2026-07-16 · 12 storiesGenerated 3:01:43 AM
Major carriers including British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, AirBaltic and Lufthansa have extended Dubai flight suspensions until October 2026 due to ongoing Middle East airspace restrictions and regional security challenges.
Following a Houthi missile and drone attack on Abha Airport, Saudi Arabia recorded 208 cancellations and 150 delays, with Saudia accounting for nearly 75% of cancelled flights across Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha and Gizan.
Thousands of passengers across Asia were grounded as Middle East airspace restrictions, Chinese weather congestion and regional security concerns triggered 3,533 delays and 350 cancellations on July 15, with Saudia, Air China and Japan Airlines worst affected.
Brazilian carrier GOL launches 3x-weekly nonstop service between Rio de Janeiro Galeão and New York JFK, marking the airline's first-ever long-haul international route operated via a wet-lease Airbus A330-200 with own A330-900neo deliveries expected later in 2026.
Air Zimbabwe will resume scheduled passenger flights between Harare and London Gatwick on July 22, operating three times weekly via a wet-leased Airbus A330-300 from Plus Ultra Lineas Aéreas, restoring nonstop Zimbabwe–UK connectivity.
Power-to-liquid technology company Twelve has opened AirPlant One in Moses Lake, Washington—the first US facility to produce drop-in sustainable aviation fuel at commercial scale from CO2 and renewable electricity, backed by Alaska Airlines and Microsoft.
IATA has slashed its 2026 global airline net profit forecast to $23 billion—roughly half of its earlier $41 billion projection—blaming a rapid 70% rise in jet fuel prices driven by Middle East conflict disrupting supply through the Strait of Hormuz.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi has begun construction of a KES 375.4 billion ($2.9 billion) expansion project awarded to a consortium led by China Communications Construction Company and China Road and Bridge Corporation.
Auckland Airport has published its finalized masterplan outlining expansion plans through the late 2040s, forecasting passenger growth from 19 million to approximately 38 million annually, including an integrated domestic-international terminal and lower-emission transport infrastructure.
Delta Air Lines Flight 244, a Boeing 767-300 operating JFK–Catania, safely diverted to Bangor International Airport, Maine on July 10 after the crew reported fumes in the cockpit; the FAA has opened an investigation.
Hamad International Airport and Qatar Airways have launched an end-to-end biometric passenger processing system, enabling touchless travel from check-in through boarding using facial recognition technology across the Doha hub.
Gulfstream Aerospace and Rolls-Royce have successfully completed a series of high-altitude flight tests using 100% sustainable aviation fuel on a G800 business jet, providing key data on non-CO2 emissions impacts at cruise altitude.
