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Deutsche Lufthansa AG approved (17-Sep-2026) options for 20 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft for delivery in the early 2030s. The rights were secured through a 2023 order for 40 737 MAX 8 aircraft that included 60 purchase options for additional 737 MAX family aircraft. The order, with a list value of approximately USD3.4 billion, supports Deutsche Lufthansa's fleet modernisation programme, gradually replacing older A320 Family aircraft. The group expects to receive more than 250 new aircraft by 2035. [more - original PR]

Wizz Air announced (17-Sep-2026) the following medium term targets for FY2030:

• Revenue: EUR10 billion;
• CASK excluding fuel: EUR0.03;
• EBIT margin: 10%
• Investment grade balance sheet.

CEO József Váradi said Wizz Air is targeting stronger returns by concentrating growth in core and growth markets, restoring fleet productivity, maturing the network and executing with discipline. Mr Váradi added: "By [FY2030], we intend to operate an all [A320neo Family] fleet of 335 aircraft, carry 127 million passengers and deliver sustainable, industry-leading margins". [more - original PR]

British Airways announced (17-Sep-2026) plans to increase capacity to Latin America by 25% from Mar-2027, with the following schedule changes, as confirmed by a 17-Sep-2026 GDS inventory and timetable display:

• London Heathrow-Buenos Aires Ezeiza-Santiago (Chile): Commence daily service with Boeing 777-200ER equipment on 28-Mar-2027;
• London Heathrow-Santiago (Chile): Suspend three times weekly service from 28-Mar-2027;
• London Heathrow-Rio de Janeiro Galeão: Operate daily without onward connection to Buenos Aires Ezeiza from 28-Mar-2027, offering "an increase in seat capacity to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as the daily service moves to a dedicated route, without onward tags". The airline will suspend the daily Rio de Janeiro Galeão-Buenos Aires Ezeiza sector from 27-Mar-2027;
• London Heathrow-San Jose Juan: Extend seasonal three times weekly service to year round operation from 28-Mar-2027;
• London Gatwick-Bridgetown: Extend seasonal daily service to year round operation from 28-Mar-2027;
• London Gatwick-Saint Lucia: Operate four times weekly nonstop service, without onward connection to Grenada, Guyana and Tobago, from 28-Mar-2027, with the onward connections now operating via Barbados. [more - original PR]

UN Tourism reported (17-Sep-2026) the following highlights for 1H2026 from its World Tourism Barometer:

• International tourism grew "modestly", with global arrivals up 0.4% year-on-year to an estimated 690 million, "even as insecurity in the Middle East, elevated oil prices, and broader inflationary pressures tested the sector's resilience";
• Global arrivals increased by 2% in 1Q2026, then dropped by 1% in 2Q2026. Arrivals declined 3% in Apr-2026, largely due to the calendar effect of the Easter holiday period starting in Mar-2026 and the impacts of the Middle East conflict. Arrivals dropped 3% in Jun-2026, driven by a 6% decline in Western Europe, partly due to a heatwave in some destinations. Southeast Asia recorded 5% fewer arrivals in Jun-2026 as a result of "weaker demand from Asian markets, geopolitical tensions, air travel disruptions through the Middle East, and increased travel costs". Some destinations in Oceania (-6% in Jun-2026) were also impacted by Typhoon Sinlaku in 2Q2026;
• Africa (+4%) and Europe (+3%) recorded "solid" growth in arrivals, while the Americas recorded a 2% increase, with mixed results across sub-regions;
• Arrivals in Asia Pacific grew 1% but remained 11% below 2019 levels as disruptions to air connectivity, higher airfares and uncertainty affected intra-regional demand. North East Asia grew 3%, while South Asia (-5%) and Southeast Asia (-1%) recorded declines;
• The Middle East recorded a 22% decrease, as it was directly impacted by the conflict.

UN Tourism noted that in view of the latest data and current geopolitical volatility, international tourist arrivals are now expected to grow by between 1% and 2% globally in 2026, compared to the Jan-2026 forecast of 3% to 4%. UN Tourism added this will "depend on the conflict's actual duration and its effect on oil prices and overall inflation". The organisation stated international travellers are "expected to continue to seek value for money and travel either closer to home or domestically, again in response to elevated prices and uncertainty". UN Tourism Secretary General Shaikha Al Nuwais stated: "The latest data shows a sector absorbing real pressure and finding a way forward. Tourism has not stopped growing, but that growth is fragile". Ms Al Nuwais added: "The Middle East situation has touched destinations far beyond the region itself and serves as a clear reminder that, in such a connected world, resilience needs to be built everywhere and not just when a crisis begins". [more - original PR]

MASkargo, IAG Cargo and Qatar Airways Cargo completed (17-Sep-2026) a trial of the first customer shipment transported across all three carriers, ahead of the full launch of their global cargo joint business later in 2026. The first shipment transported 11 tonnes of copper foil from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago O'Hare via Doha and Dublin. The carriers will continue operational trials and integration activities, and customers can book shipments on any of the carriers' online booking platforms. As previously reported by CAPA, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore cleared the proposed joint business agreement between the carriers, stating it is "unlikely to eliminate competition on the affected routes". [more - original PR]

American Airlines and Condor Flugdienst entered (16-Sep-2026) a new interline agreement. Passengers will be able to book their entire journey across both airlines on a single ticket. Additional benefits include through-checked baggage to the final destination, check-in for the complete itinerary and onward connections. Cooperation with American Airlines supports Condor's international partnership strategy. Condor is further expanding its North American partner network, building on its partnership with Alaska Airlines that spanned more than 10 years. [more - original PR]