Nobody Wants to Buy JetBlue (And Other Confessions)
Despite widespread consolidation speculation, U.S. airline CEOs expressed skepticism about major acquisition deals, with executives citing poor economics for acquiring competitors like JetBlue.
June 1, 2026
May 31, 2026
May routes roundup: El Al to resume flights to South America after 15 years
El Al is resuming service between Tel Aviv and Buenos Aires starting November 29th with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners operating twice weekly, marking the carrier's return to South American routes after 15 years.
Extended Deadline for CEI 2026.03 — Direct Accreditation of Qualified Entities: Air Traffic Management/Air Navigation Services Systems and Constituents domain experts
EASA extended the application deadline to June 14, 2026 for accreditation of qualified entities to conduct air traffic management and navigation services certification and oversight tasks.
May 30, 2026
FAA warns World Cup drone flyers: Fines could hit $100,000
The FAA has warned drone operators that unauthorized flights during the 2026 FIFA World Cup at designated locations could result in fines up to $100,000 and criminal prosecution.
Pokémon Go creator wants your drone photos to train AI
Niantic Spatial, a spinoff from Pokémon Go's creator, has partnered with drone imagery network Spexi to develop AI training datasets from crowdsourced aerial photography captured by commercial drone operators.
May 29, 2026
Cranky Weekly Review presented by Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport: LGA Slots Up for Bid, United’s Next Move
Spirit Airlines plans to auction its 22 LaGuardia slots, valued at approximately $87 million, as part of its liquidation process, with bidding scheduled for July.
ANA introducing new 30th anniversary Pokémon liveries
ANA will debut three specially painted Pokémon liveries in 2026 to celebrate both the 30th anniversary of Pokémon's release and ANA's own milestone anniversary.
Ukraine would gain advantage over Russian glide bombs with Gripen-Meteor combo
Ukrainian military analysts suggest that Gripen fighters equipped with Meteor air-to-air missiles would provide significant advantages against Russian glide bomb attacks, which have increased significantly.
AvTalk Episode 372: Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should
A podcast episode recorded in Stockholm covering behind-the-scenes aviation journalism and discussing an NTSB incident involving cockpit voice recorder data from a UPS flight.
DJI critics won’t like what this drone security audit found
DJI released a security audit addressing longstanding US national security concerns about its drones, potentially impacting ongoing policy debates over data protection and Chinese manufacturer restrictions.
FCC swamped with angry pleas over DJI, Autel drone ban
Thousands of Americans—including emergency responders, farmers, and business operators—have submitted complaints to the FCC opposing proposed bans on Chinese drones like DJI and Autel, citing economic and operational impacts.
May 28, 2026
Tundra’s swap-and-go drone payloads debut in UK
UK operator Coptrz has introduced Tundra's modular drone payload system, enabling single aircraft platforms to swap specialized tools for different missions without requiring workshop reconfiguration.
Europe for Aviation strives for more modern and efficient ATM in Europe
Nine European institutions jointly presented their vision for modernizing Europe's air traffic management system at the Airspace World conference in Lisbon, showcasing progress toward more efficient ATM operations.
Ukraine to buy 20 new Gripen jets, Sweden to donate older jets sooner
Ukraine is purchasing 20 new Gripen fighter jets from Sweden, which is also accelerating delivery of older aircraft to strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities.
EasyJet's Tricky Quarter and Atlanta's Crown
easyJet reported a challenging quarter with significantly negative margins amid market pressures, while analysis explains why Atlanta has emerged as a leading global aviation hub.
San Jose Just Keeps Growing in a Straight Line
San Jose airport continues steady growth despite being abandoned as an American Airlines hub twice within a decade, demonstrating resilience in its market development.
Canada wants Saab early-warning aircraft under push to retool defense suppliers
Canada is considering the purchase of Saab's airborne early warning aircraft as part of a broader defense procurement strategy to diversify suppliers away from U.S. dependence.
The US wants to move beyond DJI drones, but can it?
US policy discussions on transitioning from DJI drones face a key challenge: identifying domestic or allied manufacturers capable of producing affordable alternatives at comparable scale and capability.
May 27, 2026
Radar tech could help scale police drone programs faster
Police departments expanding drone programs face airspace congestion challenges, with radar technology emerging as a potential solution to improve visibility and safety in low-altitude airspace.
The Southwest Airlines fleet in May 2026
An overview of Southwest Airlines' fleet composition and operations as of May 2026, including the carrier's history since its 1967 founding and expansion from Texas intrastate service.
May 26, 2026
Dallas fire stations now double as police drone response hubs
Dallas integrates drone operations into emergency response by establishing fire stations as police drone response hubs, enabling faster deployment in some situations.
Kazakhstan is designing a city around drone deliveries and air taxis
Kazakhstan is developing a new smart city with infrastructure designed specifically for drone deliveries and air taxi operations from inception.
Flying United Polaris Transatlantic & Previewing Major Fleet / Seat Updates
A review of United Airlines' Polaris premium transatlantic cabin experience and preview of upcoming fleet and seating product updates.
Allegiant Tries Something New in Fort Lauderdale
Allegiant Air shifts strategy by entering Fort Lauderdale with a new competitive approach, moving away from its traditional focus on underserved markets.
May 25, 2026
Ethiopian Airlines Group expands its footprint with Air Congo ATRs
Air Congo, a new subsidiary of Ethiopian Airlines Group, took delivery of two ATR aircraft in late April, expanding the group's regional fleet presence in Central Africa.
Life After Spirit: The Future of Fort Lauderdale
Following Spirit Airlines' collapse, Fort Lauderdale Airport is experiencing competitive restructuring as JetBlue, Frontier, Breeze, and Allegiant aggressively expand service and rebuild the market.
May 22, 2026
Cranky Weekly Review presented by Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport: Spirit’s Dire Straits, Allegiant Grows in Florida
Spirit Airlines' March bankruptcy proceedings revealed severe operational losses, highlighting the carrier's continued financial deterioration during liquidation.
Air transportation safety investigation report A23P0040
TSB Canada investigation report on a loss-of-control ground accident involving a Mustang Helicopters Airbus AS 350 B3 helicopter at Smithers Airport in British Columbia.
May 21, 2026
Massport and Landline Now Let You Skip Security at Boston Logan
Landline and Massport introduce a novel security screening service allowing Boston Logan passengers to complete TSA clearance at a remote terminal before airport arrival.
AAIB investigation to Leonardo AW139, G-CIMU
AAIB investigation into a Leonardo AW139 helicopter at Norwich Airport where tail rotor bearing failure occurred on 13 June 2022.