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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. 213 news briefs have been published for CAPA Members in the past 2 days.

Shannon Airport Group reported (12-Jan-2026) Shannon Airport it handled more than 2.3 million passengers in 2025, an increase of 9% year-on-year and the busiest annual traffic at the airport in 16 years. The airport reported serving airlines are scheduled to operate 40 routes in 2026 to destinations across Europe, the US and the UK, including new connections to Rome, Warsaw, Madrid and Poznan with Ryanair - as well as Frankfurt with Discover Airlines. Shannon Airport Group interim CEO Ray O'Driscoll stated: "We achieved our highest passenger numbers in over 16 years and invested over EUR20 million in projects that have a very tangible benefit to both passengers and our sustainability goals. This brought our overall investment in the Group to almost EUR200 million in just over a decade". Mr O'Driscoll added: "We're looking forward to an even more ambitious 2026, during which passengers will have the choice of 40 routes, the highest number operating from Shannon Airport in 17 years". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Ryanair scheduled a record 30 routes from Shannon for summer 2026, including new services to Rome, Warsaw, Madrid and Poznan, and added a fourth based aircraft, contributing over 180,000 additional seats and supporting forecast traffic of more than two million seats per annum1. It marked its 22 millionth passenger milestone at Shannon since 1987, underlining the significance of its expanded operations at the airport2.

London Heathrow Airport reported (12-Jan-2026) it handled 84.5 million passengers in 2025, an increase of 0.7% year-on-year and the first time the airport has surpassed the 84 million passenger mark. The airport handled 7.2 million passengers in Dec-2025, an increase of 1.6% and its "busiest December on record". CEO Thomas Woldbye stated: "December's record-breaking performance shows the strength of demand for Heathrow and the benefit to passengers of the great service our colleagues are providing. Last year, there was no hub airport in Europe that was more punctual than Heathrow and we look forward to building on that success in 2026". Mr Woldbye added: "With the Government's support for our expansion plans - and the right regulatory framework from the CAA to secure private investment - we can unlock even more of that connectivity, trade and economic growth for the UK". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Heathrow consistently set new monthly and quarterly passenger records throughout 2025, including its busiest ever months in July, September and October, and surpassed eight million passengers in August for the first time at any European airport1 2 3 4. The airport exceeded its 2024 annual record of 83.9 million passengers while maintaining the highest on-time performance among European hubs5 2.

Manchester Airport reported (12-Jan-2026) it handled 32.1 million passengers in 2025, an increase of 4.2 year-on-year and the airport's busiest year on record. The airport handled 2.4 million passengers in Dec-2025, an increase of 5.9% and a new monthly record. The airport attributed the performance in part to a record Christmas break period, which saw more than one million passengers travel through the airport between 19-Dec-2025 and 31-Dec-2025. MD Chris Woodroofe stated: "Passengers in Terminal 2 will have noticed some big differences. The full footprint of the terminal is now open including extra space as well as new shops and eateries. There's still more to follow in the early part of this year too". Mr Woodroofe added: "That alone means it would be an exciting 2026 as we put those final touches on Terminal 2 - but we're also going to be really getting stuck into the improvement work we're doing in Terminal 3 as well, which will bring more space and new shops, bars and restaurants". [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Background ✨

Manchester Airport achieved its busiest year on record in 2025, continuing a trend of record-breaking monthly passenger figures over the previous two years, driven by investment in Terminal 2 and network growth from both new and existing airline partners1. In 2025, international passenger growth offset a decline in domestic and charter segments, and cargo volumes also increased year-on-year2.

London Stansted Airport reported (12-Jan-2026) it handled more than 30 million passengers in 2025, an increase of 0.9% year-on-year and the first time the airport has achieved the milestone in its history. The airport attributed the performance to route development and seat capacity increases, resulting in a "record 16 days" in which passenger numbers exceeded 100,000. The airport handled 2.3 million passengers in Dec-2025, an increase of 1.6% and a new record for the month of December. The top three destinations to and from London Stansted during the year were Dublin, Istanbul and Edinburgh. Airport MD Gareth Powell stated: "The strong passenger growth during 2025 was driven by many of our airline partners increasing capacity, adding more seats and choice of destinations, particularly Ryanair, Pegasus and Jet2.com - and we're confident we will continue to grow passenger numbers and provide even more choice of airlines and destinations in the year ahead". Mr Powell added: "We were delighted to last month receive the green light to increase our annual passenger limit to 51 million, which paves the way for us to make best use of the existing single runway and grow passenger volumes towards the new limit over the next two decades". [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Background ✨

London Stansted Airport recorded new monthly passenger records throughout 2025, including 2.3 million in December, 2.7 million in October, and 3.1 million in August, with Istanbul, Dublin and Edinburgh consistently ranking among the busiest destinations1 2 3. The airport handled 29.8 million passengers in 2024, up 6.4% year-on-year, and began a GBP1.1 billion transformation programme during that period4.

Air Inuit announced (12-Jan-2026) its first reengineered Boeing 737-800 combi aircraft has been certified by Transport Canada, marking the arrival of the "world's first" 737-800 configured for passengers and freight. The aircraft will be deployed on the carrier's Montréal-Kuujjuaq service on 13-Jan-2026. Converted by KF Aerospace, the aircraft features a forward cargo compartment with space for five pallets and a 90 seat passenger cabin in the aft section. Combi conversion of the third of three 737-800s acquired by Air Inuit in 2023 is scheduled for completion in Feb-2026. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

KF Aerospace received Transport Canada certification for its Boeing 737-800 combi conversion, delivering the first aircraft to Air Inuit in Oct-2025, and noted there was "no comparable combi currently in operation in the US, Europe or other international markets"1. The combi aircraft was intended to replace older airframes in Air Inuit's fleet, supporting service to remote northern communities2.

Airbus reported (12-Jan-2026) commercial aircraft deliveries increased 4% year-on-year to 793 in 2025. Details include:

  • Deliveries: 793 aircraft to 91 customers;
    • A220 Family: 93;
    • A320 Family: 607;
    • A330 Family: 36;
    • A350 Family: 57;
  • New gross orders: 1000 aircraft from 57 customers (889 net orders);
    • A220 Family: 49;
    • A320 Family: 656;
    • A330 Family: 100 (plus two A330 MRTTs);
    • A350 Family: 193;
  • Backlog: A record 8754 aircraft, including 1124 widebodies, as of 31-Dec-2025. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Airbus delivered 766 commercial aircraft in 2024, with the A320 Family accounting for the majority, and recorded 878 gross orders, resulting in a backlog of 8658 as of 31-Dec-2024. Supply chain challenges, particularly with Spirit AeroSystems, impacted the ramp up of A350 and A220 production. Airbus aimed for approximately 820 deliveries in 2025 and targeted further production increases across its main programmes1 2.

Etihad Airways announced (09-Jan-2026) plans to commence three times weekly Abu Dhabi-Luxembourg service with A321LR equipment on 29-Oct-2026. Etihad will be the first airline from the Middle East to serve Luxembourg. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

Background ✨

Luxair operated a weekly Luxembourg-Abu Dhabi service between 09-Apr-2025 and 30-Apr-2025 using 737 MAX 8 aircraft, and was the sole scheduled operator during that period1 2.

Ethiopian Airlines Group announced (10-Jan-2026) construction of Bishoftu International Airport commenced on 10-Jan-2026. Phase one of the project is expected to be complete by 2030 and will have capacity for 60 million passengers p/a. The airport will have capacity for 110 million passengers p/a when fully complete. Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said the new airport is "a major step towards addressing the infrastructural gap in Africa and a key player in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Ethiopian Airlines Group stated that Addis Ababa Bole International Airport had become too small and overcrowded, with further upgrades no longer possible, prompting the need for Bishoftu International Airport1. The project attracted significant interest from financiers, including a USD500 million pledge from a Chinese bank, and is supported by the African Development Bank as initial mandated lead arranger2 3.

Emirates announced (08-Jan-2026) plans to expand its premium economy offering to 10 new destinations and increase frequency for multiple destinations where premium economy is already available in 2026, with deployment of premium economy class configured Boeing 777s and A350s on the following routes:

  • Dubai-Kochi/Cochin: Commence deployment of 777-200LR on select frequencies from 29-Jan-2026;
  • Dubai-Basrah: Commence deployment of 777-300ER on select frequencies from 29-Jan-2026;
  • Dubai-Kuwait: Commence deployment of 777 on select frequencies, effective 01-Feb-2026 to 30-Apr-2026, deploy A350 from 01-May-2026;
  • Dubai-Barcelona: Commence deployment of 777-300ER on select frequencies from 01-Feb-2026;
  • Barcelona-Mexico City: Commence deployment of 777-200LR on daily service from 15-Feb-2026;
  • Dubai-Karachi: Commence deployment of 777-200LR on select frequencies from 01-Mar-2026;
  • Dubai-Addis Ababa: Commence deployment of 777-200LR on select frequencies from 01-Mar-2026;
  • Dubai-Taiwan Taoyuan: Commence deployment of 777-200LR on select frequencies, effective 15-Mar-2026 to 30-Apr-2026, deploy A350 from 01-May-2026;
  • Dubai-Rome: Commence deployment of A350 on select frequencies from 29-Mar-2026;
  • Dubai-Brisbane: Commence deployment of 777-300ER on select frequencies from 29-Mar-2026;
  • Dubai-Tehran: Commence deployment of 777 on select frequencies from 29-Mar-2026;
  • Dubai-Copenhagen: Deploy A350 on second daily frequency from 01-Jun-2026;
  • Dubai-Phuket: Deploy A350 on third daily frequency from 01-Jul-2026;
  • Dubai-Cape Town: Deploy A350 on third daily frequency from 01-Jul-2026.

Emirates will deploy premium economy class configured aircraft on more than 84 routes by 01-Jul-2026. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Emirates had expanded its premium economy network to over 70 cities by late 2025 and planned to offer nearly four million premium economy seats per annum by 2026, deploying retrofitted A380s, Boeing 777s, and new A350s across major destinations1 2. The airline had also begun deploying premium economy on additional services such as Dubai-Beirut and Dubai-Beijing with recently retrofitted 777s3.

Kenya Airways Group MD and CEO Allan Kilavuka, speaking to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit World 2025, stated (12-Dec-2025) Africa is "the most fragmented market in the world". Mr Kilavuka said: "Africa has the largest number of commercial airlines", but added: "Most of them are not viable". He said: "The idea should be to consolidate this aviation market, particularly the airlines, a lot more". [more - CAPA TV]

US Department of State identified (06-Jan-2026) nationals from the following countries as needing visa bonds:

Any eligible citizen or national travelling on a passport issued by one of these countries must post a visa bond for USD5000, USD10,000, or USD15,000, as determined at the time of the visa interview. All visa holders who have posted a visa bond must enter and exit the US through Boston Logan International Airport, New York John F Kennedy International Airport or Washington Dulles International Airport. [more - original PR]

Copenhagen Kastrup Airport reported (07-Jan-2026) it handled 2.5 million passengers in Dec-2025, an increase of 13% year-on-year and the "busiest month in the airport's history". The airport handled 32.4 million passengers in 2025, exceeding the previous annual record of 30.3 million set in 2018. The airport attributed the performance to a "record number of routes", including 47 new connections to destinations such as China, India and Vietnam, which brought the total number operated to 367. Airport CCO Peter Krogsgaard stated: "There have never been better connections to and from Denmark. This has a positive effect on our entire society when Danish companies have easy and direct access to the world from Copenhagen. The many routes also attract foreign businesses and talent to the country, while tourism in Denmark is reaching new heights, which benefits shops, hotels and restaurants and creates many jobs". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Copenhagen Kastrup Airport experienced consecutive record-breaking months in 2025, including its busiest November and October, driven by strong demand on routes to Spain, London, and the US, as well as significant growth in domestic and transfer traffic. The airport consistently forecasted and achieved record passenger numbers throughout 2025, supported by an expanding route network and increased frequencies to intercontinental destinations1 2 3 4 5.