Aviation Daily Brief - December 18, 2025

Major Incidents and Emergencies

• Turkish Airlines Flight Incident: An Airbus A330 experienced a landing gear failure while en route to Istanbul, circling for two hours before safely landing at Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka. No injuries reported; aircraft is under maintenance.
• Small Plane Crash in Nigeria: A Skypower Express Cessna 172 made an emergency crash-landing at Owerri Airport. Four occupants hospitalized, but no fatalities reported. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau is investigating.
• Emergency Landing in the UK: A light aircraft made an emergency landing in a field near the A1 in Northumberland. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is involved, with no immediate details on injuries or cause.

Technical and Safety Alerts

• Airbus A320 Fuselage Concerns: Reports suggest a potential fuselage flaw affecting certain A320 models, leading to groundings or "no-fly" directives pending inspections. Specifics remain unverified.

Delays and Disruptions

• Flight Disruptions in India: Dense smog at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport has led to around 10 flight cancellations and delays affecting multiple airlines, including Air India.
• Pakistan Airspace Ban Extension: Pakistan has extended its airspace ban for another month, causing significant financial losses for Indian carriers, particularly Air India, which is seeking government aid.

Other Notable Mentions

• Air India Recognition: Air India has been awarded "Best Domestic Airline" again, amid discussions on incentives for electric vehicles in the aviation sector.
• Operational Updates: Briefs from airlines including Vietnam Airlines, China Eastern, airBaltic, and Volotea focus on operational updates rather than breaking news.
• Defense and Aerospace Tech: News surfaced regarding Europe's Future Combat Air System (FCAS), involving Airbus and Dassault.

For the most accurate updates, please refer to reliable sources such as aviation authorities or major news outlets.