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CAPA - Centre for Aviation, in a report entitled: 'Latin America aviation: Growth accelerates as structural constraints tighten', stated (03-Jun-2026) aviation in Latin America has entered a rare phase in which growth and constraints are advancing simultaneously. Passenger traffic continues to expand at rates exceeding many developed markets, premium demand is reshaping airline economics, and regulatory liberalisation in key countries is opening opportunities that appeared politically unattainable only a few years ago. Yet the region's operating environment remains among the most challenging globally. Infrastructure bottlenecks, taxation, currency volatility, aircraft availability constraints and regulatory fragmentation continue to erode profitability despite strong demand fundamentals. [more - CAPA Analysis]

Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), via its official LinkedIn account, announced (03-Jun-2026) the following progress on the construction of Long Thanh International Airport:

• Project entered the final sprint with nearly 76% completion. The project has achieved construction value of VND65.602 trillion (USD2.49 billion) out of a total contracted value of VND86.357 trillion (USD3.28 billion);
• Runway 1 completed and commissioned for technical operations;
• Airfield infrastructure package 4.6 reached 94.46% completion;
• Passenger terminal apron package 4.7 achieved 88.36% completion;
• Aircraft fuel supply system package 4.9 reached 92.64% completion;
• External road connection packages 1 and 2 achieved 89.55% completion;
• Passenger terminal reached 64.16% completion. All major structural works are complete and construction activities are now focused on architectural finishing, equipment installation and system integration;
• ACV launched a 180 day acceleration campaign to complete the project and bring the airport into operation in 2026.

CAPA - Centre for Aviation, in a report entitled 'Charleston's aviation industry poised for worldwide growth and opportunity', stated (02-Jun-2026) as economic growth across the Southeastern US continues to accelerate, Charleston is establishing itself as a steadily expanding aviation market, supported by rising passenger demand, continued aerospace investment, and a coordinated programme of long term infrastructure development at Charleston International Airport. For airlines, Charleston increasingly represents a market offering a rare combination of economic resilience, scalable infrastructure and diversified demand. The airport's trajectory also reflects a wider evolution in US aviation, where long term growth opportunities are progressively shifting toward high performing regional markets capable of sustaining expansion beyond the traditional hub system. [more - CAPA Analysis]

CAPA - Centre for Aviation, in a report entitled 'Kuala Lumpur International Airport seeks more routes to Europe as it builds connectivity', stated (01-Jun-2026) Kuala Lumpur International Airport faces strong competition from other transit hubs in its region and is aiming to boost its international network by adding more long haul routes, with a particular focus on Europe. The airport has a strong network within Southeast Asia and can leverage that position to lure more carriers to launch or expand European services. It has routes to key Western European points, with notable growth occurring in 2025. More routes are in the pipeline, from both local and overseas carriers. [more - CAPA Analysis]

UN Tourism reported (02-Jun-2026) the following highlights for 1Q2026:

• 307 million tourists travelled internationally, up 2% year-on-year. Early 2026 saw sustained travel demand overall (+2.5% cumulative growth in Jan/Feb-2026), but the Middle East conflict impacted performance in Mar-2026 (+0.4%);
• The conflict is expected to reduce growth in international arrivals by 1pp to 2pp compared to UN Tourism's initial forecast of 3% to 4% for 2026, "depending on the conflict's duration and scope". Aside from disruptions in flights to, from and within the Middle East and effects on traveller confidence, the spike in oil prices and jet fuel shortage in some markets is increasing airfares and reducing flight capacity in other regions. UN Tourism noted: "More expensive travel coupled with uncertainty about air connectivity, could redirect demand towards closer tourism destinations while also affecting overall travel demand";
• Europe recorded more than 130 million international tourists in 1Q2026, a 4% increase and building on "strong" momentum of 5% in 2025. Some destinations benefited from the redirection of tourism flows. Southern Mediterranean Europe and Northern Europe both grew arrivals by 4%. Central Eastern Europe (+6%) continued its recovery;
• Africa arrivals (+4%) continued to grow. North Africa recorded a 4% increase supported by "strong" figures in Mar-2026 (+18%). Arrivals in Sub-Saharan Africa increased 4%;
• Asia Pacific recorded 3% growth, "somewhat slower" than expected due to mixed performance among destinations. Strong results were recorded in Feb-2026 (+9%) but were more moderate in Mar-2026 (+2%), as disruptions affecting Middle Eastern air hubs contributed to a 27% decline in South Asia. Oceania (+9%) and North East Asia (+5%) saw "particularly robust" results. Arrivals in Asia remained below pre-pandemic values at 89% of the 1Q2019 level;
• The Americas recorded 2% more international arrivals, with "strong" growth in Central America (+18%) but weaker in South America (-1%);
• Middle East arrivals dropped 14%, impacted by the conflict. Several Gulf destinations recorded "strong" declines, while Egypt (+16%) recorded a "robust" increase. This follows a "strong" rebound in the Middle East after the pandemic, with arrivals in 2025 climbing 40% above 2019 levels;
• Among destinations reporting growth in arrivals, the best performers included Paraguay (+46%), New Zealand (+45%), El Salvador (+43%), Mongolia (+39%), Palau (+37%) and Uzbekistan (+37%). In terms of receipts, several countries reported double digit growth, including Pakistan (+60%), South Korea (+38%), Morocco (+24%), Brunei (+22%) and Brazil (+12%).

UN Tourism Secretary General Shaikha Al Nuwais stated: "The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is disrupting travel patterns well beyond the region itself, including rising inflation, particularly in transport and accommodation. This is placing pressure on travellers, businesses and destinations alike". [more - original PR]

Qantas Airways announced (03-Jun-2026) its first Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR completed its maiden test flight from Toulouse. The flight focused on testing the aircraft's primary systems including the specialised fuel system, which features an additional 20,000L rear centre fuel tank to enable flights of up to 22 hours nonstop. The flight will be followed by a two month testing campaign, during which the aircraft will complete approximately 80 hours of flight testing and undergo on-ground checks and certification of new and redesigned components. The second Project Sunrise aircraft is progressing through Airbus' final assembly line and is scheduled for delivery in Apr-2027. Qantas plans to announce its first Project Sunrise route and timing of its inaugural commercial services later in Jun-2026. [more - original PR]