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Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) announced (18-May-2026) plans to conduct flight path safety checks at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport on 19-May-2026. The checks will validate new instrument approach procedures at the airport and are expected to be the final checks of this type. They will be conducted using a twin-engine Beechcraft Baron aircraft operating low-level flying. [more - original PR]

IATA Economics reported (15-May-2026) routes linking Asia Pacific to other regions via the Middle East have been the most disrupted by the war in Iran. Details include:

• Airlines outside the Middle East increased capacity to compensate for lost service from Middle Eastern carriers, but not enough to fully offset the decline. This pushed passenger load factors to record highs in Mar-2026;
• Passenger demand remained resilient in Mar-2026, with traffic to and from Asia Pacific up 3.6% year-on-year;
• The Asia Pacific-Europe region pair accounts for the largest share of connecting traffic handled by Middle Eastern hubs. Displaced demand from Middle Eastern carriers was absorbed by Asia Pacific airlines (traffic up 23%) and European carriers (+15%);
• The Asia Pacific-Africa market is the most dependent on Middle East airports for connections. European, African and Asia Pacific airlines absorbed displaced demand in Mar-2026, with European carriers growing more than 80% from a low base;
• Similar patters were observed on Asia Pacific-Latin America and Asia Pacific-North America routes. [more - original PR]

Gulf Air commenced (12-May-2026) deployment of its first aircraft equipped with Starlink inflight WiFi, available to passengers in all cabin classes for free. Gulf Air CEO Martin Gauss stated: "By introducing Starlink, we are delivering ground-quality internet at various cruising altitudes, enabling our passengers to stream, work, and stay connected throughout their journey in a way that was simply not possible before". As previously reported by CAPA, the airline plans to expand Starlink across its entire fleet. [more - original PR]

Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, via his official Twitter account, announced (14-May-2026) Pioneer Airlines received its air operator's certificate (AOC) from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority on 13-May-2026. Pioneer Airlines is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and Mr Keyamo commented on the rise of state owned airlines in Nigeria, stating: "We should look out for more of such in the immediate future". He added: "This would significantly assist air travellers to have more choices of airlines". According to its official website, Pioneer Airlines intends to operate from Yenagoa to destinations including Akure, Anambra, Benin City, Calabar, Enugu, Ibadan, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Warri.

Kinetic and Melbourne Tullamarine Airport broke (12-May-2026) ground on "Australia's first" purpose-built electric double-decker bus depot for the city's SkyBus service. The project forms part of Kinetic's commitment to operate a 100% electric SkyBus fleet in Melbourne by 2031. Kinetic is investing AUD80 million (USD57.7 million) into fleet electrification in Melbourne as part of a contract with Victoria's Government through 2034. Melbourne Airport will deliver the depot construction and site works. The depot will have a 93-bus capacity and house 200 staff when it becomes operational in 1Q2027. Airport chief of property, retail and ground transport Jai McDermott stated: "SkyBus has been part of Melbourne Airport's landside transport story for more than four decades and we're proud to partner with them to deliver a lower-emissions future... Supporting the electrification of SkyBus' high frequency services is also about improving the airport experience, with new electric buses delivering smoother, more comfortable journeys for passengers and our workforce". [more - original PR]

Iridium Communications entered (14-May-2026) a definitive agreement to acquire full ownership of Aireon. Iridium will acquire the remaining 61% of equity interests of Aireon from NAV CANADA, AirNav Ireland, ENAV, NATS and Naviair for approximately USD366.7 million. The transaction is targeted to close in early Jul-2026. The acquisition will combine Aireon's surveillance and data services, including GPS jamming and spoofing detection, with Iridium's global satcom network and positioning, navigation and timing services. The Aireon system operates on the Iridium satellite constellation. NAV CANADA and NATS will sign extended data services agreements through to 2035 and beyond, with provisions for continued cooperative development of space based VHF communications and other new capabilities. Iridium CEO Matt Desch commented: "Bringing Aireon fully inside Iridium better positions us to build what's needed to support the future of aviation, including more innovations like the future introduction of space-based VHF communications". [more - original PR - Iridium] [more - original PR - NAV CANADA] [more - Aviation Week]