The Insider Brief — Monday 27 April 2026
Ryanair exits Berlin, Emirates returns to Beirut, Kuwait reopens its skies, Cuba loses Iberia, and Turkish Airlines cuts 18 routes. Monday's five stories in commercial aviation.
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SAS chief van der Werff departs for Air Canada in 2027
Anko van der Werff will leave SAS at the start of 2027 to become Air Canada's next chief executive, replacing Michael Rousseau, whose retirement follows a French-language controversy. The departure leaves SAS mid-fleet order and mid-ownership transition.
The Insider Brief — Wednesday 08 July 2026
easyJet's board backs Castlelake's fifth bid at 690p per share, valuing the airline at £5.2bn. Condor's CEO names Gulf carriers as potential buyers. Catania Airport reopens this morning after Mount Etna shut it for three days, with the alert downgraded from red to orange.
Mount Etna keeps Catania Airport closed for third day
Mount Etna's eruption has kept Catania Airport closed for a third consecutive day, cancelling approximately 130 flights and diverting 50 more to Palermo. Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, Wizz Air and ITA Airways are among the carriers affected.
easyJet agrees in principle to $6.9bn Castlelake takeover
EasyJet's board agreed in principle on 5 July to Castlelake's fifth takeover bid at $9.20 (£6.90) per share, valuing the airline at $6.9bn (£5.2bn). A formal offer is due by 3 August. Bernstein expects a break-up and sale of assets to European network carriers.