Briefings ^BETA

Saudia pilot killed, aircraft damaged in attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport (RUH)：Saudia has confirmed that a pilot was killed and one of the airline's aircraft was damaged during an attack on King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh on October 8, 2026. Saudia pilot killed aircraft damaged

Taiwan reports nineteen PLA aircraft sorties on National Day eve：Taiwan's defense ministry said on October 9 that it detected nineteen PLA aircraft sorties from 08:52 onward, including thirteen crossing the Taiwan Strait median line into northern, central and southwestern airspace. The aircraft operated alongside Chinese naval vessels. The announcement concerns a particular activity period, rather than an annual or full-day cumulative count. Taiwan reports nineteen PLA aircraft

Taiwan approves twenty-seven drone R&D grants; AIDC receives TWD100 million：Taiwan's economy ministry approved twenty-seven drone research grants totaling approximately TWD780 million, CNA reported on October 9. AIDC's heavy-payload logistics-drone project receives TWD100 million, the year's largest individual award. Forty-nine applications were submitted, with about fifty-five percent approved as support expands beyond components. Taiwan approves twenty-seven drone R

Airbus delivered 72 aircraft in September 2026, needs over 100 a month for 870 goal：Airbus confirmed on October 8, 2026, that it delivered 72 aircraft to 37 customers during September 2026, including Delta Air Lines, British Airways and Emirates. Airbus delivered 72 aircraft in

Event photo · Airbus

Air Canada reveals new A321XLR routes from Montreal and Halifax to Europe with lie-flat suites and WiFi：Air Canada has revealed a new A321XLR route, opening new links from Montreal and Halifax to Europe with nonstop flights of up to eight hours. The headline notes "But There's A Twist", indicating that further specifics about the plans remain to be clarified. Air Canada reveals new A321XLR

Airbus delivered 72 aircraft in September, leaving 323 to reach 2026 target：Airbus delivered 72 commercial aircraft in September, bringing its 2026 total to 547, the manufacturer said. The European planemaker confirmed its September orders and deliveries on 8 October, reporting 72 deliveries to 37 customers and 17 new aircraft orders. Airbus delivered 72 aircraft in

File photo · Photograph by Mike Peel ( www.mikepeel.net ). · CC BY-SA 4.0

Thailand’s Queen Suthida completes 41-minute solo flight in Saab Gripen：Aerospace Global News reported that Queen Suthida of Thailand flew solo in a Royal Thai Air Force single-seat Saab JAS 39C Gripen on Thursday (8 October). She completed the planned sortie and returned to Wing 7 after 41 minutes. Thailand s Queen Suthida completes

Boeing offers touchscreen control unit for 737 MAX and NG aircraft：Boeing is offering a drop-in replacement for the Touchscreen Control Display Unit (TCDU) on 737 MAX and NG aircraft. The replacement uses a touchscreen instead of the old button panel, while leaving the button configuration and layout unchanged. Boeing says the touchscreen is to become standard in MAX 10 models and can also be retrofitted into 737 NG and MAX aircraft. Boeing offers touchscreen control

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Nearly 300 Riyadh Flights Cancelled or Did Not Operate Thursday：Aerospace Global News reported that nearly 300 flights to and from Riyadh were cancelled or did not operate on Thursday. The report cited Cirium figures reported by Khaleej Times: 169 of 378 scheduled departures from King Khalid International Airport were cancelled or did not operate, representing about 45% of departures. Nearly 300 Riyadh Flights Cancelled