CPaT Announces new contract with AirExplore: CPaT Global announced they have been awarded a new contract with AirExplore. CPaT will be providing AirExplore with their all-new Boeing 737NG Aircraft Systems courseware, along with access to their robust General Subjects library and CPaT Invent. “CPaT is proud to partner with AirExplore as they continue to strengthen their pilot training,” said Capt. Greg Darrow, Vice President of Sales. “By incorporating our new Boeing 737NG Aircraft Systems course, AirExplore’s crews will benefit from the latest systems content, paired with highly flexible tools to best support their CBTA training program.” “We are continually enhancing our pilot training standards in alignment with our long-term growth strategy,” said Peter Reisel, Crew Training Manager at AirExplore. “Partnering with CPaT enables us to provide modern, flexible, and highly effective training tools for our crews. We are particularly pleased that CPaT’s courseware supports and aligns with AirExplore’s ongoing CBTA implementation, further strengthening our training capability and supporting the safe and reliable operations our airline is known for.” AirExplore is based out of Bratislava, Slovakia.
Navitaire and TUI Airline to shape next-generation airline retailing: TUI Airline will be a launch customer for Navitaire Stratos, the next-generation retailing portfolio built for low-cost carriers (LCCs) and hybrid airlines. Navitaire, an Amadeus company, has worked with TUI for more than two decades to deliver an improved travel experience across the group’s airlines. The latest phase of this collaboration introduces new functionalities such as a modern shopping cart feature, allowing travellers to search for offers, save their selections, and return later to complete their order with up-to-date pricing. This innovation mirrors the convenience of leading e-commerce platforms, making it easier for travellers to plan and adjust their journeys. Additionally, TUI Airline will be able to offer personalized recommendations and smooth access to third-party services – such as car rentals, activities, and accommodation options – directly through their websites. This means travellers have more tailored choices at every step. Aligned with IATA Offer and Order standards to power modern retailing practices, Navitaire Stratos is being built on a flexible, cloud-native technology stack. Powered by an open architecture and leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities, it combines flexibility with resilience, helping TUI Airline innovate faster, operate efficiently, and stay competitive in an evolving market.
Dnata, Dubai Police unveil smart cargo screening hub at DXB: Dnata has unveiled a new centralised screening control room at its Dubai International airport (DXB) cargo facility, developed in partnership with Dubai Police. The project marks a major step in the digital transformation of air cargo operations, combining real-time automation with enhanced security oversight. From a single high-tech command centre, Dubai Police officers can now remotely operate and monitor six X-ray screening machines across dnata’s warehouse. Each device is connected to One Cargo, dnata’s digital cargo management system that automates key business and operational functions. This allows for instant data sharing, streamlined workflows, and faster decision-making. Previously, screening was conducted at multiple warehouse locations, leading to higher resource use and reduced efficiency. The new centralised approach consolidates all processes into one hub, reducing screening time and improving throughput by around 3 per cent annually. Dnata, which serves more than 120 airline customers, handles on average 60,000 tonnes of cargo monthly in its DXB facility. Earlier this year, the company announced a significant milestone of processing more than 1 million tonnes of cargo between April 2024 and March 2025, marking the highest volume ever handled in a year across both its DXB and DWC operations, representing year-on-year growth of around 30 percent. This surge reflects the broader story of Dubai’s logistics growth. The rise of e-commerce, the region’s growing consumer population and Dubai’s strategic location as a global transit hub are driving cargo volumes to new heights. The new system reduces manual touchpoints, enables advanced analytics, and helps optimise resource use, lowering unnecessary cargo movement and fuel consumption inside the facility.
Powerhouse Engines selects Ramco Systems for MRO: Enterprise aviation software provider Ramco Systems Corporation, USA (RSC), a subsidiary of Ramco Systems Limited, announced that it will implement its next-gen Aviation Software at Powerhouse Engines, a South Florida based‑ aviation services company specializing in jet engine leasing, trading, and MRO for CFM56 family engines. Ramco’s advanced software solution will provide complete lifecycle coverage for Powerhouse’s engine MRO operations, empowering the aviation services provider to optimize resource utilization and leverage actionable insights for informed decision-making. By implementing Ramco Aviation Software, Powerhouse is laying the foundation for accelerated growth while maintaining operational excellence. Through the adoption of an integrated suite of modules for Engineering & CAMO (including configuration management, AD and SB management, task card management and maintenance planning) Engine and Shop Maintenance, MRO Contracting, Finance, and Quality, Powerhouse will gain comprehensive visibility and seamless integration across key functions. This strategic initiative will enable Powerhouse to strengthen inventory management, purchasing, and cost tracking, while streamlining subcontracting and third-party repair processes to enhance overall MRO efficiency. Further reinforcing this transformation, Powerhouse will leverage Ramco’s advanced digital solutions, such as Ramco’s Anywhere mobile applications, Hubs, and BInGO dashboards, to transition toward paperless operations. These tools will provide real-time tracking of parts, inventory, repair orders, purchase orders, and repair tags, thereby improving process efficiency and accelerating engine overhaul and maintenance workflows. Through these measures, Powerhouse is positioning itself as a leader in adopting technology-driven practices that set new benchmarks for agility and precision in the aviation industry.
Air Charter Service prepares for further growth in Florida: The Florida office of leading aircraft charter specialist, Air Charter Service, has moved to a much larger space, moving north from Miami to Florida’s Hollywood, to accommodate its growth plans, and has welcomed the experienced Greg Tarran, from the company’s London office, as it expands its private jets team. Brian Rodriguez, ACS Florida’s CEO, commented: “The new office is three times larger than our old space, allowing us to further our growth plans. It is also closer to Boca Raton, Miami-Opa Locka, Fort Lauderdale Executive, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airports, all of which we regularly use for charters, making it ideally situated for our clients. This new look office is a major step forward for our business in Florida. Last month we also added the experienced Greg Tarran from our London headquarters to the team, who has joined as Private Jets Assistant Director, bringing with him a wealth of expertise in dealing with big clients and working on complex operations.” Richard Thompson, President of ACS Americas, who was present at the launch event, commented: “Florida is such a key market for ACS in the States, so it is important for us to grow our already strong position in the region. The team is thrilled with the new space, upgraded amenities and accessible location. The move reflects our ongoing progress, and this new office’s location not only caters to our employees but also allows us to better serve our clients. The future of the Florida office looks bright, and this is just the beginning.”
ExecuJet MRO Services completes Falcon 8X Starlink retrofit: ExecuJet MRO Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, has completed the first Starlink retrofit on a Falcon 8X, making a significant connectivity upgrade for business jet operators. The milestone installation, performed at ExecuJet’s facility in Belgium, was carried out under a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) developed by Dassault Falcon Jet (DFJ) and benefiting the entire Dassault MRO network. Additional Starlink installations are already underway at Dassault Aviation Business Services in Geneva and at Dassault Falcon Jet service centres in the United States of America. The Falcon 8X was fitted with Starlink’s latest generation aviation hardware, offering enhanced in-flight internet speeds, low-latency internet connectivity that supports video conferencing, cloud applications, and large data transfers. Using an antenna doubler to minimize fuselage modification, ExecuJet completed a successful test flight confirming the system performance and the preservation of the aircraft’s signature quiet cabin environment. ExecuJet MRO Services has also been appointed an authorised Starlink dealer by SpaceX. This dealership allows ExecuJet MRO Services to supply and install Starlink’s advanced connectivity solutions wherever the service is available. This enables similar retrofits across multiple business jets types, including the Falcon 7X, 2000LXS, 900LX, as well as the Bombardier Global and Challenger, Embraer Legacy, and Gulfstream families.
Leonardo to boost US baggage operations: Leonardo is growing its support to airport operations in USA with two major contracts for baggage handling system (BHS) solutions recently signed for the Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) and the Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) for the combined contract value of more than 120 million USD. Through these programmes, Leonardo will modernise and streamline baggage operations without interrupting the airports’ daily activities and help them meeting the evolving traffic demand in 2026. Passengers will benefit from faster, more secure and more reliable baggage processing, while airports’ stakeholders gain improved operational efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, and enhanced system management, for both daily national and international activities. Also, Leonardo maintains a strong commitment to sustainability, and both projects align with these values. The systems’ design ensure reduced energy consumption, lower maintenance needs, and more efficient resource use. By optimising operational performance, the upgrades contribute positively to the airports’ sustainability goals, helping mitigate environmental impact while supporting long-term infrastructure efficiency. Leonardo will carry out a full-scale upgrade of the Baggage Handling System (BHS) at Houston Hobby Airport (HOU). This comprehensive project will completely replace the airport’s existing BHS infrastructure, ushering in a new era of efficiency, capacity and reliability. The new BHS includes two high-performance Cross-Belt sorters: a 780-foot Cross-Belt sorter integrated into the TSA-compliant Checked Baggage Inspection System (CBIS), and a 673-foot bag make-up sorter responsible for routing outbound and transfer bags to their respective flights. Together, these machines form the core of a streamlined baggage flow designed to handle event-level passenger volumes with ease. The system also includes an Early Bag Storage (EBS) solution, allowing secure storage of transfer bags for longer layovers and early check-in passengers. At the core of the Melbourne Orlando International Airport – MLB’s upgrade is a 100% TSA-approved Checked Baggage Inspection System (CBIS) using a Cross-Belt sorter.
Eve Air Mobility completes flight of full-scale eVTOL prototype: Eve Air Mobility (Eve) completed the first flight of its uncrewed full-scale eVTOL prototype at Embraer’s test facility in Gavião Peixoto, state of São Paulo. The inaugural flight initiates Eve’s flight test phase and confirms the integration of key systems, including the fifth-generation fly-by-wire concept and the fixed-pitch lifter rotors. The company will perform multiple flights following today’s hover flight, gradually expanding the envelope to transition into full wingborne flights throughout 2026. “Today, Eve flew. This is a historical milestone for our employees, customers, investors and the entire ecosystem,” said Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve. This flight validates our plan, which has been executed with precision to deliver the best solution for the market. We were able to capture high-fidelity data that will allow us to move forward with safety and confidence towards the certification path.” Eve will manufacture six conforming prototypes to conduct the flight test campaign, aiming for certification. The Company continues to engage with Brazil’s Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), Eve’s eVTOL primary certifying authority, to advance the certification process. Looking ahead, Eve expects type certification, first deliveries and entry into service in 2027. “We exercised our control laws, verified the integration of the eight lifters and assessed energy management, the aircraft’s dynamic response and noise footprint,” said Luiz Valentini, Chief Technology Officer at Eve. “The prototype behaved as predicted by our models. With these data points, we will expand the envelope and progress toward transition to wingborne flight in a disciplined manner, ramping up to hundreds of flights throughout 2026 and building the knowledge required for type certification.”
Rotortrade to develop helipark in Riyadh: Rotortrade announced the development of a new maintenance, sales, and services hub in Riyadh, marking the company’s entry into the Saudi Arabian market and the expansion of its global network into the kingdom. This development follows the full acquisition of Rotortrade by The Helicopter Company (THC) and forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen Rotortrade’s international footprint and operational reach. The Rotortrade Helipark facility is intended to support Rotortrade’s global activities while establishing a permanent presence in Saudi Arabia, aligned with the Kingdom’s positioning as a destination for foreign investment in advanced aviation services. The project is launched in partnership with The Special Integrated Logistics Zone Company (SILZ), developer and operator of the Kingdom’s first Special Integrated Logistics Zone. The project aligns with Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy under Vision 2030 and supports the Kingdom’s ambition to strengthen its role as a global aviation and logistics hub. The facility is being developed as a multifunctional helicopter hub bringing together aircraft sales, maintenance and support services, completions activities, and customer reception within a single site. Designed with a total built-up area of 6,000 m² over three floors, the facility will feature multiple helipads, dedicated display zones for helicopters available for sale, and a fully integrated service centre offering maintenance, repair, and operational support. A premium hospitality zone will provide dedicated areas to welcome clients, VIPs, government delegations, and partners, creating an environment where business, customer engagement, and industry innovation converge.
Rise Air takes delivery of Canada’s first ATR 72-600 aircraft: Rise Air, the Indigenous-owned airline providing essential services across Saskatchewan, has taken delivery of its first ATR 72-600 aircraft, becoming the launch customer for the latest generation ATR -600 series in Canada. This aircraft is the first from a three-aircraft agreement signed in November 2024, with two additional brand-new ATR 72-600s to join the fleet under lease in 2026. This delivery marks a major step in Rise Air’s fleet renewal programme and reinforces its commitment to enhancing year-round connectivity for remote communities. The arrival of the ATR 72-600 comes right after Transport Canada certified the ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 on 27 November 2025, enabling Canadian operators to fly ATR -600 aircraft for the first time. This milestone paves the way for Canadian regional airlines to replace ageing turboprops with modern, comfortable ATR aircraft featuring an advanced glass cockpit that optimises flight trajectories and reduces pilot workload, larger cabins and wider seats. The ATR 72-600 is renowned for its exceptional fuel efficiency, reliability, and ability to operate in challenging environments, including short and unpaved runways. Rise Air’s aircraft is equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada’s new PW127XT engines, delivering lower maintenance costs and 45% less CO₂ emissions compared to similar-sized regional jets, supporting the carrier’s sustainability goals. Derek Nice, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rise Air, said: “Introducing the ATR 72-600 is about delivering modern, safe, and reliable air transportation to remote work sites and infrastructure projects that are vital to Saskatchewan’s economy. These operations support employment and GDP growth across the province, particularly in the north. With this aircraft, we can provide our customers with a higher level of comfort and efficiency while continuing to strengthen connectivity in some of Canada’s most challenging environments.”
Jeju (CJU)-Seoul Gimpo (GMP) is world’s busiest route: OAG, the data platform for the global travel industry, revealed its ranking of 2025’s Busiest Airline Routes. The analysis is powered by OAG’s Global Airline Schedules Data and provides an overview of global route performance and trends. Jeju to Seoul Gimpo is the busiest airline route of 2025 with 14.4 million seats scheduled, a modest 1% increase versus 2024. There is room yet for growth on this route, which is still 17% short of regaining its capacity level of 2019. Seven carriers operate on this intensely competitive route. The second and third placed routes are both in Japan: Sapporo New Chitose (CTS) – Tokyo Haneda (HND) and Fukuoka (FUK) – Tokyo Haneda (HND) with 12.1M and 11.5M seats respectively. The top ten comprises entirely of domestic flights, and Asia Pacific dominates with 9 out of 10 being in the region. The one route outside of Asia Pacific is fifth placed Jeddah (JED) – Riyadh (RUH), which has seen the fastest growth of any top ten route. 9.8M seats on JED-RUH represent annual growth of 13%. Fourth placed Hanoi (HAN) to Ho Chi Minh (SGN) also grew by 4% YoY and tenth placed Shanghai (SHA) – Shenzhen (SZX) has seen capacity increase by 5% to move into the top ten from its eleventh spot last year. Focusing on cross-border flights, Hong Kong (HKG) – Taipei (TPE) is the busiest route of 2025 with 6.8M seats followed by Cairo (CAI) – Jeddah (JED) with 5.8M seats and Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – Singapore Changi (SIN) with 5.6M. OAG’s Chief Analyst, John Grant commented: “The importance and scale of these routes cannot be underestimated and highlights the strength of emergent markets around the world. For Asia Pacific to be home to nine out of the ten largest routes in the world, all of which are domestic, is a remarkable indication of how these routes have recovered in recent times and their significance to the airlines operating those sectors.”
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