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Korean Air chairman and CEO Walter Cho, speaking at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Asia, stated (02-Oct-2026) Korean Air Group's "total group fuel bill this year is projected to exceed budget by more than 50%... driven by the high fuel oil prices". Mr Cho noted: "However, operationally, we actively mitigated fuel burns through strategic fuel reserves, proactively trimming capacity on underperforming and off-peak flights, fuel tankering and calculating optimal flight routes". [more - CAPA TV]

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby stated (21-Oct-2026) carriers will likely make capacity adjustments in 2027, with fuel prices expected to remain high. Mr Kirby expects earnings discussions will transition to 2028 being a favourable year for carriers as more structural changes occur in the industry. Mr Kirby added: "But there are other airlines that are next up on the firing line. I think changes are coming". [more - Aviation Week]

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby stated (21-Oct-2026) United expects to feature Starlink WiFi on 61% of its services by the end of 2026, before completing installation by the end of 2027. Mr Kirby expects the product to drive a unit revenue tailwind in 2027. [more - Aviation Week]

NABLA CEO Shinji Tanaka, speaking at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Asia, stated (01/02-Oct-2026) the "efficiency agenda" for airlines "has been shifted from the sustainability agenda to the profit-and-loss agenda". Mr Tanaka noted that due to elevated fuel costs, fuel savings can determine whether or not airlines are profitable. He said airlines must fully utilise their existing fleets and personnel due to persistent supply chain issues. Mr Tanaka also highlighted growth by Asian carriers, resulting in busier airspace, and meaning that any initiatives to save fuel or prevent delays has a bigger impact across the whole system. [more - CAPA TV]

Masterise Aviation Infrastructure deputy CEO Denis Bugrov stated (21-Oct-2026) Gia Binh International Airport is aiming to commence commercial operations at its main passenger terminal in 2029. The airport's initial network priorities are expected to include routes to Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and other cities in Vietnam, alongside international services to Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and India. The longer term strategy is focused on developing connections to Europe, North America and Australia, addressing gaps in Hanoi's long haul network. Mr Bugrov said: "We want to build a network in which domestic routes generate passenger feed, regional routes provide feed traffic and the long haul network creates international transfer capability". Airline incentives will include co-marketing campaigns, route launch support and destination marketing with tourism and trade partners. A new expressway is intended to provide connections of approximately 30 minutes between the airport and central Hanoi, with high speed rail and metro connections also planned. Technology plans at the airport include biometric passenger processing, automated baggage handling and a Total Airport Management Platform intended to integrate airline, airport and ground handling decisions. The operating model targets a 40 minute narrowbody turnaround and a 60 minute transfer process. As previously reported by CAPA, Vietnam's National Assembly approved an investment policy for Gia Binh Airport, with projected throughput of 30 million passengers p/a and 1.6 million tons of cargo p/a by 2030, rising to 50 million passengers p/a by 2050. [more - Aviation Week]

Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) unveiled (21-Oct-2026) the new PT9 turboprop engine, featuring a new centerline that delivers 33% more power at altitude and reduces fuel consumption by 20% compared to previous generation engines. The engine amassed more than 14,000 development hours and was recently certified by Transport Canada. Production will take place in Lethbridge, Alberta. PWC president Satheeshkumar Kumarasingam said the engine features "advanced digital capabilities and future-ready hybridization" and "its architecture can be tailored to diverse airframe types". [more - original PR]