AIRCRAFT - Airbus starts assembly of 2nd test A350F

Airbus has begun assembling the second A350F to be used for the program’s flight test campaign as the manufacturer targets certification and entry into service in the second half of 2027. The aircraft (701) is having its fuselage joined in Toulouse (TLS) and will move into Station 40 for final assembly this month

Photo: Airbus

ROUTES - Dan Air (Romania) postponed the launch of flights to Barcelona, Madrid, Paris Beauvais, Valencia and Treviso

Dan Air postponed the launch of flights to Barcelona, Madrid, Paris Beauvais, Valencia and Treviso until 14 June 2026 due to fuel prices and the impact from the war in the Middle East.

VINTAGE Aircraft - Travel Service / Boeing 737-4Y0 / OK-TVR

Flyingphotos - Lisboa

ex: Flyglobespan (Travel Service) - OK-TVR 

VINTAGE Aircraft -TACV Cabo Verde Airlines / D4-CBN / Boeing 737-3Q8

Flyingphotos - Lisboa

 

ex: Belavia Belarusian Airlines -  EW-283PA 

ex: Air China - B-2604 

NEW AIRLINE - Danfe Airlines (Nepal) has received a No Objection Certificate from the CAA of Nepal to begin regular commercial flights starting in 2026 out of Pokhara with three ATR72-600s.

Danfe (Scientific name: Lophophorus impejanus)  is the national bird of Nepal and the name aptly suits an airline dedicated to the service connecting the cities within Nepal and international destinations.

Fast forward to 2023, after years of careful planning and collaboration, the founders seized a golden opportunity to acquire Makalu Air, a small carrier in Nepal. This acquisition marked a significant milestone in their journey, allowing them to rebrand and expand the airline under the new name, Danfé Airlines.

Under the new management team, the airline intends to introduce six ATR 72-600 series aircrafts and operate in the trunk routes within Nepal and to neighboring countries. 

Photos + Information : Danfe Airlines

NEW AIRLINE - Chinggis Airlines (Mongolia) took delivery of its first aircraft, an ATR72-600, serial 1057, which will initially be used for domestic charters from 2Q 2026.

Chingis Airlines Unity was founded in 2025 with investment support from Nomin Holding and aims to improve the accessibility of domestic air travel, as well as reduce development disparities between urban and rural areas. As part of its launch, the company put into operation a modern ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, with a capacity for 70 passengers, and completed preparations to launch charter flights on domestic routes.

The airline intends to start regular flights to cities such as Dalanzadgad, Khovd, and Murun in the second quarter of 2026.

In the future, Chingis Airlines Unity hopes to expand its routes to international destinations and establish a competitive position in the regional aviation market.

ROUTES / FLEET - AlpAvia (Slovenia) lost its AOC. It operated two ERJ145 jets and one B737-700 on charters out of Ljubljana.

Photo: AlpAvia
 

FLEET - AirSial (Pakistan) has signed an agreement with DAE Capital (UAE) to acquire two additional A320 aircraft delivering in 2027

 The additions will bring the total fleet to 15 aircraft.

FLEET - AirBorneo wet leased 3 B737-800

AirBorneo (Malaysia) plans to launch regional jet operations from Kuching in July 2026 using three wet leased B737-800 aircraft, connecting to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Kota Kinabalu.

Photo: AirBorneo

ROUTES - Air Seychelles announced the launch of three weekly nonstop flights between Seychelles and Paris

Air Seychelles announced the launch of three weekly nonstop flights between Seychelles and Paris CDG, starting on 20 March 2026 with B787-9 on wet lease from Etihad (UAE).

FLEET - Air Central (China) plans to add eight widebody freighters by 2030, including two this year. Flights to the US are also on the horizon..

 

AIRLINES - Air Astana celebrates 20 years of Airbus operations

 
Air Astana, the multi-award winning Kazakh flag carrier, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of operating Airbus aircraft. The first Airbus A320 was delivered in February 2006 and since then the fleet has grown significantly, with almost 60 aircraft in service today. Air Astana shareholders recently approved the acquisition of 25 more Airbus A320 family aircraft as part of the long-term commitment to maintaining a modern, efficient and passenger pleasing fleet.

Air Astana placed its first direct order for Airbus aircraft in 2008, with the new fleet being delivered in 2012/13. This was the first Airbus direct order from a Kazakhstan based carrier, since the country became independent in 1991.

In November 2016, Air Astana introduced its first Airbus A320neo into service, becoming one of the early adopters worldwide to transition to a new-generation aircraft offering improved fuel efficiency and enhanced environmental performance.

In September 2019, the airline’s fleet was further expanded with the introduction of its first Airbus A321LR, enabling network growth and enhancing the airline’s capability to operate long-haul services with narrowbody aircraft. Air Astana’s A321LR aircraft operate one of the world’s longest nonstop narrowbody routes, Almaty-London, with a flight duration of approximately nine hours.

Today’s Air Astana Group fleet is predominantly made up of Airbus aircraft, with a total of 59 aircraft comprising of 41 A320/A321neo family aircraft and 18 A320/A321ceo aircraft.

ORDER - AerCap places order for 100 additional Airbus A320neo Family aircraft

AerCap Holdings N.V. (“AerCap”) has signed a firm order with Airbus for 23 A320neo and 77 A321neo aircraft. This transaction underscores AerCap’s strategy of investing in the world's most in-demand, fuel-efficient technology to meet the long-term requirements of its global airline customer base.

“This order for 100 A320neo Family aircraft reflects our strong belief in the long-term demand for these highly efficient aircraft and will help meet the continued demand we see from our customers for both growth and replacement needs,” said Aengus Kelly, CEO of AerCap. "As the world’s largest owner of commercial aircraft, our strategy is clear: we invest in the assets that provide our airline customers with the best economics and the lowest emissions. This landmark transaction ensures that AerCap will continue to lead the industry in fleet modernization well into the next decade.”

“This order is the largest single direct order for the type ever placed by AerCap with Airbus, and is a powerful endorsement of the A320neo Family’s enduring value and market-leading performance,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business. “We are extremely grateful and proud to support AerCap’s vision in accelerating the global transition towards newer, modern aircraft and more efficient operations.”

The A320 Family is the world’s most popular single-aisle aircraft, having won more than 19,000 orders globally. The Family includes the largest member, the A321neo, offering 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.

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A320 Family is able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.

 

VINTAGE Aircraft - Russia - 224th Flight Unit State Airline / RA-78750 / Ilyushin IL-76MD

Flyingphotos - Lisboa

RA-78750 is a Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il-76MD (serial number 0083483510) heavy military transport aircraft operated by the 224th Flight Unit State Airline, according to www.planelogger.com and Flightradar24. It is designed for strategic, long-distance airlift, capable of carrying over 40-60 tons of cargo in extreme conditions, often used for heavy equipment transport

Capabilities: Capable of operating from short and unprepared airstrips, designed to withstand severe weather.

Performance: Designed to transport heavy, outsized cargo over long distances.

The Il-76 series remains a staple of Russian military airlift, with continued modernization efforts, such as the IL-76MD-90A, designed to increase fuel efficiency, payload, and range

VINTAGE Aircraft - Russia - State Transport Company / RA-86540 / Ilyushin IL-62M

Flyingphotos - Lisboa

RA-86540 is an Ilyushin Il-62M long-range narrow-body jetliner (c/n 3546548) operated by the Russia - Special Flight Squadron. Primarily serving high-ranking officials, it is a modernized version of the Soviet-era classic, often adorned in Rossiya Special Flight Detachment livery. The aircraft was produced in 1995, featuring rear-mounted Soloviev D-30KU engines

FLEET - Cabo Verde Airlines Strengthens European Network with Additional Leased Aircraft

 The national airline of Cabo Verde has strengthened its operational capacity with the introduction of an Airbus A319 on a wet lease (from Fly Air41 Airways, Croatia) to support its European route network.

FLEET - Avation Orders Five Additional ATR 72-600s

Singapore-based lessor reinforces long-term partnership with ATR, reaching 54 net firm aircraft ordered to date

Toulouse, 16 March 2026 – ATR, the world’s leading regional aircraft manufacturer, today announced that Singapore-based lessor Avation (LON:AVAP) has exercised purchase rights for five ATR 72‑600 aircraft under its long-term framework agreement signed in 2011. Deliveries are scheduled for 2028 and 2029.

This latest commitment covers the 50th to 54th ATR aircraft ordered by Avation since the start of its cooperation with ATR 15 years ago. Over that time, the partnership has steadily expanded and matured, supporting Avation in building a significant turboprop portfolio that today includes 27 ATRs placed with operators across the world. In the past six months alone, the lessor has placed ATR aircraft with three new operators.

Jeff Chatfield, Executive Chairman of Avation, said: “These aircraft expand Avation’s existing order book through the conversion of five purchase rights into firm orders. The ATR 72‑600 is widely recognised as the most fuel-efficient regional aircraft, offering the lowest seat‑mile cost in regional aviation and significantly lower operating costs than comparable aircraft. It is the ideal platform for regional route operations, and development and replacement of older, less efficient equipment. By committing to five additional ATR 72‑600 aircraft, Avation continues to build out its growth pathway for the late‑2020s and beyond, increasing its future fleet availability for key airline customers in high‑growth regional markets. Industry forecasts and independent analysts expect demand for more than 2,000 new turboprops over the next two decades to support both replacement and growth needs worldwide.”

Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, added: “Avation’s renewed confidence is especially meaningful because lessors play a pivotal role in expanding the ATR community. Many airlines first experience the performance and economics of our aircraft through leasing, and in countless cases this has led them to later invest in their own fleet of brand‑new ATRs. By exercising these purchase rights, Avation reinforces a partnership that actively drives market growth while helping us deliver responsible, reliable connectivity to communities worldwide.”

FLEET - Air Senegal has defined a strategy for the gradual acquisition of 15 Boeing aircraft by 2035

The first phase will add six B737NG aircraft and one B737F from March 2026, with the objective of having a fully owned and managed fleet by 2H 2026.

Aviator / Photo: Air Senegal

FLEET - Aegean (Greece) confirms the airline cancelled its two A321XLRs on order due to a delay beyond summer 2026, which would prevent the timely launch of flights to India.

A321LRs, arriving in early 2027, will replace the aircraft. Additionally, two A321neos will be converted into LRs.

Flyingphotos

AIRLINE - AFRICA - Dakota Aviation is a company established in Kinshasa on 2014

 9S-PSM, Embraer EMB-120ER Brasília / Photo: master aviation

Dakota Aviation is a company established in Kinshasa on March 28, 2014, by Mwanza Hamissi Singoma, a recognized economic operator in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and owns two aircraft: a DC3 for cargo and an Embraer 120 for passenger transport.

Destination
Moanda, Mbandaka, Gemena, Gbodolite, Buta, Kisangani, Isiro, Goma, Bukavu, Kalemie, Lubumbashi, Kananga, Mbuji Mayi, Kindu, Kolwezi, Beni, Kinshasa, Bunia, Doko, Etc

 

AIRLINES HITORIC DEFUNCT - Air Turquoise was a low-cost airline based in France.

D-BRRR - ATR 42-500 - London Luton, United Kingdom, 2006 - flyingphotos

ICAO - TUQ
Country -  France
Started Operations - 21 Jun 2005
Ceased operations - 19 Jul 2006
Base / Main Hub - Reims Champagne (RHE / LFSR)

The airline was founded on 21 June 2005. It flew a single 44-seat ATR 42-500 (D-BRRR).
On 28 June 2006 the airline moved its operations from Reims airport to Vatry International Airport.

The airline experienced financial problems and all flights were suspended from 19 July 2006 onwards, followed by liquidation.
Its operational capacity was retained until 31 July, in the hope that a new investor would come forward.[
On 2 August 2006, the company ceased its activities.

Air Turquoise flew to the following destinations:

Bordeaux (Aéroport de Bordeaux Mérignac)
London (London Luton Airport)
Marseille (Marseille Provence Airport)
Nice (Côte d'Azur International Airport)
Reims (Vatry International Airport) HUB
Toulouse (Toulouse Blagnac International Airport)

AIRPORT - Miami International Airport

Ronal Vermeulen
 

AIRPORT - EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg

Paul Bannwarth
 

AIRPORT - Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Ronal Vermeulen
 

ROUTES - Brazil’s GOL to launch flights to Lisbon and Paris

Several days after announcing its first long-haul route, GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes (G3, São Paulo Congonhas) has unveiled three more long-haul destinations to be served with its future A330-900N fleet, two of which are new and intercontinental: Paris CDG, Lisbon, and Orlando International.

The routes to Europe will be served from Rio de Janeiro International starting on September 16. Lisbon will be operated 4x weekly, but Paris does not yet have a number of frequencies assigned.

The flights to Orlando, meanwhile, are already served with GOL’s B737 MAX fleet from Brasília Juscelino Kubitschek International and Fortaleza International, and will be upgauged to the new Airbus widebody fleet with a 4x weekly service direct from Rio de Janeiro.

With the arrival of the new fleet, GOL’s logistics unit, GOLLOG, is looking to consolidate its presence and establish a new cargo hub in Rio de Janeiro. “Under this new model, GOLLOG will offer approximately 20 tonnes of cargo capacity in the belly hold of each A330, with freight transported on pallets, thereby expanding the range of solutions available to its customers,” the company said in a statement.

GOL will add five A330-900Ns, while sister carrier avianca airlines will add two to its fleet, all dry-leased from lessor Avolon by GOL/avianca parent Abra Group.

CH Aviation

 

ORDER - Atlas Air Worldwide becomes Airbus’ largest A350F freighter customer with an order for 20 aircraft

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (“Atlas”), a global leader in airfreight logistics based in the United States in New York, has placed a landmark firm order for 20 Airbus A350F freighters. The order is the largest ever placed for the latest generation fuel efficient A350F and makes Atlas the biggest customer of the type.

The A350F aircraft will be deployed for growth. As a leading outsourced aviation logistics company, Atlas is uniquely positioned to bring the A350F’s next-generation performance to global operators across a wide variety of business models and markets.

“We are proud to become the largest customer for the Airbus A350F, securing early delivery positions for this next-generation widebody freighter platform,” said Michael Steen, Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Air Worldwide. “This order reflects our commitment to maintaining the industry’s most modern and fuel-efficient widebody freighter fleet to best service existing and new customers worldwide. The A350F is a highly capable, reliable platform, with incremental payload and range benefits, and a strong sustainability profile. We are pleased to add Airbus and Rolls-Royce to our supplier base of leading aircraft and engine manufacturers, offering us optionality and supporting our global operations and continued growth.”

“We are excited to welcome Atlas Air Worldwide, a global leader of the air cargo industry, to the Airbus family,” said Lars Wagner, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus. “Atlas Air’s selection of the latest generation A350F - the first in the US - represents a pivotal moment, cementing the A350F’s position as the preferred true all new-generation freighter for the world’s most demanding cargo operators. We very much look forward to seeing it flying in Atlas’ colours."

The A350F features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry, with fuselage length and capacity optimised around the industry’s standard pallets and containers. Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials, resulting in a 46 tonne lighter take-off weight than the competing derivative. The A350F is also the only freighter aircraft that will fully meet ICAO’s enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, coming into effect in 2027.

 

AIRLINES HISTORIC DEFUNCT - AirClass Airways was an airline based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

It operated passenger services from Spain, as well as charters and wet lease services. Its main base was Gran Canaria International Airport.

The airline started operations in February 2003. It was founded by Canaria Travel as a sister company to the airline Travel Service under the name Visig Operaciones Aéreas. 

Operations started with a Boeing 737-800 transferred from Travel Service. 

Visig was closed down in 2005 and in November 2005 the company was acquired by Spanish investment group Airclass and reorganised by Futura International Airways.

In May 2006 the company was rebranded as AirClass Airways. 

It was wholly owned by Airclass and had 48 employees.
AirClass Airways ceased operations in 2008.

B737-300 / EC-JSL / Faro, Portugal - 2006, Flyingphotos

ICAO - VSG
Call sign - VISIG