Aviation News - 2026-09-26

Qatar Airways Retires A330 Fleet, Sends Pilots To RwandAir As Iran War Cuts Demand

Qatar Airways is moving faster on fleet reshaping as regional conflict weighs on travel demand. The airline is reportedly retiring its older Airbus A330s early while seconding some pilots to RwandAir, a partner carrier. It’s a fascinating look at how geopolitics can quickly influence aircraft utilization, crew planning, and long-term fleet strategy. Watch the report.

NTSB releases preliminary report on California plane crash that killed 4 family members

The NTSB has issued its preliminary findings on the tragic Fresno crash that killed four members of the Eady family, including the pilot and her two children. While the investigation is still ongoing, the report outlines early details about the flight and accident sequence, offering important context for the general aviation community. Read the report summary.

Tokyo Airport Runway Horror: Japan Airlines A350 Catches Fire After Collision

A Japan Airlines Airbus A350 was engulfed in flames after a runway collision at Tokyo airport, prompting a major emergency response. Dramatic footage shows smoke and fire spreading across the aircraft, underscoring the intensity of runway incidents and the importance of evacuation procedures, airport rescue teams, and modern aircraft safety design. Watch the coverage.

Heart Aerospace Gets Purchase Agreement For Up To 100 New Aircraft

Heart Aerospace’s ES-36 hybrid-electric regional aircraft has taken a notable commercial step forward, with JSX signing a deposit-backed agreement for 50 aircraft and rights for 50 more. The 36-seat design aims to bring lower-emission flying to shorter regional routes, making this a development worth watching for fans of next-generation aviation. See the announcement.

Last Warthog Departs Nellis as Base’s A-10 Era Comes to a Close

Nellis Air Force Base has marked the end of an era as its final A-10 Thunderbolt II departed, closing nearly 50 years of Warthog operations at the Nevada training hub. Beloved for its rugged design and close air support role, the A-10’s exit from Nellis is a major milestone in U.S. tactical aviation history. Read more.

FAA Blames Error Messages For Switch To Backup Line Before Outage

The FAA says a chain of error messages led to a switch onto a backup fiber line before a disruption that halted flights at several Northeast airports. That backup line was then accidentally cut, triggering the outage. The incident highlights how critical communication infrastructure remains to keeping air traffic moving safely and smoothly. Read the details.

Airbus Sets Date For First A350F Flight After Successful Rejected Takeoff Tests

Airbus has confirmed the first flight date for the A350F after completing successful rejected takeoff testing, an important step before the freighter takes to the skies. The A350F is one of the most anticipated new cargo aircraft programs, promising modern efficiency, long range, and strong appeal for global freight operators. Read the update.

Spirit Sells Last 27 Airbus Jets In $668 Million Deal

Spirit Airlines has completed the sale of its final 27 Airbus jets in a deal valued at $668 million. The move represents a significant shift for the carrier’s aircraft ownership strategy and balance sheet. For airline watchers, it’s another reminder that fleet decisions are often as much about finance as route maps and passenger demand. Read the story.

Brand-new easyJet aircraft already in the air for commercial flight just hours after delivery

easyJet wasted no time putting a freshly delivered aircraft into revenue service, sending it flying commercially just hours after handover. It’s a fun example of airline efficiency in action, showing how tightly coordinated delivery, acceptance, maintenance, crew scheduling, and operations teams must be to get a new jet earning its keep so quickly. Read more.