AAV News in Brief 14 January 2026

CPaT Global expands scenario-based training portfolio: CPaT Global announced the launch of its new Airbus A320ceo Aircraft Systems course, built on CPaT’s Microlesson framework for scenario-based training, and featuring rich, high-quality graphics powered by CPaT SmartGraphics. Following the recent release of CPaT’s Boeing 737NG Microlessons course, the A320 launch represents the continued expansion of CPaT’s next-generation aircraft systems course portfolio, delivering a modernised learning experience designed to improve engagement, efficiency, and knowledge retention for pilots worldwide. The A320 Aircraft Systems course has been rebuilt with dynamic, realistic visuals that enhance clarity and understanding of complex systems. Powered by CPaT SmartGraphics, the course delivers a visually engaging training experience aligned with today’s digital learning expectations. At its core, the course is structured using Microlessons, concise, topic-specific modules that allow pilots to focus on individual systems and concepts without cognitive overload. Microlessons empower trainers to develop scenario-based lessons, and supports CBTA, AQP, and EBT training programmes. Emirates to launch flights to Helsinki: Emirates will launch a daily flight between Helsinki and Dubai from 1 October 2026, expanding its footprint in the Nordics. The new service introduces the only year-round, direct link between Finland and the UAE, and unlocking expanded opportunities for both international leisure and corporate travellers. The service will operate with Emirates’ newest aircraft type, the A350, bringing its latest products and highly acclaimed Premium Economy cabin to Finland, from the inaugural flight. Emirates flight EK167 will depart Dubai at 08:45hrs, arriving in Helsinki at 14:55hrs; the return flight, EK168 will depart Helsinki at 16:45, landing in Dubai at 00:20 the following day. The flight schedule has been optimised to ensure smooth onwards connections, offering convenient access to and from key destinations across East and Southeast Asia such as Bangkok, Phuket, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, and Taipei; comprehensive connectivity across West Asia and popular Indian Ocean points; African destinations including Cairo, Cape Town and Johannesburg; major hubs across the Middle East and GCC including Damman, Riyadh, Muscat and Kuwait City; and all five Australian cities on Emirates’ network, as well as connections from Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand. ACI World welcomes Munich Airport CEO as new chairman: Airports Council International (ACI) World welcomes Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport, as chairman of the ACI World Governing Board (WGB) for the 2026–2027 term. Lammers succeeds Candace McGraw, retired CEO of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), who completes her tenure as ACI World’s first woman Chair, after guiding the organisation through a period of strong global advocacy and strategic advancement. The ACI World Governing Board is composed of 28 airport CEOs nominated by ACI’s five regions. The Board provides strategic direction on airport policy, operational priorities, sustainability, and innovation on behalf of airports worldwide. Lammers has been an active member of the ACI World Governing Board since 2019—serving as Vice Chair from 2024–2025—and served on the Board of ACI EUROPE from 2017–2023. Elected President of ACI EUROPE in 2019, he led the ACI Region through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, strengthening collaboration among airports across Europe and championing recovery. Since January 2020, Lammers has served as CEO of Munich Airport, one of Europe’s leading international hubs known for service quality, innovation, and sustainable airport development. Prior to this role, he was CEO of Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport from 2008, overseeing significant modernization and growth. Signature Aviation expands global reach: Signature Aviation has announced the expansion of its global reach with the planned construction and operation of essential support and hospitality services for a new General & Business Aviation Terminal (G&BAT) at Guanacaste Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Costa Rica. The new Guanacaste Airport G&BAT terminal will feature a modern architectural design and a luxurious terminal that enhances the natural beauty of Costa Rica within its infrastructure. Its facilities will include full premium amenities and sustainable design elements. The project will be financed and built by Signature, where construction is set to begin in partnership with Bambu Construction, a Costa Rican firm deeply rooted in the local community. The facility is scheduled to open in 2026 and will set a new and advanced benchmark for private aviation services in the region. The project is expected to create substantial local employment opportunities, beginning with the construction phase, initial operations, and continuing through to the start of operations at the new terminal. “As the world’s most internationally recognized provider of private aviation services, Signature and Coriport’s collaboration at Guanacaste Airport is a paradigm shift in how VIP travellers experience Costa Rica,” shared Tony Lefebvre, chief executive officer, Signature Aviation. “Time and time again, Signature has successfully exported its superior operating model for private aviation hospitality and soon, our guests will experience that same massive leap forward in trust and professionalism for themselves upon their arrival and departure in the Guanacaste region.” Indra Group acquires Altitude Angel’s GuardianUTM platform: Indra Group has reached an agreement with the UK-based Altitude Angel company to acquire the assets related to GuardianUTM, its modular unmanned air traffic management platform. This operation will enable Indra Group to strengthen its position in the air traffic business, positioning itself as a global benchmark in the growing UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) segment and strengthening its presence in the United Kingdom, a strategic country. GuardianUTM features a cloud-based UTM solution that facilitates flight planning, approval, and conflict resolution services, which will help improve Indra’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAS) traffic management technology. Moreover, GuardianUTM will allow Indra Group to expand its value proposition and include a “Drone Assist” mobile application for pilots and other potential users, as well as monetisation modules applied to the airspace, with an end-to-end approach geared towards monetising UAS flights. In this regard, Indra Group will offer a comprehensive portfolio of solutions so as to enter the per-flight services business model, by means of which airports, air navigation service providers (ANSPs), and landowners will be able to charge for approval and access to their airspace in accordance with the time and number of flights. In addition, the operation will permit Indra Group to enhance its presence in the United Kingdom, a strategic country in which it has acquired the ParkAir, MicroNav and Global ATS in recent years, in keeping with its Leading the Future Strategic Plan. BGS renews partnership with airBaltic: Baltic Ground Services (BGS) has extended its contract with the Latvian airline airBaltic for more than a year. Under the renewed agreement, BGS will supply fuel to airBaltic aircraft at two airports: Palanga and Riga. Effective November 1, 2025, the agreement confirms that BGS will remain responsible for fueling airBaltic aircraft at Palanga (PLQ) and Riga (RIX) airports until the end of 2026. In Riga, BGS will provide fuelling services for a defined part of airBaltic’s operations, in accordance with the airline’s procurement results. According to Vitalis Dūdys, BGS Group’s Head of Commerce, the new agreement once again confirms that the company delivers top-quality services and is a trusted partner. He notes that BGS and airBaltic have successfully cooperated for more than a decade – since 2015. “Throughout all these years of collaboration, airBaltic has had many opportunities to experience our professionalism and service quality firsthand. The continuation of this partnership is a great recognition for us. Our goal remains the same – to continuously improve and support airBaltic in achieving its ambitious goals,” he said. Gulfstream G500 and G600 secure EASA steep-approach certification: Gulfstream Aerospace announced that the Gulfstream G500 and Gulfstream G600 have received certification for steep approach landing by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), allowing operations at even more airports worldwide. “Our customers already benefit from the groundbreaking performance and efficiency of the G500 and G600,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “With EASA steep-approach certification now achieved, we’re proud to offer European operators even greater fleet flexibility by giving them access to more remote airports and destinations around the world.” The G500 and G600 received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) steep-approach certification in 2023 and 2024, respectively. To earn the FAA and EASA certifications, both aircraft successfully demonstrated steep-approach capabilities with low-speed handling and short-field landings at London City Airport in England and Lugano Airport in Switzerland. Today, there are more than 350 G500 and G600 aircraft in service around the world. The fleet has amassed a combined total of more than 350,000 hours, 173,000 landings and over 120 city-pair speed records. Alton Aviation Consultancy welcomes new MD: Alton Aviation Consultancy announced the appointment of Bryan Terry as a Managing Director in its New York office, where he will be a key leader of the firm’s aviation advisory practice. Terry brings more than 30 years of aviation industry experience, with a distinguished career spanning airline finance, operations, and industry trade association leadership roles, together with senior leadership positions at global consulting firms. His appointment strengthens Alton’s capabilities in delivering strategic, operational, and financial advisory services to clients worldwide. Prior to joining Alton, Terry served as the Global Aviation Leader with Deloitte, helping to successfully grow the firm’s airline practice, while leading complex, enterprise-wide engagements for airlines worldwide. Over the course of his career, he has led challenging and transformational projects across the aviation value chain, generating more than $1 billion in tangible enterprise value. At Alton, he will contribute sector knowledge across commercial strategy, customer experience, operational excellence, financial performance, and technology transformation. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]