of network planning and partnerships David Carlisle, speaking at The Aviation-Event 2026 Germany, stated (03-Feb-2026) "Condor is globalising. We are here to compete with Lufthansa. We are an evolving airline that is becoming a more modern leisure airline". Mr Carlisle said while its traditional markets "will always have an important role to play... we want to diversify our offer and allow more people to explore more places". Mr Carlisle noted the revised business strategy is also adding "city flights to feed long haul" out of Frankfurt. Newly confirmed destinations from Frankfurt include Cairo, Tbilisi, Yerevan and most recently Tel Aviv.