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Bratislava M R Stefanik Airport recorded (24-Aug-2026) its three millionth passenger of 2026, achieving a record high and surpassing its entire 2025 annual total of 2.4 million passengers. CEO Dušan Novota attributed the growth to a "wider range of regular flights and high passenger interest in flights from Bratislava". The airport forecasts over four million passengers for 2026. [more - original PR - Slovak]

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport CEO Lorie Argus commented (25-Aug-2026) on the launch of Jetstar Airways' three times weekly Melbourne Tullamarine-Colombo service, stating: "This direct service is about connecting people, not just places, with more than 50% of Sri-Lankan born Australian residents calling Victoria home". Ms Argus added: "We're delighted to see Jetstar expand its long haul network from Melbourne, giving Victorians easier, more affordable access to one of Asia's most vibrant destinations in Colombo. Every new direct route we add strengthens Melbourne's global connections and gives our passengers and exporters more choice". The year round service is expected to add 100,000 seats between Australia and Sri Lanka. [more - original PR]

Jin Air signed (24-Aug-2026) an agreement with Air Busan and Air Seoul to merge all three LCCs into a single low cost airline under the Jin Air brand, expected to launch on 17-Mar-2027. The three airlines plan to seek final approval from shareholders in Dec-2026 and Jin Air will subsequently apply to South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) for approval for required modifications to its air operator's certificate. Under the merger agreement, Jin Air will assume all of Air Busan and Air Seoul's assets, liabilities, rights and obligations and employees. The merger ratio is set as one Jin Air share to 0.29 shares of Air Busan and 0.75 shares of Air Seoul. Jin Air stated: "Through this merger, the three companies plan to efficiently combine their respective routes, fleets, and human and material capabilities to secure economies of scale and further enhance their networks and service quality", adding: "In addition, they intend to increase the competitiveness of key hubs and develop new demand to expand the range of destinations and flight schedules available to customers". As previously reported by CAPA, Korean Air plans to complete its acquisition of and merger with Asiana Airlines and launch as an integrated airline under Korean Air's air operator certificate on 17-Dec-2026. [more - original PR - Korean]

Thailand's Government and New Zealand's Government signed (21-Aug-2026) a joint declaration to launch a strategic partnership between the two countries. Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced: "Thai Airways plans to resume direct flights between Bangkok and Auckland, targeted for Mar-2027", adding: "This renewed connectivity will support tourism, trade, business, education and people-to-people exchanges". New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon commented: "Thai Airways served Auckland for more than 30 years before the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the service. Its return is great news for tourism and trade - making it easier to connect, restoring an important air-freight link and strengthening connections through Bangkok to wider Asia". There are no operators on the Bangkok-Auckland route at present, according to OAG. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Qatar Airways completed (20-Aug-2026) installation of Starlink inflight connectivity on 150 widebody aircraft, enabling passengers travelling on all its Boeing 777s, 787-8s and A350s to access free high-speed inflight WiFi. More than 83% of the airline's widebody aircraft are now "Starlink-connected", and Qatar Airways is on track to complete installation on its 787-9s by the end of 2026, after becoming the first airline worldwide to deploy a Starlink-connected 787-9 in Jul-2026. As previously reported by CAPA, the airline deployed its first Starlink-connected aircraft in Oct-2024. [more - original PR]

Icelandair Group completed (21-Aug-2026) the acquisition of a 49% stake in PLAY Europe from FPE for USD686,000. PLAY Europe holds a Maltese Air Operator Certificate (AOC). Icelandair CEO Bogi Nils Bogason said: "Acquiring a stake in a Maltese air operator certificate is primarily intended to increase operational flexibility, strengthen Icelandair's competitiveness, and create new opportunities, all with the aim of supporting the continued development of our Keflavik hub". [more - original PR]