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    Swissport signed (28-Apr-2026) an agreement to acquire a majority stake in CV Handling, the main ground handling provider at seven airports in Cabo Verde. Swissport stated it plans to "invest millions in infrastructure upgrades, operational improvements and the introduction of advanced digital tools and training facilities". The company will also establish a Swissport Training Academy in Cabo Verde. Swissport operates 30 African stations in Algeria, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa and Tanzania. [more - original PR]

    Background ✨

    Swissport continued to win and renew handling mandates across Europe, including a seven-year ground handling licence renewal at Zurich Airport, where it employed around 2300 staff and operated since 19961, and the start of ground handling at Frankfurt Airport under a seven-year licence awarded in Aug-20242. It also secured cargo handling partnerships at Cardiff Airport3 and Miami International Airport with SKYhigh Dominicana, handling 20 freighters per week4.

    IATA reported (29-Apr-2026) African countries account for USD774 million in blocked airline funds as of 31-Mar-2026. Details include:

    IATA regional VP for Africa and the Middle East Kamil Alawadhi commented: "Given the scale of funds blocked in Algeria, urgent and decisive government action in Algeria is essential". [more - original PR]

    Background ✨

    IATA reported USD1.2 billion of airline funds were blocked globally as of end-Oct-2025, with 93% trapped in Africa and the Middle East, and cited procedural delays and foreign-exchange shortages among the causes.1 It also said Algeria, XAF zone countries, Mozambique, Angola and Eritrea were among the largest contributors, and urged governments to lift repatriation restrictions consistent with bilateral air service agreements and treaty obligations.1

    SWISS announced (29-Apr-2026) plans to discontinue its inflight duty free sales from the end of Sep-2026. Customers will continue to be able to purchase select products from the airline's duty free catalogue online via its Miles & More 'Worldshop'. [more - original PR]

    Background ✨

    Lufthansa confirmed plans to end inflight retail sales on all long haul services from Sep-2025, citing economic reasons and limited profitability outside select routes, while passengers could continue to access Worldshop merchandise online until then1. SWISS previously reintroduced inflight duty free shopping from 01-Nov-2022 after a two-and-a-half-year COVID-19 suspension, and expanded the offer to allow Miles & More award miles to be used for onboard purchases2.

    European Commission (EC) adopted (29-Apr-2026) a temporary state aid framework to enable member states to support the EU economy in the context of the Middle East crisis. The Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) will be in place until 31-Dec-2026 and is intended to address the effects of the crisis on some of the most exposed sectors of the economy, including transport but excluding aviation. EC stated that it "considers that the existing rules in the aviation sector are sufficient to address the situation as it currently stands". [more - original PR]

    Background ✨

    EUROCONTROL data showed the Middle East crisis cut flights between the Middle East and Europe by 59% from 28-Feb-2026, with around 1150 flights per day impacted and longer routings adding 602 tons of daily fuel burn and 1900 excess tons of CO2 emissions.1 Director general Raúl Medina said the European network remained resilient, with global network traffic up two percent versus 2025.1

    Changi Airport Group, via its official LinkedIn account, announced (30-Apr-2026) the following upcoming developments for Singapore Changi Airport:

    • The first phase of an off-airport check-in service, allowing Singapore Airlines passengers to check in and drop off luggage at certain city hotels;
    • An expanded Skytrain fleet to enable the transport of more passengers with less waiting time;
    • An upgrade of the early bag storage capacity within Terminal 3's baggage handling system, to support rising demand for early check-in and growing transfer volumes;
    • Enhanced aircraft stands that will be able to support Boeing's upcoming 777-9 aircraft.

    Background ✨

    Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore previously said Changi Airport Group planned to invest SGD3 billion over six years in upgrades across Terminals one to four, including replacement of Skytrain subsystems and adding new cars, plus a Terminal three baggage handling and Early Bag Storage revamp lifting capacity by 60% and reinforcing taxiways/contact stands for Boeing 777-9 operations.1 Changi Airport Group also completed three bored tunnels linking Terminal five to Terminal two for baggage transfer and automatic people movers, with the T2 Connection to house a baggage handling system interchange and APM depot/station.2

    China Southern Airlines, in a Shanghai ​Stock Exchange filing, announced (29-Apr-2026) China Southern Airlines and its subsidiary ​Xiamen Airlines signed ‌agreements with Airbus to purchase 102 A320neo (China Southern) and 35 ​A320neo (​Xiamen) aircraft. The 102 China Southern aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in batches between 2028 and 2032, and the 35 Xiamen aircraft between 2029 and 2032. [more - original PR - Chinese]

    Background ✨

    China Southern Airlines previously featured in Airbus’ confirmation of A320 Family orders signed with four Chinese carriers, with China Southern’s tranche comprising 96 A320neo-series aircraft scheduled for delivery from 2024 to 2027.1 China Southern also took A320neo-family deliveries in Dec-2023 and Mar/Apr-2025, including A319neo, A320neo and A321neo aircraft.2 3 4 5

    Most Read News Headlines

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    Lufthansa completed (23-Apr-2026) the retrofit of its first A380 with new business class seats and upgraded inflight entertainment system. The aircraft was deployed on the Munich-Los Angeles service. As previously reported by CAPA, Lufthansa plans to equip eight A380s with new seats in business class by mid-2027. Following the refit, Lufthansa's A380 aircraft will feature 68 business, eight first, 52 premium economy and 371 economy seats. [more - original PR]

    Background ✨

    Lufthansa previously said its eight A380s would receive new business class seats by mid-2027, with the first aircraft scheduled for modification at Elbe Flugzeugwerke from Feb-2026 and a return to service planned for Apr-20261. The carrier also confirmed the new A380 business class seat fitting was planned for 1Q2026, following long-established order sequencing2.

    American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, on the carrier's 1Q2026 earnings call, stated (23-Apr-2026) "We look forward to doing more with [Alaska Airlines] going forward", adding: "We've got a great relationship with Alaska. Really look forward to building on a history that's dated back a long time". He noted: "As their business has changed, and ours has too, we look for opportunities going forward".

    Background ✨

    American and Alaska previously agreed to expand their alliance, maintaining domestic codesharing while adding international codeshare from Seattle and Los Angeles, alongside reciprocal mileage earning/redemption and lounge access across both networks1. Alaska Air Group CCO Andrew Harrison later said the partnership’s “fundamentals” shifted after Alaska acquired Virgin America, with the relationship “shrunk” as Alaska grew, although American remained a “good partner” and both sides collaborated on “mutual interests”2.

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