Royal Air Maroc will completely refurbish the cabins of its seven Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners as part of an agreement signed with Boeing at the Marrakech Air Show on Thursday. The aircraft, delivered between 2014 and 2016, will receive new-generation seats, an upgraded inflight entertainment system and Starlink connectivity.
According to Naoual Ait Hammou, Royal Air Maroc’s director of air operations, the refurbishment is intended to bring the older 787-8s in line with the cabin standards of the airline’s more recently acquired aircraft. The new seats will offer passengers more space, while the inflight entertainment system will also be replaced.
The cabin refurbishment will coincide with the activation of Starlink internet connectivity on the aircraft. Royal Air Maroc previously announced plans to introduce Starlink across 41 aircraft from 2027. The airline currently operates 13 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, comprising seven 787-8s and six 787-9s, while its total fleet has grown to 71 aircraft.
Belgium’s Court of Cassation has brought an end to a more than decade-long legal dispute over the runway and safety area at Antwerp Airport, confirming that the runway was not illegally extended.
The court rejected an appeal by action group Verlenging Nooit and several local residents, leaving earlier acquittals of the Flemish Region and LOM Vlaanderen in place. The case concerned allegations that the runway had effectively been extended during the construction of a tunnel for the adjacent Krijgsbaan (R11), and that the Runway End Safety Area (RESA) beyond the runway had been illegally paved or used.
The R11 was tunnelled alongside the airport in 2016, allowing an obstacle-free safety area to be created beyond the runway end. Before the tunnel was built, traffic on the Krijgsbaan had to be stopped whenever aircraft took off or landed in certain directions. The runway itself, however, remained 1,510 metres long. Antwerp Airport also states that its later 2022 runway renovation did not extend or widen the runway.
The first criminal proceedings were launched in 2019 by Verlenging Nooit and several residents against the Flemish Region, LOM Vlaanderen, LEM Antwerp and two civil servants. The defendants were acquitted in November 2020. A separate case concerning the alleged unlawful use of the RESA was dismissed in February 2024, while an appeal court confirmed the relevant rulings on January 28, 2026.
A civilian helicopter made an emergency landing in a field near Den Helder in the Netherlands on Thursday afternoon after experiencing a technical problem. No one was injured.
Emergency services were alerted at around 15:50 local time following reports of an aviation accident. Firefighters, police and ambulance crews were dispatched to the scene, with two trauma helicopters also initially alerted. The incident was subsequently escalated to GRIP 1.
The helicopter landed under its own power and was not involved in a crash. The area was cordoned off while the Aviation Service investigates the cause of the technical problem. Initial reports incorrectly described the incident as a helicopter crash.
Featured image used as illustration, not the actual aircraft.
airBaltic carried 474,000 passengers in September 2026, virtually unchanged from the same month last year. The Latvian airline operated 4,387 flights, an increase of 2.5%.
The September load factor stood at 79.4%, down from 80.9% a year earlier, as capacity increased. These published figures indicate a decline of 1.5 percentage points, although the airline reports a 1.6-point reduction.
For the first nine months of 2026, airBaltic carried a record 4,040,800 passengers, up 3.5% year-on-year. Flight numbers increased by 5.3% to 37,607 over the same period.
LATAM Airlines Brazil and Embraer have begun the delivery process for the airline’s first E195-E2, marking a milestone in its domestic expansion. The aircraft is the first of 12 scheduled to arrive by the end of 2026, with another 12 planned for 2027, following LATAM Group’s announcement in September 2025 of an acquisition covering up to 74 aircraft.
The initial deployment programme, running between November 2026 and March 2027, will see the first 14 E195-E2s serve 42 routes, including eight new connections. Four destinations will join LATAM’s network: Cabo Frio, Ji-Paraná, Macaé and Rondonópolis. The airline currently serves 63 Brazilian airports, compared with 44 six years ago, and aims to exceed 70 in 2027. It is also assessing up to 18 further destinations.
LATAM’s E195-E2s will have 136 seats in a two-by-two layout, with no middle seats, offering Economy and Premium Economy. The latter will comprise up to 20 seats, depending on configuration, with additional legroom and recline. Onboard amenities will include USB-C ports at every seat, LATAM Play entertainment and free Wi-Fi for registered LATAM Pass members.
Before entering service, the first aircraft must complete customs procedures, cabin approval and certification with Brazil’s civil aviation authority, ANAC. LATAM and Embraer used the manufacturer’s “Profit Hunter” demonstration aircraft for evacuation demonstrations, evaluation flights and crew training, which they say roughly halved the time required for those procedures.
The release gives differing indications of the service-entry date: its opening anticipates operations “in the coming days”, while the detailed deployment programme starts in November. A precise inaugural date therefore remains to be clarified.
Air France will add Nashville and San Diego to its US network in summer 2027, operating three weekly flights to each destination from Paris-Charles de Gaulle with Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
San Diego services will begin on 3 May 2027, followed by Nashville on 14 May. Both routes will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Air France says it will be the only airline offering nonstop flights from Paris to either city and the only carrier connecting Nashville with continental Europe.
Flights to San Diego will depart Paris at 10:10 and arrive at 12:50, with the return leaving at 15:10 and reaching Paris at 11:05 the following day. Nashville flights will leave Paris at 14:10 and arrive at 16:40; the return will depart at 18:55 and land in Paris at 10:15 the next morning. All times are local. The outbound Nashville service will carry flight number AF046, a tribute to country music star Dolly Parton’s birth year, 1946.
Tickets go on sale on 14 October 2026. The additions will bring Air France’s US network to 20 destinations for summer 2027. Sister airline KLM also serves San Diego from Amsterdam-Schiphol, with up to three weekly flights.
KLM will begin offering free high-speed Wi-Fi on its intercontinental flights from mid-2027, rolling it out in phases across all cabin classes. Announced on the airline’s 107th anniversary on 8 October 2026, the service will use Starlink satellite connectivity.
Passengers on equipped aircraft will be able to browse the internet, send emails, stream films and music, and play online games. Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellite network provides coverage over oceans and remote areas as well as land.
Flying Blue members will access it for free by logging in with their loyalty programme account. Other passengers can join before departure or through the onboard portal to use the service.
The announcement follows KLM’s introduction of free, unlimited Wi-Fi on most of its European fleet earlier this year. Chief executive Marjan Rintel said the intercontinental rollout would fulfil a long-standing passenger wish and support the airline’s efforts to improve the onboard experience.
Israel offers to assist Saudi safety inquiry into FZ1073
Israel has offered to participate in a Saudi-led aviation safety investigation into FZ1073 but has not received an invitation, investigation authority director Ofer Vaknin told Reuters on 7 October. Reuters
Reuters reports, citing three sources, that Saudi Arabia has launched the inquiry alongside the UAE’s criminal investigation. Saudi authorities have not publicly confirmed its launch; no new findings were announced. Reuters
US investigators join Saudi FZ1073 safety inquiry
The US National Transportation Safety Board has confirmed that it assigned an accredited representative to Saudi Arabia’s safety investigation into flydubai flight FZ1073. US participation reflects the aircraft’s status as an American-manufactured Boeing 737 MAX.
Under ICAO Annex 13 rules, the UAE is also entitled to participate because the aircraft is UAE-registered and flydubai is based in Dubai. The technical inquiry is separate from the UAE-led criminal investigation. Saudi authorities have yet to issue a public statement or indicate whether the safety findings will be published.
Correction: Saudi safety inquiry was announced earlier
Our earlier updates incorrectly stated that Saudi authorities had not publicly announced an investigation into FZ1073. Saudi Gazette reported on 1 October 2026, citing the National Transport Safety Center, that it had dispatched investigators to examine the incident and collect evidence. saudigazette.com.sa
The subsequent confirmation of US NTSB participation remains valid. No new investigation findings were identified.
Flydubai FZ1073 captain recovering after surgery in Abu Dhabi
India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on 7 October that Captain Smit Machchhar remains in hospital in Abu Dhabi after undergoing surgery for injuries sustained aboard flydubai flight FZ1073.
Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the captain’s condition was improving and that he was responding well while recuperating. The Indian Embassy remains in contact with his family, doctors, hospital and UAE authorities.
This is the first detailed official update on his treatment since flydubai confirmed that he had returned to the UAE following medical assessment. No new official findings on the suspected attacker’s motive or possible links have been released.
Finnair carried 1,112,200 passengers in September 2026, up 9.6% year-on-year, with growth across its Asian, European and North Atlantic networks. Domestic traffic was the only segment to record fewer passengers. Middle East services remained suspended following their withdrawal on 28 February because of the regional security situation.
Capacity, measured in available seat kilometres, increased by 6.8%, led by North Atlantic expansion. Including aircraft leased to other airlines with crews, capacity rose by 0.4%. The passenger load factor reached 79.9%, while revenue per available seat kilometre increased by 15.8%, supported by improved load factors and higher yields.
Cargo volumes grew by 4.5%, with gains across all traffic regions and particularly strong North Atlantic performance. Revenue cargo tonne kilometres increased by 5.4%. On-time arrivals improved to 83.6%, compared with 83.1% a year earlier.
LOT Polish Airlines resumed scheduled services between Warsaw Chopin Airport and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi on 7 October 2026, restoring a route last operated in March 2000. Boeing 787 Dreamliners serve the connection, with flight times of approximately 10 hours and 20 minutes outbound and 11 hours and 15 minutes on the return journey.
The route initially operates three times weekly, with Warsaw departures on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 15:45, and return departures from Bangkok on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 09:05. Following a phased increase at the start of the winter season, frequencies will reach six weekly flights in each direction from 2 November. Warsaw departures will then move to 14:45, operating every day except Friday, while Bangkok departures will operate daily except Saturday. All times are local.
For summer 2027, LOT plans three weekly services. The airline says the connection will strengthen its Asian network and provide passengers from Central and Eastern Europe with access to Thailand through its Warsaw hub.
LOT first served Bangkok in 1977, operating Ilyushin Il-62 aircraft via Dubai and Mumbai. The subsequent introduction of Boeing 767s enabled non-stop services before the scheduled route was suspended in 2000.
Romania has signed a contract for 12 Airbus H225M multirole military helicopters, beginning the replacement of the Romanian Air Force’s IAR-330 Puma fleet for conventional and special operations.
Announced on 7 October, the agreement was concluded with France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) under the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) financing instrument, which supports investments to strengthen defence readiness and address capability gaps.
Airbus said the selection would also support Romania’s helicopter industry through its longstanding partnership with local manufacturer IAR. The Romanian Air Force’s existing IAR-330s are locally built versions of the Puma produced under an Aérospatiale licence. Romania has separately ordered two H215M helicopters in naval configuration.
The H225M agreement follows Romania’s recent SAFE-backed order for seven H160s and five H145s for public service missions. The release did not disclose the value of the military helicopter contract or a delivery timetable.
American Airlines flight AA37 from Madrid to Dallas-Fort Worth diverted to New York JFK on Tuesday, October 6, after six of the eight lavatories on its Boeing 777-200ER became inoperative. The flight was operated by N772AN, with 287 passengers and crew on board. The aircraft departed Madrid at around 10:26 a.m. local time and landed at JFK at 12:27 p.m. EDT, after more than seven hours in the air.
As the aircraft approached New York, the crew told air traffic control: “We have only two potties operating on board for American 37.” The controller replied, “You said only two potties. Is that right?”, to which the pilot answered, “That’s affirmative.” The crew subsequently declared a PAN-PAN urgency call. The FAA said the aircraft landed at JFK after the crew reported an inadequate number of operational lavatories.
AA37 remained at JFK for almost three and a half hours before departing at around 3:56 p.m. local time and continuing to Dallas, where it landed at approximately 6:13 p.m. CDT. The cause of the lavatory failures has not been disclosed.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has placed a firm order for 10 Airbus aircraft as part of its fleet modernisation plans. The order comprises four A350-900 widebody aircraft and six A321neo single-aisle aircraft.
The new aircraft will support the Bangladeshi flag carrier’s plans to expand its international network from Dhaka, including new services to North America and increased capacity to Europe and the Middle East.
Airbus says the A350 will provide the range and efficiency required for long-haul operations, while the A321neo will offer greater flexibility on regional and medium-haul routes.
Around 140 flights are expected to be cancelled at Brussels Airport on Friday, 9 October 2026, as staff at ground-handling company Alyzia join the national protest against federal government measures. The disruption will affect the 21 airlines served by Alyzia, with roughly half of its scheduled flights expected to operate.
Brussels Airlines plans to cancel approximately 40% of its flights that day. Affected passengers will be contacted directly and offered alternative travel arrangements or a ticket refund. Travellers can also check their flight through the airline’s “My Booking” service.
At this stage, no disruption is expected for flights handled by Aviapartner, including TUI fly and Ryanair. Brussels Airport has also received no notification of industrial action affecting security screening. This is therefore a partial disruption, with passengers advised to verify their flight status before travelling.
There is no confirmed announcement of flight cancellations at Charleroi for 9 October.
Some 180 pupils in their third and fourth years of secondary school will explore flight planning and take the controls of a professional flight simulator through the Newton Room educational initiative at TUI fly Belgium’s training centre at Brussels Airport in Zaventem.
Organised by TUI fly, Boeing and FIRST Scandinavia, the programme will run over two weeks, giving teenagers practical experience of how mathematics, science and technology are used in aviation. Activities will cover calculating a flight route, estimating flight time and understanding the factors that influence operational decisions.
With guidance from a TUI fly pilot, pupils will learn how a flight is prepared before applying their calculations in a professional simulator. An aircraft visit will provide a further opportunity to connect the classroom exercises with the workings of an aeroplane.
The partners aim to help young people discover their abilities and interests in STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — through a tangible challenge. Although participants may not yet be choosing their future studies, the organisers see these years as an opportunity to spark interests that could influence their education and careers.
TUI fly says many pilots and other aviation professionals first became fascinated by flying during childhood. By opening its training facilities to school groups, the airline hopes to make the sector more accessible and encourage both girls and boys to consider technical and aviation careers.
Boeing Global president Dr Brendan Nelson
Boeing Global president Dr Brendan Nelson said the initiative gives young people an opportunity to experiment, solve problems and discover their potential. TUI Airline chief operating officer Tilman Reinshagen welcomed the collaboration and thanked Boeing and FIRST Scandinavia for choosing TUI fly to help introduce teenagers to aviation.
FIRST Scandinavia, which has developed practical STEM learning experiences since 2000, is responsible for the educational framework. Its chief operating officer, Silje Kumeus, explained that the Newton concept challenges pupils to solve problems using mathematics, science and technology, with flight simulators allowing them to test what they have learnt immediately.
TUI employees will also participate as Newton educators and simulator instructors, bringing their professional experience into the sessions. For TUI fly Belgium, hosting the international initiative at Zaventem provides an opportunity to connect its training expertise with local pupils and potential future aviation professionals.
British Airways flight BA295 from London Heathrow to Chicago returned to its departure airport on Monday, 5 October, following a technical issue, the airline confirmed.
FlightAware tracking data showed the Boeing 777-200 aircraft registered G-VIIA descending from approximately 36,000ft to 9,000ft over ten minutes, around half an hour after departure. The descent appeared controlled. The aircraft turned back over Ireland and circled for several hours before landing safely at Heathrow that evening.
British Airways said passengers disembarked normally and its teams were arranging onward travel. The airline did not specify the nature of the technical issue.
Riyadh Air has opened ticket sales for a new direct service between Riyadh and Jakarta, scheduled to launch on 16 November 2026. The airline plans three weekly flights using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, making the Indonesian capital its 16th destination available for booking.
Flights from Riyadh are scheduled to depart at 22:50 and arrive at Jakarta’s Soekarno–Hatta Airport at 12:00 the following day. Return flights will leave Jakarta at 15:00 and reach Riyadh at 20:15, with all times local.
The airline expects the route to support business, tourism and religious travel between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, alongside connections through Riyadh. The launch forms part of its ambition to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030.
Authorities are investigating how a woman boarded a Tel Aviv-bound aircraft at Larnaca Airport on Monday evening, 5 October, despite not appearing on the flight’s passenger manifest. Police confirmed the incident on Tuesday.
According to sources cited in the report, the Georgian woman had purchased a ticket, checked in and passed security, but allegedly evaded the airline’s final boarding check. The same sources said she was considered persona non grata in Israel.
Crew members discovered the additional passenger during a headcount, and authorities removed her from the aircraft. Civil Aviation has launched an investigation into how she gained access to the plane and whether boarding procedures were bypassed.
Flightradar24 data suggest that the flight might be TUS Airways U8-108 operated by Airbus A320 5B-DDN.
AEGEAN will launch direct flights between Athens and Damascus on 2 December 2026, expanding its Middle Eastern network. Services will operate up to four times weekly during the winter season, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The Greek airline is also planning direct flights to Tripoli and Benghazi in Libya from May 2027, subject to the completion of the necessary assessments and regulatory procedures.
Meanwhile, AEGEAN will resume direct services between Athens and Dubai on 23 October 2026.
British Airways has unveiled redesigned cabins for its Airbus A380 fleet, with the first refurbished aircraft expected to enter service in the coming months. The programme includes new seats and entertainment screens in all four classes, alongside redesigned galleys and stairways, requiring more than 35,000 individual parts per aircraft.
The entire upper deck will accommodate 106 Club Suite business class seats, which British Airways describes as the world’s largest business class cabin. Updated suites will offer additional storage and improved functionality, while the deck will be divided into four cabin areas with dedicated Club Kitchens.
The new First suite, initially unveiled in 2024, will feature a built-in minibar and centre-seat dividers that open to create a shared space for passengers travelling together. Premium economy seats will gain privacy wings and larger entertainment screens, while economy passengers will benefit from wider seats, larger screens and upgraded bedding.
Alongside the refurbishment, British Airways is introducing new amenities and service features. Its revised First dining service and sleepwear were introduced on 1 October, followed by new Swaine amenity kits on 6 October. The dining changes apply across aircraft offering First, supported by an updated training programme for cabin crew.
