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Transport Scotland announced (06-Aug-2026) Scotland's Government provided more than GBP1 million (EUR1.17 million) to Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) to support the frequency increase of Loganair services connecting Inverness to Stornoway, Kirkwall and Shetland Islands Sumburgh from 26-Oct-2026. As previously reported by CAPA, Loganair temporarily reduced frequency on the services from 19-Jul-2026, citing low passenger traffic, sustained losses and recent increases in fuel prices. Loganair CEO Luke Farajallah stated: "We're a privately owned airline, and keeping thin routes like these flying isn't something we can always do alone, so we're genuinely pleased that the Scottish Government has stepped in to make full services possible again from October". [more - original PR]

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr stated (06-Aug-2026) the airline plans to reject early-built Boeing 777Xs, adding: "We are in talks with Boeing [on] which airplanes we will not accept for commercial service and which aircraft can be modernised with a financial contribution of Boeing". Boeing declined to comment specifically on the Lufthansa statement but said: "We have a dedicated team working to bring already built 777-9s into a common configuration and incorporate changes that result from the certification process". Lufthansa has a total of 27 777Xs on firm order and still expects to receive its first aircraft in 1Q2027, with plans to deploy it into scheduled service in 2Q2027. [more - Aviation Week]

Riyadh Air, via its official Twitter account, announced (07-Aug-2026) plans to commence three times weekly Riyadh-Bangkok Suvarnabhumi service with Boeing 787-9 equipment on 02-Sep-2026. Saudia also operates the route, according to OAG.

East Midlands Airport released (05-Aug-2026) new data prepared by York Aviation showing the airport delivered GBP6.2 billion (EUR7.23 billion) of economic value to the UK in 2025, an increase of more than GBP2 billion (EUR2.33 billion) from 2024, "driven mainly by its unrivalled freight operation which supports the success of firms in high-value sectors like advanced manufacturing and life sciences". Highlights include:

• Cargo operations accounted for GBP3.4 billion (EUR3.96 billion) of the airport's economic impact in 2025;
• East Midlands Airport handled more than 400,000 tonnes of cargo in 2025, a 12.5% year-on-year increase;
• East Midlands Airport "accounted for more than a third of all cargo growth across the UK" in 2025;
• GBP13 billion (EUR15.15 billion) worth of goods for export passed through the airport in 2025, "underlining its importance for high-value, time-sensitive and supply-chain-critical goods";
• East Midlands Airport supported 7500 jobs on site and more than 52,000 jobs throughout the UK economy in 2025, up by 7000 jobs from 2024.

East Midlands Airport MD Steve Griffiths commented: "I'm proud of the huge contribution the airport makes to the economy... driven largely by the growth in our fantastic cargo operation that plays such a vital role in the UK's international trade". Mr Griffiths added: "Alongside our plans to grow our cargo operation to maximise its potential, we are in ongoing talks with airlines to expand our passenger network". [more - original PR]

Alliance Airlines COO Paul Doherty, speaking at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific, commented (28-Jul-2026) on the demand in regional destinations, stating: "People are looking for unique experiences". Mr Doherty added: "It's getting people to understand that there's more than just the big destinations", noting: "There's other places to go and see. There's other things to do". [more - CAPA TV]

Gulf Air announced (05-Aug-2026) plans to commence Bahrain-Kuala Lumpur service on 29-Sep-2026. The airline plans to "operate an enhanced flight schedule to Kuala Lumpur in the period leading up to [the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Malaysia on 02/03/04-Oct-2026] race weekend, providing additional capacity and greater flexibility for fans and travellers attending the event" and confirmed: "Following the race period, the service will continue as part of Gulf Air's permanent network, operating on a regular schedule to support connectivity between the two nations". The route is unserved at present, according to OAG. [more - original PR]