global airlines Archives - Aviation Today

Airlines Hike Ticket Prices Worldwide As Middle East Crisis Drives Global Fuel Surge

Aviation Today News Desk / March 12, 2026

Global: Major global carriers are increasing ticket prices and imposing fuel surcharges as escalating conflict in the Middle East drives […]

Europe: Emirates has scheduled a series of pilot recruitment roadshows this February across key European markets, offering experienced commercial pilots direct access to its recruitment team and detailed insights into career opportunities within one of the world’s largest international airlines. Emirates’ official pilot careers calendar lists multiple events across the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands this month, underscoring the airline’s ongoing global talent acquisition drive. According to Emirates’ official Pilot Roadshows schedule published on its careers portal, the roadshows are set to take place as follows: United Kingdom (February 2026) Emirates is hosting roadshows in four major cities during February: Manchester – 9 February at 10:00 and 13:00 Manchester – 10 February at 10:00 Belfast – 11 February at 11:00 and 12 February at 10:00 London Heathrow – 14 February at 10:00 and 13:00; 15 February at 10:00 London Gatwick – 16 February at 10:00 and 13:00; 17 February at 10:00 These sessions are aimed at experienced commercial pilots based in or near the UK. Attendees will receive briefings on career progression, training standards, lifestyle in Dubai and Emirates’ compensation structure. Belgium and Netherlands (23–24 February 2026) Brussels, Belgium – 23 February at 10:00 and 13:00; 24 February at 10:00 Amsterdam, The Netherlands – 23 February at 10:00 and 13:00; 24 February at 10:00 The Brussels and Amsterdam roadshows target experienced pilots from across mainland Europe. Emirates’ recruitment team will outline eligibility requirements, career pathways, training programmes and lifestyle benefits associated with relocating to Dubai. Emirates’ careers page notes that these sessions are part of a broader global engagement initiative designed to inform prospective applicants about the airline’s pilot recruitment process, role eligibility criteria and career pathways, and to provide a platform for direct interaction with recruitment specialists. Pre-registration is available through the official Emirates Pilot Careers site. Emirates has been actively expanding its pilot workforce to support long-term fleet growth and global network expansion. Last year in 2025, in an official statement on World Pilots’ Day, the airline reaffirmed its commitment to hiring more than 1,500 new pilots over the next two years as part of a wider strategic recruitment push. This hiring effort is positioned alongside Emirates’ commitment to enhancing crew career progression through programmes such as Direct Entry Captain, Accelerated Command and First Officer roles. The carrier’s recruitment efforts also reflect continued strong operational performance and fleet development, including the integration of next-generation wide-body aircraft into service. These developments underline Emirates’ focus on both commercial growth and talent acquisition in a competitive global aviation environment.

Pilots

Emirates Launches Pilot Hiring Roadshows Across UK, Belgium And Netherlands In February

Aviation Today News Desk / February 8, 2026

Europe: Emirates has scheduled a series of pilot recruitment roadshows this February across key European markets, offering experienced commercial pilots

Boeing

600 Aircraft Delivered Mark Boeing’s Best Year Since 2018; Tops Airbus In Net Orders

Aviation Today News Desk / January 26, 2026

Seattle, United States: Boeing closed a pivotal 2025 reporting year with 600 commercial aircraft delivered to airline customers, marking its

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Global aviation operations have been significantly disrupted this week as a number of major carriers suspend or cancel flights to and from Israel and several key Gulf destinations, citing escalating geopolitical risks and heightened regional instability. Airlines including KLM, Air France, Lufthansa and British Airways have announced cancellations or temporary suspensions of services to critical hubs such as Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion Airport), Dubai and Riyadh, as well as broader route adjustments across the Middle East. The moves come amid intensifying security concerns related to rising tensions between the United States and Iran, and ongoing conflict dynamics in the region. Air France has temporarily halted flights between Paris and Dubai, stating that “due to the current situation in the Middle East,” the airline will suspend service to the UAE emirate for the time being. Dutch carrier KLM has paused flights not only to Tel Aviv but also to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam (Saudi Arabia) while avoiding overflight of airspace above Iran, Iraq and several neighboring countries as a precaution. Lufthansa Group and British Airways have similarly scaled back operations to the region, with suspensions and cancellations affecting multiple daily services. The disruptions are reported to extend beyond European carriers, reflecting a broader industry response to the perceived security risks associated with the volatile geopolitical environment. These recent cancellations follow a broader pattern of flight suspensions and diversions that have periodically impacted Middle East routes throughout 2025 as regional tensions escalated. In past flare-ups, carriers such as Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia also halted services to destinations including Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon due to airspace closures and safety concerns. Aviation industry analysts warn that these cancellations could have considerable knock-on effects for global travel and logistics networks. Passengers with upcoming itineraries to the affected regions are being urged to check flight statuses directly with airlines and to contact carriers promptly for rebooking or refund options where applicable. In related developments from prior months, international carriers had earlier extended or re-imposed suspensions for flights to and from Tel Aviv due to direct threats on airspace infrastructure. Airlines and aviation authorities emphasize that passenger and crew safety remain the top priorities guiding route decisions.

Airlines

Major Airlines Cancel Israel, Dubai & Riyadh Flights Amid Rising Middle East Tensions

Aviation Today News Desk / January 24, 2026

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Global aviation operations have been significantly disrupted this week as a number of major carriers suspend

Global: Airlines worldwide demonstrated notable operational resilience in 2025, maintaining competitive on-time performance levels despite persistent air traffic congestion, aircraft availability constraints, weather volatility, and geopolitical airspace restrictions, according to the Cirium On-Time Performance Review 2025. The annual report, regarded as the aviation industry’s definitive benchmark for punctuality, evaluated airline performance from January 1 to December 31, 2025, using verified actual gate arrival data sourced from airlines, airports, and civil aviation authorities worldwide Qatar Airways was named 2025 Platinum Airline, recognizing the carrier’s overall operational consistency across schedule execution, disruption recovery, and network reliability. Qatar Airways achieved an 84.42% on-time arrival rate in 2025, an improvement from 82.83% the previous year, while operating approximately 198,300 flights globally. The airline also maintained a near-perfect completion factor, indicating very low cancellation levels across its network The report noted that sustaining and improving punctuality at this scale is particularly challenging for large network carriers operating long-haul, multi-time-zone schedules through tightly banked hubs. For the second consecutive year, Aeromexico ranked as the most on-time global airline, recording a 90.02% on-time arrival performance across nearly 189,000 flights in 2025. The airline consistently maintained on-time performance near or above the 90% threshold throughout the year, reinforcing its reputation for operational discipline and reliability at scale. Cirium highlighted Aeromexico’s ability to sustain industry-leading punctuality despite operating from highly congested airports Regional Airline On-Time Performance Leaders Cirium’s 2025 review also identified top-performing airlines by region based on on-time arrival metrics: Asia-Pacific: Philippine Airlines – 83.12% North America: Delta Air Lines – 80.90% Europe: Iberia Express – 88.94% Latin America: Copa Airlines – 90.75% Middle East & Africa: FlySafair – 91.06% Each airline met eligibility criteria, including minimum data coverage and completion factor requirements, ensuring fair comparison across regions and operating models The analysis emphasized that 2025 marked a shift from short-term disruptions to structural operational pressure. Airlines faced ongoing air traffic control staffing shortages, constrained airspace in several regions, supply chain delays affecting aircraft availability, and increased weather-related disruptions. Despite these challenges, top-performing airlines demonstrated that realistic scheduling, disciplined operational control, and data-driven decision-making remain critical to maintaining punctuality. On-time performance is more than a punctuality indicator. High OTP directly supports customer trust, cost efficiency, aircraft utilization, and crew stability, making it a strategic priority for airlines operating in a high-demand, low-margin environment. Airports worldwide delivered strong on-time departure performance in 2025 despite rising traffic volumes, airspace constraints, and weather-related disruptions, according to the Cirium On-Time Performance Review 2025 Istanbul Airport (IST) received Platinum Award for Airports, recognizing sustained operational excellence across schedule reliability, departure punctuality, and disruption recovery throughout the year In category-specific rankings: Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (Chile) was named the world’s most on-time Large Airport, recording an 87.04% on-time departure rate, leading global peers despite rapid capacity growth Panama City Tocumen International Airport topped the Medium Airport category, reflecting consistent gate departure efficiency at a major regional hub Guayaquil José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (Ecuador) emerged as the Small Airport category leader, delivering the highest on-time departure performance within its segment The report noted a strong correlation between airport punctuality and airline reliability, highlighting the role of coordinated ground operations, infrastructure planning, and air traffic management in maintaining schedule integrity. Airports achieving top rankings demonstrated that disciplined operational control can sustain high departure performance even under structural pressures.

Global Aviation

Global Airlines And Airports Show Strong On-Time Performance Despite 2025 Pressures

Aviation Today News Desk / January 18, 2026

Airlines worldwide demonstrated notable operational resilience in 2025, maintaining competitive on-time performance levels despite persistent air traffic congestion, aircraft availability

Airlines

Etihad Named World’s Safest Full-Service Airline, HK Express Tops Low-Cost List For 2026

Aviation Today News Desk / January 14, 2026

AirlineRatings.com, a globally recognised authority on airline safety and product performance, has released its 2026 list of the world’s safest

Hong Kong, China: A power bank carried by a passenger aboard an Asiana Airlines flight from Seoul to Hong Kong overheated and caught fire mid-air on Thursday night, injuring one passenger and emphasizing ongoing aviation safety concerns related to lithium-battery devices. The incident occurred on Flight OZ745, an Airbus A330-214 operating from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) with 284 passengers on board. Around two hours into the flight, a portable battery charger (power bank) carried in the cabin ignited, producing smoke and flames near the economy class seating area. Cabin crew responded within minutes, extinguishing the fire with onboard fire extinguishers. The device’s owner sustained a minor hand burn during the incident, while no other passengers or crew were seriously injured. Despite the onboard fire, the aircraft continued its scheduled flight and landed safely in Hong Kong at approximately 10:52 pm, just minutes behind schedule. Authorities in Hong Kong, including the Airport Authority and local police, were not required to intervene after landing. Eyewitness accounts posted on social media described a brief moment of panic among passengers before the crew contained the situation. “For a moment, I thought I was going to die,” one passenger wrote, highlighting the anxiety such incidents can provoke even when managed effectively. Asiana Airlines confirmed the matter was handled according to established safety procedures and that aviation regulators will be notified as part of standard post-incident processes. In a similar incident on 20 March 2025, Hong Kong Airlines Flight HX115, an Airbus A320 flying from Hangzhou to Hong Kong, was forced to make an emergency diversion to Fuzhou Changle International Airport after a fire broke out in an overhead luggage compartment. The blaze, believed to have been caused by a portable power bank, was extinguished onboard by crew and passengers, and all 168 people on board disembarked safely with no injuries reported. In response to rising incidents involving lithium‑ion batteries, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has updated safety regulations to prohibit charging power banks during flights and mandate that such devices be carried only in hand luggage, not checked baggage. Domestic carriers like IndiGo have further restricted storage, requiring passengers to keep power banks within reach and not in overhead bins. South Korea bans storing power banks and e-cigarettes in overhead bins and requires insulated handling, while Hong Kong and mainland China restrict uncertified batteries. Airline-level measures include Singapore Airlines and Scoot banning in-flight charging from April 2025, Thai Airways, AirAsia, EVA Air, and China Airlines restricting in-flight use. Emirates has banned the use of power banks onboard since 1 October 2025, allowing only one device under 100 Wh in cabin baggage, stored under the seat or in the seat pocket, and strictly forbidding charging or use during flight. Current rules at a glance: allowed with conditions carry power banks under specified watt-hour limits (typically 100 Wh) with clear labeling; prohibited placing in checked luggage, charging in-flight, or storing in overhead bins.

Incidents

Power Bank Ignites Mid-Air On Asiana Airlines Flight, 1 Passenger Sustains Minor Burns

Aviation Today News Desk / January 10, 2026

Hong Kong, China: A power bank carried by a passenger aboard an Asiana Airlines flight from Seoul to Hong Kong

Airlines

Venezuela Revokes Permits Of Six Major Airlines After 48-Hour Return-To-Service Deadline

Aviation Today News Desk / November 28, 2025

Caracas, Venezuela: Venezuela’s civil aviation authority has officially revoked the operating permits of six major international airlines after they failed

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

London, United Kingdom: British Airways to introduce free, high-speed onboard WiFi across its entire fleet from 2026 after signing a major connectivity agreement with SpaceX’s Starlink, marking one of the most significant digital upgrades in the airline’s recent history. The initiative, part of BA’s £7-billion transformation programme, promises “lightning-fast, reliable WiFi that feels like home” for every passenger in every cabin, according to the airline’s official announcement. The rollout will extend to both short-haul and long-haul aircraft, enabling gate-to-gate connectivity without usage charges or tier-based plans. The move positions British Airways among the first major global carriers to adopt Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit satellite network at scale. These satellites offer significantly lower latency and stronger performance compared with conventional aviation WiFi systems, aiming to remove the long-standing frustration of slow or unreliable inflight internet. Media reports indicate that parts of the fleet may begin receiving installations as early as late 2025, with full deployment progressing through 2026. However, the airline has not disclosed the exact sequence of aircraft types or routes that will receive the system first. Parent company International Airlines Group (IAG) is also expected to expand Starlink connectivity across its other carriers, including Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling, signalling a group-wide shift toward high-performance digital services. BA’s adoption of Starlink comes amid increasing competition in the European market, where carriers are upgrading cabins, lounges and digital platforms to meet evolving customer expectations. Analysts say free, fast internet could become a new industry standard, particularly on short-haul routes where in-flight connectivity has lagged behind long-haul offerings. While British Airways describes the service as completely free for passengers, it has not clarified whether any data caps, device limitations or route-specific restrictions will apply once the network enters full service.

Airlines

British Airways Signs Starlink Deal To Offer Free Fast WiFi On All Flights By 2026

Aviation Today News Desk / November 15, 2025

London, United Kingdom: British Airways to introduce free, high-speed onboard WiFi across its entire fleet from 2026 after signing a

global airlines

Airlines Hike Ticket Prices Worldwide As Middle East Crisis Drives Global Fuel Surge

Emirates Launches Pilot Hiring Roadshows Across UK, Belgium And Netherlands In February

600 Aircraft Delivered Mark Boeing’s Best Year Since 2018; Tops Airbus In Net Orders

Major Airlines Cancel Israel, Dubai & Riyadh Flights Amid Rising Middle East Tensions

Global Airlines And Airports Show Strong On-Time Performance Despite 2025 Pressures

Etihad Named World’s Safest Full-Service Airline, HK Express Tops Low-Cost List For 2026

Power Bank Ignites Mid-Air On Asiana Airlines Flight, 1 Passenger Sustains Minor Burns

Venezuela Revokes Permits Of Six Major Airlines After 48-Hour Return-To-Service Deadline

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

British Airways Signs Starlink Deal To Offer Free Fast WiFi On All Flights By 2026

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