Briefings ^BETA

China Airlines CI840 Gets Stuck in Bangkok Taxiway Hole and Does Not Depart, Leaving Passengers to Stay Overnight：China Airlines flight CI840 was scheduled to fly from Bangkok to Kaohsiung on the evening of October 28. As its Boeing 737-800 taxied for departure, its wheels became trapped in a hole in the taxiway pavement, leaving the aircraft unable to move and the flight unable to depart. Passengers disembarked and left by shuttle bus; China Airlines arranged accommodation, and they stayed an extra night in Bangkok. The cause of the hole and whether the aircraft was damaged remain unclear pending official findings. CI840 Bangkok taxiway incident

File photo · Dltl2010 · CC0

Taiwanese Carriers Recently Fly Some European Routes Over Russian Airspace, and the Transport Ministry Respects Their Route Choices：Transport Minister Chen Shih-kai said on October 28 that some Taiwanese carriers’ recent European flights had flown over Russian airspace. Airlines apply for their own flight paths, and the ministry and Civil Aeronautics Administration respect their plans. Recent China Airlines flights to Rome and EVA Air flights to Munich, Paris and Milan used the route; airlines weigh safety and time costs when selecting paths. Taiwan flights over Russia

Source image · 4300streetcar／Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

Indian Startup Nalwa Aero Completes Scaled Box-Wing eVTOL Test Flights, Demonstrating Hover and Forward Flight：Indian startup Nalwa Aero completed preliminary flight tests of a scaled box-wing electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, demonstrating hover and forward flight with electric propulsion and an all-tilting-rotor system. The company plans to develop the concept into a five-seat platform for passenger transport, air ambulance and cargo operations. Nalwa Aero box-wing eVTOL

Source image · Spielvogel · CC BY-SA 4.0

Jet2 Retires 29-Year-Old G-GDFD, the World’s Oldest Boeing 737-800, Ending Its Flying Career：Jet2 has retired Boeing 737-800 G-GDFD, ending the flying career of the 29-year-old aircraft, described as the world’s oldest of its type. It operated its final commercial flight, LS644, from Ibiza to East Midlands on October 18, then flew to Manchester the same day for de-branding ahead of its return to the lessor. Jet2 retires 737-800

File photo · Ian Gratton · CC BY 2.0

U.S. Trade Representative Questions EIB Airbus R&D Loan, Warning of Uncertainty for Aerospace Trade：U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer questioned the European Investment Bank’s financing support for Airbus on October 26, saying it brought substantial uncertainty to transatlantic aerospace trade. The bank approved up to €3 billion for Airbus research and development in France, Germany and Spain. Airbus called the loan a standard corporate financing arrangement and said it was willing to provide more information. Airbus R&D loan dispute

Source image · Wikimedia Commons

Boeing to Miss 2026 Target of About 500 737 MAX Deliveries as Wing Capacity Shortfall Delays Production Ramp-Up：Boeing said insufficient wing production capacity at Renton means it will miss its target of delivering about 500 737 MAX aircraft in 2026. Stabilising production at 47 aircraft per month has been pushed to early 2027, while the target of 52 per month has slipped to the second half of 2027. Further growth also depends on FAA production certification for the new Everett line. Boeing 737 MAX delivery delay

File photo · Sg1959 · CC BY-SA 4.0

U.S. Air Force Awards Lockheed Martin $694 Million Contract to Produce ARRW Hypersonic Weapon：The U.S. Air Force announced on October 26 that it had awarded Lockheed Martin a $694 million contract on September 29 to produce and field the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon. For operational security, the Air Force did not disclose the quantity or delivery schedule. Integrated on the B-52, ARRW is a boost-glide weapon; the service is pursuing it alongside the HACM as its two air-launched hypersonic programs. ARRW hypersonic weapon production

Source image · U.S. Air Force／Christopher Okula · Public domain (U.S. Government)

Airbus and Air France Finalise A350 Support Joint Venture, Which Contractually Supports More Than 500 Aircraft：Airbus and Air France finalised a 50-50 joint venture, Alpha Component Solutions, on October 28, 2026, to support A350 operators worldwide with components, maintenance, supply-chain management and repairs. Combining Airbus and Air France-KLM engineering and maintenance resources, the venture contractually supports more than 500 aircraft. A350 support joint venture

File photo · 4300streetcar · CC BY 4.0