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flynas and Swissport entered (07-Sep-2026) a long term strategic equity transaction and commercial partnership. Swissport Saudi Arabia will become flynas' exclusive ground handling partner across its entire network in Saudi Arabia for five years, and flynas will acquire a 10% equity stake in Swissport Saudi Arabia, with an option to increase its shareholding to up to 20%. The agreement will expand Swissport's share of Saudi Arabia's ground handling market to approximately 40%. [more - original PR - flynas] [more - original PR - Swissport]

Singapore's Senior Minister K Shanmugam commented (07-Sep-2026) on Singapore Airlines' (SIA) investment in Air India, stating: "It is the responsibility of SIA to assess its investments in Air India in relation to the resources it has for the long term growth and profitability of the company". Mr Shanmugam noted: "Once governments or politicians start directing individual investment decisions, commercial discipline will be compromised". [more - Aviation Week]

Portugal's Council of Ministers approved (04-Sep-2026) a resolution for the start of the negotiation phase with Air France-KLM Group and Deutsche Lufthansa for the purchase of 44.9% of TAP Air Portugal. The council requested Deutsche Lufthansa and Air France-KLM to submit their final and improved proposals, ensuring the necessary conditions for the selection of the investor and the completion of the final stages of the operation. [more - original PR]

Boeing reported (03-Sep-2026) the following highlights from its 2026 Commercial Market Outlook for Africa:

• Air passenger traffic: Expected to grow nearly 6% p/a through to 2045, one of the fastest rates globally, driven by Africa's young, increasingly urban population, growing middle class and improving infrastructure. Europe remains the largest international passenger market for flights to and from Africa and is forecast to remain so through to 2045;
• Commercial services and workforce needs:
  • USD140 billion market for maintenance, repair, overhaul and modifications and digital solutions. The expansion of Africa's aviation ecosystem will create growing demand for services and skilled personnel;
  • Carriers will need 75,000 new aviation professionals, including 22,000 pilots, 25,000 technicians and 28,000 cabin crew, as airlines grow their fleets and expand route networks;
• New deliveries for 2026 to 2045: 1165 aircraft. The region's commercial fleet will more than double from 755 to 1625 aircraft over the next 20 years to support demand;
  • Regional aircraft: 40;
  • Narrowbodies: 870;
  • Widebodies: 240. Demand for widebody aircraft will more than double;
  • Freighters: 15. [more - original PR]

Argentina and Uruguay signed (04-Sep-2026) a new air services agreement to liberalise passenger and cargo operations. The agreement introduces broader traffic rights and a flexible route framework while facilitating airline cooperation, including codeshares. According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, approximately 160,700 seats were booked between Argentina and Uruguay during the summer 2026 season, up 2.5% year-on-year. Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay signed an MoU in Jul-2026, establishing a framework for the South American Air Liberalisation Agreement, with Uruguay expected to join after completing domestic administrative procedures. [more - Aviation Week]

Indonesia's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced (06-Sep-2026) the temporary closure of the following airports on 06-Sep-2026 due to the eruption of Mount Anak Krakata:

• Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport;
• Jakarta Halim Perdanakusuma Airport;
• Bandar Lampung Radin Inten II Airport;
• Tangerang Budiarto Airport;
• Jakarta Pondok Cabe Airport;
• Bandung Husein Sastranegara Airport.

The airport closures impacted 373 flights as of the morning of 06-Sep-2026, including 202 at Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Airport. The DGCA noted: "Airlines must still fulfil the rights of passengers affected by the temporary airport closures in accordance with applicable regulations", adding: "Airlines are required to provide services and assistance to affected passengers, including information regarding changes to flight status and handling options". [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II] [more - original PR - III]