AAV News in Brief 19 March 2026

Singapore Airlines releases February operating results: In February 2026, the Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group’s passenger traffic rose 3.8% year-on-year, slightly lower than the passenger capacity increase of 4.9%. The Group’s passenger load factor (PLF) was 85.6%, with SIA and Scoot posting monthly PLFs of 84.9% and 88.1% respectively. Combined passenger carriage increased 7.2% year-on-year to 3.3 million passengers, supported by healthy holiday demand due to the shift of the Lunar New Year period from January in 2025 to February in 2026. Cargo loads increased 8.8% year-on-year, driven by demand ahead of the Lunar New Year period, against a 0.5% decline in capacity. The cargo load factor rose 4.8 percentage points to 56.7%. During the month, Scoot launched services to Medan in Indonesia. As of end-February 2026, the Group’s passenger network covered 136 destinations in 37 countries and territories. SIA served 78 destinations, while Scoot served 82 destinations. The cargo network comprised 140 destinations in 38 countries and territories. CPaT wins contract with Ethiopian Airlines: CPaT Global announced a new contract with Ethiopian Airlines. CPaT will provide Ethiopian Airlines with Aircraft Systems courses for the Airbus A350, Boeing B737NG, B737 MAX, B737‑800BCF, B777, B787, and the Dash8‑Q400, supporting their large and diverse fleet, along with Interactive Diagrams, Differences courses, and CPaT’s robust library of General Subjects. “Partnering with Ethiopian Airlines is an exciting milestone for CPaT,” said Capt. Greg Darrow, Vice President of Sales. “Supporting a carrier with such a large and diverse fleet underscores CPaT’s ability to deliver comprehensive, flexible training to meet the needs of airlines operating on a global scale. We are proud to contribute to Ethiopian Airlines’ continued success as Africa’s leading airline.” Commenting on the new contract, Ethiopian Airlines Vice President Capt. Yoseph Hailu said, “The global aviation industry’s training needs are evolving at a rapid pace, and this collaboration ensures that our pilots remain at the cutting edge of that evolution. By combining the expertise of Ethiopian Flight Operations Training and Standards with CPaT Global’s training excellence, we are creating a seamless pathway for the next generation of pilots.” FACC sets up new high-tech plant in Upper Austria: Based on current market forecasts, FACC will continue to grow until 2030. In order to increase production rates for existing projects and to develop new customer projects, around EUR 350 million will be invested in new technologies and the expansion of global locations by 2030. The strategically important location in Upper Austria is now being further expanded: In order to create new capacity for large-scale structural components for passenger aircraft – such as elevators and ailerons – a new high-tech plant is being built in St. Martin im Innkreis on an area of 20,000 m2. This will double the current production capacity for aerostructures components at this location. The investment will also involve the establishment of a separate research area where manufacturing processes and technologies will be developed for use in the next generation of commercial aircraft. A total of around EUR 120 million will be invested in this project. Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of 2026, and the new plant, which shall be directly connected to the existing Plant 3, will go into operation in mid-2028. Full expansion shall be completed by the end of 2029. Luxaviation taps Leon Software tech: Leon Software announced that Luxaviation, one of the world’s largest private aircraft operators, has joined the growing Leon community. Headquartered in Luxembourg, Luxaviation operates a vast global network under the regulatory oversight of 13 AOCs and is recognised for delivering premium business aviation solutions worldwide. By integrating Leon Software into its operational ecosystem, Luxaviation aims to further enhance efficiency across its diverse portfolio of services, which includes on-demand charter flights, aircraft management, maintenance, and bespoke concierge solutions. The implementation of Leon will support the optimisation of fleet performance, improve crew management processes, and streamline daily operational workflows across its global bases. Patrick Hansen, CEO Luxaviation Group affirms: “At Luxaviation, we continuously invest in smart, future‑ready technologies that empower our teams and elevate the experience we deliver to our clients. Joining the Leon Software community is an important step in harmonising our global operations and enabling even greater efficiency across our 13 AOCs and diverse fleet. Leon’s agility, transparency and data‑driven capabilities support our ambition to operate at the highest standards of safety, reliability and service. We are proud to partner with a platform that shares our commitment to innovation and operational excellence.” Unilode and SATCO open new MRO facility: Unilode and SATCO announced the opening of a new Maintenance and Repair (MRO) facility at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and a long-term cargo net supply agreement supporting Unilode’s global network. The newly opened LAX MRO facility represents a joint investment by SATCO and Unilode in the Americas region. At this location, Unilode will provide on-site ULD maintenance and repair services in support of SATCO’s growing installed base of equipment, strengthening operational capabilities and customer support. As part of this strengthened collaboration, Unilode has made the strategic decision that it will also begin sourcing ULD-related products from SATCO. This agreement reflects Unilode’s continued focus on supply chain resilience, product performance, and long-term strategic partnerships. “The opening of the new LAX facility and our decision to integrate SATCO nets into the Unilode network mark an important step forward in our partnership,” said Janis Balkens, Chief Operations Officer of Unilode. “This collaboration mirrors the successful operating model we have established globally, strengthens our supply chain, and reinforces the strong relationship we have built with SATCO. We value this partnership and look forward to growing together in support of our customers worldwide.” National Airlines offers Viasat connectivity: Viasat announced that its advanced in-flight connectivity has been selected by Orlando-based charter operator National Airlines to elevate the passenger experience onboard a new fleet of three Airbus A330 aircraft. The introduction of seamless, high-performance connectivity has already received a positive response from National Airlines’ VVIP and charter passengers, delivering uninterrupted access to the most data-hungry applications – such as high-definition video streaming and powerful AI tools – on multiple devices at the same time. Crew have also benefited from real-time flight updates and enhanced communication with ground teams. Christopher Alf, Chairman of National Airlines, said: “National Airlines is committed to delivering world-class service to our expanding base of VVIP and charter passengers, from business and leisure groups to governments, sports teams, and other specialized travellers. As part of this vision, we have strengthened our Airbus A330 aircraft fleet, featuring premium interiors, enhanced comfort and advanced capabilities. We are now excited to partner with Viasat to leverage its proven expertise and cutting-edge technology, enabling us to offer a more personalised, seamless, and connected in-flight experience for our customers.” One Air Aviation integrates new Tecnam P2006T NG: Tecnam announced that One Air Aviation, a leading European pilot school based in Spain, has selected the new Tecnam P2006T NG to finalise its cutting-edge, unified training fleet. This latest acquisition is a strategic milestone for the Málaga-based Approved Training Organisation (ATO). Having recently been confirmed as the Launch Customer for the new P2008JC NG (with an order of four aircraft), One Air is now seamlessly expanding its “Next Generation” capabilities into multi-engine training. By combining the P2008JC NG for initial flight phases with the P2006T NG for advanced multi-engine instruction, One Air is establishing one of the most technologically advanced and consistent learning paths in Europe. Agustín Cabanillas, CEO and Head of Training at One Air Aviation, emphasized the strategic vision behind the acquisition: “Following our landmark agreement as the First World Launch Customer for the P2008JC NG, the addition of the P2006 NG was the natural next step in our expansion. We are committed to providing a seamless, high-tech experience for our students, and Tecnam’s Next Generation line is a key in that vision. This investment reinforces One Air’s position as a leading European ATO, offering a fleet of 32 state-of-the-art aircraft that sets a new standard in pilot training excellence.” Hong Kong International Airport sees jump in traffic: The busy Chinese New Year period saw daily passenger volume at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) surpass 210,000 trips on the peak day of 22 February 2026. In total, HKIA handled 5.42 million passenger trips and 32,100 flight movements in February, representing year-on-year increases of 20.1% and 10.5% respectively. Cargo throughput continued to gain momentum, with cargo volume growing 11.6% year-on-year to 361,000 tonnes during the month. Over the first two months of 2026, HKIA handled 10.93 million passengers trips and 66,545 flight movements, representing year-on-year growth of 11.7% and 6.2% respectively. The combined growth of passenger volume in January and February was mainly driven by the 30% year-on-year growth in transfer/transit passenger traffic. During the period, traffic to and from the Chinese Mainland and Southeast Asia contributed the most to the growth in passenger traffic. The cargo throughput of the first two months of 2026 rose by 8.2% year-on-year, to 776,000 tonnes. The overall growth of cargo throughput for the first two months was mainly attributed to a 17% year-on-year increase in transshipment. Exports also recorded a 7% growth. Among the key trading regions, cargo throughput to and from Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East showed the most significant increase. On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume rose by 14.0% year-on-year to 62.12 million, while flight movements increased by 7.9% to 398,565. Cargo throughput grew by 3.6% to 5.13 million tonnes. The airport recently welcomed two new airlines: Chongqing Airlines connecting with Chongqing, and Eastar Jet connecting with Seoul, respectively. Meanwhile, during the month, Air Busan, Chongqing Airlines, Greater Bay Airlines and T’Way Air launched new flight routes to Seoul, Chongqing, Fukuoka, Pakse, Phuket and Busan, respectively, further expanding HKIA’s air traffic network. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]