🇩🇿 7T-VLB, an Airbus A330-941, was delivered to Air Algérie (AH) on June 1.

🇨🇭 9A-ICF, a Boeing 737-8FZ(WL), was delivered to ETF Airways (E4) on June 1.

🇦🇪 A6-EXV, an Airbus A350-941, was delivered to Emirates (EK) on June 3.

🇨🇳 B-228P, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to China Southern Airlines (CZ) on June 3.

🇨🇳 B-32KK, an Airbus A319-153neo, was delivered to Xizang Airlines (TV) on May 31.

🇨🇳 B-32RA, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to Spring Airlines (9C) on June 4.

🇨🇳 B-32RK, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to Colorful Guizhou Airlines (GY) on June 1.

🇨🇳 B-32S5, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to Spring Airlines on June 1.

🇨🇳 B-32S6, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to Spring Airlines on June 3.

🇨🇦 C-FPUB, a Bombardier DHC-8-402 Dash 8 Q400, was delivered to PAL Airlines (PB) on June 3.

🇨🇦 C-GXAN, an Airbus A321-271neoY XLR, was delivered to Air Canada (AC) on June 3.

🇪🇪 ES-MBK, an Airbus A320-271neo, was delivered to Marabu Airlines (MBU) on June 2.

🇫🇷 F-HXIA, an Airbus A320-252neo, was delivered to Transavia France (TO) on June 3.

🇵🇦 HP-9821CMP, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Copa Airlines (CM) on June 1.

🇸🇦 HZ-RXAA, a Boeing 787-9, was delivered to Riyadh Air (XY) on June 4.

🇸🇦 HZ-RXAB, a Boeing 787-9, was delivered to Riyadh Air on June 4.

🇯🇵 JA11JJ, an Airbus A320-232(WL), was delivered to Jetstar Japan (GK) on June 4.

🇱🇹 LY-PEX, a Boeing 737-8HX(WL), was delivered to KlasJet (KLJ) on June 2.

🇺🇸 N14560, an Airbus A321-271neo, was delivered to United Airlines (UA) on June 1.

🇺🇸 N340DU, an Airbus A220-300, was delivered to Delta Air Lines (DL) on June 3.

🇺🇸 N64321, an Airbus A321-271neoY XLR, was delivered to United Airlines on June 3.

🇧🇷 PS-LHO, an Airbus A320-271neo, was delivered to LATAM Airlines Brasil (LA) on May 31.

🇮🇳 VT-NOD, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to IndiGo (6E) on June 2.

🇫🇷 F-GMZC, an Airbus A321-111 with Air France (AF), was withdrawn from use (wfu) and ferried on June 2 from to Enschede, Netherlands (ENS) in the Netherlands for part-out and scrap.

🇰🇷 HL7047, a Boeing 737-8BK with T’way Air (TW), was withdrawn from use and ferried on May 31 to Marana, Arizona (MZJ), where it was returned to its lessor.

🇷🇸 YU-APD, an Airbus A319-132 with Air Serbia (JU), was withdrawn from use and ferried on June 1 to Teesside, England (MME) for part-out and scrap.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report into the May 3 incident involving United Airlines Flight 169, a Boeing 767-400ER arriving from Venice, Italy (VCE) to Newark, N.J. Investigators found the aircraft struck a 15-foot-tall light pole along the New Jersey Turnpike while on short final to Runway 29, causing substantial damage to the aft fuselage and minor injuries to a truck driver who was hit by debris from the pole. Flight data showed the aircraft descended below the standard 3-degree glidepath during the visual segment of the RNAV approach in gusty winds, with the first officer calling out that the aircraft was “slow” and “a little low” moments before touchdown. The captain stated he was intentionally flying a lower profile using a three-red, one-white PAPI indication, rather than the standard two-red, two-white glidepath. Following the event, United issued operational guidance reminding pilots against “ducking under” electronic or visual glidepath indications and emphasizing stabilized approach criteria. The NTSB noted that the investigation remains ongoing and no probable cause has yet been determined. The full report is available below.

A criminal complaint was filed on Wednesday charging Kimani Osayande Jones, aka Kimani Osayande Jackson, 49, of Sacramento, with unlawfully possessing explosive material in an airport. 

According to court documents, at about 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2026, Jones attempted to go through a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at the Sacramento International Airport (SMF) and board a flight. He was wearing a scarf covering his face and latex gloves on his hands. In his carry-on bag, Jones had an M-type explosive device and a torch lighter capable of lighting the explosive, as well as a knife, scissors and scissor blades, an aerosol can, and zip ties. Jones also have five cellphones, one of which had a 15-minute timer ready to start, and another had a message from an unidentified number on the screen that stated, “we will be awaiting your call.” Jones was arrested, and the explosive device was safely removed by Sacramento County Sheriff Bomb Technicians and an FBI Special Agent Bomb Technician. 

The explosive device was subsequently examined and tested, and the powder and fuse were determined to be viable and energetic. The explosive device had the potential to cause injury and, if the explosive device had detonated next to a window on a pressurized aircraft flying above 10,000 feet, it had the potential to damage the aircraft and cause a possible loss of cabin pressure. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Wong is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Jones faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

An Iranian missile and drone attack struck Kuwait City (KWI) early on June 3, killing at least one person, injuring dozens, and causing severe damage to Terminal 1. Kuwaiti authorities temporarily suspended flight operations and diverted inbound aircraft after the attack, which also reportedly damaged diplomatic facilities elsewhere in the country. However, the airport is not fully closed at this time. Kuwait's civil aviation authority later resumed limited operations from Terminal 4, allowing Kuwait Airways to restart flights after safety inspections were completed. Terminal 1 remains heavily damaged and closed, while airlines continue adjusting schedules and operations. The strike marks one of the most serious attacks on Kuwait since the broader regional conflict escalated earlier this year.

Major Indian airlines are making significant capacity reductions this summer as soaring aviation fuel costs and weaker demand pressure profitability. Between June and August 2026, Air India (AI) is implementing the deepest cuts, reducing domestic capacity by 22 percent, while IndiGo (6E) is trimming domestic operations by approximately 5 to 10 percent, depending on the market and schedule period. IndiGo has also reduced some international capacity by as much as 17 percent. Together, the two carriers are expected to remove roughly 250 domestic flights from their schedules, with major hubs such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru seeing the largest impact. The cuts are being driven primarily by jet fuel prices that now account for up to 40 percent of airline operating costs following the recent surge in oil prices linked to conflict in the Middle East. Airlines say the reductions are temporary and intended to preserve profitability until fuel costs stabilize.

Airlines operating in Venezuela will now be required to pay for aviation fuel directly into a U.S. Treasury-controlled account rather than to Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA, under a new directive issued by the country’s interim government. The policy, outlined in a May 28 circular sent to foreign airlines and shipping companies, applies to purchases of Jet A1 fuel and is tied to a broader U.S.-managed mechanism that places certain Venezuelan oil revenues into custodial accounts overseen by Washington. Airlines must provide proof of payment to PDVSA before receiving fuel. The move represents a significant shift in how Venezuela collects foreign currency revenues and follows recent U.S. sanctions relief measures that allow certain oil-sector transactions while requiring royalties and other federal energy-related payments to be directed into U.S.-managed funds rather than directly to the Venezuelan government.

Data aggregator Cirium has released its totals for the most on-time airlines around the world in May 2026. Typically we show two regions each time for three straight editions. As Flightline will be on hiatus for a week, here is the whole pie:

Ireland’s Ryanair (FR) flew 20.7 million passengers in May, a six percent increase from one-year ago. System-wide load factor for the month was 95 percent across over 114,000 flights.

Wizz Air (W6) flew 7,131,287 passengers last month, up a massive 26 percent from one year ago. System-wide load factor for the month was nearly 92 percent.

Grupo AeroMexico, which comprises Mexican flag-carrier AeroMexico (AM) and AeroMexico Connect (5D), enjoyed a 2.1 percent uptick in May passenger traffic, with the carriers flying 2.102 million passengers last month. System-wide load factor was 85.8 percent, with that split mostly evenly between domestic and foreign passengers.

Brazilian carrier Azul (AD) has been identified as the previously undisclosed customer behind an order for four additional Airbus A330-900neos, increasing its total A330neo backlog to 11 aircraft. The latest commitment reinforces Azul’s long haul fleet modernization strategy, which is centered on the fuel-efficient A330neo. The announcement follows the delivery of Azul’s first factory-ordered A330neo, registered PR-ANU, which arrived in Brazil from Toulouse on May 29. Azul originally ordered three A330neos in 2022 and added four more in 2023 before securing the latest four aircraft. The expanded order book positions the A330neo as a cornerstone of the airline’s future international network as it continues to streamline operations following its recent financial restructuring.

A tragic helicopter crash in Georgia claimed the life of 25-year-old Delta Connection first officer Dave Fiji just hours after his wedding. Fiji and his new wife, Jesni, departed their reception aboard a Robinson R66 helicopter bound for the start of their honeymoon when the aircraft crashed in a wooded area near Dawsonville. Fiji and the helicopter pilot were killed in the accident, while his bride survived despite being trapped in the wreckage for several hours before rescuers reached the scene. Family members said Fiji, who had recently begun his airline career and was known for his passion for aviation, had expressed concerns about poor weather conditions before the flight. The NTSB is investigating the cause of the crash.

AirAsia Philippines (Z2) has averted a potential shutdown after settling approximately $4.7 million in outstanding airport and navigation fees owed to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). The low-cost carrier faced a June 6 deadline and a cease-and-desist order that would have barred it from operating at government-managed airports across the country. The dispute stemmed from unpaid charges dating back to 2021, including landing, parking, air navigation, and passenger service fees. AirAsia had previously reduced its total liability from about $14.5 million to the remaining US$4.7 million balance before making the final payment. With the debt now cleared, the airline remains fully operational and has avoided the disruption that could have affected millions of passengers annually across its domestic and international network.

U.S. airlines carried 68.2 million systemwide (domestic and international) scheduled service passengers in February 2026, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), which reported 59.2 million domestic passengers and 9 million international passengers on U.S. airlines flights in February.

Here are the April 2026 passenger totals at 50 airports across Mexico.

English freight carrier European Cargo (SE) has entered administration and ceased operations with immediate effect, resulting in the loss of 178 jobs and halting the airline’s recent expansion plans. Based at Bournemouth Airport (BOH), the carrier cited reduced flying activity, working capital pressures, and rising fuel costs as key factors behind its collapse. The airline had recently expanded its network with a new base at Teesside and new services from Cardiff (CWL), but its business model relied heavily on a fleet of aging Airbus A340-600 freighters, which analysts say became increasingly difficult to operate economically amid high fuel prices and a softer cargo market. Administrators from Teneo were appointed on June 3, and all six of the carrier’s A340-600 freighters have been grounded, with the last revenue flight having operated on May 19. The shutdown marks a significant setback for Bournemouth Airport and removes one of the industry’s few operators built around the Airbus A340-600 freighter platform.

A LATAM Airlines (LA) Boeing 787-8 has been stranded on Easter Island after an airport airstairs truck accidentally collided with the aircraft and tore off its left-side L2 passenger door during ground handling operations. The aircraft, registration CC-BBD, had just arrived as Flight 841 from Santiago, Chile when the incident occurred on May 29. The damage has grounded the aircraft at Mataveri International Airport, one of the world’s most remote airports, located approximately 2,300 miles west of mainland Chile. The mishap has created a significant logistical challenge for LATAM, as Easter Island has limited maintenance facilities and spare parts availability, meaning repairs could take considerable time to complete before the Boeing 787 can return to service.

Lufthansa (LH) was forced to cancel flight LH450 from Frankfurt (FRA) to Los Angeles (LAX) yesterday after a Boeing 787-9 (D-ABPQ) suffered a nose landing gear collapse while parked at the gate. The aircraft, one of Lufthansa’s newest 787s and delivered earlier this year, dropped onto its nose during pre-departure preparations, injuring several crew members and ground staff. No passengers had boarded the aircraft at the time of the incident. Because the flight was canceled with no extraordinary circumstances exemption likely available under EU261 regulations, affected passengers could be entitled to compensation of up to €600 (approximately US$685) per person, in addition to rebooking or refund rights, depending on their final delay and travel circumstances. Lufthansa and Boeing are assisting authorities as investigators work to determine the cause of the unusual landing gear failure.