Briefings ^BETA

Philippine Air Force SF-260 collision kills four pilots; fleet grounded as investigation begins：Two Philippine Air Force SF-260 trainers collided and crashed during training at Fernando Air Base in Batangas on October 23, 2026, killing all four pilots on board; no other people on the ground were reported injured. The Department of National Defense has opened an investigation covering flight planning, training, maintenance and command, while the air force has grounded its SF-260 fleet as a precaution. SF-260 collision

File photo · ZLEA · CC BY-SA 4.0

Houthis claim ballistic missile attack on Riyadh airport; Saudi Arabia says missile intercepted：The Houthis said they attacked King Khalid International Airport with a ballistic missile the day after it partially reopened on October 25. Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed the missile; the Houthi claim had not been independently verified. Flight activity remains far below normal, and Riyadh Air has temporarily shifted passenger operations to Al Qassim. Riyadh airport missile attack

GE declined to develop an A350-1000 engine; Rolls-Royce remains the A350 family’s sole supplier through 2030：GE was willing to supply an engine for the Airbus A350-900 but declined to develop the higher-thrust engine required for the A350-1000, which competes with the Boeing 777. Rolls-Royce consequently became the sole engine supplier for the A350 family. Airbus extended the A350-900 exclusivity agreement to 2030 in 2021; Rolls-Royce had supplied the A350-1000 exclusively from the outset. A350 Trent XWB engines

File photo · Julian Herzog ( Website ) · CC BY 4.0

Lufthansa retires its last A340-600, ending more than two decades of operations：Lufthansa officially retired its last Airbus A340-600 on October 18, 2026, ending more than two decades of commercial operation of the type with the airline. A guide published the same day listed airlines and airports worldwide that still operate passenger A340s. Lufthansa A340-600 retirement

File photo · 4300streetcar · CC BY 4.0

Germany approves Emirates’ Dubai–Berlin flights; airline plans initial 777-300ER service：Germany approved Emirates’ Dubai–Berlin service in September 2026, allowing up to seven weekly flights. Berlin would become the airline’s fifth German passenger destination; the approval does not include fifth-freedom rights. Emirates plans to use Boeing 777-300ERs initially, until the 777-9 is ready. Emirates Dubai–Berlin flights

File photo · Acabashi · CC BY-SA 4.0

Frontier Airlines begins cabin retrofits with eight first-class seats per aircraft：Frontier Airlines has begun cabin retrofits that will add eight first-class seats to each aircraft, equipped with power outlets and Starlink Wi-Fi. The airline has scheduled the launch of its new first-class product for early March. Frontier first-class retrofit

Boston Logan Airport seeks a strong local accent for announcements; eight finalists compete：Boston Logan Airport is seeking a person with a strong Boston accent to become its new announcement voice. The airport has named eight finalists to compete for the role. Logan Airport announcement voice

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Emirates considers nonstop Dubai routes from Denver, Detroit and Philadelphia, subject to capacity：Emirates president Tim Clark named Denver, Detroit and Philadelphia as possible new nonstop destinations from Dubai. None currently has a nonstop service to Dubai. Any launch depends on capacity recovery and fleet expansion; Emirates expects its first Boeing 777-9 delivery in May or June 2027. Emirates US route plans

File photo · AVA Navigate · CC BY-SA 4.0