AGP Executive Report

Sanctions Shock to Regional Flying: Iraq’s Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and Sulaimaniyah airports suspended Iran-bound services after new US aviation sanctions, forcing longer overland travel. Fleet & Cost Pressure: Qatar Airways retired its remaining A330 passenger jets as the Iran war lifts fuel costs and weakens demand, while seconding some pilots to RwandAir. MRO Push in Asia-Pacific: FTAI Aviation is expanding its Asia strategy with VietJet and Vietnam Airlines Engineering talks around quick-turn MRO at Long Thanh and engine work with Pratt & Whitney. Airbus Quality Watch: Airbus flagged a coating defect on some A321neo fuselage stringers; it says a remedy is available and the issue is not safety-related. Operational Disruption & Safety: Seven flight attendants reported feeling ill from an unknown odor on a Los Angeles–Hawaii flight; the aircraft was inspected before returning to service. Airline Network Moves: Alaska Airlines will boost Paine Field with twice-daily San Jose service starting April 14 and more West Coast capacity. New Routes in Asia: Philippine Airlines eyes December nonstop Manila–Delhi and Manila–Mumbai using A321neo aircraft. Aviation Incidents: An emergency landing shut down Bermuda’s Causeway after a Flexjet aircraft filled with smoke; separately, the NTSB released a preliminary report on a Fresno crash that killed four.

New Direct Routes (Kyrgyzstan–China/Thailand): SCAT Airlines will start winter charter Bishkek–Sanya–Bishkek, while Qanot Sharq launches twice-weekly Bishkek–Phuket from Nov. 17, both aimed at boosting tourism without transfers. UAE–Iran Flight Suspension: The UAE suspended Iranian airline flights to and from the country “until further notice,” citing US sanctions and secondary-saction threats to aviation services. US Sanctions Pressure on Iran: Iranian media report broader cancellations and disruptions across routes including Oman, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Baghdad, plus a Tehran–Dushanbe flight returning after Turkmenistan denied airspace access. FAA Safety Focus: FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford says safety and risk management are top priorities, including restructuring the safety office after the 2025 American Eagle helicopter collision. Avionics MRO Demand: Thales says Asia-Pacific airlines are driving avionics retrofits for interference-tolerant radio altimeters, with exchange units to reduce downtime. Regional Airline Growth (US): The RAA reports regional departures rose 8.3% in 2025, helping stabilize overall US air travel. Airport/Network Moves: Adelaide Airport hit 9.1M passengers in FY26 and added more international capacity; Avelo expands its McKinney base with four new nonstop routes to Denver, Atlanta, New Orleans and Nashville. Safety Incidents: A small plane crash near Hesperia killed two; another crash near Quincy/Grant County killed one. Legal/Passenger Rights: A US appeals court upheld Delta’s immunity in a case involving a restrained passenger. Industry Policy Fight: Airlines for America opposes proposed Bahamian overflight fees as duplicative and discriminatory.

Boeing Orders Boom: Turkish Airlines has finalized a deal for 150 Boeing 737 MAX jets—100 firm plus options for 50—after talks involving Erdogan and Trump, a major signal for single-aisle demand. Fleet Expansion: Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed for 11 more Boeing aircraft (five 787-10s, six 737-8s) to modernize and grow routes. Sanctions Shock: New US measures are squeezing Iranian aviation, with airlines cancelling or suspending services and travellers rerouting via Turkey, Armenia, Russia and China. Airline Tech Overhaul: Kenya Airways is replacing its long-running booking and ticketing backbone with Sabre, adding a digital commerce layer for more flexible fare and ancillary sales. Operational Disruption & Passenger Care: UK MP questions airline support after air traffic control disruptions, with the transport minister stressing care, accommodation and rebooking. Safety Incidents: Sita Air reported a landing incident at Nepal’s Jufal Airport after a rear tyre came off; separate reports also cover small-plane crashes in the US and Switzerland. Cargo Partnership: DHL Express and Singapore Airlines renewed their crew-and-maintenance agreement for five 777 freighters from Singapore. Awards & Market Demand: Airbus forecasts the Middle East will need nearly 3,900 new passenger aircraft over 20 years, while Singapore Airlines tops Skytrax’s 2026 rankings.

US-Iran Sanctions: Iranian airlines suspended flights to Baghdad, Muscat, Qatar, Georgia and Azerbaijan after new US aviation sanctions, while some services to China continued; Iran and China condemned the measures as illegal. Inquest—Turbulence Fatality: A UK inquest heard a British man on a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 died of cardiac arrest after severe turbulence near Myanmar, with his wife seriously injured. Aviation Safety—NTSB Updates: The NTSB issued a preliminary report on the Seldovia crash that killed four, still searching for a cause; it also released early findings on a Porterville crash where everyone survived. Airline Finance & Fares: Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary ruled out fuel surcharges but warned rivals could raise fares 10–20% in summer 2027 as fuel costs bite. Fleet & Partnerships: Turkish Airlines finalized a deal for up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX jets (100 firm, 50 options); STARLUX and American launched a codeshare linking Taipei with 20 US destinations. Regional Connectivity: The US DOT awarded nearly $12M to 14 communities to restore or add regional air service. Tech & Operations: FAA AI “SMART” sparked controller concerns about possible hallucinations as it rolled out at major Washington-area airports. Disruption Claims: Kuwait’s civil aviation authority denied reports of new transit flights starting Oct. 1, urging passengers to rely on official updates.

US-Iran Aviation Sanctions: The US says it will effectively shut Iranian airlines out of international operations from Sept 23 via secondary sanctions, warning airports, fuel suppliers and ticket sellers they could face dollar-system penalties; Iran’s civil aviation chief insists international flights are still operating, while Azerbaijan suspends Iranian services and Iraq travel agents brace for disruption. India UDAN Funding: Himachal Pradesh signed a 10-year MoU to expand UDAN connectivity and infrastructure, asking for a revised 90:10 VGF funding split due to steep terrain costs. SpiceJet Under DGCA Scrutiny: India’s aviation regulator is reviewing SpiceJet’s operations and finances after August delays and high cancellations, with the minister stressing safety checks. Embraer E2 GPS Crisis: A reported GPS fault tied to Honeywell Primus Epic 2.0 has prompted airlines to cancel flights and ground aircraft in multiple regions. Qantas Project Sunrise: Qantas confirmed Sydney–New York non-stop service for mid-2028, with tickets due to open in Aug 2027. Riyadh Air Expands: Riyadh Air opened bookings for direct flights to Milan starting Dec 16 (four weekly). Tech & Ops: APiJET begins a Digital Winglets 4D™ trial with Wizz Air to improve fuel and on-time performance; Sabre says AI agents are booking flights for ~80 travel firms. Business Aviation: Kyrgyzstan hosted a Business Aviation Summit at Karakol International Airport, highlighting infrastructure and jet opportunities.

Iran Sanctions Ripple: Azerbaijan suspended Iranian airline flights to Azerbaijan from Sept. 22, citing new US aviation-sector sanctions; Iran also cancelled Tehran–Baghdad and Tehran–Muscat services from midnight as airports would no longer accept Iranian flights, with rerouting talks underway. US–China Clash: China’s foreign ministry condemned the “illegal” US sanctions targeting Iranian airlines, while Iran denied any official regional flight ban notifications. ATC Modernization: US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA chief Bryan Bedford unveiled SMART, an AI-supported air traffic management platform using hundreds of data streams to predict congestion and weather issues earlier, starting in Washington-area airspace. India Airline Oversight: India’s aviation minister said SpiceJet is under close government monitoring for operations and finances, with safety prioritized amid liquidity strain. Airline Fleet Wind-Down: Austrian Airlines sold its last three Boeing 767-300ERs for parts recovery, ending 38 years of 767 operations. Runway Safety Call: Guyana’s aviation operators warned after a runway-incursion incident at Mabaruma, urging stronger inspections, wildlife control, and hazard reporting. Aviation Business: Victoria County approved a $10.16M taxiway contract at Victoria Regional Airport and discussed its Essential Air Service airline recommendation.

US-Iran Sanctions Escalation: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says all Iranian airlines will be “shut down around the world” from Sept. 23, warning foreign airports, fuel suppliers and ticketing firms they could be cut off from the dollar system if they keep servicing Iran carriers. Network Disruption in the US: A severed fibre-optic cable triggered FAA flight suspensions across major Northeast airports, with operations resuming after repairs. UK Air Traffic Reliability Pressure: Two NATS air traffic control failures in 13 days are driving new scrutiny of UK aviation resilience and adding costs for airlines and airports. Iran Connectivity Hit by Carrier Cuts: Turkish Airlines suspends flights to Iran until at least March 2027, as other countries move to restrict Iranian airline operations. Passenger Compensation Case: Nigeria’s NCAA orders Air Peace to compensate passengers after a delayed Lagos–Enugu flight, citing wrong disruption notification. Flight Cancellations in India: Air India Express cancels Delhi–Patna–Delhi services from Sept. 24–30 due to operational reasons. Safety & Security Watch: A US watchdog report says air traffic communications are “incredibly insecure,” urging FAA action on spoofing and jamming threats.

Northeast Ground Stops: A Verizon fiber cable cut during New Jersey construction triggered FAA ground stops and major delays at Newark, JFK, LaGuardia, Philadelphia, and Teterboro, with Philadelphia TRACON frequency/circuit issues blamed and repairs expected to take about 13 hours. Sanctions Shock for Iran Aviation: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says all Iranian airlines will be shut down globally from Sept 23, with foreign fuel, landing, and ticketing providers warned of secondary sanctions. Network Moves: Syrian Airlines resumed direct Damascus–Copenhagen service, with Vienna slated next; Fiji Airways restored Nadi–Nouméa direct flights twice weekly. Tech for Better Flow: The FAA began using an AI predictive-analytics tool around Washington, D.C., and plans broader rollout via its SMART platform. Airline/Industry Updates: Ryanair urged NATS chief to resign after another UK ATC disruption; Nigeria’s NCAA ordered Air Peace to compensate passengers after a Lagos–Enugu disruption. Regional Growth: Azerbaijan Airlines expanded Central Asia links to 10 cities from Baku with new services to Shymkent, Atyrau, and Aktobe.

Heat & Disruption: Oman logged a record 45.1°C as extreme temperatures hit the region. Security Tensions: Night bombings in eastern Afghanistan killed at least three civilians, with accusations traded between Kabul and Islamabad. Runway Incident: Turkish Airlines’ A350 reportedly lined up and waited on Newark’s runway without takeoff clearance, raising questions about cockpit/ATC coordination. New Routes: Enugu Air will launch twice-weekly Enugu–Douala flights from Sept. 23 to boost Nigeria–Cameroon connectivity. Operational Reliability: August on-time performance improved year-on-year across Australian carriers, with cancellations down. Aviation Safety Oversight: Kazakhstan is undergoing an FAA safety assessment (Sept. 21–25) ahead of potential direct U.S. flights. Airline Awards: Qatar Airways won four Skytrax World Airline Awards, including new recognition for onboard Wi‑Fi. Passenger Rules: IATA updated guidance for lithium power banks effective Jan. 1, 2027, limiting personal power banks and restricting in-flight recharging. Commercial Pressure: U.S. airlines warned of possible Q4 and winter capacity cuts as jet fuel costs stay high. Expansion & Infrastructure: Tallinn Airport awarded a ~€66.6m terminal expansion contract to raise capacity toward 5m passengers/year. Tech Milestone: Joby Aviation completed a fully autonomous “sea-to-sea” flight across the U.S.

Fuel-Cost Pressure & Route Cuts: American, United and Southwest say rising jet fuel prices will force them to trim less-profitable routes, with holiday travel likely hit as airlines cut capacity and fewer cheaper options remain. Southwest Hawaii Expansion: Southwest is adding six new nonstop routes to Hawaii (LAS–Hilo among them), using Boeing 737 MAX 8 service as the carrier pushes deeper into the Aloha State market. New Long-Haul Network Moves: American launches 14 new routes from Chicago O’Hare, including a planned daily Chicago–Tokyo Narita service starting March 27 on the 787-9. Aviation Safety & Disruption: Canada’s TSB is investigating a fatal small-aircraft crash near Kisbey, while Moscow airports report 400+ delays/cancellations tied to a major drone attack. Airspace Incidents: A suspected drone was reported near an Aer Lingus approach into Dublin, and a Turkish Airlines flight returned to Istanbul after approaching Moscow amid drone activity. Airline Business & MRO: GE Aerospace plans to spend $1B over five years to expand engine repair capacity, targeting surging demand for CFM LEAP work. Regional Connectivity: China Southern resumes Delhi–Guangzhou direct flights from Sept. 21 after a six-year gap. Industry Awards: EVA Air and Starlux both retained five-star Skytrax ratings, while EgyptAir won “Most Improved Airline.”

Skytrax Awards: Singapore Airlines was named the world’s best airline for 2026, reclaiming the top spot at the Skytrax World Airline Awards in London. Regional Rankings: Saudia climbed to 15th in the 2026 Skytrax rankings and also won Middle East awards for cabin crew and staff service. Holiday Capacity Pressure: American, United and Southwest are cutting planned flights as jet fuel prices surge, warning travelers of fewer options and potentially higher fares. Low-Cost Growth: flynas was named Middle East’s Best Low-Cost Airline for a ninth straight year, while Ryanair adds 19 extra winter flights to Dubrovnik. Route Expansion: Corendon Airlines unveiled its summer 2027 schedule, including new services to Istanbul and Bulgaria. Aviation Safety Oversight: Indonesia and France are partnering to strengthen civil aviation safety monitoring systems. Aviation Tragedy: Two pilots died after a Harv’s Air Cessna 172 crash in southeast Saskatchewan; the TSB has deployed investigators. Tech Milestone: Joby Aviation completed the first autonomous cross-country flight across the United States. Premium Demand Watch: United is evaluating Polaris lounge expansion at LAX and ORD as new 787-9s add more premium seats. Airline-Industry Dispute: U.S. carriers are challenging Air China’s bid for more Beijing–New York/Washington flights over unequal airspace access.

Fuel Shock & Capacity Cuts: Major US carriers including American, United and Southwest are adjusting schedules and capacity as jet fuel prices surge, with American warning future planning may change if costs stay elevated. Safety & Investigation: Air India AI171 probe deepens as pilots’ body urges a comprehensive look at Boeing 787 electrical systems and technical records, following questions raised by a US aviation safety group. Disruptive Passenger Response: easyJet confirmed a Glasgow–London Gatwick flight returned to stand and police met the aircraft after a passenger was removed for disruptive behavior. Aviation Education Push: Girls in Aviation Day events in Westchester County and Tampa drew hundreds to thousands of attendees, aiming to boost STEM and aviation career interest for girls. New Routes & Connectivity: Venezuela evaluated reactivating Turkish Airlines service to Maiquetía for Oct. 1, while Aqaba welcomed first Abu Dhabi flights and MedSky resumed Libya–France links after 15 years. Business Aviation Growth: Willis Lease Finance expanded its fleet and engine holdings with new aircraft and engine acquisitions. Incidents on the Ground: A private Cirrus crash in North Carolina injured two, and a Munich Airport vehicle crash into an aircraft engine caused serious injuries to the driver. Tech & Policy: FAA says laser strikes are down but still too high, and Trump announced plans for an “AI Force” and an “AI Czar.”

Jet Fuel Shock: US jet fuel prices climbed near wartime highs, with Gulf Coast at $4.55/gal and New York at $4.75, as production fell and diesel disruptions threaten more fare pressure. AirAsia Stress Test: AirAsia co-founder Tony Fernandes said the carrier has strong liquidity and denies a bailout, while a flight attendants union urged no layoffs as fuel costs bite and routes are suspended. FAA AI for ATC: The FAA plans to roll out an AI system (“SMART”) to help manage air traffic disruptions, starting with decision support to reduce delays and cancellations. Passenger Safety & Tech: A former KLM CEO sparked a business-class fire after breaking power-bank rules, while families of Flight 5342 renewed calls for aviation safety reforms after a deadly mid-air collision. Airline Awards: Qatar Airways won four Skytrax titles and kept its 5-Star rating, including inaugural best onboard Wi‑Fi. Operations Disruptions: Delhi Airport coordinated with SpiceJet after operational disruptions stranded passengers, as the airline faces financial strain. Connectivity & Growth: Libya’s MedSky resumed direct flights to France after 15 years, and an aviation education center broke ground at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport to train pilots and mechanics.

Skytrax Awards: Singapore Airlines was named the World’s Best Airline for 2026 at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, with AirAsia taking Best Low-Cost for the 17th straight year and Qatar Airways winning four top honors including World’s Best Business Class and 5-Star retention. Alliance Spotlight: oneworld was crowned World’s Best Airline Alliance at the same awards. Regional Recognition: Azerbaijan Airlines earned Best Regional Airline in Central Asia and the CIS. Controversy & Apology: Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary apologized after backlash for comparing rival airlines to “rapists,” saying he now understands the harm his words caused. US-China Route Fight: Major US airlines opposed Air China’s request for extra Beijing–New York/Washington flights, arguing it could open the door to more Chinese scheduled services. Aviation Safety/Tech: Joby Aviation says its autonomous Caravan completed a transcontinental US flight over 3,100 miles with no pilot control inputs. Aircraft/Industry: Boeing’s US request for a 777F production extension was approved, while a new landing-gear safety model from Russia targets safer separation in hard landings. UK Disruption Fallout: Airlines UK demanded compensation from NATS after a software defect triggered a major air traffic control meltdown. Crash Update: Two men died in a plane crash near Aniak, Alaska, as the NTSB investigates.

Flight Punctuality Math: A new analysis says airlines have been “padding” schedules for decades, extending domestic flight times by 10%+ from 2012-2022 to look on-time even when delays happen. Swiss Alps Crash: Two Britons and a Welsh businessman were killed after a Cirrus SR22T crashed into a mountainside near Leukerbad; Swiss police launched safety and criminal probes. IndiGo Outlook: IndiGo shares rose ~2% as Jefferies kept a Buy view, citing strong cash and resilience while flagging fuel and currency risks. flydubai Cargo Push: flydubai will wet-lease three B737-800Fs from SolitAir starting Oct 1, with freighter routes to follow and possible conversions later. Airline Customer Tools: flyadeal rolled out “Time to Think” (free 24-hour cancellation) plus “flyadeal Connections” for simpler one-ticket connecting options. AirAsia Financial Jitters: Tony Fernandes denied a bailout need, but Bloomberg/Cirium data shows AirAsia sold newly delivered A321neos—an unusual move tied to liquidity pressure. Labor & Disruption: Qantas faces a 24-hour ground crew strike, while Sydney’s controller shortage has major airlines backing an overnight tower-closure plan. Safety & Health: Frankfurt Airport reported a third death in a rare airport-linked malaria outbreak after a mosquito was likely transported on an aircraft.

NTSB Update: The NTSB says a 2024 training crash near Ann Arbor that killed former Dearborn star Kevin Kreger happened after fuel starvation: the Piper’s fuel selector was inadvertently moved so fuel couldn’t reach the engine, even though usable fuel remained onboard. Airline Ops & Safety: In Miami, investigators are still focused on an Amazon cargo crash that killed at least five; the FAA also approved a waiver letting Boeing sell 35 more 777F freighters after 2028. Route Changes: SAS canceled its planned Copenhagen–Tel Aviv route, citing conditions “not yet suitable.” Network Growth: Azerbaijan Airlines launched Baku–Aktobe service, and Frontier added a new Detroit–New York (LaGuardia) nonstop. Business Aviation & Training: The RCAF received its first Siskin II trainer aircraft to replace the Tutor jets used by the Snowbirds. Community & Careers: “Girls in Aviation Day” events in Vermont and elsewhere are opening aviation pathways for students. Fuel Pressure: United, American and Southwest signaled they may cut less profitable flights as fuel costs stay high.