Articles by Kalum Shashi Ishara

NEWS Dec 24, 2025 No "Mate's Rates" in the Sky as Qantas Bans All Staff (Including CEO) From New A350 First Class In a move that signals just how "ultra" Qantas intends its new ultra-long-haul product to be, the Flying Kangaroo has made a rare and dramatic policy shift: barring all staff from its upcoming Airbus A350 First Class cabins. Read More →

ROUTES Dec 24, 2025 IndiGo Unveils Delhi–London Expansion and First A321XLR Launch IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, has officially unveiled its roadmap for a transformative 2026, marking its definitive entry into the long-haul arena. In a series of landmark announcements today, December 24, 2025, the airline confirmed it will launch direct flights between Delhi (DEL) and London Heathrow (LHR) starting February 2, 2026, utilising wide-body aircraft. Read More →

NEWS Dec 23, 2025 GlobalX Secures Rare Authorisation to Operate Intra-Canada Charter Flights Global Crossing Airlines Group, Inc. (GlobalX) has achieved a significant regulatory milestone in its northern expansion strategy. The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has officially granted the Miami-based operator authorisation to conduct intra-Canada charter flights, a permission rarely extended to U.S. carriers. Read More →

INFORMATIONAL Dec 23, 2025 GTF Storage Crisis Deepens: 835 Aircraft Grounded as Pratt & Whitney Recalls Surge Post-Mid-Year The operational crisis surrounding the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan (GTF) engine family has reached a new peak. As of late Q4 2025, the number of stored jets powered by the PW1000G family has climbed significantly, highlighting a widening gap between maintenance capacity and the relentless pace of engine recalls. Read More →

NEWS Dec 23, 2025 Ryanair to Appeal $302 Million Italian Fine Over Alleged Travel Agency Restrictions Ryanair has announced its intention to challenge a €255.8 million ($302 million) fine imposed by Italy's competition authority, which accused the airline of obstructing travel agencies and online booking platforms from selling its flights. Read More →

ROUTES Dec 23, 2025 Gulf Air and Turkish Airlines Expand Codeshare Partnership In a major move to bolster connectivity between the Middle East and Europe, Gulf Air and Turkish Airlines have officially announced a significant expansion of their codeshare agreement. Confirmed today, December 23, 2025, the enhanced partnership unlocks five new high-demand destinations for passengers travelling from Bahrain through the global hub of Istanbul. Read More →

ROUTES Dec 23, 2025 Wizz Air Dominates London Luton with TUI Slot Acquisition In a move that solidifies its position as the leading carrier at London Luton Airport (LTN), Wizz Air UK has announced a significant expansion of its base following the successful acquisition of airport slots from TUI Airways. Read More →

ROUTES Dec 22, 2025 Direct Minsk-New York Flights? Belavia Weighs Transatlantic Return for 2026 Following a series of diplomatic breakthroughs in late 2025, Belavia, Belarusian Airlines, is officially exploring the feasibility of a direct link between Minsk National Airport (MSQ) and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Read More →

ROUTES Dec 22, 2025 Air France Suspends Paris-Manila Service for Summer 2026 Air France has announced a significant adjustment to its Southeast Asian network, confirming that its direct service between Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Manila (MNL) will transition from year-round to seasonal operation starting in 2026. Read More →

ROUTES Dec 22, 2025 Delta Sets Firm October 2026 Launch for Historic Atlanta–Riyadh A350 Service Delta Air Lines has officially locked in the launch date for its highly anticipated nonstop service to Saudi Arabia, marking a milestone as the first U.S. carrier to offer direct flights to the Kingdom's capital. Read More →