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Beijing, China: Air China and Rolls-Royce have completed their USD 315 million engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Beijing, marking a major expansion of Rolls-Royce’s service network in mainland China. The joint venture, Beijing Aero Engine Services Ltd (BAESL), will induct its first engine in December 2025, with full commercial operations scheduled for early 2026. The Beijing site will overhaul Trent 700, Trent XWB-84, and Trent 1000 engines, which power A330, A350 and Boeing 787 fleets operated by Chinese carriers. Rolls-Royce said BAESL is designed as a “digitally enabled, next-generation” shop with advanced tooling and automation. According to official Beijing investment authorities, the facility spans more than 80,000 sq. m and will employ up to 800 staff once fully ramped up. It is expected to reach an annual capacity of 250 engine shop visits by the mid-2030s. This is Rolls-Royce’s first MRO joint venture on mainland China and its fourth globally, complementing HAESL in Hong Kong, SAESL in Singapore, and N3 in Germany. For Air China, the project strengthens domestic overhaul capability for high-thrust wide-body engines, reducing dependency on overseas shops. Air China executives said the facility will support the “industrialisation and localisation” of China’s engine maintenance ecosystem. Rolls-Royce leaders noted that China’s expanding wide-body fleet with nearly 600 Trent engines in service requires long-term, locally available maintenance capacity. BAESL is situated in Shunyi District, inside the Beijing Capital International Airport Economic Zone. Infrastructure includes overhaul bays, advanced engine testing facilities, parts warehousing and digital monitoring centres. With the JV now structurally complete, Rolls-Royce and Air China will begin progressive operational readiness checks before the first Trent engine arrives later this year. The facility is expected to significantly cut turnaround times for Chinese operators and reinforce China’s position as a major MRO hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

Air China And Rolls-Royce Complete $315 Million Engine MRO Facility In Beijing

Aviation Today News Desk / November 25, 2025

Beijing, China: Air China and Rolls-Royce have completed their USD 315 million engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in

New Delhi, India: Flight operations across several Indian carriers were disrupted on Tuesday after volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi eruption drifted toward major West Asia and India-bound air corridors. Airlines including Air India, Akasa Air and IndiGo cancelled or rerouted multiple flights as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent advisory enforcing strict avoidance of ash-affected airspace. The DGCA directed airlines to steer clear of regions and flight levels identified as contaminated by volcanic ash. The regulator also instructed carriers to reassess flight plans, fuel requirements and alternates, and to file immediate reports of any suspected ash encounters. The advisory highlighted the risk to aircraft engines and airframes, and asked operators to conduct additional inspections for any aircraft that may have flown near the affected zones. Airports were simultaneously ordered to check runways, aprons and taxiways for possible ash contamination and initiate cleaning procedures if required. Air India cancelled 11 flights over the past 24 hours, stating that precautionary checks were needed on aircraft that might have traversed areas close to the ash plume. The airline said it was monitoring volcanic-ash advisories in coordination with international aviation agencies and had not observed any major operational impact beyond temporary cancellations. Akasa Air suspended several India–Gulf flights, including services to Jeddah, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi, citing the need to avoid ash-affected airspace over the Arabian Peninsula. The airline offered full refunds and complimentary rebooking for passengers scheduled to travel on 24 and 25 November. IndiGo reported multiple cancellations as well, noting that its operations team was adjusting routes in real time based on ash-movement maps issued by global meteorological centres. At least six flights including services from Mumbai and southern metros were grounded as a precaution. Volcanic ash can severely damage aircraft by melting inside engines, clogging ventilation systems and affecting sensors. Following ICAO protocols, Indian carriers have shifted flight paths and temporarily halted services operating along westbound routes that intersect the plume’s trajectory. Although the ash cloud was observed at high altitudes reducing the likelihood of direct impact on surface visibility, aviation authorities stressed that even small concentrations can be hazardous for high-altitude jet operations. Meteorological agencies indicated that the ash plume continued its eastward movement toward China after passing over northern India. Airlines said normal operations would resume once updated advisories confirm the clearing of affected corridors. Indian regulators and carriers remain on heightened watch, treating the event as a significant international air-safety incident requiring continuous monitoring.

Airlines

Ethiopia Volcano Ash Disrupts Indian Flight Operations; DGCA Issues Safety Alert

Aviation Today News Desk / November 25, 2025

New Delhi, India: Flight operations across several Indian carriers were disrupted on Tuesday after volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi

Airlines

Saudi Arabia To Launch Three New Airlines To Boost Tourism And Aviation Growth

Aviation Today News Desk / November 24, 2025

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch three new airlines, a significant expansion of its aviation ecosystem as

Fiji

Fiji Regulator Orders Sunflower Aviation To Cease Operations Over Compliance Issues

Aviation Today News Desk / November 24, 2025

Suva, Fiji: The Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) has ordered Sunflower Aviation to shut down its operations after the

Hyderabad, India: A Gulf Air flight operating from Bahrain to Hyderabad was diverted to Mumbai early Sunday after airport authorities in Hyderabad received an email claiming a bomb had been placed on the aircraft. The threat was later confirmed to be a hoax after detailed security checks. Flight GF 274, carrying 154 passengers, departed Bahrain at 22:20 hrs on Saturday and was scheduled to arrive at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 04:55 a.m. On Sunday. At around 3 a.m., an email warning of an explosive device onboard was sent to the Hyderabad airport’s customer support address, prompting authorities to initiate emergency protocols. Following standard procedure, the aircraft was instructed to divert to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, where it landed safely. Security teams conducted multiple layers of inspection and found no suspicious objects. After receiving clearance from security agencies, the flight departed Mumbai and landed in Hyderabad at 11:31 a.m. Gulf Air stated that the diversion was carried out “in accordance with safety and security requirements” and confirmed that all passengers were safe. Hyderabad Airport officials filed a complaint with local police, who have registered a case and begun tracing the origin of the threat email. Authorities noted that the message appeared similar to earlier hoax threats received in recent weeks. The incident follows a series of false alarms involving flights bound for Hyderabad. Earlier this month, an IndiGo flight from Jeddah to Hyderabad was diverted to Mumbai after an email referencing a past airport blast claimed a bomb was onboard. That threat also proved to be false, but it prompted full emergency procedures and inspections. The repeated hoax threats have triggered heightened alert levels at Hyderabad Airport and renewed discussions within India’s aviation sector regarding cyber-threat response, email-verification systems, and rapid-response coordination for inbound international flights.

Incidents

Hyderabad Bomb Threat Forces Gulf Air Flight To Divert To Mumbai For Security Checks

Aviation Today News Desk / November 24, 2025

Hyderabad, India: A Gulf Air flight operating from Bahrain to Hyderabad was diverted to Mumbai early Sunday after airport authorities

Santa Cruz, United States: Joby Aviation has filed a lawsuit against rival Archer Aviation, alleging that the company gained an unfair competitive advantage by using confidential business information taken by a former Joby executive. The complaint, lodged in Santa Cruz County Superior Court, claims the misconduct allowed Archer to pursue a more lucrative arrangement with one of Joby’s key real-estate partners. According to the filing, Joby accuses former employee George Kivork, its ex-head of U.S. state and local policy, of downloading and transferring internal documents days before resigning in July and joining Archer. Joby Aviation says the files included details on partnership agreements, regulatory strategies, vertiport infrastructure plans, and operational data related to its electric aircraft. A forensic review cited in the lawsuit found that Kivork allegedly emailed dozens of files to his personal account and altered permissions on hundreds more, enabling him to retain access after his departure. Joby Aviation argues that Archer later approached a strategic real-estate developer with insight drawn from the leaked information, attempting to outbid Joby’s existing agreement. The company is seeking unspecified monetary damages and an injunction to stop Archer Aviation from using any of the disputed materials. Archer Aviation has rejected the accusations. In a statement, Eric Lentell, Archer’s Chief Legal and Strategy Officer, said the lawsuit “is entirely without merit” and lacks identification of any specific trade secrets. He added that the company has no agreement with the developer referenced in Joby’s complaint and criticised the lawsuit as an attempt to disrupt competitive dynamics in the emerging electric air-taxi sector. The dispute comes as both firms accelerate toward FAA certification and negotiate infrastructure and development partnerships essential for future eVTOL services. Archer previously faced a similar trade-secrets battle with Wisk Aero, which was settled in 2023, but maintains that its compliance systems prevent misuse of any proprietary information from former employees’ previous employers. The court has scheduled the first hearing for March 20, 2026, with the case expected to progress through motions and discovery well into next year.

eVTOL

Joby Aviation Sues Rival Archer Aviation For Misusing Confidential Business Information

Aviation Today News Desk / November 22, 2025

Santa Cruz, United States: Joby Aviation has filed a lawsuit against rival Archer Aviation, alleging that the company gained an

Airports

Emirates Debuts Facial Recognition Travel System At DXB Offering Seamless Travel

Aviation Today News Desk / November 22, 2025

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Emirates Airlines has unveiled a state-of-the-art biometric system at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3, marking a

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation industry is bracing for a difficult FY2026, with ICRA estimating sector-wide losses to climb to Rs 95–105 billion, almost double the Rs 55 billion loss expected in FY2025. Softening passenger growth, upcoming fleet inductions and ongoing global and domestic disruptions are set to pressure financial performance. Even so, ICRA has maintained a stable outlook for the year, supported by steady travel demand, though influenced by cross-border tensions, accident-related caution and tariff-linked challenges on the commercial side. Domestic passenger traffic in October 2025 reached 142.8 lakh, up 4.5% from October 2024 and 12.9% higher than September 2025. Capacity deployment grew 1.7% year-on-year to 99,816 departures, with passenger load factor rising to 84.7%, compared with 82.4% a year earlier. For April–October 2025, domestic traffic stood at 944.5 lakh, a 1.6% year-on-year increase. ICRA expects full-year FY2026 domestic travel to grow 4–6%, reaching 172–176 million passengers. International traffic carried by Indian airlines rose 5.8% year-on-year in September 2025, touching 28.3 lakh, though sequentially down by 5.7%. In H1 FY2026, international traffic reached 175.6 lakh, marking 9.1% growth. ICRA projects further expansion of 13–15% in FY2026. Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) remains a key cost concern. ATF prices in November 2025 were 4.4% higher year-on-year and 0.8% higher month-on-month. FY2025 had seen average ATF prices fall to Rs 95,181 per KL, about 8% lower year-on-year, but recent months have reversed that relief. Fuel constitutes 30–40% of airline operating expenses, while 35–50% of major costs are dollar-linked. The rupee’s depreciation in Q2 FY2026 led to notable forex losses for several carriers, though most remain unrealised. Fleet shortages persist. Pratt & Whitney engine problems and broader supply-chain delays resulted in around 133 aircraft being grounded across various airlines by March 2025, representing 15–17% of total industry capacity. IndiGo had 70 aircraft grounded in March 2024 due to powder-metal contamination, which reduced to about 40 by September 2025. Go Airlines, hit by similar issues, eventually grounded half its fleet in FY2024 and suspended operations. These constraints have increased operating costs through replacement leases, poorer fuel efficiency and higher spot-rental rates. Despite strong PLFs and firmer yields, profitability remains limited. The industry’s interest coverage ratio is expected to remain at 1.5–1.7 times for FY2026. Large carriers benefit from parent backing, while others continue to face liquidity stress and stretched balance sheets. The DGCA has proposed new passenger-centric norms allowing customers to cancel or modify tickets within 48 hours of booking without charges, provided the travel date is beyond five days (domestic) or fifteen days (international). Refunds are to be processed within 21 working days.

Aviation Forecast

ICRA Warns Of Rs 105 Billion Loss For Indian Aviation In FY2026 Amid Slowing Growth

Aviation Today News Desk / November 21, 2025

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation industry is bracing for a difficult FY2026, with ICRA estimating sector-wide losses to climb to

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Airways has surpassed a key technological milestone, equipping more than 100 widebody aircraft with SpaceX Starlink satellite internet. The rollout marks one of the fastest deployments of next-generation in-flight connectivity in the global aviation sector. The airline confirmed the milestone in an official statement, noting that installations are progressing “ahead of schedule” across its long-haul fleet. The achievement places Qatar Airways among the world’s leaders in satellite-based onboard Wi-Fi adoption. According to the carrier, more than 30,000 flights have already operated with Starlink connectivity since the first installation in October 2024, offering uninterrupted gate-to-gate high-speed internet across six continents. Over 50 percent of Qatar Airways’ widebody fleet is now equipped, with the Boeing 777 programme fully completed and work on the Airbus A350 fleet advancing rapidly. Executives say the project is being executed at “record speed,” underscoring a strategic push to elevate Qatar Airways’ premium long-haul passenger experience. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said the airline is intensifying installation efforts, adding that the programme is “an immediate priority rather than a future ambition.” He highlighted that the airline is now operating up to 200 daily flights with Starlink connectivity. Starlink-equipped aircraft are delivering internet speeds of up to 500 Mbps on Boeing 777s, enabling live streaming, video calls, online gaming, and high-bandwidth work applications. The service remains free for all passengers, regardless of cabin class, an uncommon offer among major global airlines. The carrier says the onboard speeds outperform many home internet connections and have significantly expanded digital access for long-haul travellers. Qatar Airways aims to complete Starlink installation across its entire widebody fleet by the end of the year. The retrofit effort covers aircraft serving more than 170 destinations, making the upgraded connectivity available on a large share of the airline’s global network. The rapid rollout also reflects broader regional ambitions, with Qatar Airways remaining the only airline in the Middle East and North Africa to offer Starlink connectivity at this scale

Airlines

Qatar Airways Tops 100 Starlink Aircraft, Offering Free High-Speed Wi-Fi Worldwide

Aviation Today News Desk / November 20, 2025

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Airways has surpassed a key technological milestone, equipping more than 100 widebody aircraft with SpaceX Starlink satellite

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: AutoFlight has strengthened its foothold in the Middle East after Falcon Aviation Services placed an order for 50 of the company’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The agreement, signed on October 27, 2025, positions Falcon as one of the first regional operators preparing large-scale deployment of eVTOL platforms for industrial and mobility missions. The order includes 15 V2000CG “CarryAll” cargo aircraft and 35 V2000EM “Prosperity” passenger aircraft, with the first deliveries expected by the end of 2025. Falcon intends to use the fleet to support operations for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), signalling a shift towards low-emission, high-efficiency aerial support in the energy sector. AutoFlight’s cargo model, the CarryAll, has already achieved a full suite of airworthiness approvals from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) including the Type Certificate, Production Certificate and individual Airworthiness Certificates. The aircraft has also entered commercial service in China following delivery to Heli Chuangxing Intelligent, marking one of the first certified heavy-lift eVTOL deployments globally. The passenger-focused Prosperity model remains in its verification and regulatory testing phase. AutoFlight is working toward passenger-operation certification in multiple jurisdictions, a process that will determine the pace of Falcon’s full-scale rollout in the UAE. Falcon Aviation Services said the partnership aligns with its long-term strategy to modernise its mobility capabilities and expand its role in advanced air mobility (AAM) across the region. The company operates a broad portfolio of charter, offshore support, aircraft management and MRO services across the Middle East and Africa.

eVTOL

Falcon Aviation Orders 50 AutoFlight eVTOLs To Support ADNOC’s Expanding Operations

Aviation Today News Desk / November 20, 2025

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: AutoFlight has strengthened its foothold in the Middle East after Falcon Aviation Services placed an

aviation news

Air China And Rolls-Royce Complete $315 Million Engine MRO Facility In Beijing

Ethiopia Volcano Ash Disrupts Indian Flight Operations; DGCA Issues Safety Alert

Saudi Arabia To Launch Three New Airlines To Boost Tourism And Aviation Growth

Fiji Regulator Orders Sunflower Aviation To Cease Operations Over Compliance Issues

Hyderabad Bomb Threat Forces Gulf Air Flight To Divert To Mumbai For Security Checks

Joby Aviation Sues Rival Archer Aviation For Misusing Confidential Business Information

Emirates Debuts Facial Recognition Travel System At DXB Offering Seamless Travel

ICRA Warns Of Rs 105 Billion Loss For Indian Aviation In FY2026 Amid Slowing Growth

Qatar Airways Tops 100 Starlink Aircraft, Offering Free High-Speed Wi-Fi Worldwide

Falcon Aviation Orders 50 AutoFlight eVTOLs To Support ADNOC’s Expanding Operations

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