NEW AIRLINE - Koala Airlines is an upcoming Melbourne-based Australian budget carrier planning to launch operations

Aiming to challenge the Qantas and Virgin duopoly, it intends to service major routes with Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, offering guaranteed cash refunds if flights are canceled.

The airline is not currently flying. Tickets are not yet available for purchase.
Flights are scheduled to launch in late 2026.
It will focus on major trunk routes connecting major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, though exact route details are kept confidential to avoid competitor interference.
Koala Airlines plans to hold ticket fares in a trust account and promises guaranteed cash refunds if a flight is canceled, rather than issuing credit vouchers.
Leadership & Background: Founded by CEO Bill Astling in 2018, the airline was formed after acquiring Desert Air Safaris in 2019, taking advantage of their existing air operators' certificate. 

Alternative Airlines


FLEET - FlyGabon, the state-backed Gabonese carrier, operates a Bombardier CRJ900ER wet-leased from South African regional airline CemAir to bolster its regional network

The aircraft (such as registration ZS-CEA) supports routes to Central African destinations like Bangui (CAR) and is used for regional connectivity

Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Int'l - FAOR, South Africa
Photo: master aviation

FLEET / ORDER - IAG increases B737MAX-order

Image; Flyingphotos

The International Airline Group has announced it has decided to convert options it held on the Boeing B737MAX into firm orders. In total, the deal is for ten additional MAXs, with no exact type specified. 

The new aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in 2028 and 2029.

With this latest increase, IAG now was firm orders for 60 B737MAXs, 25 we know will be B737-8200s and 25 B737-10s. 

The number of remaining options is 40.

All new MAXs are assigned to Vueling, which currently operates an all-Airbus fleet of six A319s, 93 A320s, seventeen A320neos, eighteen A321s, and four A321neos. 

Delivery of the first MAX is expected to take place in the final quarter of this year.

Korean Air to merge with Asiana Airlines in late 4Q26

Korean Air (KE, Seoul Incheon) and Asiana Airlines (OZ, Seoul Incheon) will integrate on December 17, 2026, after the respective boards approved the merger agreement on May 13. The two carriers signed a contract to execute the merger the day after.

Korean Air will absorb all assets, liabilities, and employees of Asiana Airlines. The carrier submitted a merger application to South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on May 14. In June 2026, it also plans to apply for amendments to its Operations Specifications (OpSpecs) to incorporate Asiana Airlines' aircraft and safety systems under Korean Air's existing air operator's certificate.

The merger ratio was set at one Korean Air share for every 0.2736432 Asiana Airlines shares, resulting in an expected capital increase of KRW101.7 billion won (USD68.3 million) for Korean Air.

Asiana Airlines will hold an extraordinary shareholders' meeting in August 2026 to vote on the merger. Korean Air, meanwhile, will approve the transaction through a board resolution as the deal qualifies as a small-scale merger under South Korea's Commercial Act.

The two airlines are also consulting the Korea Fair Trade Commission to finalise the integration plan for their frequent-flyer programmes.

The consolidation follows an initial acquisition agreement signed in November 2020, when the South Korean government and creditors injected KRW3.6 trillion (USD2.4 billion) to stabilise Asiana Airlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Korean Air said it has since repaid the public financial support.

As previously reported by ch-aviation, Korean Air plans to complete the acquisition of the remaining 36.1% stake in Asiana Airlines in the second quarter of 2026 and gradually phase out the Asiana Airlines brand and corporate entity after the integration. The airline has been working to align operational standards, employee compensation, and safety systems ahead of the merger.

Korean Air is also upgrading its operational infrastructure ahead of the integration, including renovations to its operations control centre and cabin crew training facility in Seoul, as well as expansions to engine maintenance shops and hangars at Seoul Incheon.

"The integration will elevate Korean Air's global market presence and establish Incheon International Airport as a dominant global hub through optimised network connectivity and increased transit efficiency," the carrier said.

Ch-Aviation / Photos: Duncan Stewart

FLEET /ORDER - Starlux Airlines to sell, leaseback three A330-900s

Starlux Airlines (JX, Taipei Taoyuan) will sell and leaseback three A330-900Ns to First Commercial Bank Leasing and Taishin Daan Leasing for up to USD345 million in total, or no more than USD115 million per aircraft. The carrier will then lease the aircraft back for a total consideration of about TWD3.8 billion New Taiwan dollars (USD120.5 million) per aircraft, subject to interest-rate adjustments. The board approved the agreements on May 12, 2026.

CH Aviation / Photo: Duncan Stewart

NEW AIRLINE - Zinc (Australia) plans to raise US$145 million to launch a ULCC out of Western Sydney International with A321neo aircraft.

Founded by former Qantas executive Peter Kelly, the startup aims to model its operations after the European airline Ryanair.

The airline plans to operate from Western Sydney International Airport, focusing on underserved or underutilized regional and domestic routes.

Zinc would initially fly between Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, before potentially expanding to the Gold Coast, with a fleet composed exclusively of Airbus A321neo aircraft.

AIRLINE HISTORY DEFUNCT - AeroLyon was a French holiday charter airline operating from 1996 to 2002

Flyingphotos-Faro- F-BTDD McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30

Owned by the French tourism company Nouvelles Frontières, the airline operated long-haul flights from Lyon, Paris, and other French cities to the Caribbean, West Indies, and French overseas territories.Fleet: The fleet exclusively consisted of three McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 aircraft.Status: AeroLyon ceased operations in May 2002 and was officially declared bankrupt later that year.

Ceased operations: 2002
Homebase: Lyon, France
Founded: 1996
IATA - 4Q
ICAO - AEY
Call sign - Aerolyon
Fleet - McDonnell Douglas DC10-30 - 3

FRONTIER AIRLINES / A320NEO / N391FR - Grizwald the BEAR

Duncan Stewart
 

FRONTIER AIRLINES / A320NEO / N337FR - Hunter the BOBCAT

Duncan Stewart
 

SPECIAL COLOURS - Returning to the Runway: JetBlue Debuts ‘Blueprint II’ on an Airbus A220

The airline’s iconic “see-through” design returns with new details and icons that reflect JetBlue’s history, network and spirit of exploration

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU) today began scheduled flying on ‘Blueprint II,’ a reimagined take on one of the airline’s most beloved special liveries, now featured on a brand-new Airbus A220.

First introduced in 2017 on an Embraer E190, the original Blueprint livery became an instant standout across JetBlue’s fleet for its imaginative “see-through” design, which blended illustrations of everyday travel items with the aircraft’s mechanical structure. Inspired by stories from crewmembers and customers alike, the design featured everything from slices of pizza to potted plants, capturing the joy, personality and memorable moments that define travel in a distinctly JetBlue way. Retired in 2024 as part of JetBlue’s broader fleet transition, the livery remained a favorite among customers, crewmembers and aviation enthusiasts.

Now reimagined for the Airbus A220, Blueprint II builds on the original concept with bolder visuals, greater detail and new hidden touches throughout the aircraft. The updated design includes a collection of icons that celebrate JetBlue’s network, heritage and spirit of exploration, including:

 JetBlue's Blueprint II Livery (photo credit: JetBlue).

The fan-favorite oversized teddy bear, now seated in its own passenger seat
A crown honoring JetBlue’s first European destination, London
A sextant in the flight deck recognizing the history of navigation
Fins, a mask and snorkel, and a swimming pool float nodding to the warm-weather vacation destinations at the heart of JetBlue’s network.
Blueprint II also includes dozens of additional “Easter eggs” hidden throughout the livery, giving customers and plane spotters new details to discover with every glance.

“Our aircraft liveries are an important expression of the JetBlue brand and the humanity that defines our customer experience,” said Marty St. George, president, JetBlue. “Blueprint II honors a design our customers and crewmembers have loved for years, while celebrating the personal journeys, memories and sense of discovery that continue to shape the JetBlue experience.”

With the retirement of its Embraer E190 fleet on September 9, 2025, JetBlue completed its transition to an all-Airbus fleet, anchored by next-generation A220 and A320 aircraft. Blueprint II continues JetBlue’s award-winning tradition of using aircraft design as an extension of the brand, creating liveries that spark curiosity, invite discovery and connect with customers in unexpected ways.

HYBRIDS c/s / FLEET - Laser Airlines expanded its European routes with an Airbus A330 wet-leased from the Portuguese-Maltese aviation specialist Hi Fly.

While Hi Fly does operate an Airbus A330-300 (registered 9H-HFI) within its versatile fleet, the specific aircraft dedicated to the transatlantic operations for Laser Airlines (between Caracas and Madrid)

Laser Airlines (HiFly) - 9H-HFI - Airbus A330-302 - Serial #: 805 - Madrid Barajas - LEMD, Spain
Photo: Juan Manuel Gibaja

 

NEW LIVERY -Berjaya Air presents new livery

The world’s first ATR 72-600 with 26-seat Business Class HighLine Cabin introduces a new level of comfort and style.
Berjaya Airlines

AIRPORT - Taoyuan (Taipei) - Taiwan International (Chiang Kai Shek) (TPE / RCTP) Taiwan

Photos:Huang ChengJen 

FLEET - Cessna Skycourier To Support Expanded Inter-Island Service For Air Marshall Islands

The Cessna SkyCourier has reached a new milestone with the recent delivery of the first aircraft into the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The 19‑passenger variant delivered to AIR Marshall Islands Inc. (AMI) is equipped with the optional passenger‑to‑freighter conversion kit, enabling the aircraft to transition between full passenger and full cargo configurations. The delivery marks a significant milestone in strengthening essential air service across the country.

With communities comprised of widely dispersed islands, regional air service plays an important role in supporting commerce, travel and vital freight transport in the region. The SkyCourier's flexible cabin configurations and strong runway performance will help AMI streamline inter-island services.

“Built with customer needs and operational efficiency at the forefront, the Cessna SkyCourier provides a dependable platform to support consistent, day‑to‑day operations,” said Juan Escalante, vice president, SkyCourier sales. “The aircraft was designed for operators like AIR Marshall Islands who require adaptability and unparalleled performance across a wide variety of missions.”

Based in the capital, Majuro, AIR Marshall Islands is a commercially operated airline owned by the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. With an additional SkyCourier expected to deliver this year, AMI selected the aircraft to enhance connectivity and expand services throughout the nation’s atolls and outer islands. 

The SkyCourier’s high payload capability and versatile design will allow AMI to transport both passengers and cargo more efficiently, including essential goods such as food, medical supplies, mail and other critical freight.

Captain Albon Jelke, general manager & CEO of AIR Marshall Islands, Inc.

“The delivery of our Cessna SkyCourier represents a significant milestone for AIR Marshall Islands (AMI) and its mission to provide dependable air transportation across the Republic of the Marshall Islands,” said Captain Albon Jelke, general manager & CEO of AIR Marshall Islands, Inc. “The SkyCourier’s high payload capability and versatile design will allow AMI to transport both passengers and cargo more efficiently, including essential goods such as food, medical supplies, mail and other critical freight.”

  

FLEET - Trans Island Airways puts sole E135 up for lease

 Trans Island Airways (TIA) has put the only E135 in its fleet up for lease, available immediately as a dry lease or for damp lease/wet lease starting in the third and fourth quarters of 2026.

To do so, the charter specialist has contracted aircraft marketing company Skyworld Aviation, which is offering the Embraer regional jet for lease contracts. The aircraft is configured with 19 corporate seats but can be reconfigured to 30 seats.

“Skyworld and TIA have worked together for a number of years, starting with the purchase of a DHC-8-300 which was later sold to Air Inuit. TIA then went on to purchase three E135s, two of which were quickly sold on by Skyworld, and one E135LR is now being offered for dry lease contracts,” Skyworld said in a statement.

According to ch-aviation fleets data, Trans Island Airways also operates two Learjet 60s.

CH Aviation / Photo: Trans Island

NEW AIRLINE - AirMuj, a Tanzanian cargo start-up, is preparing to enter the region’s air freight market with ambitions to link East Africa to the Middle East.

Co-founded by CEO Mujtaba Inayatali and COO Jibril Intalo, the company is transitioning from a 25-year-old family-run sea freight operation in Dubai into an ad-hoc air cargo carrier based in Dar es Salaam. Having run a successful shipping business, their passion for aviation pushed the friends to build something new in Africa, Inayatali told our journalist Hilka Birns in an interview on the sidelines of AviaDev Africa 2025 in Zanzibar.
ch aviation

FRONTIER AIRLINES / A321NEO / N626FR - Grace - The ONCILLA

Duncan Stewart
 

FRONTIER AIRLINES / A321NEO / N642FR - Hugh - The MANATEE

Duncan Stewart
 

AIRLINE HISTORY DEFUNCT - Kiwi International Air Lines was a American airline that operated from September 21, 1992 to March 24, 1999.

Photo: Flyingphotos - Newark, USA

It had its headquarters in the Hemisphere Center in Newark, New Jersey adjacent to Newark Liberty International Airport.

Kiwi International Air Lines was founded by a group of Eastern Air Lines pilots in a plan to re-employ former Eastern pilots, flight attendants, managers, and other contract and non-contract employees who had lost their jobs when Eastern Air Lines went into bankruptcy in 1989. The former airline pilots originally formed a group and called themselves Kiwis because they were no longer flying, just like the flightless Kiwi birds. The airline operated a fleet of Boeing 727-200 and McDonnell Douglas DC-9 aircraft. In its brief history, the airline flew 8 million passengers without incident.

IATA - ICAO

Call sign - KP

KIA - KIWI

Commenced operations - September 21, 1992

Ceased operations - March 24, 1999[1]

Hubs - Newark

Secondary hubs:

Atlanta

Chicago–Midway

FLEET - IAI and Fly Meta begin the inaugural conversion of the 777-300ERSF in Seoul (South Korea)

Photo: Ton Jochems-BUD

AI today inaugurated its new 777-300ERSF conversion line in South Korea with the induction of an aircraft for Fly Meta at the Sharp Technics K facility.
The 2013-vintage unit 41818 (ex-Turkish Airlines) arrived in Seoul (ICN) from Istanbul (ISL) on May 1. IAI hopes to complete conversion in about 180 days, it told Cargo Facts
Cargo Facts

 

NEW AIRLINE - FlyCristal Airways is a Zimbabwean start-up airline, founded by Johannes Simau, designed to provide passenger, cargo, and charter services with a focus on business travel.

Based in Zimbabwe and South Africa, it secured its first Let L-410 aircraft in May 2026 for domestic routes to Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls.

Scheduled to start operations (as of late 2025/2026 plans) with a hybrid model of passenger and cargo Initial Domestic Routes: Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Kariba, and Victoria Falls.Regional & Future 

Plans to link Zimbabwe with South Africa (Johannesburg, Cape Town). Long-term goals include routes to London, Dubai, Mumbai, and Guangzhou.

Fleet: Secured a 19-seater Let 410, with plans for Embraer EMB 120, Bombardier CRJ200, and Boeing 737 aircraft for regional expansion.Regulatory Status: Regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ).

Fly Cristal

FLEET - AnimaWings (Romania) plans to expand to 14 aircraft by the end of 2027.

The aircraft are configured with 137 to 180 seats.

Image: AnimaWings
 

ROUTES - TUI Airways (UK) plans winter 2026/27 season long-haul flights in partnership with tour operators

Ton Jochems 

B787-8 will operate on routes from Bratislava to La Romana and Phu Quoc, and from Prague to Cozumel, La Romana, Phu Quoc and Punta Cana.

FRONTIER AIRLINES / A321NEO / N716FR - Seymour - The WALRUS

Duncan Stewart
 

FRONTIER AIRLINES / A321NEO / N723FR Gordon - The GOLDEN EAGLE

Duncan Stewart
 

NEW AIRLINE - Binani Air conducts its first commercial flight with an Embraer ERJ-170.

 Binani Air conducted its first commercial flight from Abuja to Yola on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

AIRPORT - Los Angeles International Airport

Duncan Stewart