Daily Aviation Brief

By Rafiq Vayani TOULOUSE, France: The A350F freighter (MSN 700), the first of two test aircraft, has completed its first flight. The aircraft, fitted with special flight test instrumentation, flew for 4 hours and 10 minutes reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet. The aircraft was flown by a dedicated Airbus Flight Test crew. “This maiden … The post Airbus A350F freighter successfully performs its maiden flight appeared first on Biz Today.

Alaska Airlines is expected to become a new member of an established commercial airline partnership and revenue-sharing agreement… Alaska expected to join airline pact with American, British Airways and Finnair appeared first on AeroTime.

IATA: Global Air Cargo Traffic Up 4.4% In August Global air cargo traffic rose 4.4% year over year in August, even as key trade lanes tied to the Middle East contracted, according to IATA. clarissa.siu@a… Wed, 09/30/2026 - 08:31 Author Aaron Karp Content source Routes Aviation Daily Primary Category Airports & Networks

A flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia on September… Flydubai flight diverts to Saudi Arabia amid reports of pilot fight appeared first on AeroTime.

Germany Exploring A400M Buy To Replace Earlier Models Germany is considering the purchase of new-build Airbus A400Ms to replace earlier, less capable versions currently in service. andy.savoie@av… Tue, 09/29/2026 - 18:30 Author Tony Osborne Content source Aerospace Daily & Defense Report Primary Category Aircraft & Propulsion

The US Senate introduced legislation on September 28, 2026, seeking roughly $30 billion for air traffic control modernization… US Senate introduces $30 billion bill for ATC and airport upgrades appeared first on AeroTime.

Airbus A350F Completes First Flight Airbus kicked off the flight test program for the A350F with a 4 hr., 11 min. first flight on Sept. 29. mark.nensel@in… Tue, 09/29/2026 - 16:24 Author Jens Flottau Content source Aviation Daily Aerospace Daily & Defense Report Primary Category Aircraft & Propulsion

NATO Steps Up Military Space Discussion NATO has begun high-level military discussions on formalizing space policy and strategy across its 32 member states. clarissa.siu@a… Tue, 09/29/2026 - 10:11 Author Robert Wall Content source Aerospace Daily & Defense Report Primary Category Budget, Policy & Operations

NASA Asked Several Former SR-71A Staffers To Help Secret Restart Nearly 27 years after the final Blackbird flight, NASA quietly launched a project last summer to return an SR-71A to flight. andrea.copleys… Tue, 09/29/2026 - 08:00 Author Steve Trimble Content source Aviation Week & Space Technology Content summary Blackbird Resurrection Primary Category Aircraft & Propulsion

Airbus Finds Crews Could Better Prevent Inadvertent Slide Deployment Airbus reports inadvertent slide deployments persist, urging cabin crews to follow procedures preventing costly, dangerous mishaps. hockensmithawi… Mon, 09/28/2026 - 20:22 Author Thierry Dubois Content source Aviation Daily Primary Category Safety, Ops & Regulation

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will delay certification of Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 while it evaluates a… FAA delays Boeing 737 MAX 10 certification over software issue appeared first on AeroTime.

Chief executives of US regional airlines warn another pilot shortage could again ‘grow very quickly’ and set out the policy changes that could help head it off. As the US airline industry emerged from the coronavirus pandemic, aggressive hiring by the Big Three put a strain on smaller regional carriers. Things have eased, but executives… The post Regional airline leaders say pilot shortage has eased, but warn it could return first appeared on FlightGlobal.

SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time on September 28, 2026, deploying 26 Starlink V3 satellites, despite… SpaceX Starship reaches orbit for first time despite engine shutdown appeared first on AeroTime.

Corporate travel and Air Canada's successful sixth freedom franchise have provided a shield to the airline after leisure demand softened in the US transborder market last year driven by shifting geopolitical trends and unpredictable trade policies. While geopolitics and trade remain as unpredictable as ever, Air Canada believes much runway exists to grow its sixth freedom business, and continues network planning efforts to cater to those travelers. Although fuel continues to remain a wildcard for airlines worldwide, Air Canada remains confident in its transborder positioning as uncertainty becomes the new norm.

By Howard Hardee and Charles Alcock September 29, 2026 The first flight of the Airbus A350 Freighter on September 29 signified more than the European airframer's intention to compete in the dedicated widebody cargo market. When the jet... Read More The post How Far Ahead is the A350F? Examining Timing of 777-8F’s Market Entrance appeared first on Leeham News.

By Howard Hardee • Editor September 28, 2026 Boeing’s latest commercial aircraft program delay is unwelcome news for the company less than two weeks after it said that FAA certification of the 737 Max 10, already several years... Read More The post Boeing Suffers Another Delay Painfully Close to 737 Max 10 Certification appeared first on Leeham News.