Lufthansa Group, via its official website, announced (Mar-2026) its airlines will extend the suspension of services to the following Middle East destinations:
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Transport Canada confirms pre-clearance facility opening at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Transport Canada announced (09-Mar-2026) plans to open a pre-clearance facility for US-bound passengers at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on 10-Mar-2026, in partnership with US Customs and Border Protection. The announcement follows "newly strengthened pre-clearance regulations in Canada" facilitating a new security screening process for individuals who require unescorted access to pre-clearance areas as part of their employment. The facility is expected to:
- Streamline the travel experience by allowing US bound passengers to complete the customs process before departure and proceed directly to connections or their final destinations;
- Enhance border security and early threat detection by enabling Canada and the US to collaborate on managing border risks and addressing shared security concerns;
- Support economic growth and job creation by increasing the airport's economic contribution in the region and boosting employment on both sides of the border;
- Strengthen trade and tourism ties by easing cross-border tourism and broader economic activity between Canada and the US - as well as open new opportunities and destinations for Canadians to the US and connections to other areas abroad.
Nieuport Aviation president and CEO Jennifer Quinn stated: "We thank the Government of Canada for its CAD30 million (USD22.1 million) investment in this transformational project... As the airport's private-sector terminal partner, we are proud to bring this critical infrastructure project from concept to reality". Ms Quinn added: "With new routes from both Air Canada and Porter Airlines, this facility is already well on its way to deepening connectivity and enabling more seamless onward travel". [more - original PR]
Background ✨
PortsToronto previously said Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport was scheduled to launch US Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance operations in 1Q2026, positioning it as a facilitator of bilateral trade1. Earlier, the airport appointed Pomerleau and Alstef Canada for works linked to the facility, which benefited from CAD30 million in Canadian government funding2. York Aviation research projected CAD5.3 billion in annual GDP impact and 3680 onsite jobs from the project, plus more than 10 new US routes3.
Air New Zealand suspends FY2026 guidance amid 'unprecedented volatility' in jet fuel markets
Air New Zealand suspended (10-Mar-2026) its earnings guidance for FY2026 due to "unprecedented volatility in global jet fuel markets following the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East". The carrier previously provided guidance as part of its interim results for H1FY2026 released on 26-Feb-2026, projecting H2FY2026 earnings to be "broadly in line with, or modestly below" the first-half loss of NZD59 million (USD35 million). Air New Zealand stated it has implemented fare adjustments in response to fuel price increases, adding that it may be required to take further pricing action should the conflict lead to continued elevated jet fuel costs. [more - original PR]
Background ✨
Air New Zealand earlier warned H1FY2026 loss before taxation would be NZD30 million to NZD55 million, citing weaker-than-expected domestic and US booking revenue, higher engine lease costs from end-of-lease obligations, and a NZD10 million increase in CORSIA liabilities.1 It also cautioned against extrapolating first-half performance to FY2026 given planned H2 capacity growth.1
Lufthansa to focus on 'internationalisation, fleet renewal and efficiency improvements' in 2026: CEO
Lufthansa Group chairman and CEO Carsten Spohr stated (06-Mar-2026) the group plans to focus on "internationalisation, fleet renewal and efficiency improvements" in 2026. Lufthansa Group's capacity growth will focus on long haul services, while short haul capacity is expected to remain stable. The group is considering increasing frequency to Singapore, India, China and South Africa and expects new generation aircraft to comprise approximately 30% of its fleet by the end of 2026. [more - original PR]
Crestone Air Partners entered (08-Mar-2026) a definitive agreement to acquire Arena Aviation Capital, subject to closing conditions and approvals. The acquisition will expand the size and breadth of capabilities under Crestone's aviation lifecycle platform. The combined platform is expected to comprise approximately 124 aircraft and 17 engines on lease to customers, with more than USD4 billion of assets under management and more than 55 employees in five countries. Crestone Air Partners CEO Kevin Milligan said: "This transaction is a natural strategic fit and reflects our belief that the industry benefits from disciplined consolidation". [more - original PR]
Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Air Arabia and Dubai International Airport, via their official websites and social media accounts, confirmed (06/07/08-Mar-2026) the following updates for UAE services:
- Emirates: "Following the partial re-opening of regional airspace, Emirates is operating a reduced flight schedule. Customers transiting in Dubai will only be accepted for travel if their connecting flight is operating";
- Etihad Airways: "Etihad Airways will resume a limited commercial flight schedule from [06-Mar-2026}, operating between Abu Dhabi and a number of key destinations. The following destinations are scheduled to operate to and from Abu Dhabi between [06-Mar-2026 and 19-Mar-2026]: Ahmedabad, Addis Ababa, Amsterdam, Athens, Atlanta, Bangkok, Barcelona, Beijing, Bengaluru, Boston, Brussels, Cairo, Casablanca, Chiang Mai, Chicago, Colombo, Copenhagen, Delhi, Bali, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Istanbul, Jakarta, Jeddah, Karachi, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Krabi, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, London Heathrow, Madrid, Malé, Manchester, Manila, Madinah, Melbourne, Milan Malpensa, Moscow Sheremetyevo, Mumbai, Munich, Muscat, Nairobi, New York JFK, Paris, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Prague, Riyadh, Rome, Seoul Incheon, Seychelles, Singapore, Saint Petersburg, Sydney, Taipei, Thiruvananthapuram, Tokyo, Toronto, Vienna, Warsaw, Washington and Zurich";
- flydubai: "Operations in and out of Dubai have resumed";
- Air Arabia: "Air Arabia has started operating a limited number of flights to and from the UAE";
- Dubai Airport: "We have partially resumed operations from today, [07-Mar-2026], with some flights operating" from Dubai Airport and Dubai World Central (Al Maktoum International Airport). [more - original PR - Emirates] [more - original PR - Etihad - II] [more - original PR - flydubai - III]
Background ✨
UAE airspace disruptions from 01-Mar-2026 triggered widespread suspensions, with Dubai Airports also reporting minor damage at Dubai International and an incident at Zayed International Airport causing one fatality and seven injuries.1 The UAE GCAA later activated regional contingency plans, citing capacity of up to 48 flights per hour via emergency routes as exceptional flights began operating.2 3 By 05/06-Mar-2026, Emirates, Etihad and flydubai operated reduced schedules, while Dubai International advised most flights remained suspended and access restricted to confirmed departures.4
Most Read News Headlines
Qatar Airways and Doha Airport confirm continued suspension of flights due to airspace closure
Qatar Airways and Doha Hamad International Airport, via their official websites and social media accounts, confirmed (03-Mar-2026) the following updates for Qatar services as of 03-Mar-2026:
- Qatar Airways: "Flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace. Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace";
- Doha Hamad International Airport: "Flight operations at Hamad International Airport remain temporarily suspended and will resume once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace. Passengers are advised not to proceed to the airport". [more - original PR]
UAE airlines, airports and civil aviation authority update airspace closure and limited services
UAE General Authority of Civil Aviation, Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Air Arabia, Dubai Airports and Abu Dhabi Airports, via their official websites and social media accounts, confirmed (03-Mar-2026) the following updates for UAE services as of 03-Mar-2026:
- UAE General Authority of Civil Aviation: "Regional contingency plans have been activated in coordination with GCC Member States and ICAO, in line with established crisis response frameworks. Current operational capacity: Up to 48 flights per hour through designated emergency routes, with the ability to increase gradually in line with safety assessments";
- Emirates Airline: "All scheduled Emirates flights to and from Dubai remain suspended until 23:59 UAE time on [04-Mar-2026], due to airspace closures across the region. Emirates continues to operate a limited number of passenger repatriation and freighter flights on" 03/04-Mar-2026;
- Etihad Airways: "All Etihad Airways' scheduled commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi remain suspended until 14:00 UAE time on" 05-Mar-2026. "Some repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights may operate in coordination with UAE authorities and subject to strict operational and safety approvals";
- flydubai: "flydubai's schedule has partially resumed on [03-Mar-2026], with limited flights operating from Terminals 2 and 3 at Dubai International Airport";
- Air Arabia: "Flights to and from the UAE are temporarily suspended until 15:00 UAE time on" 04-Mon-2026. Flights to Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Iraq are suspended until 05-Mar-2026;
- Dubai Airports: "We urge you not to come to the airport unless your airline has contacted you with a confirmed departure time";
- Abu Dhabi Airports: "Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport unless they hold a confirmed ticket and have been explicitly advised by their airline to do so. Access to the airport will be restricted to confirmed travellers only". [more - original PR - Emirates] [more - original PR - Etihad - II] [more - original PR - flydubai - III]