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Portugal's Council of Ministers approved (04-Sep-2026) a resolution for the start of the negotiation phase with Air France-KLM Group and Deutsche Lufthansa for the purchase of 44.9% of TAP Air Portugal. The council requested Deutsche Lufthansa and Air France-KLM to submit their final and improved proposals, ensuring the necessary conditions for the selection of the investor and the completion of the final stages of the operation. [more - original PR]

Boeing reported (03-Sep-2026) the following highlights from its 2026 Commercial Market Outlook for Africa:

• Air passenger traffic: Expected to grow nearly 6% p/a through to 2045, one of the fastest rates globally, driven by Africa's young, increasingly urban population, growing middle class and improving infrastructure. Europe remains the largest international passenger market for flights to and from Africa and is forecast to remain so through to 2045;
• Commercial services and workforce needs:
  • USD140 billion market for maintenance, repair, overhaul and modifications and digital solutions. The expansion of Africa's aviation ecosystem will create growing demand for services and skilled personnel;
  • Carriers will need 75,000 new aviation professionals, including 22,000 pilots, 25,000 technicians and 28,000 cabin crew, as airlines grow their fleets and expand route networks;
• New deliveries for 2026 to 2045: 1165 aircraft. The region's commercial fleet will more than double from 755 to 1625 aircraft over the next 20 years to support demand;
  • Regional aircraft: 40;
  • Narrowbodies: 870;
  • Widebodies: 240. Demand for widebody aircraft will more than double;
  • Freighters: 15. [more - original PR]

Argentina and Uruguay signed (04-Sep-2026) a new air services agreement to liberalise passenger and cargo operations. The agreement introduces broader traffic rights and a flexible route framework while facilitating airline cooperation, including codeshares. According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, approximately 160,700 seats were booked between Argentina and Uruguay during the summer 2026 season, up 2.5% year-on-year. Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay signed an MoU in Jul-2026, establishing a framework for the South American Air Liberalisation Agreement, with Uruguay expected to join after completing domestic administrative procedures. [more - Aviation Week]

Indonesia's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced (06-Sep-2026) the temporary closure of the following airports on 06-Sep-2026 due to the eruption of Mount Anak Krakata:

• Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport;
• Jakarta Halim Perdanakusuma Airport;
• Bandar Lampung Radin Inten II Airport;
• Tangerang Budiarto Airport;
• Jakarta Pondok Cabe Airport;
• Bandung Husein Sastranegara Airport.

The airport closures impacted 373 flights as of the morning of 06-Sep-2026, including 202 at Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Airport. The DGCA noted: "Airlines must still fulfil the rights of passengers affected by the temporary airport closures in accordance with applicable regulations", adding: "Airlines are required to provide services and assistance to affected passengers, including information regarding changes to flight status and handling options". [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II] [more - original PR - III]

Air Canada announced (03-Sep-2026) the following network expansion plans for summer 2027, as confirmed by a 03-Sep-2026 GDS inventory and timetable display:

• Toronto Pearson-London Heathrow: Increase frequency from four to five times daily, commencing 01-May-2027;
• Vancouver-Guangzhou: Commence three times weekly service on 04-May-2027 with Boeing 787-9. The service will operate year round. The route is subject to government approval;
• Toronto Pearson-Guatemala City: Resume weekly year round service from 06-May-2027 with A330-300;
• Montreal-Dubrovnik: Commence three times weekly service on 11-May-2027, operating until 24-Oct-2027, with 787-8;
• Toronto Pearson-Oslo: Commence four times weekly service on 02-Jun-2027, operating until 11-Oct-2027 with A321XLR. The route is subject to government approval;
• Toronto Pearson-Shannon: Commence three times weekly service on 10-Jun-2027, operating until 03-Oct-2027, with A321XLR;
• Montreal-Basel: Commence four times weekly service on 16-Jun-2027, operating until 24-Oct-2027, with A321XLR;
• Toronto Pearson-Nice: Commence twice weekly service on 16-Jun-2027, operating until 23-Oct-2027, with A330-300;
• Toronto Pearson-Shanghai: Increase frequency from four times weekly to daily;
• Extend seasonal Montreal services to Tenerife, Lima and Guatemala City to year round operation. [more - original PR - I] [more - original PR - II] [more - Aviation Week] [more - original PR - Avinor] [more - original PR - Shannon Airport] [more - original PR - Nice Côte d'Azur Airport]

US Department of Transportation (DoT) Secretary Sean Duffy announced (03-Sep-2026) the US FAA is investing USD481 million to improve infrastructure and enhance safety at airports. The FAA is delivering 191 grants to airports in 36 states and two territories through the Airport Infrastructure Grants programme, including:

• Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport: USD100 million for runway, taxiway and terminal reconstruction and runway safety area improvements;
• Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport: USD32.5 million to reconstruct the terminal;
• San Diego International Airport: USD30.3 million for terminal construction;
• Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport: USD14.2 million for taxiway construction and rehabilitation;
• El Paso International Airport: USD8.7 million to rehabilitate the apron. [more - original PR]