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South Africa's Competition Tribunal approved (29-Oct-2026) a proposal by private equity firm Harith General Partners to acquire a 100% stake in FlySafair. The transaction is expected to close later in 2026, subject to outstanding approvals. As previously reported by CAPA, FlySafair's parent company Safair Operations, comprising Safair Investment Trust (49.86%), B4I (25.14%) and ASL Aviation Holdings (25%), plan to sell their stakes to a special purchase vehicle named Harith Aviation. [more - Aviation Week]

Hermes Airports director of aviation development, marketing and communication Maria Kouroupi stated (23-Oct-2026) Cyprus is seeking longer operating seasons, higher winter frequencies and new routes, as it works to reduce the seasonality of its air transport market. Ms Kouroupi said the UK, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Scandinavia and the Baltic region are among the main markets being pursued for further winter development. She added: "The objective is not simply to add capacity, but to ensure long-term route viability by aligning airline growth plans with destination demand". [more - Aviation Week]

Etihad Airways and STARLUX Airlines expanded (29-Oct-2026) the partnership between the Etihad Guest and COSMILE loyalty programmes to introduce "two-way mileage redemption and accrual services for members of both frequent flyer programmes", effective from 28-Oct-2026. As previously reported by CAPA, the two airlines launched their loyalty programme partnership in Aug-2026. [more - original PR - Etihad Airways] [more - original PR - STARLUX Airlines]

Athens International Airport director of communications and marketing Ioanna Papadopoulou stated (26-Oct-2026) the Americas remain a priority, with weekly US departures increasing over 100% to 103 since 2019. She also flagged growth opportunities from Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, Bangkok, Manila and Hong Kong. Ms Papadopoulou added: "Australia remains one of Athens' largest unserved markets and a strategic objective, supported by sizeable traffic flows and the Greek diaspora, while Africa also offers future growth potential". The airport's departing capacity totals approximately 7.14 million seats in winter 2026/27, up 3.2% year-on-year. [more - Aviation Week]

ANA Holdings signed (29-Oct-2026) an MoU with Regional Plus Wings Corporation (RPW), owner of Air Do and Solaseed Air, for ANA Holdings to acquire RPW as a wholly owned subsidiary via a share exchange. The two parties aim to sign a definitive agreement for the transaction by late Dec-2026, secure RPW shareholder approval by late Feb-2027 and undertake the share exchange on 01-Apr-2027. ANA Holdings owns a 15.32% stake in RPW at present. ANA Holdings noted Japan's Government removed some regulatory restrictions on the acquisition of ownership stakes in regional airlines by major airlines in May-2026, as a measure to address waning demand and rising operating costs for domestic air travel operators. Following the removal, ANA Holdings: "concluded that restoring the weakened profitability of its domestic passenger business and enhancing the sustainability of regional aviation networks would require [ANA and RPW] to move beyond their existing capital and business alliance". [more - original PR - ANA Holdings] [more - original PR - ANA - II] [more - original PR - Air Do - Japanese] [more - Aviation Week]

Vienna International Airport director for route development in East Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania Ursula Pusch stated (27-Oct-2026) the airport seeks to expand its network to additional Asian destinations. Ms Pusch said: "Demand for direct services between Vienna and key Asian markets continues to grow, supported by strong leisure, business and VFR traffic flows". Ms Pusch added: "We also see considerable potential in Latin America, where Vienna's central geographic position offers attractive connectivity opportunities for passengers across Central and Eastern Europe". [more - Aviation Week]