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 27, 2026
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.
The Airline Europe Wrote Off — and Shouldn't Have
Iberia's turnaround has made it one of the world's most profitable carriers with industry-leading operating margins, reversing a decade of severe operational and financial dysfunction.
May 20, 2026
EASA publishes new set of enhanced online Easy Access Rules
EASA published updated Easy Access Rules online with improved navigation, faster performance, and better accessibility features for aviation professionals and stakeholders.
Italy settles on Airbus tanker purchase in swing toward European equipment
Italy has selected Airbus for a refueling tanker purchase, marking a strategic shift from Boeing towards European suppliers for the Italian Air Force's aerial refueling capability.
May 19, 2026
EASA and EUROCONTROL release Electronic Conspicuity Use Cases for safer shared airspace
EASA and EUROCONTROL jointly developed use case descriptions for Electronic Conspicuity systems to improve pilot traffic awareness and enable safer integration of drones in shared airspace.
War in pieces: Air Force wants special ops plane that can be built on the fly
The U.S. Air Force is developing the Skyraider II, a militarized special operations aircraft based on the AT-802 crop duster, to provide remote teams with airborne surveillance and close air support capabilities.
Sapporo Is a New Kind of Long-Haul Market
Sapporo emerges as an unconventional long-haul market for airlines managing widebody capacity during winter months, offering alternative scheduling strategies.
May 18, 2026
EASA publishes the updated Easy Access Rules for Normal-Category Aeroplanes (CS-23)
EASA published updated certification specifications for normal-category aeroplanes (CS-23 Amendment 6) in multiple formats including an enhanced online version with improved features.
JetBlue is Making Fort Lauderdale Into Its First Hub
JetBlue establishes Fort Lauderdale as its first dedicated hub, leveraging Caribbean connectivity following Spirit Airlines' shutdown to dominate the market.
Singapore Airlines and Its Air India Dilemma
Singapore Airlines' 25% stake in Air India represents another troubled investment in the carrier's history of acquiring struggling airlines, with timing concerns as SIA faces its own challenges.
May 15, 2026
Cranky Weekly Review presented by Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport: Allegiant and Sun Country Make it Official, So Do UA’s FAs
Allegiant Air's acquisition of Sun Country Airlines officially closes, with operations remaining separate pending future integration and customer-facing changes.
The Profit Gap Splitting U.S. Airlines
Q1 earnings analysis reveals significant performance divergence among U.S. carriers, alongside ongoing merger speculation and potential impact of political developments on aircraft orders.
May 14, 2026
Israel to extend F-35I range amid war with Iran
Israel awarded Elbit Systems a $34 million contract to extend the range of its F-35I fighter jets as regional tensions with Iran escalate.
RDU Got (Its Terminal) Knocked Down and Then Got Up Again
Raleigh-Durham airport undergoes terminal expansion following its experience as a former American Airlines hub, reflecting ongoing infrastructure development and recovery.
AAIB investigation to Bellanca (American Champion) Decathlon 8KCAB, G-TALX
AAIB investigation of a Bellanca Decathlon light aircraft whose landing gear failed on touchdown due to corrosion-induced fatigue at Tatenhill Aerodrome on 30 June 2025.
AAIB investigation to DG Flugzeugbau DG-1000T, G-CKLY
AAIB investigation into a DG Flugzeugbau sailplane that experienced propeller coupling separation in flight near Oxford on 26 April 2025.
AAIB investigation to Z-1RA Stummelflitzer, G-ZIRA, 3 March 2026
AAIB investigation of a Stummelflitzer homebuilt aircraft that made a forced landing at White Waltham due to engine power loss on 3 March 2026.
AAIB investigation to Ikarus C42 FB100 Bravo, G-MOOD
AAIB investigation into an Ikarus C42 light sport aircraft that struck trees during forced landing following engine failure near Wycombe Air Park on 3 July 2025.
May 13, 2026
Air Force MQ-9 fleet drops to 135 aircraft after Iran combat losses
The Air Force's MQ-9 Reaper fleet has been reduced to 135 aircraft following combat losses to Iran, prompting efforts to replenish inventory and develop lower-cost alternatives.
Austrian jets intercept US military planes two days in a row
Austrian fighter jets intercepted U.S. military aircraft twice over Austrian airspace in May, with one incident occurring over Upper Austria near the German border.