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Singapore: The Asia-Pacific region has officially surpassed its pre-pandemic aviation capacity, marking a significant milestone in the industry’s recovery from

Air Traffic Controller

13,000 Air Traffic Controllers Unpaid as U.S. Shutdown Deepens, Safety Concerns Rise

Aviation Today News Desk / October 30, 2025

Washington, United States: The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has entered its fourth week, leaving nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers working

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has flagged several regulatory and safety management lapses at Akasa Air following a routine surveillance review covering the April–September 2025 period. The authority has directed the airline to undertake corrective action after identifying “systemic failures” across multiple operational domains. The DGCA’s findings point to irregularities in Akasa Air’s flight safety systems, crew duty-time compliance, and internal safety audits. The regulator reportedly observed repetitive procedural lapses and documentation gaps, including delayed closure of internal audit findings and incomplete reviews of cockpit voice and flight data recorder (CVR/FDR) analyses. The regulator also highlighted discrepancies in the alignment of Akasa Air’s Safety Management System (SMS) manual with departmental manuals governing flight operations and engineering. In addition, not all employees had completed mandatory fatigue management training, which forms a critical component of the DGCA’s flight safety oversight framework. Akasa Air, a Mumbai-based Indian airline that launched commercial operations in August 2022. It was founded by Vinay Dube and Aditya Ghosh, with substantial backing from renowned investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. The airline began operations on August 7, 2022, with its first flight between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, using a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The latest regulatory scrutiny comes as the airline continues its network expansion across domestic routes and prepares for future international growth. In its official response, Akasa Air confirmed that it had submitted detailed explanations and corrective action reports to the DGCA within prescribed timelines. The airline said it remains fully committed to maintaining “the highest levels of operational and safety excellence in line with all regulatory requirements.” Akasa also stressed that such surveillance audits are routine across all scheduled airlines and form part of ongoing safety oversight. While the DGCA has not announced any immediate punitive action, the findings reportedly include Level-II safety observations, a category indicating recurring compliance concerns that warrant close monitoring and formal corrective plans. The regulator has sought a comprehensive Corrective Action Plan (CAP) from the airline, including root cause analyses and steps to prevent recurrence.

Airlines

Akasa Air Faces DGCA Scrutiny Over Safety Lapses, Regulator Orders Corrective Steps

Aviation Today News Desk / October 29, 2025

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has flagged several regulatory and safety management

London, United Kingdom: UK regional carrier Eastern Airways has suspended all flight operations and filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, marking another major setback for Britain’s struggling regional aviation sector. The airline, which operated key domestic routes connecting smaller UK cities and remote regions, grounded its fleet on October 27 as financial pressures reached a critical point, the move temporarily shields Eastern Airways from creditors for up to 10 business days while it seeks potential rescue options or buyers. “We deeply regret the impact this suspension has on our passengers and employees,” an Eastern Airways spokesperson said in a brief statement, confirming that all scheduled flights have been cancelled until further notice. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has urged passengers not to travel to airports, stating that anyone with bookings should contact their credit or debit card providers for refunds or chargebacks. The airline was founded in 1997 and based at Humberside Airport, Eastern Airways is a UK regional airline that built its reputation connecting smaller cities and remote regions through vital domestic routes. Initially serving the oil and gas sector between Humberside and Aberdeen, it expanded after acquiring Air Kilroe in 1999 and later came under the ownership of the Bristow Group in 2014. Operating turboprop aircraft like the BAe Jetstream 41, Eastern provided both scheduled and charter services, including Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes crucial for regional connectivity. Despite carrying about 1.3 million passengers annually, the airline faced mounting losses, reporting a £19.7 million deficit and £26 million debt in 2024. On October 27, 2025, Eastern Airways suspended all flights and filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, citing rising costs and prolonged post-pandemic financial strain. The airline’s network of regional routes including Aberdeen, Humberside, Teesside, Newquay, and Southampton was vital for connectivity in areas underserved by rail or road. Several of these services were operated under Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts, meaning their suspension could severely affect regional accessibility, especially in northern England and Scotland. The Eastern had already returned multiple aircraft to lessors and halted new ticket sales in the days leading up to the filing. Employees have been informed of the company’s deteriorating position, and industry observers warn that hundreds of jobs are now at risk. The company’s grounding echoes recent struggles across the UK’s regional aviation market, with carriers facing surging fuel costs, higher lease payments, and limited government support.

Airlines

After 27 Years, UK’s Eastern Airways Abruptly Halts Operations and Suspends All Flights

Aviation Today News Desk / October 28, 2025

London, United Kingdom: UK regional carrier Eastern Airways has suspended all flight operations and filed a notice of intention to

Airlines, Artificial Intelligence

United Airlines Cuts 4% of Management Jobs Using AI, Plans Further Reductions in 2026

Aviation Today News Desk / October 24, 2025

Chicago, United States: United Airlines is taking a significant step toward integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its operations, resulting in

Hong Kong, China: A cargo aircraft operating for Emirates SkyCargo skidded off the north runway at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday, plunging partially into the sea and killing two ground personnel. The four crew members onboard the Boeing 747-400 freighter survived the crash. According to Hong Kong authorities, the accident occurred around 3:50 a.m. local time when the aircraft, identified as TC-ACF, overshot the runway after landing. The plane was operating flight EK9788 from Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport on behalf of Emirates SkyCargo. The aircraft is owned and operated by ACT Airlines, a Turkish cargo carrier contracted by Emirates. Initial reports suggest that the aircraft struck a security patrol vehicle positioned near the runway end, forcing the vehicle into the sea. “Both occupants of the vehicle were pulled from the water,” police told Reuters, confirming that one person died at the scene and the other later succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The four Turkish crew members aboard the aircraft were rescued without serious injuries. Photos and videos circulating on social media showed the jet partially submerged near the seawall, with the rear fuselage section visibly damaged. The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has temporarily closed the north runway to facilitate investigation and aircraft recovery operations. The airport’s two other runways continue to operate normally. An official investigation has been launched by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department. Authorities said they are examining multiple factors, including braking performance, runway conditions, and possible mechanical issues. Early reports indicate that weather conditions were stable at the time of landing, making it unlikely that visibility or wind played a major role. The Boeing 747-400 involved in the accident is 32 years old and had been converted from a passenger aircraft to a freighter several years ago. Emirates confirmed that the flight carried no cargo onboard during the incident. “This tragic incident has claimed the lives of two valued airport workers,” said an Emirates spokesperson, adding that the airline is cooperating fully with local authorities and expressing condolences to the victims’ families.

Accidents

Emirates SkyCargo Jet Skids Off Runway Into Sea At Hong Kong Airport, Two Killed

Aviation Today News Desk / October 20, 2025

Hong Kong, China: A cargo aircraft operating for Emirates SkyCargo skidded off the north runway at Hong Kong International Airport

Aircraft

Airbus Ends Boeing’s Four-Decade Lead As A320 Becomes Most-Delivered Aircraft

Aviation Today News Desk / October 16, 2025

France: Airbus has achieved a milestone by overtaking Boeing in total commercial aircraft deliveries, with its A320 family now recognized

aviation industry

ANA To End AirJapan Operations in March 2026, Integrate Fleet Into Mainline Network

Two United Airlines Jets Collide At LaGuardia Amid High Winds And Staffing Crisis

United Airlines Accused of Ignoring Pilot’s Sexual Misconduct Toward Flight Attendant

Asia-Pacific Aviation Crosses Pre-Pandemic Milestone, Outpacing Global Growth

13,000 Air Traffic Controllers Unpaid as U.S. Shutdown Deepens, Safety Concerns Rise

Akasa Air Faces DGCA Scrutiny Over Safety Lapses, Regulator Orders Corrective Steps

After 27 Years, UK’s Eastern Airways Abruptly Halts Operations and Suspends All Flights

United Airlines Cuts 4% of Management Jobs Using AI, Plans Further Reductions in 2026

Emirates SkyCargo Jet Skids Off Runway Into Sea At Hong Kong Airport, Two Killed

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