An ETF Airways Boeing 737-800, operating under a wet-lease for Flybondi, sustained serious damage from a severe hailstorm in Cordoba, Argentina, on January 1, 2026. The aircraft, registered as 9A-LAB, has been grounded indefinitely, causing significant flight disruptions for Flybondi.
Brazil's civil aviation regulator, ANAC, has frozen new flight slots at São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) until critical air-side safety upgrades are completed. The decision, announced on January 26, 2026, follows a recent inspection that identified several deficiencies, including worn markings and faulty lighting.
A private Bombardier Challenger 600 jet carrying eight people crashed on takeoff Sunday night at Bangor International Airport in Maine, resulting in seven fatalities and one serious injury. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident, which occurred during a winter storm.
An Air France flight, AF191, from Bengaluru to Paris was diverted to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on January 13, 2026, due to an engine technical issue. The incident caused a total delay of up to 48 hours for some passengers, who were initially delayed by 21 hours in Bengaluru and then stranded in Turkmenistan.
India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has levied a penalty of ₹22.2 crore on IndiGo. The fine follows extensive flight cancellations and delays in December 2025, which stranded over 300,000 passengers due to operational and planning lapses, including non-compliance with Flight Duty Time Limitation norms.
The Federal Aviation Administration has urged U.S. aircraft operators to exercise caution over the eastern Pacific Ocean, including areas near Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America. The warning, issued via NOTAMs, cites potential military activities and satellite navigation interference, effective for 60 days.
The head of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority, George Saunatsos, has resigned after a report attributed a recent eight-hour airspace blackout to outdated communication systems. The incident on January 4, 2026, caused widespread flight disruptions in Greece, highlighting critical infrastructure deficiencies.
South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has formally admitted that a concrete mound at Muan International Airport, which played a critical role in the December 2024 Jeju Air Flight 2216 crash, failed to meet safety standards. Simulations indicate that the 179 fatalities could have been avoided if the structure had been frangible, sparking calls for accountability.
Hundreds of passengers have been stranded across Austria and Germany due to extensive flight delays and cancellations at major airports, including Vienna and Frankfurt. Winter weather, increased holiday traffic, and operational issues are cited as primary causes, affecting thousands of travelers and multiple airlines.
Saudi Arabia's new national carrier, Riyadh Air, successfully conducted its first test flights on September 12, 2024, utilizing a Boeing 787-9 aircraft. These flights were a crucial step towards obtaining its Air Operator Certificate, paving the way for commercial operations.
An Air Peace Embraer 195-E2 aircraft was grounded at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Friday, December 26, 2025, after a luggage conveyor belt vehicle operated by NAHCO collided with one of its engines. The incident, which occurred after passengers had boarded for a flight to Accra, caused visible damage to the engine's thrust reverser cowling, leading to significant flight disruptions and financial implications for the airline.
China's National People's Congress has approved significant amendments to the Civil Aviation Law, formally regulating unmanned aircraft and introducing mandatory airworthiness certification for drones. The new regulations, effective July 1, 2026, aim to enhance safety and support the burgeoning low-altitude economy, impacting drone manufacturers and operators nationwide.
The black box from a private jet that crashed in Türkiye, killing Libyan military chief Gen. Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad and seven others, will be sent to Germany for technical analysis. The agreement between Libya and Türkiye follows the December 23, 2025, crash near Ankara, which occurred after the jet reported an electrical malfunction.
Air France Flight AF7562, an Airbus A320 carrying 173 passengers from Paris-Orly to Ajaccio, made an emergency landing at Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport on Saturday, December 20, 2025, due to a technical incident. Passengers reported vibrations and visible flashes, though Air France stated the aircraft's airworthiness was not compromised. All passengers were rebooked for onward travel.
Saudi Arabian airports, including King Khalid International in Riyadh and King Abdulaziz International in Jeddah, faced significant flight cancellations and delays from December 19-21, 2025, due to a combination of heavy rain, maintenance issues, and diverted flights, impacting thousands of travelers.
Major Brazilian airports, including Guarulhos and São Paulo, are experiencing significant flight disruptions, with 31 cancellations and 273 delays reported. The instability, affecting key carriers like LATAM Brasil and Azul, follows recent severe weather and ongoing operational challenges across the national aviation network.
The U.S. government has formally admitted that failures by both Army helicopter pilots and air traffic controllers contributed to a deadly midair collision near Washington D.C. on January 29, 2025. The crash, involving an American Airlines regional jet and a Black Hawk helicopter, claimed the lives of all 67 people aboard. This admission was made in response to a civil lawsuit.
SES, a Luxembourg-based satellite operator, and Latin American air transportation holding Abra Group have launched a multi-orbit inflight connectivity service. The service, initially operational on 10 Avianca Airbus A320s, will expand to over 100 aircraft, enhancing broadband access for passengers across the Americas.
Brazil's air travel faced significant disruption on December 12, 2025, with 25 cancellations and 348 delays primarily affecting airports in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Severe weather, operational issues, and power outages contributed to the chaos, impacting thousands of passengers and major carriers like GOL and LATAM.
Luxembourg's government has marked the 15th anniversary of the signing of the FABEC Treaty, a pivotal agreement established on December 2, 2010. The treaty, signed by six European states, aims to enhance safe, efficient, and sustainable air traffic management across 1.7 million km² of central European airspace, handling 55% of the continent's air traffic.
