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CAPA News Briefs

CAPA publishes more than 1,000 global News Briefs every week, covering all aspects of the aviation and travel industry. It’s the most comprehensive source of market intelligence in the world, with around 50 per cent of content translated from non-English sources. The breadth of our coverage means you won’t need any other news sources to monitor competitors and stay informed about the latest developments in the wider aviation sector.

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Below is a sample of the latest news headlines. 256 news briefs have been published for CAPA Members in the past 2 days.

Southwest Airlines announced (14-Jul-2025) plans to commence selling assigned and premium seating in 3Q2025. The LCC plans to operate with its new fare bundles and a reconfigured fleet, including extra legroom seating in 1Q2026. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Southwest introduced new fare products, including Choice Extra and Choice Preferred, to coincide with assigned and premium seating sales in 3Q2025, and rebranded its Wanna Get Away fare as Basic from 28-May-2025. The retrofit programme, featuring RECARO extended legroom seats and larger bins, began 01-May-2025, targeting over 800 aircraft, with operations on retrofitted jets planned for 1Q20261 2.

No1 Lounges announced (14-Jul-2025) plans to open a 5900sqft location at Jersey Airport on 18-Jul-2025. The lounge will be the brand's only outside the UK. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Jersey Airport previously announced that the No1 Lounges facility would feature panoramic sea views and complimentary catering, and that the opening was part of a long term master plan to enhance the passenger experience, which also included recent upgrades to security screening technology1.

Wizz Air Holding announced (14-Jul-2025) the suspension of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi operations as part of a strategic realignment. Wizz Air will suspend all locally based flight operations effective 01-Sep-2025 and intends to exit from the joint venture and focus on core markets. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi faced increasing operational challenges over the past year, including:

  • Engine reliability constraints, particularly in hot and harsh environments, which impacted aircraft availability and operational efficiency;
  • Geopolitical volatility, which led to repeated airspace closures and operational disruptions across the region, as well as affecting consumer demand;
  • Regulatory barriers, which limited the ability to access and scale in key markets.

Wizz Air CEO József Váradi said: "The operating environment has changed significantly. Supply chain constraints, geopolitical instability, and limited market access have made it increasingly difficult to sustain our original ambitions". Wizz Air will intensify its focus on core Central and Eastern European markets, as well as select Western European countries such as Austria, Italy and UK. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi had progressively suspended multiple routes in 2025, including services to Belgrade, Varna, Tirana, Krakow, Kutaisi, and Sarajevo, and had also suspended services to Cluj, Sofia, Budapest, Vienna, Katowice, Astana, and Samarkand ahead of the full operational suspension1. It also planned to suspend all services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi between 03-Jul-2025 and 15-Sep-20252.

Jetstar Airways announced (15-Jul-2025) plans to launch the following services to the Philippines:

  • Brisbane-Cebu: Three times weekly from 03-Dec-2025 with A321LR aircraft;
  • Perth-Manila: Three times weekly from 27-Nov-2025 with A321LR aircraft.

The services will add over 108,000 seats p/a from Australia to the Philippines. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - Brisbane Airport]

Background ✨

Jetstar Airways’ planned Perth-Manila and Brisbane-Cebu services were subject to regulatory approval by Australia’s International Air Services Commission, with applications for the Perth-Manila rights lodged in late Mar-2025. Philippine Airlines was the only scheduled operator on the Perth-Manila route at the time of application, while Qantas had recently launched Brisbane-Manila service, joining Philippine Airlines on that sector1 2 3.

Finnair announced (13-Jul-2025) Service Sector Employers Palta and Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) approved a settlement proposal, forming the basis for a new collective agreement for aviation services. The new agreement will be in effect for approximately 1.5 years, ending on 15-Jan-2027. As a result of the agreement, the planned strikes announced by IAU for 16-Jul-2025, 18-Jul-2025, 21-Jul-2025, 23-Jul-2025 and 25-Jul-2025 were cancelled, and Finnair will operate its flights according to the normal schedule. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Finnair had faced ongoing industrial action by the Finnish Aviation Union throughout 2H2025, resulting in multiple flight cancellations and significant disruption to operations at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, with strike warnings issued for several dates in June and July-2025 prior to the recent settlement proposal1 2 3 4.

China Airlines announced (09-Jul-2025) plans to offer free inflight WiFi connectivity to all passengers travelling on the airline's Boeing 777s, A350s and A321neos, commencing 01-Aug-2025. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Several Asian airlines have recently announced or launched complimentary inflight WiFi, including Cathay Pacific across its entire fleet from Aug-20251, EVA Air for business class and frequent flyers from 01-Jul-20252, and All Nippon Airways on both domestic and select international flights from 13-Jun-20253. These moves reflect a broader regional trend toward expanding free connectivity for passengers.

Qantas Airways and Air France-KLM expanded (10-Jul-2025) an existing partnership to improve air connectivity between Australia and Europe. Details include:

Virgin Atlantic Airways announced (08-Jul-2025) the following updates to its fleet and product offering:

  • Following completion of a USD17 billion fleet transformation, the carrier will operate a mixed fleet of 45 next generation, fuel efficient aircraft: 19 A330-900s, 12 A350-100s and 14 Boeing 787-9s, with an average age of under seven years.
    • The 787-9s will undergo a full cabin re-design, offering 44 Upper Class and 56 Premium seats, including eight Retreat Suites in Upper Class. The economy cabin will reduce from 192 to 127 seats. The roll-out is scheduled to take place between 2028 and 2030;
    • From 3Q2026, 10 A330neos will be delivered configured with increased premium cabins, with 48 Upper Class, 56 Premium and 128 economy seats, including four additional Retreat Suites in Upper Class for a total of six;
  • Introduction of 'Fantastic Flying Club' recognition for guests with multi-year loyalty who may not travel enough for tier status progression;
  • Deployment of free, streaming-quality unlimited WiFi throughout its fleet using Starlink technology, with roll-out scheduled to take place from 3Q2026 and be completed by the end of 2027;
  • Introduction of a new 'World of Virgin Atlantic in your Pocket' mobile app from Dec-2025, integrating both airline and holiday journeys into one platform;
  • Partnership with OpenAI and Tomoro.ai to create a digital concierge featuring an integrated advanced voice mode;
  • Partnership with Joby Aviation announced in Mar-2025, supporting electric air taxi services across the UK by the end of 2030;
  • Investing in Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses. Following the opening at Los Angeles International Airport in Mar-2025, the carrier plans to open refurbished clubhouses at London Heathrow Airport and New York John F Kennedy International Airport;
  • The carrier recently launched 10 signature food and beverage creations;
  • Partnership with Votary to provide skincare product on board from the beginning of 2026. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Background ✨

Virgin Atlantic placed a firm order for seven additional A330-900neo aircraft, bringing its total fleet commitment for the type to 19, with deliveries scheduled from 2027. It also extended leases on seven Boeing 787-9s, aiming to operate 45 next generation aircraft by 2028 with an average age of 6.4 years. CEO Shai Weiss highlighted the environmental benefits of operating a younger, more efficient fleet1.

Boeing, via its official website, reported (08-Jul-2025) the following commercial aircraft orders and deliveries for Jun-2025:

Background ✨

Boeing's Jun-2025 gross orders were significantly lower than in May-2025, when it recorded 303 aircraft orders, driven by large orders from Qatar Airways and unidentified customers. Deliveries in Jun-2025 rose to 57, up from 44 in May-2025, continuing a recent upward trend in monthly production output following a dip earlier in 20251. Airbus reported 203 gross orders and 62 deliveries in Jun-20252.

Boeing reported (08-Jul-2025) the following commercial aircraft deliveries:

Background ✨

Boeing's 2Q2025 deliveries brought its 1H2025 total to 280 commercial aircraft, compared to 130 in 1Q2025. This followed 348 deliveries in 2024, with 265 being 737s. The company delivered 83 and 92 aircraft in 1Q and 2Q2024 respectively, with 1H2024 deliveries totalling 175 aircraft, highlighting a notable increase in 2025 output so far1 2 3 4.

Airbus reported (08-Jul-2025) the following commercial aircraft orders and deliveries for Jun-2025:

Background ✨

Airbus recorded 51 deliveries and no gross orders in May-2025, following 56 deliveries and 11 gross orders in Apr-2025. In Mar-2025, it reported 71 deliveries and 211 gross orders, including large commitments from lessors and undisclosed customers. Recent months have shown fluctuating order activity, with significant increases in gross orders in both Mar-2025 and Jun-2025 compared to the preceding months1 2 3.

US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced (08-Jul-2025) a new policy which will enable passengers travelling at domestic airports to keep their shoes on when passing through US TSA security checkpoints. Ms Noem stated: "Ending the 'Shoes-Off' policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernise and enhance traveller experience across our nation's airports. We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Prior to this policy, only TSA PreCheck participants were routinely allowed to keep their shoes on during screening, with the programme marketed as a way to reduce wait times and streamline the security process for eligible travellers1 2. Standard screening required shoe removal due to earlier unsuccessful trials of footwear scanners3. The US had gradually expanded PreCheck access across hundreds of airports since its launch in 20114 5.