airlines

The United States is threatening to ground Iranian airlines from operating worldwide starting Wednesday. The warning, reported by Al Jazeera, would bar Iranian carriers such as Iran Air from international airspace and airports. The move signals a further escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran, and observers are watching how Iranian authorities and international aviation bodies will respond before the deadline.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, together with US airline industry leaders, is calling on Congress to quickly approve roughly $30 billion in funding for aviation reforms. The money is intended to modernize the country's air traffic control system and other aviation infrastructure, amid ongoing concerns about aging equipment, flight delays and safety gaps. Airlines argue the investment is urgent to keep the growing US air travel system running reliably.

Mauritius on Saturday refused landing clearance for a scheduled flight arriving from Israel. According to reports, the refusal was based on political and diplomatic considerations and was linked to the absence of the Mauritian delegation during Benjamin Netanyahu's address at the United Nations General Assembly. The move is being read as a sign of diplomatic displeasure, though the airline involved and official Mauritian government confirmation were not immediately clear.

The Wall Street Journal reports that a newly discovered software glitch on the Boeing 737 MAX could disrupt one of the jet's navigation features. The exclusive raises fresh questions about the aircraft's software reliability, an issue that has shadowed the MAX program since earlier safety crises. Details of the flaw and any regulatory response remain limited so far.

US aviation services firm AAR has agreed to pay $1.8 billion to acquire a stake in an aircraft-maintenance company. The deal, reported by the Wall Street Journal, is a significant move in the aviation services sector, where demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul work has been strong as airlines keep older aircraft flying amid supply constraints. Details of the target company and deal terms remain limited in the initial report.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, together with major US airlines, is pressing Congress to quickly approve roughly $30 billion in funding for aviation reforms. The money would support modernisation of the country's air traffic control system and other industry improvements. The push comes amid ongoing concerns about aging infrastructure, flight delays and safety gaps in the US aviation system.

The Department of Transportation, joined by aviation industry groups, is asking Congress for $30 billion to modernize the US air traffic control system and national airspace. The request covers upgrades to aging infrastructure, including radar, communications and technology systems. It comes amid heightened attention to airline safety following recent incidents and delays tied to outdated equipment, with lawmakers now weighing how to fund the overhaul.

Catania airport in Sicily has been shut for a third consecutive day as volcanic ash from Mount Etna continues to fall on the area, grounding flights and disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers. The repeated closures underline how Etna's persistent eruptions keep paralyzing one of southern Italy's busiest airports, with airlines cancelling or diverting services until conditions improve.

Airlines are signaling that airfares could remain elevated even if jet fuel costs decline. Industry arguments center on factors beyond fuel, such as strong travel demand, limited aircraft supply, and labor and operating costs that keep pressure on pricing. The report suggests travelers should not expect ticket prices to fall in line with any future drop in oil prices.

A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Boston made an emergency diversion after smoke filled the cabin while it was over the Atlantic Ocean. The aircraft diverted to another airport so passengers could disembark safely. Details on injuries or the cause of the smoke have not yet been confirmed as the airline and investigators review the incident.

Airlines may keep charging high fares even if jet fuel prices decline, according to industry reporting. The suggestion is that carriers are unlikely to pass savings on to travelers quickly, meaning elevated ticket prices could persist. Travelers watching fares are paying close attention to whether relief at the pump will translate into cheaper flights, with many skeptical that it will happen soon.

Air Canada is repositioning itself as a global carrier after a reported 27% collapse in US-bound travel demand. The airline is shifting capacity away from American routes toward international destinations, a strategy analysts see as a response to weaker cross-border demand between Canada and the United States.

Swiss International Air Lines will fit its entire fleet with SpaceX's Starlink high-speed internet by 2029, according to Swissinfo. The deal means passengers on SWISS flights should get fast, gate-to-gate broadband in the coming years. It follows a broader aviation trend of airlines partnering with satellite providers to upgrade onboard connectivity, and travelers are weighing what free or faster Wi-Fi could mean for the in-flight experience.

Cape Town has opened a new international airport aimed at boosting travel within Africa, according to CNN. The facility is positioned to strengthen connections between South Africa and other African destinations rather than focusing primarily on long-haul intercontinental routes. Details on airlines, capacity or opening dates have not yet been widely reported.

Three passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight were injured when the aircraft made an emergency landing, according to a report by The Daily Beast. No further details about the route, cause, or severity of the injuries were provided in the available coverage. Airlines typically open investigations with regulators after such incidents, and travelers are closely following updates on what forced the unscheduled landing.

A passenger flight bound for El Paso turned back and made an emergency landing in Houston after its windshield shattered mid-flight, according to the airline. Reports from multiple ABC affiliates say the plane returned safely and the incident is being reviewed. Details on the number of passengers, the cause of the damage, and any injuries have not been confirmed.

An Air France Airbus A321 operating a special flight between Lourdes and Metz was escorted by French Air Force fighter jets, an exceptional arrangement to accompany the papal journey through French airspace. Aviation commentators highlighted the rarity of a military escort for a commercial aircraft, underscoring the significance of the Pope's visit to the Marian shrine of Lourdes.

American Airlines and Taiwan-based carrier Starlux Airlines have entered into a codeshare agreement, linking the US carrier's network with the fast-growing Taiwanese airline. The partnership will allow travelers to book connecting itineraries across both airlines on a single ticket. Details on routes and start dates have not yet been announced, but the deal signals growing demand for travel between North America and Taiwan.

American Airlines and Taiwan's Starlux Airlines have formally launched a new partnership, opening up easier connections between the United States and destinations across Asia. Travelers can expect coordinated itineraries and smoother transfers between the two carriers' networks, giving American passengers access to Starlux's routes and vice versa.

An IndiGo Airbus A321 sustained a tail strike at Bengaluru's airport following a go-around. The incident, reported by aviation outlets, has drawn attention within the aviation community, with readers discussing the aircraft's landing or aborted-landing handling and what it means for the airline's safety record. No injuries or details about affected passengers were specified in initial reports.

A nor'easter storm is causing hundreds of travel delays across the Boston area, with Logan Airport reporting widespread flight disruptions and Amtrak Northeast Corridor trains running behind schedule. Travelers are being warned to expect continued problems as the storm brings strong winds and heavy precipitation to the region, and airlines and rail operators urge passengers to check schedules before setting out.

South Korean officials are split over a plan to serve airline-style meals to people being deported from the country. Supporters view it as a basic humane standard during removal flights, while critics question the cost and whether deportees should receive meals typically given to paying airline passengers. The disagreement has turned a routine administrative detail into a public debate over immigration treatment.

A winter storm forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights at Boston Logan International Airport over the weekend, with travelers advised to check with airlines as some lingering delays and schedule disruptions continued into Monday. Ground crews and airlines worked to clear backlogs and rebook affected passengers after the storm moved through the region.

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will use new aircraft for their interisland flights in Hawaii, according to Travel Weekly. The move follows Alaska Air Group's takeover of Hawaiian, and signals how the combined carrier plans to modernize and integrate service between the islands. Travelers and industry watchers are watching what the fleet changes mean for frequencies, capacity and competition in the Hawaiian market.

Complaints from airline passengers about flight delays have declined slightly, according to a new report from Germany. The figures suggest airlines and airports are handling schedules somewhat better than in previous periods, when widespread cancellations and late departures drove a surge in passenger grievances. Travelers and consumer advocates continue to monitor whether the improvement holds through the busy travel season.

TFWA President Sarah Branquinho has delivered her first address at the Cannes duty-free and travel retail gathering, setting out her vision for the future of the industry. The speech comes as the global travel retail sector, a key revenue driver for airports, airlines and premium brands, continues to navigate changing passenger behaviour and a shifting retail landscape.