Regulator of civil aviation and aircraft registers
Jetex founder says private aviation has grown post‑COVID, with Middle East leading expansion; company plans to expand in Saudi Arabia as eVTOL and urban mobility gain traction. Market worth ~$50.6B with 24k–25k jets active; high-end travel driving demand amid regional tensions.
MAG has reported growth in passenger numbers for the year to 31 March, with Manchester Airport leading gains. Profits have risen as revenues climb, despite geopolitical tensions. Heathrow warns of softer demand amid the Iran-US war.
NATS has received a threat about a Qatar Airways flight, prompting police, the RAF, and airport authorities to respond. RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Lincolnshire to intercept the aircraft; it landed safely with no threat to passengers. A 14-year-old from Bolton, not on the flight, is assisting investigators.
The Civil Aviation Authority has allowed Heathrow Airport Limited to recoup 320 million pounds spent on its third-runway plan by raising airline charges, a move likely to be passed on to travellers. A rival scheme, Heathrow West, is authorised to recover 4.1 million pounds. The decision caps costs and projects a small rise in passenger charges from 2028 onward.
Air travel is constrained by extreme heat. Reports show airlines reducing weight, cargo or fuel to ensure safe departures as temperatures soar. Studies project more frequent weight-related restrictions at hot airports midcentury, with Las Vegas and Denver highlighted for rising risk.
An American Airlines flight from Atlanta to Dallas landed safely at DFW after reports of a laptop catching fire mid-air. Four to five passengers sustained burns; crew contained the device and the plane taxied to the gate. FAA warns lithium batteries can overheat; some travelers received medical care after landing.
UK air travel stayed resilient in the second quarter, with total passenger numbers surpassing last year’s record. Data from the Civil Aviation Authority shows 81 million travellers and 120,000 more movements, while destinations in Europe and Asia saw mixed gains and cuts amid regional tensions.
Gatwick Airport reports half-year pre-tax profits of £136.5 million, down 18% on the prior year as passenger numbers dip amid Middle East conflict and fuel concerns. Long-haul travel falls while short-haul remains pressured; expansion plans for a second runway move forward after a Court of Appeal ruling.
The SACAA has obtained flight data and is reviewing whether safety concerns from the recent Cape Town stadium flyover require further action. Airlink has withdrawn its Sept. 1 flyover because weather conditions were forecast to be unsafe. Authorities say a full report with recommendations will be issued after the assessment.