F-WZND
In addition to A350-900s, with the larger variant expected to provide greater capacity, improved operating economics, and stronger premium-revenue opportunities on long-haul routes.
F-WZND
In addition to A350-900s, with the larger variant expected to provide greater capacity, improved operating economics, and stronger premium-revenue opportunities on long-haul routes.
CVsky / LACV has today taken a decisive step forward in Cape Verde’s domestic aviation sector. The airline has officially taken delivery of the first of two new ATR 72-600s, leased from Avation PLC. The aircraft will now be repainted in LACV’s colours and is due to arrive in Cape Verde by the end of October 2026. This will strengthen the fleet, improve safety and punctuality, and enhance connections between the islands.
· The aircraft is the first of two to be incorporated under a leasing agreement, reinforcing the commitment to territorial cohesion, safety and punctuality in Cape Verde’s domestic aviation sector.
· The delivery forms part of LACV’s strategy to expand and modernise its fleet in order to meet growing demand for transport and support the development of domestic tourism.
· Following today’s formal handover, the aircraft will undergo a 10-working-day period of customisation to feature LACV’s livery, and is expected to arrive in Cape Verde by the end of October 2026.
Cape Verde Airlines (LACV / CVSky), the country’s domestic airline, marks a decisive moment in the history of Cape Verdean civil aviation today with the official handover of the first of two new ATR 72-600s.
This acquisition, which took the form of a lease agreement with Avation PLC, a leading aircraft leasing company listed on the London Stock Exchange, reflects the financial strength, international credibility and institutional rigour underpinning LACV’s consolidation plan for the coming decade.
As the manufacturer pointed out: “ATR has delivered a new ATR 72-600 to CVSky, which operates under the name Linhas Aéreas de Cabo Verde (LACV), the country’s national airline.”
In line with the established operational milestones, the aircraft is now entering a 10-working-day period dedicated to painting and customisation in line with CVsky’s visual identity at the facilities in France. As planned, and once all the formalities have been completed, the aircraft is expected to land in Cape Verde by the end of this month, joining the two existing ATRs to bolster the domestic fleet.
An aerial network to connect people and opportunities
In an island nation such as Cape Verde, air connectivity plays a vital role in territorial cohesion and economic development. Connections between the islands bring families closer together, facilitate business travel and support access to essential services, including education, healthcare and public administration.
CVsky’s domestic operations aim to contribute to a more regular, predictable and accessible air network, enabling passengers to travel between the islands more conveniently. The airline will continue to work towards strengthening connections from the city of Praia and between different parts of the archipelago, including destinations such as São Vicente, São Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista, Fogo and Maio, in accordance with the approved operational plan.
Greater mobility for inter-island tourism
The expansion of the fleet also paves the way for a more diverse tourist experience in Cape Verde. In addition to the destinations traditionally associated with beach tourism, visitors will be able to take advantage of better opportunities to explore other islands, including the historical and cultural heritage of the islands of Santiago and São Vicente, the volcanic landscapes of Fogo, the natural beauty of São Nicolau and the tranquillity of Maio.
CVSky believes that air connectivity should enable each island to play a more active role in the development of national tourism.
“The expansion of our fleet with these modern ATR 72-600 aircraft reflects the rigour of our management and the realisation of a national strategic objective: to ensure that no island is cut off, providing Cape Verdeans with safe, regular and high-quality transport links. Cape Verde offers a wide variety of experiences, and our role is to bring citizens and visitors closer to their communities”, emphasises Dr Manuel Lima, Chairman of the Board of Directors of LACV / CVSky.
ATR 72-600: State-of-the-art technology suitable for domestic operations
The aircraft will be integrated into CVSky’s operations in full compliance with the applicable safety, maintenance, training and regulatory oversight requirements, under the direct supervision of inspectors from the Civil Aviation Authority (AAC) and specialist technical teams on the ground. The introduction of these new aircraft will enable the airline to assess opportunities to increase capacity and continuously improve connectivity.
CVSky
Toulouse, France, 16 October 2026 - Aviation Capital Group LLC (ACG), a premier global full-service aircraft asset manager, headquartered in Newport Beach, California has signed a firm order for 75 A320neo Family aircraft, taking its total historical order for the type to 190 aircraft.
“ACG’s portfolio strategy is focused on new-technology narrowbody aircraft that are most in-demand with airlines globally. Placing the largest order in our nearly 40-year history is a statement of confidence in the long-term future of air travel and in ACG’s important role as a conduit between airlines, aircraft and capital,” said Thomas Baker, Chief Executive Officer and President of ACG.
“This major investment reinforces our long-term and important partnership which dates back to 2007 when ACG placed its first order with Airbus. ACG will be able to offer its customers the A320neo Family well into the next decade,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business. “We salute ACG’s selection of the A320neo Family - the world’s most modern and efficient single aisle aircraft.”
The A320 Family is the world’s most popular single-aisle aircraft, having won more than 20,400 orders globally. The Family includes the A320neo and the A321neo, which both offer unparalleled range and performance. The Family offers at least 20% fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximising passenger comfort with one of the widest single-aisle cabins in the sky.
Lufthansa Group plans to transfer up to eight A350-900s to TAP Air Portugal (TP, Lisbon) after 2030 as part of its proposed acquisition of up to 49.9% of the Portuguese flag carrier.
TAP aims to grow its fleet to 117 aircraft by 2035 and 130 thereafter, requiring an estimated EUR3-4 billion euros (USD3.5-4.5 billion) in fleet investment.
This was confirmed by the Portuguese government when it announced Lufthansa Group's selection as TAP's strategic partner on October 14, 2026. Lufthansa's current fleet includes thirty-one A350-900s, with 14 more due to be delivered (plus fifteen A350-1000s).
The government did not specify whether those aircraft destined for TAP would come from the existing fleet or from future deliveries. The A350-900 would become TAP's largest aircraft type and its first A350 variant. TAP's widebody fleet is currently built around the A330-900N, of which it operates 19 with two more due for delivery.
The deal involves Lufthansa Group acquiring an initial 44.9% stake for EUR1.025 billion (USD1.15 billion), potentially rising to 49.9% for up to EUR1.2 billion (USD1.34 billion). Up to 5% of TAP's shares are reserved for employees.
Lufthansa also submitted a non-binding proposal for a potential subsequent acquisition of the remaining shares, which would see the Portuguese state receive a stake of up to 5% in the German airline group. The second phase remains subject to negotiations.
The initial transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2028, subject to European Commission regulatory approval.
Attractive acquisition
Speaking during a conference call on October 15, Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr described TAP as an especially attractive acquisition because it is already profitable. He described the airline as having a more profitable current margin than the group's existing airlines, crediting TAP's fleet and management.
He said the deal would create "immediate value for our shareholders due to the fact that we are buying a profitable airline. This is the first time ever [that] we are buying a profitable airline. I think any other airline which we have acquired over the years usually had to be turned around by us," he quipped.
"This acquisition fits in many, many ways," Spohr said, citing Lufthansa Group's strategy of expanding internationally and reducing its reliance on production in Germany. He described TAP as a key addition to the group's multi-hub network, with Lisbon providing a western and southern European gateway to Brazil and other Latin American markets. Porto also offers opportunities for growth to North America and Brazil, he added.
Lufthansa Group currently routes passengers from France, Spain, and Portugal travelling to Brazil through its Frankfurt International, Munich, and Zurich hubs. Integrating TAP would allow more of that traffic to be routed through Lisbon, creating additional value for the group, while TAP could feed passengers into Lufthansa Group's hubs for onward connections to Asia and other destinations.
The acquisition would bolster Lufthansa's position in the South Atlantic market. Spohr said Lufthansa currently has a 9% share of the market between Europe and Latin America, ranking sixth among operators. Combining its network with TAP's would increase the group's share to 20%, putting it on a par with IAG International Airlines Group, its main competitor.
Funding and returns
CFO Till Streichert disclosed that the initial acquisition would be fully funded from Lufthansa Group's available cash, with no equity issuance required, and that it would not compromise the group's commitment to maintaining an investment-grade credit rating.
Lufthansa Group expects up to EUR450 million (USD503 million) in annual net synergies from the proposed acquisition, including network optimisation, commercial cooperation, procurement, maintenance, MRO, and cargo, with the majority accruing to the Portuguese carrier.
It expects the transaction to be earnings-per-share accretive in the first full year after closing and generate a double-digit return on capital employed (ROCE). Lufthansa expects to realise about two-thirds of the identified synergies within three years, with the full benefits taking about four years. Streichert said the investment case did not depend on Lufthansa Group obtaining majority ownership, with a future increase in its stake providing an additional upside.
Control and connectivity
Despite holding less than 50%, Lufthansa would have joint control with the Portuguese government through qualified-majority provisions. Lufthansa would nominate three members of TAP's four-person executive committee, while the government would nominate the fourth. The government would retain five of the nine board seats.
The Portuguese government has said the transaction, including future dividends and potential appreciation of its Lufthansa Group shareholding, could allow it to recover the EUR3.2 billion (USD3.6 billion) it invested in TAP over the past decade.
Meanwhile, Madeira's regional government has urged the Portuguese state to ensure that TAP maintains air links to Madeira and the Azores following privatisation, warning that the sale must not compromise territorial connectivity, Diário de Notícias Madeira reported.
CH Aviation
The company's first A330-900neo, which will serve as a "training" aircraft until the arrival of the A330neos from Azul, flew from Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro to Portela Airport in Lisbon.
CH Aviation
Badr Airlines (Sudan) plans to add Khartoum – Muscat route on 26 October 2026, with B737-800.
Photo: Badr
Caribbean Airlines (Trinidad) plans non-stop winter 2026/27 service between Tobago and Toronto, and between Trinidad and Caracas and charters between Trinidad and Panama.
China Eastern now plans to resume the Shanghai Pu Dong – Riyadh route from 16 January 2027, with A330-200.
China Eastern plans Nanjing – Hanoi route on 20 November 2026, with A320.
Discover Airlines (Germany) plans to launch Frankfurt – Jerez de la Frontera route on 20 March 2027, with A320.
Eurowings (Germany) plans flights from Berlin and Dusseldorf to Baghdad in mid December 2026, with A320.
Eurowings (Germany) plans to add Friedrichshafen – Calvi route on 02 May 2027 with A319.
Fly Beirut (Lebanon) is reportedly considering a daily Beirut – Paris route from mid-2027.
Gulf Air (Bahrain) to launch flights to Singapore and onwards to Kuala Lumpur via fifth freedom rights, from 26 October 2026 with B787-9.
Helvetic Airways (Switzerland) will wet lease one E190 to People’s (Austria), covering the operate the Altenrhein – Vienna route from 27 October 2026. People’s own E170 is undergoing maintenance.
Icelandair plans Reykjavík – St. Louis route from 14 May 2027, with B737-8.
Icelandair plans to resume Reykjavík Keflavík – Madrid route from 09 April 2027, with B737-8.
Jazeera Airways (Kuwait) plans to launch winter 2026/27 routes to Krakow and Prague from mid-December 2026, with A320neo.
JetBlue (US) drops the planned Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood – Caracas route from 04 February 2027 with A320.
Kush Air (Uganda) will take delivery soon of two ex-RwandAir CRJ900s, serials 15286 and 15287, once the final details are completed.
LATAM (Chile) will resume direct flights between Santiago and Caracas on 03 January 2027, with A320neo.
LOT Polish Airlines plans to launch Katowice – Puerto Vallarta nonstop charter service from 17 December 2026 to 18 March 2027, with B787-8.
Lufthansa (Germany) will resume service to Nagoya and Tokyo Narita, from Frankfurt in late March 2027, with B787-9.
Luxair (Luxembourg) no longer plans a route to Abu Dhabi route, which was set to begin on 26 October 2026, with B737-8.
Neos (Italy) plans to launch services to Dubai al Maktoum from Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino on 19 December 2026, with B787-9 and B737-800.
Nouvelair Tunisie plans to resume Tunis – Stockholm Arlanda service from 03 April 2027, with A320.
Royal Jordanian no longer plans Amman – Karachi flights from 01 March 2027
Saudia no longer plans to resume the Jeddah – Birmingham route on 01 April 2027 with B787-9.
Singapore Airlines now plans Singapore – Riyadh flights from 28 March 2027.
TUI fly Netherlands plans to launch Dusseldorf – Curacao route on 28 March 2027, with B787-8 aircraft
Please confirm all flights with your airline.
Boeing had a very good last month, having received orders for 165 aircraft. It received no cancellations and was able to hand-over 57 new Boeings to customers.
Ordered were:Tokyo, JAPAN - Japan Airlines (JAL) has decided to introduce the Embraer E190-E2 aircraft as the successor to the Embraer E170/E190 regional fleet operated by J-AIR Co., Ltd. (J-AIR), which operates an extensive network across Japan from its primary hub at Osaka International Airport (Itami). JAL has placed an order for 26 aircraft (16 firm orders and 10 options), with deliveries scheduled to start in fiscal year 2029.
Illustration by Japan Airlines.
Photo: Thomas Okaty
Scottsdale is a city in eastern Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, and is part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Named Scottsdale in 1894 after its founder Winfield Scott, a retired U.S. Army chaplain, the city was incorporated in 1951 with a population of 2,000.
The deal marks the lessor's entry into the African market, Avation said, adding that the lease is backed by a sovereign guarantee from the Cabo Verde government. The aircraft, msn 1829, was handed over to CVsky at ATR - Avions de Transport Régional's production facility in Toulouse on October 7, it said. It is already registered in Cabo Verde as D4-CCP, according to ch-aviation data.
CVsky, in a separate statement carried by Portuguese news agency Lusa, said the turboprop would undergo preparation before being flown to Cabo Verde, where it is expected to arrive at the end of October.
The lease follows the government's September 29 approval of a sovereign guarantee of up to USD3.7 million for the aircraft. The guarantee runs for eight years, while the lease with Avation-linked AVAP Leasing (Atlantic) Pte. Ltd. covers 144 months.
The deal is the first phase of a planned two-aircraft fleet expansion. A second ATR72-600, msn 1830, is expected from early 2027, subject to a separate government guarantee.
CVsky already operates two ATR72-600s and wet leases one ATR72-500 from Global Aviation (Mauritania) (MSS, Nouakchott).
CH Aviation / Image: CVsky