Sofema Aviation Services shares the latest events in the Aviation business from around the world in our Aviation Weekly News Roundup
> EasyJet losses widen to £552 million amid fuel shock
EasyJet has reported a headline loss before tax of £552 million for the six months ending March 31, widening from a £394 million loss in the prior first half, as sudden geopolitical shocks in the Middle East and structural cost inflation offset strong passenger demand. Read More
> Airlines are struggling, but China’s ‘Big Three’ face a tougher year than most
The country’s carriers – which swung to a quarterly profit in the beginning of 2026 – are caught in a pincer of higher fuel costs and a price-wary domestic market being eroded by high-speed rail. Read More
> Air France, British Airways, and Lufthansa Extend Middle East Flight Operations… This When Flights Should Now Resume
Air France, British Airways, and the Lufthansa Group have extended their respective flight suspensions to a slew of destinations across the Middle East, with Lufthansa now not expected to return to Dubai until September 13 at the earliest. Read More
> Philippine Airlines and PAL Express adopt paperless flight deck operations
Philippine Airlines and its sister carrier, PAL Express, have adopted paperless flight deck operations as part of their broader digital transformation strategy. Read more
> ICAO Urges Balance Between Automation and Pilot Skills
Growing reliance on automated flight systems is reshaping operational risk management across global aviation, according to safety specialists from the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO). Speaking during the Tulum Air Show 2026, ICAO officials emphasized that technological progress must be balanced with continuous pilot training in manual operations. As airlines expand automation, regulators are increasingly focused on preserving human expertise as a core safety defense. Read more
> Why Maintenance Capability Has Become A Strategic Asset
The growing shortage of skilled and experienced Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME’/A&P’s). Read more
> NTSB Focuses on Maintenance Procedures on First Day of UPS Crash Hearing
Investigators zero in on spherical bearing that allegedly weakened an engine pylon. Read more
> Sofema Aviation Academy launches EASA Management System Assessment Tool for Operators (MSAT) Training
This 1-day online course provides practical guidance on MSAT application, including safety culture, audit readiness, integrated management systems, and ICAO SMS framework elements for effective oversight and compliance. For operators, this is a strategic opportunity to move beyond “paper compliance” and embed safety into the organization’s DNA. Read more
Tags:
ICAO, Sofema Aviation Services, NTSB, Lufthansa, British Airways, easyJet, Air France, Aviation Weekly News Roundup, Philippine Airlines, China, Middle East, Aircraft Fuel, Big Three, PAL Express
