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Qatar Airways announced (21-Oct-2026) plans to launch three times weekly Doha-Western Sydney service from 15-Dec-2027 and increase frequency to daily in 2028. The airline will operate the service with Boeing 777-300ER equipment configured with 42 QSuite business class and 312 economy class seats. Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) will be the airline's seventh destination in Australia. WSI CEO Simon Hickey said the launch will expand WSI's network to more than 250 destinations within 14 months of the airport's opening. The route benefits from a contribution from the Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund, a AUD16 million (USD11.22 million) joint initiative between the airport and the New South Wales Government. The service will arrive at Western Sydney at 23:45 and depart at 16:10 and Mr Hickey said the airport's 24 hour capacity is one of its "key competitive advantages". [more - original PR - Western Sydney Airport] [more - original PR - Australian Government] [more - original PR - Qatar Airways]

Malaysia's Government stated (20-Oct-2026) "So far, the government has not made any agreement or commitment to provide financing support to AirAsia, whether in the form of guarantees, loans or public fund injections". The government added any request for support "will be considered based on the interests of the country and the people, the fiscal sustainability of the government and the protection of public funds, in accordance with applicable laws and procedures". [more - Aviation Week]

US FAA issued (20-Oct-2026) certification for the Boeing 737 MAX 10, enabling deliveries of the aircraft type to airlines to commence "in the coming months". The FAA issued an amended type certificate, which confirms the aircraft complies with all applicable design and safety requirements, and an updated Production Limitation Record, which authorises aircraft production. Prior to granting approval, the FAA required the MAX 10 to incorporate "key improvements" that address requirements in the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (ACSAA) and NTSB recommendations, including updates to the flight control system with an enhanced angle of attack sensor. US Transportation Secretary Sean P Duffy stated: "After extensive safety reviews - including thousands of hours of test flights - the team at the FAA is ready to approve this critical aircraft for sale". More than 30 customers have purchased the 737 MAX 10, with orders totalling 1555 aircraft to date, making up more than 30% of the 737 MAX programme's order book. The 737 MAX 10 is the first commercial aircraft to be certified to the full extent of the 2020 ACSAA. [more - original PR - US FAA] [more - original PR - Boeing] [more - Aviation Week]

Southwest Airlines stated (15-Oct-2026) it has yet to make a fleet decision for potential future long haul operations and intends to weigh different aircraft types, should it move in that direction. Southwest CEO Bob Jordan stated: "It appears that premium and long haul international isn't a fad. It appears that it's a trend, and it's a generational trend. If that's the case, you can't ignore it", noting: "We're going to keep pursuing the consumer". He added: "We have a lot of revenue runway that is unique to Southwest that other carriers don't have", stating: "In my mind, those are not choices that we face anytime soon". [more - Aviation Week]

Southwest Airlines stated (15-Oct-2026) it expects to complete Starlink WiFi installation on all its aircraft by autumn 2027, including its older Boeing 737-700s. Starlink WiFi will replace Southwest's multi-provider system using Anuvu and Viasat. WiFi will remain free for Rapid Rewards members through the carrier's partnership with T-Mobile. Southwest COO Andrew Watterson stated 47 aircraft have Starlink installed, with 70 expected by the end of Oct-2026 and more than 200 by the end of 2026. Southwest has no plans to install seat back entertainment screens. [more - Aviation Week]

LATAM Airlines CEO Roberto Alvo stated (19-Oct-2026) "The safe position to take today is that the high prices will be in place for a long time". Mr Alvo said: "Throughout this year, many people have had the impression that the crisis in the Middle East would be shorter", noting: "The situation has not normalised". Mr Alvo added demand for air travel in Latin America has not decreased, despite airlines raising fares. [more - Aviation Week]