🇦🇪 5Y-DAO, a Bombardier DHC-8-402 Dash 8 Q400, was delivered to Daallo Airlines (D3) on August 14.

🇨🇳 B-229P, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Shandong Airlines (SC) on August 14.

🇨🇳 B-2409, a Boeing 747-412F, was delivered to Air Central (GI) on August 13.

🇨🇳 B-32R9, an Airbus A320-271neo, was delivered to Sichuan Airlines (3U) on August 13.

🇨🇳 B-32T0, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to Spring Airlines (9C) on August 14.

🇹🇼 B-58554, an Airbus A350-1041, was delivered to STARLUX Airlines (JX) on August 15.

🇭🇰 B-HQD, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to Cathay Pacific (CX) on August 15.

🇨🇦 C-FLPD, a Boeing 767-35DER(BDSF), was delivered to Cargojet Airways (W8) on August 13.

🇨🇦 C-GXAU, an Airbus A321-271NY XLR, was delivered to Air Canada (AC) on August 15.

🇵🇪 CC-COX, an Airbus A319-132, was delivered to LATAM Airlines Peru (LP) on August 13.

🇩🇪 D-AIKQ, an Airbus A330-343, was delivered to Discover Airlines (4Y) on August 15.

🇬🇧 G-DHMH, a Boeing 777-232LR(MF), was delivered to DHL Aviation (QY) on August 13.

🇬🇧 G-HLYP, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to Jet2 (LS) on August 14.

🇬🇧 G-ZONA, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to easyJet (U2) on August 14.

🇭🇺 HA-LDY, an Airbus A321-271neo, was delivered to Wizz Air (W6) on August 14.

🇭🇺 HA-LNA, an Airbus A321-271neo, was delivered to Wizz Air on August 14.

🇨🇭 HB-JDM, an Airbus A320-271neo, was delivered to Swiss (LX) on August 14.

🇰🇷 HL8784, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Eastar Jet (ZE) on August 13.

🇹🇭 HS-VZM, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Thai VietJetAir (VZ) on August 13.

🇺🇸 N3322J, an Airbus A220-300, was delivered to JetBlue (B6) on August 14.

🇺🇸 N351SC, an Embraer ERJ-175LR, was delivered to Envoy Air (MQ) on August 15.

🇺🇸 N47470, a Boeing 737 MAX 9, was delivered to United Airlines on August 13.

🇺🇸 N487CM, a Boeing 767-360ER(BDSF)(WL), was delivered to ABX Air (GB) on August 13.

🇺🇸 N610DN, an Airbus A321-271neo, was delivered to Delta Air Lines on August 13.

🇺🇸 N9017L, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Southwest Airlines (WN) on August 12.

🇺🇸 N9018H, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Southwest Airlines on August 14.

🇷🇺 RA-73853, a Boeing 757-28A(SF), was delivered to E-Cargo (ER) on August 14.

🇹🇷 TC-LDC, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Turkish Airlines (TK) on August 13.

🇮🇳 VT-YBR, a Boeing 737-8200 MAX, was delivered to Akasa Air (QP) on August 14.

🇲🇽 XA-MXH, an Embraer E190-E2, was delivered to Mexicana (MX) on August 14.

🇲🇽 XA-OTD, a Boeing 787-9, was delivered to Aeroméxico (AM) on August 14.

A Vietnam Airlines (VN) Boeing 787-9 was substantially damaged during a dramatic takeoff incident at Munich (MUC) on Saturday after the aircraft used virtually the entire length of runway 26L before becoming airborne. Flight VN34, bound for Hanoi, was operated by 787-9 VN-A867 and departed Munich at about 1:45 p.m. local time. Video of the departure shows the Dreamliner rotating unusually late and kicking up a large cloud of dust as it reached the end of the paved runway. Preliminary reports indicate the aircraft traveled beyond the runway end and suffered a tail strike during rotation, with damage also reported to several tires. Vietnam Airlines has described the event only as a “technical issue,” and the precise sequence and cause remain under investigation. German investigators have become involved, while speculation about takeoff performance, aircraft configuration or a mechanical problem remains unconfirmed.

Rather than continuing the long-haul flight to Vietnam, the crew climbed to roughly 9,000 feet and remained near Munich for more than two hours before returning. The aircraft reportedly conducted a low approach so its condition could be visually assessed from the ground before landing safely. Tire damage produced smoke during the landing, and the 787 was subsequently unable to leave the runway under its own power, forcing Munich to temporarily close its north runway and divert traffic to the airport’s other runway. The aircraft was eventually towed away, with debris collected and runway damage repaired before normal operations resumed Sunday morning. All passengers and crew were reported safe, with no injuries. The incident could prove costly for Vietnam Airlines given the reported damage to the 787’s tires, landing gear and airframe, but the extent of structural damage has not yet been officially established.

A veteran air traffic controller at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) prevented a potentially dangerous mix-up after two American Airlines (AA) aircraft wound up operating simultaneously as Flight 2482 on the same radio frequency, one arriving from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and the other departing Phoenix for Chicago. The unusual situation developed after the inbound flight was delayed and American substituted another aircraft to operate the outbound leg, leaving both aircraft using the same call sign at the same time. As their flight paths converged, the controller recognized the problem and began distinguishing them as the arriving and departing American 2482, keeping the aircraft at different altitudes. Flight-tracking data showed the jets came within about 3 miles horizontally while remaining 2,000 feet apart vertically, and the FAA said required separation was maintained throughout. The controller, who said he had worked air traffic for 25 years and had never seen two aircraft with the same call sign “pretty much merge,” acknowledged that the situation could have been disastrous. Both flights continued safely, while the FAA and American Airlines are reviewing how the duplicate call sign occurred.

A man who had reportedly been living at Miami Airport (MIA) was arrested Aug. 13 after police said he stole a passenger’s suitcase containing about $9,000 worth of belongings from an American Airlines baggage carousel. Surveillance footage allegedly showed the man taking the bag several weeks earlier, carrying it into a terminal restroom and later leaving the airport aboard airport transportation. Police found him back in the baggage claim area Aug. 13 still carrying the stolen suitcase, and he reportedly confessed that he took it after losing his housing and living at the airport, explaining that carrying luggage helped him blend in and appear to be a passenger. Authorities said none of the contents had been removed. He was charged with third-degree felony grand theft and was denied bond because he was already on pretrial release in a separate grand theft case involving a backpack allegedly stolen from a Miami hotel in May.

United Airlines has secured approximately $390 million in financing from Standard Chartered for nine new narrowbody aircraft, covering four Airbus A321neos and five Boeing 737 MAX 8s. Standard Chartered served as lead arranger and initial lender, with the deal supporting United’s ongoing fleet modernization and fuel-efficiency strategy. The transaction builds on the companies’ relationship after the bank financed five United A321neos in 2025. United continues to maintain a substantial delivery pipeline, including 132 A321neos, 49 A321XLRs, 58 737 MAX 9s and 165 MAX 10s.

Berkshire Hathaway has significantly increased its investment in Delta Air Lines, deepening a surprising return to an industry Warren Buffett once famously viewed as a poor investment. Berkshire increased its Delta position by 44 percent during the second quarter, from 39.8 million shares at the end of March to 57.3 million shares as of June 30, a stake valued at roughly $5.4 billion. The investment is particularly notable because Berkshire dumped its airline holdings during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, but the latest purchases have occurred under new CEO Greg Abel. Delta’s improving financial position appears to be part of the attraction: the airline reported record second-quarter revenue of $17.7 billion, $1.4 billion in pretax profit and an 11 percent return on invested capital, while long-term debt has fallen from $14 billion at the end of 2024 to $10.5 billion. Delta also continues to shift its business toward higher-margin premium, loyalty and other diversified revenue streams, which accounted for 61 percent of second-quarter revenue. Berkshire’s decision to add another 17.5 million Delta shares suggests its return to airline investing is becoming a substantial long-term bet rather than a tentative experiment.

Somalia is preparing to return its national flag carrier, Somali Airlines, to the skies in September, ending a 35-year absence dating to the collapse of the country’s government and the outbreak of civil war in 1991. The government-backed revival is part of a broader effort to rebuild Somalia’s aviation sector and reconnect the country with regional and international markets. Somalia announced the acquisition of two Airbus A320s in 2025 as the foundation of the revived carrier, which is expected initially to focus on regional services before expanding its network. The return would represent a significant milestone for Somali aviation, although previous relaunch targets have slipped and final operating details, including the initial route network, have yet to be fully disclosed. We will see if this gets off the ground.

Air France (AF) has permanently closed the sauna in its business class lounge in Terminal 2E, Hall L at Paris de Gaulle, reportedly because some passengers were enjoying considerably more than a little preflight relaxation. According to Live and Let’s Fly, a lounge manager said the private sauna had become the scene of inappropriate sexual activity, apparently forcing Air France to conclude that some premium travelers were taking the concept of a “hot connection” a bit too literally. The sauna has now disappeared from the airline’s official list of lounge amenities, although showers and complimentary Clarins treatments remain available. It was certainly an unusual perk while it lasted, but passengers will now have to find a less adventurous way to work up a sweat before boarding.

WestJet (WS) has agreed to pay C$4.5 million (US$3.2 million) to settle a decade-long class-action lawsuit brought by thousands of current and former female flight attendants over allegations of workplace harassment, with the British Columbia Supreme Court approving the settlement Aug. 10. The case was filed in 2016 by former flight attendant Mandalena Lewis, who alleged she was sexually assaulted by a pilot during a 2010 Hawaii layover and that WestJet failed to properly investigate her complaint. The class action, certified by the British Columbia Court of Appeal in 2022 after years of legal challenges, covers female flight attendants who worked for WestJet mainline between April 2014 and February 2021 and did not opt out. Roughly 3,452 claimants are eligible, with each expected to receive about C$470 (US$338) after legal fees, administrative expenses and other costs are deducted from the settlement.

Spirit Airlines’ (NK) former headquarters campus in Dania Beach, Fla., has been sold through bankruptcy court for $93.25 million to an affiliate of Boston-based Hill City Capital, marking another major step in the liquidation of the defunct ultra-low-cost carrier. The 8.3-acre campus is particularly symbolic of Spirit’s collapse: the airline opened the new headquarters only in April 2024 after planning an investment of roughly $250 million in the facility, only to cease operations May 2, 2026. The winning bid was submitted during an Aug. 11 bankruptcy auction, with final court approval scheduled for Aug. 19. The buyer reportedly plans to convert the property into a multi-tenant office campus. The $93.25 million price represents roughly a third of the approximately $275 million valuation cited for the property, making the sale a striking example of how quickly Spirit went from investing heavily in its future to selling off its assets.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is facing scrutiny over its growing aircraft fleet and spending as several government-owned planes sit unused or underused despite the Trump administration’s push to expand immigration enforcement. DHS has spent heavily to acquire aircraft for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation missions and senior government travel, including Boeing 737s, but questions are mounting over whether the aircraft are operationally necessary, properly utilized and cost-effective compared with chartering flights. The controversy is part of a broader debate over DHS aviation procurement, particularly aircraft promoted as serving both deportation and executive-transport missions, with lawmakers and government officials questioning whether the department has adequately justified the expense and how the planes will actually be employed. ICE has chartered nearly 26,000 deportation flights so far in President Trump’s second term.