50 SKY SHADES - World aviation news

Aviation essential

Essential and most important aviation news

Latest essential aviation news

Cessna Citation Ascend achieves FAA certification

Cessna Citation Ascend achieved a major milestone as FAA awarded type certification for the aircraft, with entry into service expected later this year. The aircraft boasts an entirely new cockpit, improved performance and luxurious flat floor cabin, giving customers versatility and flexibi...

Qantas first Project Sunrise aircraft takes shape in Toulouse

Qantas aircraft set to conquer the final frontier of long-haul travel is now on the Airbus assembly line in Toulouse, marking a significant step towards the airline’s historic non-stop flights between Australia and London and New York. The national carrier and Airbus have released the first im...


Joby begins power-on testing of first conforming aircraft, enters final stage of type certification process

Joby Aviation has begun power-on testing of the first of several FAA-conforming aircraft to be built for Type Inspection Authorization. With this milestone, Joby can now begin conducting thousands of hardware and software integration tests in preparation for “for credit” flight testing with FAA test pilots operating the aircraft. TIA testing is part of the final stage of the FAA Type C...

Global Jet Capital business jet transaction forecast

The Global Jet Capital Business Jet Market Outlook summarizes the outputs of our proprietary transaction forecast model covering the period of 2025 through 2029. It reflects our projection of future activity in the business jet transaction market in both the new and pre-owned segments across different geographies.  The business jet transaction market grew in 2024 as OEMs made progress reso...

Bombardier Global 8000 now sets a new benchmark with the lowest cabin altitude

Bombardier announced that Global 8000 has set a new industry benchmark for cabin altitude at 2,691 ft at 41,000 ft., the lowest being produced in business aviation. With this new cabin altitude, the Global 8000 aircraft helps passengers with the best physical wellbeing so that they arrive at their destinations feeling refreshed, alert and ready to perform. Stephen McCullough, Sen...

RIX Riga Airport presents its Master Plan 2025–2050

RIX Riga Airport has developed its Master Plan for 2025–2050, defining the long-term vision for infrastructure development and the land areas required for future growth. The 25-year plan outlines strategic investments aimed at supporting economic growth, strengthening connectivity, and providing a modern travel experience, positioning Riga as one of the leading transport hubs in Northern Eur...

Thai SmartLynx secures AOC, becomes Thailand’s first ACMI airline

Thai SmartLynx, an ACMI specialist airline has received its AOC from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand. This achievement marks a major milestone for Thailand’s aviation industry as Thai SmartLynx becomes the first Thai-based ACMI operator, offering fleet capacity solutions to meet seasonal and operational needs across Thailand and the wider region. Thai SmartLynx is also...

AURA AERO aims to be first U.S. manufacturer of hybrid-electric regional aircraft with opening of the first of its two Florida production sites

AURA AERO cut the ribbon yesterday on an 11,000 sq. ft facility at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Research Park that will serve as its U.S. headquarters and first production site. The campus will host the North American Delivery and Customer Support Center for the INTEGRAL program and lay the groundwork for the company ’s hybrid-electric ERA aircraft. The initial production...

Korean Air becomes new A350F customer

Korean Air has become a new customer for the world’s only all-new large freighter, following the conversion of seven of its existing A350-1000 passenger aircraft orders to the A350F. A350F features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry, with fuselage length and capacity optimised around the industry’s standard pallets and containers. Over 70% of the airframe is made of...

Redefining humanitarian air response: BlueLight Humanitarian Airlines launches in Geneva

BlueLight Humanitarian Airlines announced its official launch. Dedicated exclusively to the transport of humanitarian aid, medical teams, and emergency relief, BlueLight will operate as a fully non-profit entity governed by Swiss standards of transparency and neutrality. Headquartered in Geneva, the international capital of humanitarian diplomacy, BlueLight has been founded to close one of the mos...

Tecnam is ready to lead the new era of light aviation under FAA's MOSAIC rule

As new Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification rules take effect this week, Tecnam Aircraft reaffirms its leadership in the light sport and general aviation sectors,  announcing its full readiness to lead this transformative new era of flight. This groundbreaking regulation ushers in a new era for pilots, aircraft manufacturers, and aviation businesses, expanding the possibi...

Airways Aviation and Vietjet form strategic partnership to develop new pilot training programmes

Airways Aviation has signed a major partnership with Vietjet Aviation Academy to provide new pilot training programmes in Europe. The agreement was signed in Helsinki during the official visit of Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Tô Lâm, with senior representatives from both governments and senior representatives from the governments and businesses of both Vie...

American Airlines welcomes the Airbus A321XLR to the fleet

American Airlines is “suite-ening” its premium cross-country experience with the debut of the Airbus A321XLR in its fleet. Customers can purchase tickets now on aa.com and via American’s mobile app for the inaugural flight — Flight 3 on Dec. 18 from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX).American received delivery of its first A321XLR with a three-cabin layout on Oct. 22, arri...

Airbus predicts world freighter fleet to grow 45 percent by 2044

Airbus’ 2025 Cargo Global Market Forecast shows the worldwide fleet of dedicated freighter aircraft rising to 3,420 in the next 20 years, equivalent to a 45% increase. This will be made up of 815 existing freighters and 2,605 additional ones. Of these additional 2,605 freighters, 1,530 will be replacements and 1,075 will be for growth. The additional 2,605 will be split between 1,120 small a...

Upcoming events

ILA Berlin 2026

10/06/2026 - 14/06/2026
Germany, Berlin

Farnborough International Airshow 2026

20/07/2026 - 24/07/2026
United Kingdom, Farnborough

Top of the week

Jetex and iGA Istanbul Airport unveil the World's largest Vip terminal

Jetex and iGA Istanbul Airport have inaugurated the Jetex iGA Terminal. The strategic investment elevates Istanbul's position in the international aviation ecosystem and reinforces Türkiye...

AIR selects Dynon Avionics as exclusive avionics provider across smart aircraft portfolio

AIR announced a strategic partnership with Dynon Avionics as its exclusive avionics provider across its aircraft portfolio. The portfolio includes the AIR ONE personal eVTOL and the company&...

AERO 2027 builds on the success of this year’s edition

AERO 2027, taking place from April 14-17, 2027, will feature a further developed concept designed to build on the great success of this year’s event. In 2026, 860 exhibitors from 50 countries to...

dnata wins multi-year Silk Way Group cargo handling contract in Singapore

dnata has secured a new multi-year contract with Silk Way Group to provide cargo and freighter handling services at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), further strengthening a longstanding global par...

VINCI Airports celebrates the completion of the extension and renovation of Kansai International Airport, as well as the 10th anniversary of the concession

Kansai International airport (KIX) reaches new milestone in its development with the inauguration of the completed international trade zone. This completion marks the conclusion of the extensive renov...

Gogo secures $7.5 million NOAA contract, providing mission-critical communications services for ‘hurricane hunter’ aircraft

SD Government, a Gogo company serving the military and government markets, announced today that it has secured a multi-year framework contract from the U.S. Department of Commerce's National...

ExecuJet MRO Services Australasia expands Falcon 7X heavy maintenance capability in Sydney

ExecuJet MRO Services Australasia is expanding its Falcon maintenance capability in Sydney, with new investments in specialist tooling, training and technical resources to support upcoming Falcon 7X h...

Global Jet Capital launches Q1 2026 market briefing

While the geopolitical situation contributed to economic uncertainty in Q1, market fundamentals remained healthy. The quarter showed strong demand for business aviation, reflected in increasing aircra...

BGS expands fueling partnership with Freebird Airlines ahead of summer 2026 season

Baltic Ground Services, an international provider of ground handling and aircraft fueling services, has expanded its cooperation with Turkish leisure carrier Freebird Airlines across several airports...

Daher Aircraft showcases its “go anywhere” Kodiak 900 along with the TBM 960 at France Air Expo

The European tour of Daher Aircraft’s “go-anywhere” Kodiak 900 multi-role airplane continues this week at the France Air Expo 2026 event in Lyon, France, where it will join a fast, e...

Cirrus launches “Let’s Go Fly!” immersive Apple Vision Pro flight experience

Cirrus launched Let’s Go Fly!, a first-of-its-kind app created for Apple Vision Pro that delivers an immersive introduction to Personal Aviation—the freedom, convenience and acce...

Cathay Pacific announces plans to launch direct flights to Almaty

Affirming Cathay’ ongoing commitment to growing Hong Kong’s connectivity with Belt and Road countries, Cathay Pacific is pleased to announce plans to launch direct flights to Almaty,...

Bell announced order of first Bell 407GXi in India with TransBharat Aviation

Bell Textron announced the order of the first Bell 407GXi helicopter in India to TransBharat Aviation Private Limited, one of India’s most established non-scheduled rotary-wing operators. F...

Climate-friendly aviation: greater ambition pays off

Which strategy leads to cost-effective, climate-friendly aviation in 2070? Four scenarios from the Bauhaus Luftfahrt think tank illustrate the impacts of different transformation paths. Key points: In...

VIP Completions-YODEZEEN Gulfstream G550 wins prestigious design award

VIP Completions together with partner YODEZEEN announced that their Gulfstream G550 refurbishment project won the ‘Aviation Interior Design/VIP Completion’ title at the International...

Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Singapore: Starting in October, Lufthansa will begin flying to new destinations with Allegris

Lufthansa is focusing more than ever on premium service: Following the introduction of the new in-flight service on all long-haul flights in early May, the number of destinations where passengers can...

Airshare to equip fleet of Embraer Phenom 300s with Gogo Galileo connectivity

U.S.-based aircraft management, fractional ownership, jet cards, and charter services operator Airshare is equipping its fleet of Embraer Phenom 300s with the Gogo Galileo HDX system. The up...

Air passenger rights reform: as European negotiations nearing conclusion, up to 60% of travelers could lose their right to compensation

Air passenger rights in Europe are at a critical crossroads. On June 2, the European Union’s Conciliation Committee will meet for a final round of negotiations on the revision of the European re...

Jetfly highlights the versatility of Pilatus PC-12 in European business aviation sector

For more than twenty-five years, Jetfly has been developing its Shared Ownership Program, focusing in particular on the Pilatus PC-12, a turboprop aircraft renowned for its versatility, reliability, a...

Texas Department of Public Safety accepts delivery of Bell 407GXi

Bell Textron delivered new Texas Department of Public Safety’s  Bell 407GXi. This delivery comes on the heels of an announcement made during Verticon earlier this year h...

Bombardier Defense to provide three Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft for maritime surveillance in Australia

Bombardier Defense will provide three Global 6500 aircraft to fly maritime surveillance missions for the Australian Border Force. Metrea - the originator and leading provider...

Deutsche Aircraft future-oriented European multi-role aviation portfolio at ILA Berlin 2026

Deutsche Aircraft is preparing its most comprehensive showcase to date, highlighting the evolution of its future ready, multi role aviation portfolio designed for governmental and mission critica...

Liebherr and Loong Air sign service agreement for heat transfer equipment

Liebherr-Aerospace and Loong Air launched a long-term collaboration, with Liebherr-Aerospace providing major repair and re-coring services for the heat transfer equipment on Loong Air’s A320ceo/...

World's longest-range aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000ULR takes to the skies

The A350-1000ULR (MSN 707), the first of 12 aircraft ordered by Qantas has completed its first flight in Toulouse, France. The aircraft, fitted with special flight test instrumentation, flew for three...