SPECIAL COLOURS - SAS marks 80 years with anniversary aircraft

SAS marks the start of its 80th year of operations with a specially painted Airbus A330-300,
celebrating eight decades of connecting Scandinavia with the world.
Throughout 2026, the airline will highlight its heritage and continued role in linking people, businesses and societies.

The anniversary comes 80 years after SAS’s first intercontinental flight on September 17, 1946, when aroute from Stockholm to New York brought Scandinavia closer to the world. Today, SAS links Scandinavia with destinations across Europe, North America and Asia, using Copenhagen as its primary international gateway.

To mark the milestone, SAS has introduced a dedicated livery on one of its Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

The aircraft is part of the airline’s long-haul fleet, which includes eight Airbus A330-300s, each with 266 seats,complemented by the state-of-the-art Airbus A350, and A321LR, serving SAS’s intercontinental network.

The livery features SAS blue across the entire aircraft for the first time, building on one of the airline’s most recognizable design elements.

The Scandinavian flag has been reinterpreted as a reference to the classic 1980s livery, alongside a new anniversary symbol inspired by the aircraft’s engines and fuselage.

“For 80 years, Scandinavian Airlines has driven innovation and brought Scandinavia closer to the worldthrough safe and reliable operations,” says Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of SAS. “From our first transatlantic flight to today’s global network, that purpose remains unchanged.

This aircraft is a symbol of our heritage, and of the role we play every day for our customers and the societies we serve.”

Its first flight is scheduled between Copenhagen and New York, echoing the historic route that defined SAS’s early international expansion.

NEW AIRLINE - FlyAden welcomes 1st own aircraft, ‘Al‑Mansoura’

New Yemeni airline FlyAden took delivery of its first own aircraft. 

The aircraft is Airbus A320 7Q-QAA (6474), which was previously flying with Royal Jordanian as JY-AZD.
FlyAden was established in 2024, and launched its operations in November 2025 using a wet-leased Boeing B737-800 from Red Sea Airlines. 

From Aden it is currently flying to Cairo but wants to add Amman and a destination in Saudi Arabia later this year once its second A320 arrives.
Photo by FlyAden.

 

AIRCRAFT - Pushing the A350F to the limits: aircraft ground testing gets underway

The introduction of the A350 freighter version (“A350F”) represents a new challenge for Airbus, and the complexity of bringing a new aircraft variant to market is perhaps nowhere more evident than in the ground testing performed during final assembly.

What are the A350F’s innovations for cargo operations?

The A350F has introduced numerous systems which either feature major modifications or are completely new. These are largely concentrated in the cabin and cargo areas and have necessitated the development of associated aircraft ground tests. Key new systems to be tested include:


main-deck cargo loading system
main-deck cargo door
dedicated ‘courier’ area with seating for up to 10 occupants
anti-tail-tipping warning system
main-deck drainage system
new water & waste system
multi-zonal air distribution system
oxygen system
‘Smart Freighter’ on board connectivity system
video-monitoring system

Guillaume Terrien leads the ground test design activities for the new A350F. “As early as 2021, at the A350F’s definition phase – close collaboration was initiated between the FAL Ground Test Design and Chief Engineering teams,” he recalls. “The goal was to share FAL testability constraints so they could be taken into account from the preliminary aircraft design stage, thus facilitating future ground tests at the FAL stations. This approach is known as ‘co-design’.

Some highlight examples of co-designed ground tests for the A350F include:


The Cargo Loading System (CLS) comprises hundreds of electrical components on the floor , which requires automated testing of the many interconnecting cables and wires. “To simplify their CLS testing in serial production, Ground Test Design and Engineering devised a solution that allowed automated wiring self-tests to be performed directly from the cockpit using the computer's software functions,” explains Guillaume. “Therefore, as soon as the power-on happens in the A350 final assembly line, self-tests can automatically check more than 1,300 wires. The use of software automation minimises the time taken for the tests to a few minutes.”
The drainage system: probably the most dramatic ground testing challenge is for the external drainage of water from the cargo holds. The main deck must be able to drain both melted snow and cleaning water to prevent it from stagnating within the structure.

“It sounds simple, but it's actually one of the most complex systems,” says Guillaume. “Specific ‘test means’ have been developed to flood the system with more than 180 litres of water to check the tightness and ensure proper evacuation from the 50m long main compartment. The test has to be performed with the aircraft floor in a zero-degree inclination, using specific test means to fill all the pipes,” explains Guillaume.

The Tail Tipping Warning System (TTWS) constantly monitors the nose landing gear compression to prevent the aircraft from tipping onto its tail during loading. To test this system without endangering the aircraft, the teams use specific equipment that ‘tricks’ the sensors by simulating a landing gear extension. The goal is to stop the cargo loading system and validate the immediate triggering of the alarms (audible and visual).

In-production ‘serial ground tests’ vs one-off ‘development & certification tests’

Serial production testing is defined as checking the conformity of the systems' integration compared to the definition of each specific aircraft. The process involves the Engineering team providing requirements for testing, which the FAL (Final Assembly Line) Ground Test Design department transforms into test procedures to be applied by test technicians and the production team. Of the approximately 200 serial ground test instructions (GTI) for an A350 passenger aircraft, as much as 40% have been specifically created or modified for the A350F.

An example of a completely new serial test is the Main Deck Cargo Door Cycling test: The test requires cycling the MDCD many times, both manual, and also electrical to check the system, sensors and alerts behaviour during the FAL cycle.

Another example of a new serial ground test is the innovative Automated Wiring Self-Test for the CLS, described earlier in this article. The CLS will also undergo functional checks in serial production with various ULD containers up to 500 kilograms.

To complement the serial production ground tests, a separate parallel campaign of “development and certification testing” is being performed exclusively on the two flight-test aircraft: MSN 700 and MSN 701. These are one-off performance tests required for validation and verification (V&V) by authorities like EASA. The A350F has 55 such specific tests, known as “Ground Test Requirements”, which are planned and prepared by the FAL Ground Test Design team and executed in conjunction with the Engineering Design Office.

A notable GTR example is the Max Payload Test: This is performed once and involves loading the maximum payload of 111 tonnes – equivalent to the weight of approximately 18 elephants – to ensure correct sequencing and functionality, particularly with the MDCD operation.

The Pressurisation Development Test complements the standard pressurisation test for serial production. For this one-off test,flight test aircraft will be subjected to additional instrumentation, including cameras, displacement sensors, and a microphone on the MDCD, to monitor the door during the cabin pressure cycles.

Summing-up: paving the way for flight tests and service entry

The ground testing of the A350F is a defining phase which ensures that the physical aircraft being completed in the FAL matches the digital design requirements – for both certification as well as during serial production. From the 40% of serial test procedures that were created or re-engineered, to the implementation of 60 specific certification tests, the A350F’s ground testing programme is well on track.

 

ORDER - Abelo Confirms Three Additional ATR 72-600 Options

 Leading turboprop lessor Abelo has confirmed three additional ATR 72-600 options from the agreement signed at the Dubai Airshow in 2023. This milestone further strengthens Abelo’s commitment to modern, efficient regional aviation and reinforces the strong partnership between Abelo and ATR.

With these three additional options now exercised, Abelo has ordered 36 firm aircraft to this day, and still holds nine options and purchase rights. Deliveries are scheduled for 2027, expanding Abelo’s skyline and supporting its mission to provide sustainable, cost-effective connectivity.

Abelo has been very successful with its orderbook, with a third of all firm commitments being either placed or delivered, with an increased global footprint with airlines like SKY Express, Aegean (Greece), and SATENA (Colombia). Earlier this year, Abelo also supplied Ethiopian Airlines with two brand-new ATR turboprops.

ATR

Korean Air shareholders vote to drop KAL brand

HL8573 - B787-10 - Ton Jochems - AMS

Korean Air (KE, Seoul Incheon) shareholders have approved an amendment to the company's articles of incorporation, formally retiring the "KAL" brand in favour of "Korean Air" and its IATA two‑letter code "KE". 

The decision was taken at a shareholders' meeting on March 26, 2026. 

The "KAL" brand was reportedly dropped to reset the airline's identity and eliminate any negative associations with the name, which has been in use since 1962. 

Other Hanjin Group businesses that currently include "KAL" in their titles are also expected to phase out the brand.

CH Aviation

FLEET - ETF Airways takes first ATR72-600

ETF Airways (2E, Zagreb Franjo Tuđman) has taken delivery of its first ATR72-600, 9A-ATR (msn 1387). 

The 9.2-year-old aircraft previously operated by Mandarin Airlines as B-16852 was ferried from Ho Chi Minh City, where it underwent transition maintenance, via Dhaka, Ahmedabad, Muscat, and Hurghada to Zagreb Franjo Tuđman over the course of March 27-29, 2026. 

The airline did not share a timeline for the aircraft's entry into service, but previously said it already had an ACMI contract secured for its first turboprop. 

ETF Airways also operates three B737-800s with plans to add a fourth unit shortly.
 

ITA Airways Joins Star Alliance

Star Alliance welcomes Italy’s flag carrier, further enabling seamless journeys for customers worldwide.

Star Alliance officially welcomed ITA Airways as its newest member, marking the completion of the Italian carrier’s integration into the world’s largest airline alliance.

ITA Airways marked its entry into the Alliance during a ceremony held at the Piazza di Spagna Lounge, Rome Fiumicino Airport Terminal 3. The ceremony was presided over by ITA Airways Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Joerg Eberhart, Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer Theo Panagiotoulias, and Lufthansa Group Chief Commercial Officer Dieter Vranckx, in the presence of media and institutional guests.

Starting April 1, ITA Airways will be fully connected into the Alliance’s global network, linking its Rome Fiumicino hub and Milan Linate airport, served by 17 Star Alliance members collectively, with more than 1,150 destinations worldwide. Customers travelling across the network can now benefit from through check-in, reciprocal frequent flyer recognition and access to Star Alliance lounges, creating a more seamless customer experience, in and out of Italy.

Celebrating the milestone, Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer Theo Panagiotoulias said: “On behalf of our members, I am delighted to welcome ITA Airways as the 26th member of Star Alliance. This is the result of a focused and collaborative integration effort. With ITA Airways on board, we not only expand our network to and from Italy, but also elevate the connected experience of our customers when travelling across multiple airlines, through access to the world’s largest network of airport lounges, more comprehensive loyalty benefits, and other benefits like baggage tracking - all designed to enhance the journey at every step.”

 Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, said: “Joining Star Alliance marks a historic milestone for ITA Airways and a defining step in our growth. By becoming part of the world’s largest and most established global airline network, we significantly expand our international reach while offering our passengers a more seamless, consistent and high-quality travel experience, with access to over 1,150 destinations worldwide, smoother connections, integrated services and a stronger premium proposition. At the same time, we enter Star Alliance bringing with us our distinctive Italian identity, enriching the Alliance and reinforcing ITA Airways’ role in connecting Italy with the world, combining global standards of excellence with the warmth and elegance that define the Italian way of flying.”


ITA Airways’ induction into the Alliance has been mentored by the Lufthansa Group, and expert teams across the group airlines have facilitated an intense integration programme over the last several months.

Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of Lufthansa Group, said: “The Star Alliance membership is only possible thanks to the strong commitment and close collaboration of dedicated teams at ITA Airways, Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance. We are pleased to introduce ITA Airways as fully fledged hub airline into the Lufthansa Group and into the Alliance, expanding options for travellers across Europe and the world. Together, ITA Airways and the Lufthansa Group, are unlocking a joint value proposition that will benefit our customers, our partners, and the Star Alliance ecosystem.”

ITA Airways, which flies over 16 million customers every year, adds more than 350 daily flights to the Alliance network, supported by a strong domestic and regional footprint. The addition expands travel options across Italy and Europe, while improving connectivity between Southern Europe and key international markets.

As part of its membership, eligible customers can enjoy priority services, lounge access across the Alliance network, and reciprocal frequent flyer programme recognition, including earning and redeeming miles. Star Alliance Gold customers will also have access to ITA Airways lounges in Rome, Milan and Catania.

With the addition of ITA Airways, Star Alliance now comprises 26 member airlines, offering more than 17,500 daily flights across a global network spanning over 190 countries.

VINTAGE Aircraft - FedEx / N493FE / Boeing 727-227(Adv)

Flyingphotos - Lisboa

Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) - 21531

Line Number - 1450

Age - 47.1 Years

Production Site - Renton (RNT)

Airframe Status - Preserved at PAE 25 Jul 2013, at the Everett Community College Aviation Maintenance Technology Campus as an instructional airframe

 

N469BN - Boeing 727-200 - Braniff International Airways
N469BN - Boeing 727-200 - Braniff
N493FE - Boeing 727-200 - Federal Express
N493FE - Boeing 727-200 - FedEx Express

VINTAGE Aircraft - Martinair / Mcdonnell Douglas Md-11F / PH-MCR / PH-MCS / PH-MCT

PH-MCR

PH-MCS

PH-MCT

Flyingphotos

 

AlMasria Universal Airlines / A320-200 / SU-TCE

 Ton Jochems - BRU

Saudia Cargo / Boeing 747-400(F) / 9H-AKA

 Ton Jochems - AMS

Alkan Air adds three King Air 350s medevacs

 

Alkan Air (AKN, Whitehorse International) is leasing three King Air 350s from the Yukon First Nations Air Leasing Limited Partnership (YFNAL LP), which recently purchased the turboprops to “enhance the local aviation company’s air ambulance capabilities.”

In a statement, Alkan Air CEO Lacia Kinnear declared: “These three King Air 350 aircraft represent the next chapter for air ambulance services in the Yukon.” She added that the aircraft also represent a new partnership model “in which Yukon First Nations are directly invested in the infrastructure.”

According to the agreement, YFNAL LP owns 75% of the three new King Air 350s, while Alkan Air owns the remainder.

The three aircraft are C-FWGH (msn FL-1136), C-GPDC (msn FL-114), and C-GALK (msn FL-1067). According to Transport Canada’s registry, these were incorporated into Alkan’s certificate in October 2025. The company’s fleet comprises one DHC-6-300, one DHC-2, one DHC-3, four Cessna Aircraft Company 208s, four more King Air B300s, two King Air B200s, and two Do228-200s.

Finally, Alkan Air will enter into a new ten-year contract on April 1, 2026, with the government of Yukon to continue providing the territory with an air ambulance service. The agreement has an option to be extended for an additional two years.

CH Aviation

AIRLINE - Air Alderney eyes up to ten Islanders

Chief executive Danny Brem-Wilson said the start-up was prepared to dedicate one of the ten BN-2s for year-round medevac services. The remaining nine would be used for scheduled services to Jersey, Guernsey, and Cherbourg. The company wants to build its own terminal and maintenance facility at Alderney.

To make its services viable, Air Alderney asked the government to grant it a ground handling licence, and implement "a commercially workable approach to landing fees for a local operator". Brem-Wilson said that Air Alderney's earlier attempt to start services from Alderney was hampered by the financial burden stemming from the lack of such solutions.

"The cost structure made sustainable flying impossible. At the time, every flight required the use of Aurigny Air Services as the compulsory ground handling agent, alongside standard airport charges set by the States of Guernsey. The combined effect of these costs meant that revenue generated by flights was effectively absorbed by fees before a viable operating margin could be achieved," Brem-Wilson said.

The start-up began charter services out of Alderney in 2022, but suspended all flight operations later the same year. At that time, it operated a single BN-2, which it has since sold to Hebridean Air Services.

According to ch-aviation research, while Air Alderney does not currently own any aircraft, Brem-Wilson personally owns two BN-2s: G-BTLY (msn 2253) and G-ILFA (msn 2243). Both were previously operated by FLN - Die Inselflieger. A photo posted by Air Alderney on Facebook in March 2025 also shows D-ILFH (msn 2212), another ex-FLN aircraft, but ch-aviation was unable to verify it was also sold to Brem-Wilson.

Air Alderney retains a valid UK air operator's certificate (AOC) issued under its legal name, Wessex Aviation.

Brem-Wilson's statement came shortly after Aurigny Air Services came under pressure from the Alderney population for alleged poor operational reliability. The airline used to deploy two in-house Do228-212(NG)s for Alderney services, but retired them earlier this year in favour of DHC-6-300s damp-leased from Skybus (United Kingdom). The flights are currently operated with a single Twin Otter seconded from Skybus' fleet. The airline had to cancel a series of flights in late March due to pilot sickness, which led to a local protest. Aurigny maintains that the overall reliability has improved since the replacement of the Do228s, but added that it was planning "immediate measures, together with Skybus, to strengthen operational robustness".

A second Twin Otter will be placed at Alderney in early April 2026. Skybus plans to induct the first Aurigny-dedicated aircraft in May 2026, followed by the second one in October 2026. The training of local staff should be completed by June 2026.

CH Aviation

AIRPORT - Miami International Airport

Ronald Vermeulen
 

AIRLINE - Air Caledonie (New Caledonia) filed for bankruptcy on 27 March 2026, following almost a month of blockades opposing the company’s decision to move operations from Noumea Magenta to La Tontouta airport.

Air Calédonie, New Caledonia’s main domestic airline, has filed for bankruptcy protection under French law after nearly two months of flight cancellations and widespread airport blockades. The filing marks a sharp escalation in a crisis that has left the island’s residents stranded, triggered widespread protests, and raised concerns over the future of essential air services in this remote region of the South Pacific.

 the airline sought the French equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to preserve its limited resources and possibly resume select domestic flights under judicial oversight. The move follows weeks of intense protests against the airline’s controversial decision to move its operations from Nouméa’s Magenta Airport to La Tontouta Airport, located 40 kilometers from the capital. These protests have effectively blocked the airline’s ability to operate, leaving airfields across the archipelago closed and hundreds of families isolated.

Travel And Tour World

Fleet
F-OZIP ATR 72
F-OZKN ATR 72
F-OZLI ATR 72

AIRLINES END - AirJapan ends operations

The final flights on March 28th conclude a two-year experiment.

The brand was introduced as an intermediate product between All Nippon Airways' full-service offering and Peach Aviation's low-cost model.

Its route network remained limited throughout its existence, with routes from Tokyo Narita to destinations in Southeast and East Asia, including Bangkok, Seoul, and Singapore.

Despite the brand's closure, the fleet associated with AirJapan remains in service within the group. The company operated a total of 78 Boeing 787 aircraft—including 36 787-8s, 39 787-9s, and three 787-10s—all of which continue to fly for All Nippon Airways after the restructuring.

ADN
 

VINTAGE Aircraft - SWISS / ERJ-145 / HB-JAW

Flyingphotos - Faro

 

HB-JAW - Swiss Apr 2002 Y49
HB-JAW - Swiss European
HB-JAW - Swiss - opby Swiss European
XA-SLI - Aerolitoral
XA-SLI - Aeroméxico Connect - opby Aerolitoral
N215MA - Mission Air Support
N215MA - Newcastle Aviation

VINTAGE Special Colours - Iberia Regional (Air Nostrum) / EC-GKE / Fokker 50 - "Terra Mítica"

 Flyingphotos - Madrid

PH-LXE - Fokker Services
D-AFFG - Lufthansa CityLine  - leased from (hidden)
D-AFFG - Lufthansa
EC-GKE - Air Nostrum
EC-GKE - Iberia Regional - painted in "Terra Mítica" special colours 1999 - 2001
PH-LXE - Fokker Services
EP-LCF - Kish Air
EP-FQB - Qeshm Air
EP-FQB - Taftan Airlines - leased from Qeshm Air
EP-FQB - Qeshm Air 
EP-FQB - Mahan Air 
EP-MEH - Mahan Air

AIRLINE HISTORY DEFUNCT - Winair was a short lived charter airline, named after owner Richard Winwood.

Flyingphotos - TF-AFA - B737-4Q8 - Newark Liberty International Airport 

The carrier started operations in Jan1998, using B.737 aircraft and ceased in Jul1999, operated out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

ICAO - WNA
Country - United States

AIRLINE HISTORY DEFUNCT - African Safari Airways (ASA) was a Kenya-based charter airline (founded 1967, ceased 2009) that specialized in all-inclusive tours connecting European cities to Mombasa

D-AHLA (c/n 520 series -308) was delivered to Hapag Lloyd in October 1989. Hapag Lloyd retired it in November 2001 and the plane was shortly leased to ASA African Safari (that was waiting for its "own" plane ex-D-AHLC). Returned to Hapag Lloys in March 2002, the plane was leased to Air Plus Comet from April to August 2002

Guido Allieri collection

HB-IBF (c/n 46141 l/n 533, series -63) was built in 1970 for KLM and delivered as PH-DEM. Leased to Surinam Airways between 1975
and 1983, was then sold to ASA African Safari Airways in December 1983. The plane will be sold in 1994 to Airborne Express that will
operate the plane untill final retirment in 2003.

Guido Allieri collection

HB-IBF : Douglas DC-8-63  - Lewis Grant

5Y-VIP (c/n 620 series -308) was delivered to Hapag Lloyd in January 1992 as D-AHLC. Hapag Lloyd retired it in December 2001 and in March 2002 the plane starts its new lease with ASA African Safari (5Y-VIP)

Photo: Flyingphotos - Frankfurt

Operating from Moi International Airport, it was part of the African Safari Club group, utilizing aircraft like the Douglas DC-8 and Airbus A310 to fly tourists into the Kenyan coast
 

Out of Business - (filed for bankruptcy in 2011).

Hub: Moi International Airport, Mombasa, Kenya.

Founded: August 1, 1967, by Swiss entrepreneur Karl Jakob Rüdin.

Primary Operation: Charter flights from Europe to Kenya.

Fleet History: Operated Bristol Britannia, Douglas DC-8, McDonnell Douglas DC-10, and Airbus A310.

Demise: Operations slowed in 2007 due to political unrest in Kenya, ultimately leading to closure

Fleet:

5Y-VIP Airbus A310-300
D-AHLA Airbus A310-300
5Y-AYR Bristol 175 Britannia 300 Cargo
5Y-AZP Bristol 175 Britannia 300 Cargo
5Y-ALT Bristol 175 Britannia 310 Cargo
5Y-ANS Bristol 175 Britannia 310
G-AOVF Bristol 175 Britannia 310
G-AOVN Bristol 175 Britannia 310
5Y-ASA Douglas DC-8-30
5Y-BAS Douglas DC-8-50
5Y-ZEB McDonnell Douglas DC-8-60/70
HB-IBF McDonnell Douglas DC-8-60/70
5Y-MBA McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30

SPECIAL COLOURS - Air India Express / Boeing 737-8 MAX / VT-BWV

Created by artist @osheen.siva , The Flying Canvas reflects Tamil heritage, identity, and continuity through a powerful visual narrative.

Photo: Tushar Dua
 

AIRPORT - .Fort Lauderdale Airport

Ronald Vermeulen