Japan Airlines Renews Pool Program Agreement With Embraer To Support E-Jet Operations

Agreement extension reinforces Embraer’s commitment to supporting airlines across APAC

Embraer (NYSE: EMBJ / B3: EMBJ3) and Japan Airlines (JAL) have extended their long-standing partnership through a multi-year agreement under Embraer's Pool Program, providing comprehensive maintenance, repair and spare-parts support for the airline's fleet of 32 E170 and E190 aircraft.

The agreement will provide support for a wide range of repairable components for Japan Airlines' E-Jets fleet, helping to enhance aircraft reliability. The solution also includes a significant inventory of components available close to the customer’s operations, ensuring rapid access to critical parts and minimizing operational disruptions.

Since 2008, the E-Jets have played an integral role in J-Air’s fleet, supporting regional connectivity across Japan. The extension of the Pool Program agreement underscores the shared commitment of both companies to maintaining the highest standards of operational excellence while supporting the continued growth of regional connectivity in the country. Japan Airlines’ E-Jets six-month service reliability average stands at 99.8%.

“Through this contract renewal with Embraer, we reinforce our commitment to securing high-quality components and, above all, ensuring the absolute safety of our flight operations. Building on our trusted relationship with Embraer, we look forward to driving further operational excellence and delivering a highly reliable travel experience for our passengers,” said Yuta Kawaguchi, Executive Officer, Vice President, JAL Engineering Co. Ltd, Material & Component Services.

"We are proud to further strengthen our long-standing relationship with Japan Airlines through this agreement," said Carlos Naufel, President and CEO, Embraer Services & Support. "Through our Pool Program, we are committed to providing the reliability, responsiveness and operational support needed to maximise the E-Jets’ performance."

Embraer has been in APAC for nearly five decades since the first aircraft operated in the region in 1978. More than fifteen airlines across seven countries in the Asia Pacific region currently operate the E-Jets, making APAC one of Embraer's most important markets. To support these customers, Embraer has built a comprehensive regional ecosystem that brings after-market support closer to airline operations. This includes Embraer personnel located near customer bases, a Regional Distribution Centre with more than US$120 million in inventory, E1 and E2 simulators, and authorised service centres across the region, ensuring fast, reliable support wherever E-Jets fly.

FLEET News - Lufthansa's first A350-1000 at the factory in Toulouse with its official livery. ( Msn811/ F-WZNQ / Dusseldorf )

 Photo: A380_TLS_A350

AIRPORT - Rhodes Diagoras-Paradisi-LGRP-Greece,

Ton Jochems
 

AIRPORT - Miami International Airport

Ronald Vermeulen
 

AIRPORT - Lisboa-Humberto Delgado-Portugal

 Flyingphotos

SPECIAL LIVERY - First A330 change to Trinity Airlines: Airbus A330-343 -HL8501

Photo: Mixz
Shenyang-Taoxian - ZYTX, China

AIRPORT - Sabiha Gökçen International Airport - Turkey

Photos: Ilgaz DEGER
 

AIRPORT - Miami International Airport

 Photos: Ronald Vermeulen

KLM Cityhopper Celebrates 60 Years: From Regional Airline to Driving Force of KLM’s European Network

KLM Cityhopper is celebrating its 60th anniversary today. What began in 1966 as Nederlandse Luchtvaart Maatschappij (NLM), with two leased Fokker aircraft and a handful of domestic routes, has grown into an indispensable part of KLM’s network. With 58 aircraft, more than 80 destinations, and over 350 daily flights, KLM Cityhopper connects Europe with the world through Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

KLM Cityhopper plays a key role in Schiphol’s hub operations. Each year, it carries around 11 million passengers to destinations across the continent. Passengers from throughout Europe fly with KLM Cityhopper to Amsterdam to connect to KLM’s intercontinental flights. At the same time, travelers from around the world connect through Schiphol to more than 80 European destinations. In this way, KLM Cityhopper contributes to the Netherlands’ global connectivity and KLM’s extensive route network. Destinations added to the network in recent seasons include Biarritz, Exeter, Dubrovnik, Ljubljana, Cork, Jersey, Santiago de Compostela, and Oviedo.

“Sixty years ago, KLM Cityhopper began as a small regional airline. Today, we are an essential part of KLM’s network and play a key role in connecting Europe with the world. This growth is primarily due to the dedication and commitment of our employees. With that same entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, we will continue building the future of regional aviation,” said Maarten Koopmans, Managing Director of KLM Cityhopper.

History

KLM Cityhopper traces its roots to NLM, which was founded in 1966 to provide fast connections between different regions of the Netherlands. Over the following decades, its network steadily expanded to include destinations across Europe. The Cityhopper name was added in 1976, followed by a merger with NetherLines in 1991 and the integration of KLM UK, ultimately creating KLM Cityhopper.

A Testing Ground for Innovation

As a smaller, agile organization, KLM Cityhopper regularly tests innovations for the broader KLM organization. This enables it to play a pioneering role in operational optimization, sustainability, and new ways of working.

One example is the introduction of virtual reality training for KLM Cityhopper pilots—a valuable and sustainable training method that supplements conventional simulator and in-flight training. Another example is OptiClimb, an application that helps reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions during the climb phase of a flight. Based on flight data such as weight, weather conditions, aircraft type, and route, OptiClimb recommends a speed to the flight crew that allows the aircraft to reach cruising altitude as efficiently as possible.

KLM Cityhopper is also taking part in The Aviation Challenge for the fourth year. As part of the challenge, it is testing new solutions involving artificial intelligence, sustainable aviation fuels, weight reduction, reduced food waste, and the electrification of ground operations.

A Quiet, Fuel-Efficient, and Effective Fleet

KLM Cityhopper remains focused on advancing regional aviation. In the coming years, it will concentrate on further optimizing its network, adding new destinations, and maintaining a modern, efficient, and sustainable fleet.

After operating aircraft made by Dutch manufacturer Fokker for several decades, the airline opted for an Embraer fleet in 2008. Today, Embraer aircraft form the backbone of its operations. The latest-generation Embraer E195-E2 is one of today’s quietest, most fuel-efficient, and most effective passenger aircraft.

Photo credits main picture: Mark Wagtendonk 

ANA Group's New Cargo Airline to be Named "ANA Nippon Cargo Airlines"

 ANA HOLDINGS INC. announced that its new cargo airline will be named "ANA Nippon Cargo Airlines Co., Ltd" and will operate under the brand name "ANA Nippon Cargo."

・At its establishment on April 1, 2027, the airline will initially remain the existing corporate name "Nippon Cargo Airlines Co., Ltd." The change to the new corporate name is scheduled for the second half of FY2027 or later.

TOKYO, Sept. 14, 2026 - ANA HOLDINGS INC. ("ANA HD") today announced that its new cargo airline will be named "ANA Nippon Cargo Airlines Co., Ltd." operating under the brand name "ANA Nippon Cargo." The airline will be established on April 1, 2027, through the integration of three ANA Group's cargo businesses: ANA Cargo Inc., Nippon Cargo Airlines Co., Ltd., and NCA Japan Co., Ltd.

◆New Company Name (Scheduled for change in the second half of FY2027 or later*)

English: ANA Nippon Cargo Airlines Co., Ltd.

Japanese: ANA Nippon Cargo Airlines 株式会社

*This remains subject to approval by relevant government authorities.

◆New Brand Name (Scheduled for a change on April 1, 2027)

"ANA Nippon Cargo"

The new company and brand names reflect the unified identity of the ANA Group, pride in the "Nippon Quality" behind its service standard, and a commitment to building trust and expertise of the three merging cargo businesses. The inclusion of "Cargo Airlines" also makes it clear that this is a dedicated cargo airline operating its own fleet with direct responsibility for safety and service quality. Moving forward under this unified name and brand, the three companies will operate as one to deliver a more reliable, more responsive air freight service to customers worldwide.

Further details regarding the new brand will be announced closer to the airline's launch.

ANA

Japan's First: JAL and Donecle Launch Joint Verification for Fully Autonomous Drone Aircraft Exterior Inspections

― Enhancing maintenance efficiency, ensuring mechanic safety, and elevating aircraft quality ―

Tokyo, JAPAN - Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "JAL") and Donecle (hereinafter "Donecle"), a French manufacturer specializing in aircraft maintenance drones, announced the launch of Japan's first joint project utilizing fully autonomous drones approved in aircraft manufacturer's maintenance manuals for exterior aircraft inspections at JAL's hangars. This initiative is designed to improve the safety and efficiency of aircraft maintenance operations.

The project aims to significantly reduce inspection time and enhance the safety of maintenance work by replacing traditional manual visual inspections with drone technology. Furthermore, reallocating the time saved to predictive maintenance is expected to further enhance aircraft quality.

 Visual inspections of aircraft exteriors traditionally require mechanics to spend extensive time checking the massive airframes, often involving working at heights, which poses safety challenges. To address these issues, JAL is working to establish a workflow where drones capture high-resolution images of the exterior for mechanics to review and inspect. Since the end of June 2026, JAL has been conducting comparisons between conventional visual inspections and drone-captured images to verify the effectiveness of drone technology in aircraft maintenance.

The "Iris GVI" drones used in this project, developed by Donecle, are highly reliable and approved for use in aircraft manufacturers' maintenance manuals. Equipped with obstacle detection capabilities, these drones can fly autonomously without contacting the aircraft, ensuring consistent operation independent of operator skill and capturing high-resolution images under uniform standards. Moreover, image analysis technology enables precise mapping and measurement of defect areas.

Drone Model Used: Iris GVI

Manufacturer	Donecle (France)
Dimensions	Length 855mm × Width 855mm × Height 245mm
Weight	3,700g (including battery)
Operation Mode	Fully autonomous flight

 Future Outlook

While the project is currently focused on operational demonstration tests within hangars, future phases aim to expand the scope--such as minimizing flight delays through faster unscheduled lightning strike inspections and regular monitoring of aircraft paint conditions--in continued collaboration with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), aiming for further improvements in punctuality and aircraft quality.

Through this partnership, JAL and Donecle are committed to pioneering drone integration in global aviation maintenance, driving innovation to support safe, secure, and reliable air travel.

About Japan Airlines:

Japan Airlines (JAL) was established in 1951 as Japan's first private airline. Today, as a member of the oneworld® Alliance, the airline operates a fleet of 234 aircraft (as of March 2026) throughout an extensive domestic and international network, serving 413 airports in 71 countries/regions together with other JAL Group and partner airlines. The airline has been the proud recipient of many accolades for its exceptional service, including recognition as a 5-Star Airline by Skytrax and "World Class" by APEX. Under its brand slogan of Soaring Together, JAL strives to awaken senses, lift spirits and inspire, and make meaningful connections for its customers and stakeholders throughout society. The airline is dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of flight safety and overall service quality, striving to be the most preferred airline by customers worldwide.

NEW AIRLINE - Southern Vision Investment Becomes Strategic Investor in AVi8 Airways

Long-term strategic partnership to build AVi8 into Southeast Asia’s dedicated ACMI-Charter platform. Investment terms will be disclosed in official fillings at a later time.

HO CHI MINH CITY, VN / ACCESS Newswire / AVi8 Airways, a startup ACMI and charter airline serving the Asia-Pacific region, today announced that Southern Vision Investment (SVI) has become a strategic investor in the company, forming a long-term partnership to support AVi8’s growth across Southeast Asia.

The investment establishes SVI as a committed, long-horizon financial partner as AVi8 builds toward the launch of operations. Full terms of the investment, which allows for certification will be disclosed later in official filings.

AVi8 is building a dedicated ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) and charter airline, operating Airbus A320-family aircraft for passenger and charter services and A321F and A330F freighters for its cargo operations, serving customers across one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.

“We are proud to walk alongside AVi8 Airways for the long term,” said Le Yen Thi, Managing Director of SVI Group. “This is not a short-term position - it is a commitment to accompany the company through every stage of its journey. We believe in the team, in the ACMI and charter model, and in the long-term future of aviation across Southeast Asia.”

This partnership reflects a shared, long-term ambition: to build enduring aviation infrastructure for Southeast Asia, combining AVi8’s ACMI and charter capabilities with SVI’s conviction and financial strength.

“With the support of SVI Group, AVi8 Airways will have the strong financial preparation it needs to pursue a genuinely long-term plan - one measured in years, not quarters,” said Minh Nguyen, Managing Director of AVi8 Airways. “Our ambition is clear: to build AVi8 into the leading ACMI and charter platform for Southeast Asia. Having a strategic investor of SVI’s caliber and conviction beside us gives us the stability and the confidence to execute that vision - aircraft by aircraft, and partnership by partnership.”

The ACMI and charter model is prized for its flexibility and capital efficiency, allowing airlines to add capacity during peak seasons - from Lunar New Year, Golden Week, and Songkran to the summer holidays and Hajj and Umrah - and to serve cargo flows that traditional scheduled models cannot address efficiently. AVi8 intends to sit at the center of this demand as a dedicated, airline-to-airline capacity provider.

With SVI’s backing, AVi8 plans to introduce Airbus A320-family aircraft, alongside A321F and A330F freighters for its cargo operations, toward a commercial launch in 2027 - beginning with cargo before expanding its passenger charter and ACMI services - and to grow its fleet steadily as it establishes itself as a trusted capacity partner across the region.

About AVi8 Airways

AVi8 Airways is a Singapore-structured airline backed by AVi8 Air Capital, an aviation investment fund founded by Ed Wegel, one of the industry’s most experienced airline entrepreneurs. Over nearly four decades, Wegel has helped found and build five airlines across multiple markets, with deep experience in airline start-up, fundraising, operations, and growth.

AVi8 Airways is building a dedicated ACMI and Charter platform for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, providing aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) capacity to airline partners while serving passenger charter and cross-border cargo demand. As part of its strategy, AVi8 plans to apply for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in Cambodia and to establish an operational hub in Phnom Penh, leveraging the country’s strategic location to optimise its network and connect key markets across the region.

FLEET - Red Sea Airlines (Egypt) has agreed to lease two new B737-8 from (Ireland) as the carrier plans to expand its fleet to 14 aircraft by 2028

 Delivery is set for July and August 2027. 

Red Sea will also receive a B737-800 from Aergo Capital (Ireland) by the end of 2026 and is negotiating with lessors for another seven aircraft.

FLEET - flydubai (UAE) has announced the next phase of its growth strategy, expanding its fleet beyond 100 aircraft and launching a new cabin retrofit program in September 2026.

 The airline will take delivery of 11 additional aircraft in 2026, including seven B737-9 and four B737-8.

SPECIAL LIVERY - Countdown takes flight as Emirates’ new Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 livery lands in Sydney

The specially adorned A380, A6-EVH, touches down in Sydney for the first time, beginning a year-long journey across the Emirates global network ahead of Rugby World Cup 2027


The bold orange design marks Emirates' 5th consecutive Rugby World Cup livery, celebrating Australia as host nation

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 16 September 2026 – As rugby fans around the world begin their countdown to Men’s Rugby World Cup Australia 2027, Emirates has touched down in Sydney with its striking new Rugby World Cup livery adorned on one of its flagship A380 aircraft, A6-EVH.

Operating as EK412, the aircraft arrived in Sydney today before continuing on to Christchurch, New Zealand - visiting two of rugby's most passionate nations on its very first flight in its new colours.

Drawing inspiration from the official Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 logo, the bold orange design features a large rugby ball at its centre, capturing the energy and passion of the game while celebrating Australia's role as host nation.

This marks Emirates' 5th consecutive Rugby World Cup livery, continuing a proud tradition that began in 2011. A6-EVH will now carry the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 colours across Emirates' global network for a full year, bringing the excitement of the tournament to rugby fans in destinations around the world ahead of its arrival in Australia.

Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, said: “Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 is coming to Australia, and we are thrilled to mark that occasion by bringing our Rugby World Cup livery to Sydney for the very first time. Emirates has been a passionate supporter of rugby for nearly four decades. As we celebrate 30 years of flying to Australia, this livery is a symbol of everything we stand for: a love of sport, a passion for connecting people, and a steadfast commitment to Australia.” 

Emirates is among rugby's most significant commercial supporters worldwide. The airline's involvement began in 1987 as Title Sponsor of the Emirates Dubai Sevens, making it the longest-running sponsorship in the airline’s sports portfolio.

In 2025, Emirates renewed its partnership with World Rugby through to 2035, becoming the first organisation in World Rugby's history to hold Platinum Partner status. The agreement covers Men's Rugby World Cups in 2027, 2031 and 2035, Women's Rugby World Cups in 2029 and 2033, and qualifying rounds for all tournaments. Emirates has been a worldwide partner of every Rugby World Cup since 2011 and also sponsors World Rugby's referees and match officials. In 2027, the airline will mark 20 years of supporting Rugby World Cup tournaments.

About Emirates and rugby

Emirates' rugby investment spans from grassroots development to elite competitions. The airline owns and operates The Sevens Stadium in Dubai, a world-class facility that hosts international tournaments while also serving as a hub for community rugby programmes and grassroots development.

Emirates also sponsors World Rugby’s referees and match officials, whose Emirates kits give the airline a distinctive presence at the heart of Rugby World Cup tournaments and international fixtures.

 EMIRATES