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Drukair, via its official Twitter account, announced (12-Oct-2026) plans to operate Paro-Perth charter services in Oct/Nov/Dec-2026. The route is unserved at present, according to OAG.

Air New Zealand submitted (Oct-2026) an application to the New Zealand Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to expand its codeshare partnership with Virgin Australia. If approved, Virgin would become Air New Zealand's principle airline partner for domestic flights and connections within Australia. The expanded partnership is expected to provide loyalty benefits for both Velocity and Koru programme members. It would provide Virgin customers with access to expanded codeshare services on all Air New Zealand operated services to 20 domestic destinations. It would also provide Air New Zealand customers access to 30 destinations across Virgin's domestic network on a single itinerary. As previously reported by CAPA, Air New Zealand's codeshare agreement with Qantas Group is scheduled to end in early Apr-2027. [more - original PR]

ATR announced (13-Oct-2026) plans to deliver one ATR 72-600 to Air Tahiti. The carrier, via its official Facebook and LinkedIn accounts, confirmed it is scheduled to take delivery of the aircraft at Papeete Faa'a Airport on 19-Oct-2026. The aircraft is expected to enter service in Dec-2026 and will feature an ATR HighLine all business class cabin interior, featuring 26 individual seats in a one-by-one layout. Air Tahiti becomes the second airline to introduce this premium configuration on an ATR aircraft. The delivery supports the launch of 'Air Tahiti Signature', a new premium service created by the carrier to connect Tahiti with French Polynesian destinations including Bora Bora and Raiatea-Tahaa. [more - original PR]

ACI EUROPE and Airlines for Europe (A4E) called (12-Oct-2026) for "immediate" operational and regulatory changes to the Entry/Exit System (EES), warning that excessive waiting times at border control continue to cause "significant" disruption for passengers, airports and airlines across the Schengen area. Proposed measures include:

• Eliminating 'double verification';
• Optimising biometric verification;
• Preventing duplicate EES profiles;
• Upgrading the 'Travel to Europe' app and web portal;
• Accelerating and harmonising Automated Border Control for third-country nationals;
• Restoring the possibility to partially suspend the EES in case of excessive waiting times, as a permanent flexibility mechanism. [more - original PR]

London Heathrow Airport reported (12-Oct-2026) it handled nearly 7.2 million passengers in Sep-2026, a decline of 2.3% year-on-year. The airport stated the performance underlines "continued demand for the UK's only hub airport", despite "recent headwinds including the Middle East conflict. Airport CEO Thomas Woldbye also commented on the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement, which is being reviewed by UK Parliament - ahead of his evidence session at the Transport Select Committee's hearing on the HENPS in mid Oct-2026. Mr Woldbe stated: "The debate about whether the UK needs additional hub airport capacity has been settled. Businesses, trade unions, regional airports, airlines and politicians agree that better global connections are critical if the UK is to compete, trade and grow". He added: "Expansion would unlock more than 100,000 jobs, inject GBP33 billion (EUR39.06 billion) of private investment, strengthen British supply chains and increase export capacity for companies across the country. It would open the door to new airlines, new destinations and greater choice for consumers". He concluded: "There is now a clear path forward. The private investment is available, the benefits are well understood and the Government has confirmed expansion can be delivered within net zero targets. After decades of discussion, Parliament now has the opportunity to unlock a project that can deliver lasting benefits for generations to come. We are ready to deliver it". [more - original PR]

Delta Air Lines announced (12-Oct-2026) plans to delay the launch of three times weekly Atlanta Hartsfield-Riyadh service until 27-Mar-2027, as per a 13-Oct-2026 GDS inventory and timetable display. As previously reported by CAPA, the carrier planned to launch the route on 23-Oct-2026. No other carriers operate the route, according to OAG. [more - original PR] [more - Aviation Week]