IATA names Saadia Zahidi as its first female director general, the first outsider in 40 years. Riyadh Air launches Kuala Lumpur on 30 July as its first Southeast Asian route. Korean Air retires the Asiana brand on 17 December as the five-year merger process enters its final stretch.
Engine overhaul times have tripled since 2019. More than 22,000 technician positions remain unfilled. Southwest posted record Q2 revenue despite $889mn in additional fuel expense. airBaltic bondholders approved short-term relief on August 17.
Southwest posted record Q2 revenue of $8.4bn, up 16.4%, in the first full quarter with all transformation initiatives in place. Managed business revenue up 30%, RASM up 16.2% on flat capacity. The data shows the transformation is working, at least for now.
Engine overhaul turnaround times have tripled since 2019. More than 22,000 MRO technician positions are unfilled. Shop visit wait times stretch 2 to 6 months. A Pro analysis of how the MRO crisis became the binding constraint on global airline growth.
WestJet completed the cabin transformation of its remaining all-economy Boeing 737 aircraft on 18 August 2026, integrating former Swoop and Sunwing fleets into a three-class product. The airline also completed legroom restoration ahead of schedule.
