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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Etihad Airways has marked a historic milestone by flying more than 2 million passengers in August 2025, the highest monthly total in the airline’s history. The record underlines the flag carrier’s strong recovery and growth trajectory as demand for air travel in the Gulf region continues to surge. The airline reported a 22 percent year-on-year increase in passenger numbers compared to August 2024. Its load factor reached 91%, up from 89% in the same period last year, reflecting higher seat occupancy across its network. Between January and August 2025, Etihad carried 14.2 million travellers, an 18 percent rise from the same period in 2024. The average load factor for the year so far has remained strong at 88%, positioning the airline among the most efficient operators in the Middle East. Etihad currently operates a fleet of 112 aircraft, a mix of wide-body and narrow-body jets serving global destinations. In August, the carrier added a new Airbus A321LR to its operations. This long-range narrow-body aircraft is equipped with wide-body-style premium cabins, aligning with Etihad’s strategy to improve comfort while maintaining operational flexibility. The new addition reflects the airline’s focus on sustainability and efficiency, offering the ability to serve medium-haul markets while preserving the premium service standards for which the carrier is known. Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves hailed the achievement as a defining moment in the airline’s history. He credited the milestone to passenger confidence, operational reliability, and the dedication of Etihad’s workforce. Neves emphasized that the record numbers signal not just growth, but also trust from global travellers choosing Etihad for both regional and long-haul journeys. Etihad’s breakthrough comes at a time when Gulf airlines are expanding aggressively to capture rising travel demand between Asia, Europe, and North America.

Etihad Airways Surpasses 2M Monthly Passengers for the First Time In It’s History

Aviation Today News Desk / September 17, 2025

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Etihad Airways has marked a historic milestone by flying more than 2 million passengers in […]

Amsterdam, Netherlands: Dutch flag carrier KLM will cancel dozens of flights on Wednesday, September 17, as ground staff at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport prepare for a four-hour strike. The work stoppage, announced by trade unions FNV and CNV, will take place between 08:00 and 12:00 local time (CEST) and is expected to cause significant disruption to operations at one of Europe’s busiest hubs. The strike affects employees responsible for critical ground operations such as baggage handling, towing aircraft, and assisting passengers. Schiphol Airport has warned travelers to brace for delays, cancellations, or changes to their flights, advising passengers to closely monitor flight status before heading to the airport. KLM confirmed that it has already cancelled dozens of flights ahead of the strike to limit the scale of disruption. According to a report in NL Times, the airline has proactively adjusted its schedule after a similar action last week, when a two-hour strike led to the cancellation of over 100 flights and affected nearly 27,000 passengers. Unions representing the workers say the industrial action stems from disputes over wages, workload, and job classifications. They argue that ground staff perform heavy physical tasks but receive lower pay compared to other airport roles. “These workers keep Schiphol running under difficult conditions, yet they are not fairly rewarded,” union representatives stated. The strike is part of a broader wave of labor unrest at European airports, as aviation workers push for higher wages amid rising operational costs and inflationary pressures. With Schiphol serving as a major intercontinental hub, the disruption is expected to ripple across connecting flights throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. Passengers flying on or around September 17 are strongly advised to check their flight status directly with KLM or via Schiphol’s website and consider flexible travel arrangements where possible.

Airlines

KLM to Cancel Dozens of Flights Due to Schiphol Ground Staff Strike Over Pay

Aviation Today News Desk / September 16, 2025

Amsterdam, Netherlands: Dutch flag carrier KLM will cancel dozens of flights on Wednesday, September 17, as ground staff at Amsterdam’s

Spain, Europe: Ryanair has announced plans to reduce an additional 1 million seats from its Spanish flight schedule for the summer of 2026, citing increased airport charges as the primary reason for the cuts. This move comes after previous reductions totaling 2 million seats across the summer 2025 and upcoming winter season, affecting mainly regional airports and destinations in the Canary Islands. The airline’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, criticized Spanish airport operator Aena’s decision to raise passenger charges by 6.5% starting March 2026. O’Leary warned that if regional Spanish airport costs remain high, Ryanair may redirect flights to alternative destinations such as Italy, Morocco, Croatia, and Albania, where operational costs are lower. O’Leary emphasized that the airline’s operational strategy prioritizes profitability and cost efficiency, and high airport fees could make certain Spanish routes financially unviable. “We will continue to operate in markets where costs are reasonable. If charges remain high, we will adjust our schedule accordingly,” he said. The Spanish government and Aena have publicly criticized Ryanair’s stance, labeling the airline’s threat of seat reductions as an attempt at “blackmail” and “extortion.” Aena defended the fee increases as necessary for maintaining airport infrastructure and service quality. Officials stressed that these fees are essential to support the growing passenger traffic and investments at regional airports. Ryanair's actions could impact tourism in the affected regions, with potential implications for regional economies dependent on international and domestic travel. Passengers are advised to monitor airline schedules closely and consider alternative carriers for summer 2026 travel.

Airlines

Ryanair to Slash 1 Million Seats from Spain Flights Next Summer Over Fee Hike

Aviation Today News Desk / September 15, 2025

Spain, Europe: Ryanair has announced plans to reduce an additional 1 million seats from its Spanish flight schedule for the

Sydney, Australia: On Monday, September 8, 2025, British Airways flight BA16, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operating from Sydney to Singapore, made an emergency return to Sydney Airport after the crew issued a mayday call roughly one hour into the flight. The aircraft landed safely, with all passengers disembarking unharmed. The flight had departed Sydney at 2:40 PM local time. Around an hour into the journey, the crew reported a strong fuel smell in the cockpit. “Mayday Speed Bird 16. I’m just about to come fully established on 34 left. We will have to stop for a minute after landing,” the pilot communicated during a call to air traffic control. In response, a Sydney Airport controller acknowledged, saying, “G’day, copy, mayday acknowledged.” Passengers described a tense and unsettling experience. Screens and cabin lights began switching off mid-flight, heightening anxiety among travelers. Mandy Ramson, a passenger on board, told 7NEWS: “We heard the captain say we need a senior crew member to come to the cockpit now, and then we started thinking there’s something wrong. About 10 minutes later, we were told, ‘we’re going to have to turn around because they smelt fuel in the cockpit.’ It was scary, it was really scary.” Upon returning, the aircraft touched down safely at 3:56 PM, where it was met by emergency services, including up to eight fire trucks, as a precaution. Sydney Airport operations continued without disruption, and no injuries were reported. British Airways confirmed that the return to Sydney was a precautionary measure following a reported technical issue. Subsequent engineering inspections revealed no mechanical faults, and the aircraft was cleared for future flights.

Incidents

British Airways 787 Makes Safe Emergency Return to Sydney After Cockpit Fuel Smell

Aviation Today News Desk / September 10, 2025

Sydney, Australia: On Monday, September 8, 2025, British Airways flight BA16, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operating from Sydney to Singapore,

India: A Right to Information (RTI) response from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), as reported by The Times of India, has revealed that Indian airspace recorded 65 in-flight engine shutdowns over the past five years. The data also disclosed 11 Mayday calls between January 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025, four of which were linked to Hyderabad’s air traffic control region. Engine Shutdowns Involving Multiple Airlines and Aircraft The incidents spanned both domestic and foreign carriers, with shutdowns occurring during takeoff, in cruise, or as a precautionary measure following cockpit alerts. The DGCA identified key technical causes, including: Blocked or contaminated fuel filters Interrupted fuel supply Oil pressure loss Foreign object ingestion Turbine control unit malfunctions All 65 incidents were classified as reportable occurrences under India’s civil aviation regulations and were investigated by the concerned operators under DGCA supervision. “We continue to witness shutdowns due to recurring causes like fuel contamination or component wear. Every occurrence is tracked and mandates technical review,” said Capt. C. S. Randhawa, President of the Federation of Indian Pilots. Mayday Calls Highlight Critical Emergencies The DGCA confirmed that the 11 Mayday calls issued during the 17-month period were in response to severe emergencies requiring immediate crew response. These included engine fires, hydraulic failures, and other situations jeopardizing flight safety. “A Mayday is the most serious alert. When pilots call one, it means the situation demands urgent intervention be it fire, total engine loss, or system failure,” explained Anil Rao, Executive Member, ALPA-India. Though the RTI reply did not identify the specific flights or aircraft types, officials confirmed that all events were subject to post-flight safety reviews, many involving the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). BCAS Staffing Vacancies Raise Oversight Concerns Separately, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), India’s aviation security watchdog, reported 224 vacancies out of 598 sanctioned posts as of March 2025. The shortfall represents a staffing gap of over 37%. A recent parliamentary standing committee had raised concerns that such vacancies may hinder effective regulatory oversight. Air India Express Crash Raises Safety Scrutiny The disclosure comes shortly after the Air India Express Flight IX-171 crash near Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, in which an engine failure during climb-out was suspected based on preliminary reports. While the DGCA has not confirmed whether the case is counted among the 65 shutdowns, the timeline places it within the scope of the RTI data. Aviation regulators emphasize that twin-engine aircraft are certified under ETOPS to continue flying with one engine inoperative, but each incident is taken seriously. Investigations may lead to maintenance bulletins, airworthiness directives, or fleet-wide inspections. Lack of Public Safety Dashboard India currently does not provide a public-facing aviation safety dashboard like the FAA’s Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) system. Access to data on technical issues or Mayday calls remains limited, often requiring RTI filings. Increased transparency in aviation safety has been a growing demand among Indian aviation stakeholders. In its June 2025 report, a civil aviation working group recommended enhanced publication of anonymized safety statistics and the establishment of a centralized digital platform for incident data.

Airlines

DGCA Confirms 65 Engine Shutdowns Since 2020 and 11 Maydays in Last 17 Months

Aviation Today News Desk / July 17, 2025

India: A Right to Information (RTI) response from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), as reported by The Times

India: On the morning of July 8, 2025, IndiGo flight 6E-7295, operating from Indore to Raipur, was compelled to return to its departure airport shortly after takeoff due to a technical fault detected in-flight. The aircraft, which departed Indore around 6:35 a.m. IST, had traveled approximately 60 nautical miles when the flight crew identified the issue. Acting in accordance with standard operating procedures, the pilot made a precautionary decision to turn the aircraft back to Indore to ensure passenger and crew safety. The aircraft landed without incident, and no injuries were reported. A total of 51 passengers were on board at the time. In a statement, IndiGo confirmed the incident and stated that an internal technical assessment is currently underway. The airline has provided affected passengers with the option of rescheduling their journey or receiving a full refund. IndiGo reiterated that the decision to return was made purely as a safety measure. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been informed, and further inspection of the aircraft is in progress. Flight 6E-784 Delayed in Surat Due to Bee Swarm Near Cargo Hold In an unrelated event, IndiGo flight 6E-784, scheduled to operate from Surat to Jaipur on July 7, 2025, experienced a delay of nearly one hour following an unusual disruption caused by a swarm of bees. The incident occurred while the aircraft was on the ground and preparing for pushback. Airport ground staff observed a cluster of bees gathered near the aircraft’s cargo door, raising safety and operational concerns. In response, airport authorities deployed a fire engine to disperse the swarm safely without causing harm to passengers or wildlife. Following clearance and a thorough external check of the aircraft, the flight resumed operations and departed without any further issues. IndiGo acknowledged the delay and issued an apology to passengers for the inconvenience. The DGCA has not issued any advisories or penalties in connection with these events as of this report.

Incidents

IndiGo Flight Returns Mid-Air to Indore Due to Technical Problem, 51 Passengers Safe

Aviation Today News Desk / July 8, 2025

India: On the morning of July 8, 2025, IndiGo flight 6E-7295, operating from Indore to Raipur, was compelled to return

Malaysia

AirAsia to Acquire Up to 70 Airbus A321XLRs, Plans Low-Cost Flights to Europe & US

Aviation Today News Desk / July 8, 2025

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Capital A, the parent company of AirAsia, has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

India

Night-Time DGCA Audits Expose Gaps in Aircraft Maintenance, Safety Protocols Violated

Aviation Today News Desk / June 27, 2025

Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has raised safety concerns after identifying repeated aircraft defects and operational

Moscow, Russia: In a development that highlights the complexity and limitations of international sanctions enforcement, Russia has imported more than €1 billion worth of aircraft parts from Western manufacturers since 2022, according to official customs data obtained by Finnish public broadcaster Yle and reviewed in collaboration with The Moscow Times. The data, which spans from the beginning of 2022 to the first quarter of 2024, reveals that Russia continues to acquire essential spare parts and components for Airbus and Boeing aircraft, despite sweeping sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Sanctions and Workarounds Under the current EU and U.S. sanctions regimes, the export of aircraft, parts, and technology to Russia is strictly prohibited. However, Russian airlines and maintenance firms have relied on intermediary countries to bypass these restrictions. The primary rerouting channels include Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, China, and former Soviet states in Central Asia, which have seen a marked increase in re-exports of aviation parts to Russia. According to Yle’s analysis, the majority of the parts entering Russia originate from U.S. and EU companies, especially components tied to Boeing and Airbus aircraft models which still make up more than 70% of Russia’s commercial airline fleet. Commercial Aviation's Continued Dependence While Russia has accelerated efforts to domestically manufacture aircraft and substitute Western models with indigenous designs such as the Irkut MC-21 and Sukhoi Superjet 100, its commercial aviation sector remains heavily dependent on foreign-built aircraft. These aircraft require regular maintenance and certified parts to remain operational and meet airworthiness standards. Industry sources indicate that over 500 Boeing and Airbus aircraft are still active in Russian fleets. Without access to original parts, maintaining these aircraft safely would be nearly impossible. Hence, importing components whether legally or through grey markets has become critical for operational continuity. Aviation experts have raised concerns about the long-term airworthiness and safety risks associated with importing parts through unauthorized or non-certified channels. In many cases, the parts may lack proper documentation or traceability, potentially exposing operators to quality and safety issues. Furthermore, several international watchdogs, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), are actively monitoring global trade flows to identify possible breaches and plug enforcement gaps. However, the use of third-party intermediaries and complex supply chains has made comprehensive oversight difficult. Geopolitical Implications The findings come at a time when Western governments are pushing for tighter sanctions enforcement and coordination with countries seen as re-export hubs. In April 2024, the European Commission warned of possible secondary sanctions against non-EU entities facilitating restricted goods to Russia. Meanwhile, Russian officials maintain that all ongoing aircraft operations comply with domestic aviation standards. Rosaviatsiya, the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, has not commented on the specific details of the report but has reiterated the country’s intent to achieve aviation self-sufficiency by the end of the decade.

Civil Aviation

Despite Sanctions, Russia Imports Airbus & Boeing Parts via UAE, Turkey, China

Aviation Today News Desk / June 27, 2025

Moscow, Russia: In a development that highlights the complexity and limitations of international sanctions enforcement, Russia has imported more than

Mumbai, India: A routine Air India flight from London to Mumbai reported a medical incident onboard on Monday, prompting an investigation by airline officials and aviation authorities. Several passengers and crew members reportedly experienced symptoms of dizziness and nausea during the flight. The cause of the incident is currently under review. Incident Details Air India flight AI-130, operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft, departed from London Heathrow on schedule and was en route to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai. While cruising at approximately 35,000 feet, five passengers and two cabin crew members reported feeling unwell. Initial symptoms included lightheadedness, nausea, and dizziness. Upon landing in Mumbai, medical teams met the aircraft at the gate. Two passengers and two crew members were immediately taken for medical screening. All four individuals were treated and discharged the same day. According to Air India’s official statement, no emergency was declared during the flight, and the aircraft landed without incident. The pilots were not affected and completed the flight normally. The airline confirmed that standard operating procedures for inflight medical support were followed. Investigation and Safety Checks Preliminary findings have ruled out cabin depressurization, as oxygen masks were not deployed and no pressure loss was recorded. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been notified of the incident and is assisting in the inquiry. One of the leading theories under review is the possibility of food contamination. Air India has confirmed that the affected individuals had consumed meals served during the flight. Samples of onboard catering have been collected and sent for analysis. In accordance with aviation protocols, cockpit crew members are served meals different from those offered to passengers and cabin crew. Both pilots reportedly consumed their meals without incident, which may have prevented a more critical situation in the cockpit. The DGCA is expected to conduct a thorough review of the airline’s inflight service procedures, food sourcing and handling protocols, and cabin health and safety systems. This follows closely after recent safety audits initiated by the regulator in response to a series of operational and technical disruptions faced by the carrier over the past month. As part of the ongoing safety initiative, random inspections of Air India’s Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft are also being carried out, though no technical anomalies have been linked to this incident. Passenger Advisory While Air India has not issued a formal passenger advisory, travelers are encouraged to report any post-flight illness to the airline or medical authorities. Passengers onboard AI-130 are being contacted by the airline as a precautionary follow-up. The exact cause of the in-flight illness aboard AI-130 remains undetermined pending laboratory results and further investigation. Air India has assured full cooperation with regulatory authorities and reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of passenger safety and wellbeing.

Incidents

Air India Crew and Passengers Fall ill Midair with Possible Food Contamination, DGCA Probes

Aviation Today News Desk / June 24, 2025

Mumbai, India: A routine Air India flight from London to Mumbai reported a medical incident onboard on Monday, prompting an

airline news

Etihad Airways Surpasses 2M Monthly Passengers for the First Time In It’s History

Ryanair to Slash 1 Million Seats from Spain Flights Next Summer Over Fee Hike

British Airways 787 Makes Safe Emergency Return to Sydney After Cockpit Fuel Smell

DGCA Confirms 65 Engine Shutdowns Since 2020 and 11 Maydays in Last 17 Months

IndiGo Flight Returns Mid-Air to Indore Due to Technical Problem, 51 Passengers Safe

AirAsia to Acquire Up to 70 Airbus A321XLRs, Plans Low-Cost Flights to Europe & US

Night-Time DGCA Audits Expose Gaps in Aircraft Maintenance, Safety Protocols Violated

Despite Sanctions, Russia Imports Airbus & Boeing Parts via UAE, Turkey, China

Air India Crew and Passengers Fall ill Midair with Possible Food Contamination, DGCA Probes

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