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German Aviation Association (BDL) stated (21-Oct-2026) government imposed aviation costs rose by EUR1.1 billion to EUR4.3 billion in 2025. Germany's Government has started reversing some increases, reducing the short haul aviation tax by EUR2.50 to EUR13.03 per passenger from 01-Jul-2026, alongside reductions in medium and long haul rates and efforts to lower security and air traffic control costs. However, the winter 2026/27 schedule shows limited capacity response, with domestic seats expected to fall 8.8% year-on-year to 6.43 million, while international capacity will remain flat at 41.52 million. [more - Aviation Week]

TAP Air Portugal CEO Luís Rodrigues stated (20-Oct-2026) he is "very happy" with the selection of Lufthansa to take a 44.9% stake in TAP Air Portugal, emphasising that Lufthansa Group's recent stake in ITA Airways demonstrated similar cultural synergies. Mr Rodrigues warned that the difficult part of bringing TAP and Lufthansa together lies ahead as they seek regulatory approvals. He acknowledged that the European Commission's process would be "very complex" and that regulators would examine the deal "route by route". [more - Aviation Week]

Condor Flugdienst CEO Peter Gerber stated (21-Oct-2026) the carrier considers joining an alliance and participating in European consolidation as "logical" next steps for the future. Condor has codeshare and interline partnerships with airlines including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Copa Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, JetBlue Airways, Qantas Airways and WestJet. Mr Gerber said: "Long term, I think we all have to understand that aviation is a size game". He added: "In the end - in the very end - Condor needs to be part of a bigger thing. That's absolutely clear. Luckily, it's not necessary at this very moment". [more - Aviation Week]

Fraport COO Dietmar Focke stated (21-Oct-2026) Germany's aviation market is being held back by high regulated costs and limited airline capacity rather than weak passenger demand. He noted that air transport tax, security charges and air traffic control fees collectively doubled between 2019 and 2026, while aircraft delivery delays and engine maintenance issues have further constrained capacity. German airports are expected to offer 47.95 million departure seats in winter 2026/27, down 1.3% year-on-year, with departures expected to fall 3.9% to approximately 260,500. [more - Aviation Week]

Korean Air completed (21-Oct-2026) works to improve and upgrade its cargo terminal facility at Seoul Incheon International Airport into "a fully integrated 'Smart Terminal' equipped with advanced automated logistics systems". The airline commenced works on the project in Jun-2025, including renovating infrastructure to improve cargo handling efficiency, installing new automated cargo handling equipment and deploying automated guided vehicles and new elevating transfer vehicles to increase the terminal's unit load device processing capacity from 18 to 30 units per hour. Following the completion of works in Sep-2026, "the terminal's total cargo handling capacity is projected to increase by more than 25%". Korean Air is now undertaking works to improve and upgrade its cargo terminal facility at New York John F Kennedy International Airport, with the aim of completing works in 2027. [more - original PR]

SEA SpA head of aviation business development Aldo Schmid stated (21-Oct-2026) Milan Malpensa Airport is targeting long haul expansion to the US west coast, focusing on unserved destinations such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, following a 6.7% rise in US traffic in 1H2026. The airport is also seeking to establish new connections to Lima, Buenos Aires, Bogota and Rio de Janeiro to capture South American demand, which is 18% above pre-COVID levels, alongside Southeast Asian targets including Manila, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, driven by 32% market growth. [more - Aviation Week]