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

AerCap delivered (23-Dec-2025) one A321neo to Thai Airways. This marks the airline's first A321neo and the first of 10 A321neos AerCap is scheduled to deliver to Thai Airways under a lease agreement. The remaining nine A321neos will be delivered by the end of 2028. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Thai Airways planned to introduce A321neo aircraft from 4Q2025, with a total of 17 expected by the end of 2026 and deployment on routes including Delhi, Phuket, Hong Kong and Vientiane from Jan-2026. It also secured lease agreements for additional A321neos from lessors such as SMBC Aviation Capital, BOC Aviation and China Aircraft Leasing Group, with deliveries continuing through 20281 2 3 4 5.

OAG reported (22-Dec-2025) the top domestic routes by seat numbers for 2025, as follows:

  1. Jeju-Seoul Gimpo: Capacity increased 1% year-on-year but remains 17% behind the 2019 level;
  2. Sapporo Chitose-Tokyo Haneda;
  3. Fukuoka-Tokyo Haneda;
  4. Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City;
  5. Jeddah-Riyadh: Recorded the largest growth among the top 10 at 13%;
  6. Melbourne-Sydney;
  7. Tokyo Haneda-Okinawa;
  8. Mumbai-Delhi;
  9. Beijing Capital-Shanghai Hongqiao;
  10. Shanghai Hongqiao-Shenzhen: Capacity increased 5%, and ranking increased from 11th in 2024.

OAG chief analyst John Grant commented: "For Asia Pacific to be home to nine out of the ten largest routes in the world, all of which are domestic, is a remarkable indication of how these routes have recovered in recent times and their significance to the airlines operating those sectors". [more - original PR]

Cathay Pacific Group appointed (23-Dec-2025) Guy Bradley as chair, effective 13-May-2026. Mr Bradley will replace Patrick Healy in the role. [more - original PR]

European Commission (EC) approved (23-Dec-2025) France's restructuring aid of EUR167.8 million to Corsair. The aid consists of an EUR80 million write off on loans that were approved by EC in Dec-2020 and EUR87.8 million of additional financing. France informed EC in Sep-2023 of its intention to amend the restructuring plan initially approved by EC. EC opened an in depth investigation on 05-Feb-2024 to assess whether the amendment to Corsair's restructuring plan proposed by France is in line with EU state aid rules. EC considers that the revised restructuring plan, together with further own contributions, updated viability assumptions and adequate compensatory measures, effectively addresses the concerns identified during the investigation, and ensures Corsair's return to long term viability by the end of the restructuring period. [more - original PR]

Azul launched (22-Dec-2025) a primary public offering of common shares and preferred shares, which will consist exclusively of newly issued shares. The offering is intended to implement the mandatory capitalisation of certain indebtedness through the issuance of equity, and is an integral part of the company's Chapter 11 restructuring plan. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Azul's Chapter 11 restructuring process included entering into restructuring support agreements with key financial stakeholders and securing approximately USD1.6 billion in debtor-in-possession financing, with a plan to eliminate over USD2 billion in debt. The US Bankruptcy Court approved Azul's disclosure statement and a Backstop Commitment Agreement for USD650 million to support its planned capitalisation and equity raise as part of the reorganisation plan1 2 3 4 5.

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) confirmed (22-Dec-2025) the transition of MASwings operations to AirBorneo will take effect from 01-Jan-2026. MAG completed an ownership transfer process under a sale and purchase agreement signed with the Sarawak Government on 12-Feb-2025. AirBorneo will assume full legal and operational responsibility for all services previously operated by MASwings, including flight operations, customer service and the management of all passenger related matters. During the initial phase of the transition, existing MASwings branding may continue to be visible as AirBorneo progressively establishes and rolls out a new corporate identity. As previously reported by CAPA, Sarawak's Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin stated AirBorneo will operate existing rural air services in Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan. The carrier plans to expand to regional jet operations towards the end of 2026, depending on aircraft availability, airport slots allocation and regulatory approval. [more - original PR]

Shenzhen Airlines, via its official Weibo account, announced (22-Dec-2025) it commenced three times weekly Shenzhen-Melbourne Tullamarine service with A330-300 equipment on 22-Dec-2025 (CAAC-News, 22-Dec-2025). The airline is the sole scheduled operator on the route, according to OAG.

Background ✨

Victoria's Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, stated that the new Shenzhen Airlines service would add 95,000 seats per annum between China and Melbourne and facilitate onward connections to over 90 destinations across Asia and Europe. The launch formed part of the AUD7 million Visit Victoria Industry Partnerships Programme, aimed at boosting tourism and air freight capacity in Victoria1.

Australia's International Air Services Commission, via its official website, announced (19-Dec-2025) it received an application from Qantas Airways seeking to permit Finnair and IndiGo to codeshare on Jetstar Airways' services to Indonesia.

Background ✨

Qantas previously sought approval for Finnair to codeshare on Jetstar Airways' Melbourne-Bali service and beyond to Singapore, as well as for IndiGo to codeshare on Jetstar services to Indonesia, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand1 2. It also applied for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Emirates Airline to codeshare on Jetstar's Indonesia services, with submissions accepted until 18-Nov-20253.

Air T Inc announced (19-Dec-2025) the closing of its acquisition of Rex Airlines, with the company now controlling 100% of the carrier. Details include:

  • Air T is providing an AUD50 million (USD33.04 million) credit facility, funded by one of the company's investor partners. Air T anticipates Rex will use the facility to bring its fleet fully back into service, from approximately 31 to 45 aircraft within the next two years;
  • The Commonwealth of Australia will continue to be a secured creditor of Rex;
  • Rex will have access to an additional undrawn AUD60 million (USD39.7 million) loan from the Commonwealth of Australia to support the overhaul of its current fleet of Saab 340s and general operations. [more - original PR]

Volaris and Viva entered (18-Dec-2025) an agreement to create a new airline group in Mexico under a holding company structure. Details include:

  • Under the terms of the agreement, Viva and Volaris shareholders will combine their holding companies through a merger of equals. Upon closing, Viva shareholders will receive newly issued shares of the Volaris Holding Company, and Volaris shareholders will continue to hold their shares, with each shareholder group owning 50% of the Mexican airline group on a fully diluted basis;
  • Upon closing, the airline holding group will be overseen by a board of directors comprised of members from both Volaris and Viva. The new airline group will be chaired by Viva chairman of the board Roberto Alcántara Rojas;
  • The boards of directors of both airlines approved the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals, customary closing conditions and approval by Volaris' and Viva's shareholders. The transaction is expected to close in 2026. The shares of the holding company will remain listed publicly on the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores and the New York Stock Exchange;
  • Volaris and Viva will retain their current operations under their independent certificates and titles of concession. The carriers will preserve existing route offerings for passengers, while expanding distribution capacity and exploring collaboration on their respective frequent flyer programmes;
  • The new airline group will include the formation of new operational bases and enhanced connectivity with potential codeshare agreements between both airlines, as well as potential global codeshare partnerships;
  • The new airline group aims to invest in fleet, technology, infrastructure, training centres, maintenance facilities and tools;
  • Volaris and Viva will aim to increase operations in the Mexico City metropolitan area, including at Mexico City Felipe Angeles International Airport.

Volaris president and CEO Enrique Beltranena stated: "The economies of scale and expanded distribution capacity will allow us to compete even more effectively in domestic and international markets by lowering fleet ownership costs". [more - original PR]

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) board of commissioners approved (18-Dec-2025) its USD45 billion Capital Plan for 2026 to 2035, covering the completion of initiatives from the 2017 to 2025 capital plan and new projects. Details for new aviation projects include:

  • New York John F Kennedy International Airport:
    • Support the first gates of international Terminals 1 and 6, due to open in 2026, and further sections of the roadway network;
    • Design and complete development of AirTrain JFK with new train cars to double capacity and new stations;
    • The plan also funds preliminary enabling work in "the second half of the decade" to replace aging terminals and infrastructure and accommodate demand-driven growth, as needed;
  • New York Newark Liberty International Airport:
    • Construction of a new gateway, providing funding for the authority to establish a public-private partnership to design and build a new Terminal B;
    • Expand Terminal A, including design and construction work on additional gates for future growth;
    • Construction of the USD3.5 billion AirTrain Newark is underway and expected to be completed in 2026 on a new community access point to the Airport Train Station;
  • New York LaGuardia Airport:
    • Replace the gate and boarding areas of Terminal A to meet demand and continued passenger growth;
    • Funding for an LGALink Q70 bus service with a new bus lane on the BQE and new on-airport bus stop
    • New taxi hold lot at Terminal B;
  • All airports:
    • A public safety initiative, developed in consultation with the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission, which will include new technology tools, such as license plate readers, AI-aided CCTV and an expanded database of unpermitted drivers;
    • Alignment with peer airports on pick-up and drop-off fees for for-hire vehicles and taxis. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

The proposed USD45 billion 2026-2035 Capital Plan followed previous multi-billion dollar capital allocations focused on airport redevelopment and infrastructure modernisation, including the ongoing EWR Vision Plan and significant investments in terminals and transit projects at JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia airports. The plan was projected to create over 50,000 jobs and included a record earmark for safety and security measures, with USD1.1 billion allocated for these initiatives1 2.

Delta Air Lines announced (18-Dec-2025) president Glen Hauenstein plans to retire from 28-Feb-2026. Mr Hauenstein joined Delta in 2005 and will continue to serve as a strategic advisor until the end of 2026. The carrier appointed Joe Esposito as EVP and chief commercial officer. Mr Esposito joined Delta in 1990 and currently serves as SVP network planning, pricing and revenue management. [more - original PR]