Travelport signs multi-year agreement with Riyadh Air: Travelport has signed a multi-year distribution agreement with Riyadh Air, the newly established Saudi Arabian national carrier wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The agreement will enable Riyadh Air to distribute its content, including NDC and traditional fares, through Travelport’s wide-reaching marketplace. As a digitally native airline, Riyadh Air has selected Travelport to support its modern retail strategy, with NDC technology as the primary integration and legacy content as a secondary option. Through this agreement, Riyadh Air will gain access to Travelport’s worldwide network of travel agencies and corporate buyers, enabling the airline to deliver dynamic, personalised travel offers to customers. Travelport will integrate with Riyadh Air’s Offer and Order host system to ensure enhanced connectivity and enriched retailing capabilities. Vincent Coste, Chief Commercial Officer at Riyadh Air, said: “Partnering with Travelport gives us the global reach, distribution power, and retailing capabilities needed to support our goal of flying to over 100 destinations by 2030. This partnership is not only about enabling seamless travel experiences, but also about contributing to the broader national vision of economic diversification.”
Emirates Group collaborates with OpenAI: Emirates and OpenAI have entered into a strategic collaboration to advance AI adoption and innovation across the airline. The collaboration will entail enterprise-wide deployment of ChatGPT Enterprise, supported by tailored AI literacy programmes, technical exploration, and executive strategic alignment designed to embed AI capabilities across the organisation. Ali Serdar Yakut, Executive Vice President IT said: “We see enormous potential for AI technology to support our business requirements, helping us tackle complex commercial challenges, strengthening our operations, and enhancing the customer experience. Closely working with OpenAI will make our technology investments both strategic and scalable, enabling us to deliver enhanced value to our employees and customers, fundamentally changing how we innovate, deliver value, and maintain our competitive edge in the industry.” As part of their work together, Emirates and OpenAI will explore opportunities to introduce practical use cases, develop an internal AI champion network, and establish an AI Centre of Excellence. This collaboration will identify key areas for enhancing and expanding AI capabilities across the organisation, covering critical skills, processes and technology needed to power Emirates into the next era.
CAE implements CBTA principles in business aviation: CAE announced the implementation of Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) principles in Business Aviation within its training programs, marking a significant advancement in pilot training and safety. Recognised by leading global aviation regulators—including the FAA, EASA, UK CAA, and Transport Canada—CBTA introduces a data-driven, advanced training framework designed to meet the evolving demands of modern aviation. CBTA is a structural evolution in aviation training, emphasizing demonstrated real-world competencies and practical decision-making, in addition to theoretical knowledge. CBTA is being adopted globally because it better prepares pilots for unpredictable and complex operational environments and is increasingly being encouraged or required by regulators. This transformative approach enhances safety through competency development, more engaging training experiences, and clearer feedback and performance insights, ensuring pilots are optimally prepared for the complexities of real-world operations, particularly when flying next-generation aircraft in increasingly dynamic environments. CAE will start offering the CBTA-Principles Recurrent Training Program in January 2026, beginning with Phase A of the EASA recurrent training curriculum. CBTA will be offered as an optional component within the EASA recurrent training program, allowing clients to choose between the CBTA format or traditional training.
Air New Zealand transforms loyalty programme: Air New Zealand is lifting the curtain on a major refresh of its loyalty programme. From April 2026, the Airpoints programme transitions to Koru – a new name and a new era of recognition. Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar says Koru is one of the most significant evolutions of the loyalty programme in nearly 30 years. Airpoints has been an important part of our story and now, that story is evolving. Koru symbolises care, connection, and renewal. For our members, the name Koru inspires pride, belonging and a sense of place, especially when travelling far from home. Now it’s at the heart of loyalty at the airline. We’ve listened to what matters most to our members. We’re proud to be introducing a more rewarding experience that feels simpler, more personal, and unmistakably Kiwi. Koru builds on everything our five million members love about loyalty, shaped and inspired by their feedback.” Koru Black is the new highly anticipated top-earned tier designed to recognise Air New Zealand’s most loyal members with an elevated level of recognition and rewards. To qualify, members must earn over 3,200 Status Points, including 1,920 from qualifying flights in a year. Koru Black members can expect: An additional Recognition Upgrade and short haul Recognition Upgrade; Access to an Express Lane trial for aviation security screening at Auckland Domestic Airport between 19-28 November; Additional Valet Parking Vouchers delivered on 8 December just in time for the festive season; More opportunities to unlock recognition faster.
IATA and industry partners call for climate action: The International Air Transport Association (IATA), together with the governments of Japan, Malaysia and leading industry stakeholders, have issued a joint statement at COP30, urging governments and the international community to reaffirm the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s leadership and accelerate coordinated climate action for aviation to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Specifically, the signatories highlight the need for global solutions, emphasizing that ICAO remains the exclusive forum for addressing international aviation emissions. The signatories caution against fragmented or unilateral measures, stressing that only a unified approach can deliver effective climate results for the sector. The signatories also stress the role of robust global carbon markets in scaling up climate finance opportunities, which is high on the COP agenda and central to the Baku to Belem Roadmap. “Aviation is a catalyst for global connectivity and economic development. To achieve net zero emissions by 2050, governments must reaffirm ICAO’s role as the single global authority, fully implement CORSIA, and operationalise Article 6 to unlock climate finance for developing nations. Fragmented taxes and levies will not cut emissions—they risk diverting funds from actual emission-reduction investments, which is a critical climate consideration, and will only weaken connectivity and harm those who depend on it most,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Aerospace Technologies Group, Emirates, sign window shades deal: Aerospace Technologies Group (ATG) announced it has signed an agreement to supply window shades for Emirates’ latest Boeing 777 cabin upgrade program. The agreement extends a long-standing relationship with the airline and strengthens ATG’s presence in Dubai as it supports the carrier’s wide-body fleet. ATG has expanded its facility at the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub in Dubai South to meet the needs of the program. The site, which opened in 2024, has more than doubled in size and now handles logistics and refurbishment for ATG’s electric window shades. ATG sources materials from across the UAE to keep supply chains close to Emirates’ operations and improve turnaround times. Mario Ceste, ATG CEO, said the expansion of the Dubai facility delivers on the company’s strategy to keep production and support close to key customers: “The recent expansion of our Dubai facility is delivering on our strategic vision for bringing the people to the work and keeping the source of supply close to the point of use.” ATG develops electronically driven window shades and cabin components. Its latest electronics link to on-board maintenance systems, enabling performance monitoring and remote updates without removing the shade from the aircraft.
Viasat Amara to supply Wi-Fi on Azerbaijan Airlines: Viasat and Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), the national carrier of Azerbaijan, have officially signed a strategic agreement to introduce high-speed, streaming-capable in-flight Wi-Fi across the airline’s new fleet. Under the agreement, Azerbaijan Airlines will equip twenty new aircraft—including Airbus A320 family and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner models—with Viasat Amara, the company’s next-generation in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution. The system is engineered to deliver a high-quality, streaming-capable internet experience powered by advanced satellite network design, state-of-the-art hardware, and a suite of digital products. The collaboration will also introduce a wireless in-flight entertainment (W/IFE) platform, providing passengers with a rich library of content directly accessible on their personal devices. The first connected aircraft have already entered service. “We’re proud to partner with Azerbaijan Airlines as they bring high-speed, streaming-capable in-flight Wi-Fi to their passengers for the first time,” said Don Buchman, President, Aviation, Viasat. “With Viasat Amara, they will be delivering a premium digital experience in the sky. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to innovation and elevating the passenger journey.” Azerbaijan Airlines will offer in-flight Wi-Fi for free to its Business Class passengers and top-tier loyalty members, bringing new opportunities to enhance the passenger experience across its growing international network.
Capital A shareholders to receive AAX shares: Capital A announced a key step in its strategic restructuring plan, confirming the Entitlement Date for the distribution of new ordinary shares in AirAsia X to its eligible shareholders. This move is part of the final procedures for the disposal of its airline business to AAX, consolidating all AirAsia brand airlines under a single entity and paving the way for Capital A’s transformation into a multi-platform travel and digital group. The distribution will be effected by way of a dividend-in-specie, through a reduction and repayment of the Company’s issued share capital. The actual number of shares to be received will be calculated based on a formula relating to the number of Capital A shares held on the Entitlement Date. Fractional entitlements to the Distribution Shares will be disregarded. This corporate exercise signifies a significant milestone in Capital A’s comprehensive regularisation plan, which also includes a proposed capital reduction to set off accumulated losses. The overall restructuring is targeted for completion by December, after which Capital A plans to apply for an uplift from its Practice Note 17 (PN17) status. Chief Financial Officer Mun Hui Teh said, “The setting of the Entitlement Date is a monumental milestone, marking a step closer to the final phase of the airline business disposal that will complete the consolidation of all AirAsia airlines under AirAsia X. This strategic realignment delivers value directly to our shareholders and firmly positions Capital A for its next journey as a focused, high-growth multi-platform travel and digital group, separate from the airline operations.”
Air Astana selects Airbus A320neo family for modernisation: Air Astana has committed to a major fleet modernisation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding for up to 50 Airbus A320neo family aircraft. This would be the largest ever order placed by the airline, comprising of 25 firm aircraft and 25 purchase options. The agreement includes a mix of Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft, with the first deliveries starting in 2031. The majority of the aircraft will be allocated to the Airbus A321LR, a version of the aircraft of which Air Astana was one of the first airlines to install a deluxe configuration, for deployment on its pioneering long-haul services to Asia and Europe. Air Astana’s operation of the A321LR over the past five years has set the standard for new operators of the type around the world. This order would be in addition to one announced earlier this month and remains subject to shareholder approval. “Air Astana’s large order for a new fleet of Airbus A320neo family aircraft reflects a commitment to maintaining its reputation for operational efficiency and service excellence in the long term,” said Peter Foster, CEO of Air Astana. “The Airbus A320neo family has proven to be an outstanding success in service with Air Astana over many years and I’m confident that the new fleet with continue to boost sustainable growth and profitability in the long term.” The Air Astana Group currently operates a fleet of 62 aircraft, including 59 Airbus A320 family aircraft, split between Air Astana, the full-service airline and FlyArystan, its low-cost airline.
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