Flight Safety Information - October 21, 2025 No. 210 In This Issue : Hawker 800XP - Fatal Accident (Michigan) : Bombardier CRJ-1000 - Ground Damage while taxi (Spain) : ACSF - INDUSTRY AUDIT STANDARD LITE : Sukhoi Superjet 100-95LR - Cracked Windshield (Russia) : Plane makes emergency landing after pilots lose contact with flight attendants and hear knocking on cockpit door : Investigators are probing a bizarre midair incident that broke a United plane's windshield at 36,000 feet : Air traffic controllers are becoming Uber drivers and restaurant servers on top of six-day airport shifts to make ends meet during government shutdown : Illegal CFI Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter After Fatal Crash : Delta Unruly Business Class Passenger on Long-Haul Flight Disturbed Others : Man arrested inside Atlanta airport after making threats to ‘shoot it up’ : Pakistan International Airlines to Restart Flights to Largest Economy in the World : FAA’s Lifted Cap on Boeing 737 MAX Production Could Be a Game Changer for Alaska Air Group (ALK) : Calendar of Event Hawker 800XP - Fatal Accident (Michigan) Date: Thursday 16 October 2025 Time: c. 17:27 LT Type: Hawker 800XP Owner/operator: Aereo Lineas del Centro SA Registration: XA-JMR MSN: 258530 Fatalities: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Destroyed Category: Accident Location: near Bath, MI - United States of America Phase: En route Nature: Test Departure airport: Battle Creek-WK Kellogg Regional Airport, MI (BTL/KBTL) Destination airport: Battle Creek-WK Kellogg Regional Airport, MI (BTL/KBTL) Investigating agency: NTSB Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: A Mexican registered Hawker 800XP, XA-JMR, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Bath, Michigan. The three occupants perished. XA-JMR had arrived at BTL on 25 March 2025. The accident was the first flight since then. Preliminary information suggests the aircraft was engaged in a stall test following maintenance. ADS-B data and a LiveATC.net recording to Cleveland Center ATC indicated that the airplane departed Battle Creek Regional Airport, MI (BTL) at 21:08 UTC. It climbed to the FMS selected altitude of 15,000 feet. The flight crew requested a block altitude from 14,000 to 16,000 feet for testing. At 21:27 UTC, after passing Lansing, Michigan, the aircraft began to turn left an descended about 600 feet. It climbed back up to 15,000 feet until entering a high rate of descent seconds later. The aircraft impacted terrain about one minute later. A radio could can be heard on the Cleveland Center frequency indicating they were in a stall. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/551896 Bombardier CRJ-1000 - Ground Damage while taxi (Spain) Date: Tuesday 21 October 2025 Time: c. 09:34 LT Type: Bombardier CRJ-1000 Owner/operator: Iberia Registration: EC-MOX MSN: 19053 Year of manufacture: 2017 Engine model: General Electric CF34-8C5 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Minor Location: Badajoz-Talaveral La Real Airport (BJZ/LEBZ) - Spain Phase: Taxi Nature: Passenger - Scheduled Departure airport: Badajoz-Talaveral La Real Airport (BJZ/LEBZ) Destination airport: Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD/LEMD) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: An Iberia Bombardier CRJ-1000, flight IB2331, struck the side of a military hangar on the apron at Badajoz-Talaveral La Real Airport (BJZ/LEBZ) while taxiing for departure. Badajoz is a joint civilian/military airport. For a runway 31 departure, flights normally backtrack on the runway. Due to the lack of a turning pad, the aircraft then vacates the runway via C-1 and re-enters the runway via T-1 ad C-2. On the day of the incident, IB2331 took an atypical taxiroute via the military apron south of the runway. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/552743 Sukhoi Superjet 100-95LR - Cracked Windshield (Russia) Date: Sunday 19 October 2025 Time: c. 17:15 UTC Type: Sukhoi Superjet 100-95LR Owner/operator: Red Wings Airlines Registration: RA-89137 MSN: 95183 Year of manufacture: 2019 Engine model: PowerJet SaM146 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 103 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Minor Location: over Aishkho, Adler district, Krasnodar krai - Russia Phase: En route Nature: Passenger - Scheduled Departure airport: Mineralnye Vody Airport (MRV/URMM) Destination airport: Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV/LLBG) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: A Superjet made an emergency return to its departure airport due to a cracked windshield. The flight was departing from Mineralnye Vody to Tel Aviv, but the windshield cracked mid-flight. The pilots made an emergency landing at the departure airport. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/552561 Plane makes emergency landing after pilots lose contact with flight attendants and hear knocking on cockpit door An American Airlines flight, operated by SkyWest Airlines, made an emergency landing in Nebraska Monday night after the pilots could not reach the flight attendants and they heard someone outside the cockpit door, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Flight 6469 took off from Omaha’s Eppley Airfield at 6:41 p.m. local time headed to Los Angeles, but almost immediately turned around, landing just 18 minutes later, according to the tracking site FlightAware. “After landing, it was determined there was a problem with the inter-phone system and the flight crew was knocking on the cockpit door,” the FAA said in a statement. A photo of the plane after it landed showed the Embraer ERJ 175 regional jet parked away from the terminal with two firetrucks surrounding it. Omaha’s airport authority would only say there was no security incident at the airport, and directed all questions to American Airlines. CNN has reached out to Skywest and American Airlines for more information. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/plane-makes-emergency-landing-pilots-022501623.html Investigators are probing a bizarre midair incident that broke a United plane's windshield at 36,000 feet A United Airlines jet's windscreen was cracked while flying at 36,000 feet. Images appeared to show glass in the cockpit and the captain's bloodied forearm. Scorch marks on the plane suggest it might have been hit by space debris. Investigators are looking into how a United Airlines jet's windscreen was broken while flying at 36,000 feet, seemingly injuring the captain. United Flight 1093 took off from Denver on Thursday morning, scheduled for a short flight to Los Angeles. But 37 minutes later, near the Utah city of Moab, the Boeing 737 Max began unexpectedly descending, per data from Flightradar24. After another 10 minutes, it abruptly turned north and diverted to Salt Lake City. In an X post on Sunday, the National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating "a cracked windscreen on a Boeing 737-8 during cruise flight." It added that the NTSB is gathering radar, weather, and flight recorder data. The windscreen is being sent to the agency's labs. United confirmed to Business Insider that the plane's windshield had been damaged, adding that the "plane landed safely in Salt Lake City to address damage to its multilayered windshield." Plane windscreens are designed with several layers so that they can still function safely in case any individual layer is damaged. xJonNYC, an aviation enthusiast who runs popular accounts on X and Bluesky, was first to report details of the damage. He shared photos that appeared to show the broken windshield, glass in the cockpit, and the captain's bloodied forearm. The plane also appeared to have scorch marks, suggesting that it could have been damaged by space debris or a small meteorite. In its statement to Business Insider, United added that passengers on the original plane were put on a new plane, noting that its "maintenance team is working to return the aircraft to service." The second Boeing 737 Max landed in Los Angeles at 1:12 p.m. PT, about five and a half hours behind schedule. Meanwhile, the original plane flew to Chicago Rockford Airport on Sunday. A maintenance facility there has previously said it performs work on United's 737s. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/investigators-probing-bizarre-midair-incident-113109552.html Air traffic controllers are becoming Uber drivers and restaurant servers on top of six-day airport shifts to make ends meet during government shutdown Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said controllers are turning to second jobs to make ends meet during the ongoing government shutdown. As the government shutdown enters its third week, air traffic controllers are bracing for financial uncertainty: potentially weeks of work without a paycheck. Deemed essential workers, air traffic controllers are expected to work during the government shutdown that began Oct. 1, but are not being compensated during the funding lapse. They received a partial paycheck on Oct. 14 for work performed before the shutdown, but will receive a $0 paycheck for their work over the next two weeks. Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), told Fortune the lack of compensation has heaped financial pressures on workers, who are already working six days a week for a total of 60 hours. “To think that somehow we can live with, ‘You’ll get paid eventually,’ that doesn’t pay the creditors, that doesn’t pay the mortgage, that doesn’t pay gas, that doesn’t pay the food bill,” Daniels said. “No one takes IOUs, and the air traffic controllers are having to feel that pressure as well.” Prior to the shutdown, air traffic controllers were already among the most stressed workers in the U.S., with the aviation industry suffering a shortage of controllers for more than a decade, exacerbated by scant funding for training, which has fallen behind the Federal Aviation Administration’s schedule. Before the shortage, 91% of U.S. air traffic control centers operated below the FAA’s recommended staffing levels, and the government shutdown has made the problem worse: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said earlier this month that air traffic staffing has been cut by 50% in some areas, in part as a result of controllers calling in sick. How are controllers making ends meet? The NATCA union, which represents more than 20,000 aviation safety workers, is looking into financial institutions providing no-interest loans. Some of the new workers just graduating from the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City and being placed in new positions have been required to move cross-country without a guaranteed paycheck, Daniels said. Longtime controllers have stepped in to provide meals and support for them. Daniels noted other controllers are turning to “gig jobs” like driving for Uber or DoorDash, as well as becoming restaurant servers—positions that can accommodate day jobs or irregular schedules. “It’s a world where they are now not only leaning on each other, they’re leaning on getting other jobs, going to their primary job in the day, and then in the evening, going out and having to do some level of a secondary job,” Daniels said. Workers have also been receiving free food from airline flight crews, including from Alaska Airlines pilots who delivered pizzas to controllers at the San Francisco International Airport. Beyond U.S. pilots and flight attendants providing food for controllers, Canadian and Australian air traffic controllers have also stepped in to provide support, according to Daniels. Some of the larger airports are receiving food for controllers sometimes once or twice a day. What is the impact of the shutdown on air travel? Keeping morale up during the shutdown helps alleviate “that stress, that pressure, creating that fatigue, the unnecessary risk that it’s bringing into the system,” Daniels said. During the 2019 government shutdown, air traffic controllers organized “sick outs,” refusing to work without pay. Further staffing issues would not compromise the safety of flying, but increased stress could lead more controllers to miss shifts, thus causing more flight cancellations. FlightAware reported more than 7,850 delays in U.S. airports on Sunday, as well as 117 cancellations. Duffy said 53% of the 23,000 flight delays over the course of a week earlier this month were the result of staffing issues. Usually, staffing challenges account for only 5% of delays. The government shutdown is the third-longest in US history, affecting air travel, national parks, and groceries “Democrats could put an end to this disaster today by voting for the same clean funding bill that they voted for 13 times under Joe Biden—instead, they’re making everyday Americans pay for their stupid games,” he told Fortune in a statement. Airports, including New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, have urged patience among passengers and refused to play messages by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming the shutdown on Democrats, saying the video violated airport policies on displaying partisan content. Daniels insisted the impact of the shutdown on air traffic controllers was not just insular and would continue to impact the aviation sector and broader American economy. “Controllers are not responsible for shutting and starting to shut down … The only people that can do that are the elected officials,” Daniels said. “That’s why the American people—we’re asking them to continue to stand up and say, ‘End this shutdown now.’ There is no scenario where we just have a game plan for no one having any money and continuing to work.” https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/air-traffic-controllers-becoming-uber-175621517.html Illegal CFI Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter After Fatal Crash Man whose certificates were revoked for ‘lack of demonstrated competence’ continued to instruct, leading to a 2022 accident that killed a student pilot. Key Takeaways: A New Jersey flight instructor who had his certificate pulled for a “lack of demonstrated competence” but continued to teach has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and other charges stemming from a 2022 crash that killed a flight student. According to LehighValleyLive.com in Pennsylvania, 37-year-old Philip Everton McPherson II, 37, pleaded guilty to 43 of the 44 charges he faced in exchange for the government agreeing to withdraw one count of conspiracy to defraud the FAA. These counts stem from serving as an airman without a valid certificate. Earlier this month the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded the investigation into the September 2022 crash involving McPherson and Keith Kozel, 49, a student pilot. More than a year before the accident, McPherson’s commercial and CFI certificates were surrendered to the FAA because he had failed a 44709 ride, reexamination for airman privileges. The accident happened on September 28, when McPherson and Kozel were flying a Piper PA-28-140 belonging to Pro Flite Aero in Easton, Pennsylvania. The indictment notes that Nouman Saleem, the owner of the flight school, was aware that McPherson did not have a valid certificate. Earlier this year Saleem was also indicted and pleaded guilty to conspiracy and obstruction charges, and agreed to pay $101,528 in restitution to the flight students who flew with McPherson although he was not legally able to act as an instructor. The Details In 2024 FLYING obtained a copy of the original 11-page indictment, which noted that in 2021the FAA received a hotline complaint about McPherson’s alleged poor airmanship that included going off the runway on two different occasions while flying with a student, with both events resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. The first event was on November 18, 2020, when, during the second attempt to land a Cessna 172 in a gusting crosswind, the aircraft went off the side of the runway. The nosewheel failed, and the aircraft flipped onto its back. The winds near the site were reported as 13 knots gusting to 25. The second event came on March 6, 2021, but a report was not filed in the NTSB accident files. The indictment notes the FAA made several attempts to reach McPherson—first by letter, then by telephone—as part of its investigation to set up a reexamination ride. When he finally did the reexamination flight with the agency, he botched a go-around, and the FAA safety inspector had to take the controls to prevent a crash, per the indictment. After surrendering his commercial and CFI tickets, McPherson was granted a temporary certificate that allowed him to fly by himself or with another instructor in order to gain the skills necessary to regain his certifications. The temporary certificate carries this warning: “Carrying of Passengers Prohibited.” McPherson did not request another reexamination ride, nor did he ask for an extension of the temporary certificate, which expired on November 8, 2021. However, he continued to serve as a flight instructor carrying passengers. The indictment includes two pages with the initials of students and dates of flights with McPherson acting as instructor between October 2021, and September 2022. He faces an additional 40 counts of serving as an airman without a certificate, as he continued to fly with passengers as an instructor between those dates. The indictment states McPherson “acted with gross negligence because he knew that he was not competent to safely fly an aircraft as the pilot in command.” According to the indictment, his commercial pilot and instructor certificates were surrendered to the FAA in October 2021 after he failed the reexamination ride. FLYING’s attempts to contact the flight school for comment in 2024 and today were unsuccessful. The Accident On September 28, 2022, at about 1:40 p.m. EDT, McPherson and Kozel were attempting to take off from Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport (KXLL) in Pennsylvania. According to the NTSB report, McPherson had approximately 1,350 hours of experience at the time of the accident, and Kozel had 51. The purpose of the flight was to go to a nearby tower-controlled airport. McPherson asked Kozel to perform a soft-field takeoff, but according to the report, “during the takeoff, the airplane had not become airborne by the time (McPherson) felt it should, and he prompted the student to increase the airplane’s pitch attitude, and it became airborne. The student then reduced pitch to remain in ground effect but settled briefly back onto the runway before reestablishing flight in ground effect.” Ground effect is when the airplane flies approximately one wingspan over the runway. This technique is used for soft fields to keep the aircraft from getting stuck in surfaces such as mud or snow. The pilot flies the aircraft a wingspan above the surface, allowing it to build enough airspeed to safely climb out. “The airplane seemed to take longer to accelerate to its best angle of climb speed (VX), which [McPherson] attributed to the student’s initial slightly high pitch attitude,” the NTSB report stated. “When the airplane reached VX, the instructor assumed control of the airplane and maintained airspeed. He stated that the airplane was laboring in its climb, narrowly cleared the trees off the departure end of the runway, and was unable to climb thereafter. Although the engine was running, it was ‘noticeably weak.’ “The instructor raised the flaps and continued to fly the airplane at VX and was still not able to climb. He noted that the airplane was about 200 feet above the ground and approaching rising terrain. The instructor attempted to locate an area to land but was unable to locate a suitable landing area, and the airplane descended into trees.” The recorded ADS-B data included in the NTSB report shows the airplane’s track continued approximately 0.8 miles on runway heading, passing over what appear to be athletic fields then making a slight left turn before the track ends. The aircraft came down in trees near homes, where the aircraft caught fire. A homeowner helped McPherson escape, but the fire was too intense to rescue Kozel. Investigators noted that the fire damage made it difficult to study the aircraft engine components as part of the investigation. However, the NTSB noted that at the time of the accident the recorded temperature and dew point were conducive to the development of serious icing at glide power and were between the ranges for icing at glide and cruise power and serious icing at cruise power. The NTSB’s official probable cause for the accident is listed as a “partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.” McPherson was arrested at his home on August 1, 2024. He pleaded not guilty and posted bond. In February a grand jury indicted McPherson and Saleem, the flight school owner, on charges of conspiracy and wire fraud. According to local media reports, Saleem knew that McPherson had failed that 44709 ride but let him instruct anyway. According to the indictment, McPherson instructed 79 hours, taking approximately $101,527.93 from student pilots. As McPherson lacked a valid certificate, the hours logged became invalid. Local media reports also noted that earlier this year Saleem pleaded guilty to the charges and agreed to pay restitution to the students. McPherson faces a maximum of 153 years in prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 17 https://www.flyingmag.com/illegal-cfi-pleads-guilty-to-manslaughter-after-fatal-crash/ Delta Unruly Business Class Passenger on Long-Haul Flight Disturbed Others On flights from Europe to the US, some passengers resist mandatory shade closures, preferring light to combat jet lag. ATLANTA- Delta Air Lines (DL) faces ongoing discussions about passenger behavior in premium cabins. A recent incident highlights tensions when one traveler kept their window shade open on a long-haul flight, disrupting others seeking rest. This event underscores broader airplane etiquette issues, where individual preferences clash in shared spaces. Passengers in business class expect comfort, yet simple actions like shade control can spark debates. Delta Business Class Window Shade Etiquette A video captured a Delta Air Lines (DL) business class passenger refusing to close their window shade during a long-haul flight. Bright sunlight flooded the cabin while many fellow travelers attempted to sleep. According to View from the Wing, this oblivious behavior ruined the experience for others who sought rest and relaxation in the premium section. The footage shows most passengers upright with earphones, possibly having abandoned sleep efforts due to the light. Critics note that Delta’s Boeing 767 business class seats already challenge comfort, making such disruptions even more frustrating. Airplane Window Shades Airplane window shades follow established guidelines to balance safety, control, and courtesy. Shades must remain up during takeoff and landing to adjust eyes to light for potential evacuations. The window seat passenger controls the shade position, granting them decision rights. Flight attendants hold ultimate authority, especially on aircraft with electronic shades that crews can lock. Passengers should avoid directing blinding light into the cabin, particularly on overnight or early morning flights crossing time zones. Accommodation of neighbors matters; if asked to adjust the shade, consider complying if preferences differ strongly. Finally, close shades before deplaning in hot destinations to keep the aircraft cool for incoming passengers. Balancing Views and Rest in the Skies Window seats attract passengers eager to enjoy aerial sights, such as cloud formations, destination approaches, or landscapes like Greenland’s ice. These views provide value, especially for those who paid extra. However, conflicts arise when others prioritize sleep in the confined airplane environment. Personal preferences often collide, with some favoring natural light to reduce fatigue on daytime transatlantic flights. On Boeing 787s, crew-controlled shades limit options, leading to passenger frustration. Etiquette suggests using sunglasses or eye masks from amenity kits for those needing darkness, rather than demanding changes from others. Practical Advice To mitigate shade disputes, travelers can prepare with personal items like eye masks. Crew intervention helps enforce rules when needed, though confrontations rarely resolve favorably. On flights from Europe to the US, some passengers resist mandatory shade closures, preferring light to combat jet lag. Understanding these dynamics promotes harmony in business class, where rest and enjoyment both hold importance. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/10/21/delta-unruly-business-class-passenger-disturbed-others/ Man arrested inside Atlanta airport after making threats to ‘shoot it up’ Authorities arrested a man inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday after his family alerted police that he was armed and headed to the airport to “shoot it up.” The man, Billy Joe Cagle, was not armed when he was arrested but police found an “AR-15 assault rifle” in his vehicle parked outside, authorities said. He is facing charges of terroristic threats, criminal attempt to commit aggravated assaults, possession of firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by convicted felon, according to Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, who called it a “tragedy averted.” It is unclear whether Cagle, who lives in Cartersville, about an hour north of Atlanta, has an attorney. He was convicted of marijuana possession more than two decades ago, according to a Georgia Department of Corrections search. CNN has reached out to the Transportation Security Administration and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for comment. The FBI said it is assisting in the investigation. “This individual did have a semi-automatic weapon, and this individual was mentally challenged. And when you have those combinations together, it can turn out to be deadly,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said at a news conference Monday. Cagle’s family had alerted Cartersville police he was armed and he had said in a livestream on social media he was on his way to the airport, Schierbaum said. Cartersville police then notified the Atlanta Police Department. But what authorities did not know, according to Schierbaum, is Cagle was already at the airport, having arrived shortly before 9:30 a.m. at its south terminal. “He seemed to be very interested in the TSA check-in area, which you can see was heavily, heavily crowded,” the chief said, referring to surveillance camera images. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the busiest airport in the world, with more than 108 million people flying through in 2024. This year, it celebrated its centennial milestone. Atlanta is headquarters to major US operator Delta Air Lines. “We’re here today briefing you on a success and not a tragedy, because a family saw something and said something,” Schierbaum said. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a post on X she’s “thankful this individual was taken into custody by law enforcement before harming anyone.” https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/20/us/atlanta-airport-man-arrested Pakistan International Airlines to Restart Flights to Largest Economy in the World Following progress with the UK, Pakistan’s aviation authorities are now focusing on resuming direct flights to the United States. ISLAMABAD- Pakistan is set to resume direct flights to the United States (US) after securing operational clearance for routes to the United Kingdom (UK). Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that both Pakistan International Airlines (PK) and private carriers have received approval to operate flights to Britain. The first flight from Islamabad (ISB) to Manchester (MAN) is scheduled for October 25, marking a major step in restoring Pakistan’s global air connectivity and expanding international route access for domestic carriers. Pakistan Airlines to Restart US Flights After UK Approval The approval for flights to the United Kingdom represents a turning point for Pakistan’s aviation sector. After years of restrictions and safety concerns, national and private airlines can now operate to British destinations, strengthening trade, tourism, and diaspora links. Khawaja Asif described the UK clearance as a critical milestone, noting that multiple airlines have already expressed interest in launching services. This expansion is expected to increase flight frequency, competition, and connectivity between Pakistan and major UK cities, including London (LHR), Manchester (MAN), and Birmingham (BHX). Direct Flights to the United States Next Following progress with the UK, Pakistan’s aviation authorities are now focusing on resuming direct flights to the United States. According to Asif, talks with American regulators have advanced positively, and the government expects permission soon. He emphasized that Pakistan has met key international safety and regulatory benchmarks, enabling the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to push for broader operational access. Once approved, direct flights to the US would mark the first such operations in several years, benefiting business travelers and expatriates alike. The aviation minister highlighted that Pakistan’s aviation sector suffered significant setbacks during the PTI government, losing international certifications and operational approvals. The current administration, he said, has worked to restore compliance with global aviation standards, improving oversight and safety audits. These reforms have helped rebuild trust with international regulators such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Asif credited these policy shifts for opening the door to renewed international partnerships and operational expansions. Privatization Enters Final Phase Pakistan is moving closer to selling a majority stake in its national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), a step seen as critical for reducing financial strain on the economy. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb confirmed that the privatization process is now in its final stages, according to local media reports. The sale is a key requirement under Pakistan’s US$7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, which mandates the divestment of loss-making state-owned enterprises to stabilize the country’s finances. PIA, once a source of national pride and an industry innovator during the 1960s and 1970s, has faced a long decline. The airline pioneered in-flight entertainment and had uniforms designed by Queen Elizabeth II’s dressmaker. However, decades of mismanagement, mounting debt, and an aging fleet have left it struggling to compete regionally and globally. Currently, nearly a third of PIA’s 30-aircraft fleet remains grounded due to age and maintenance issues. The airline has accumulated losses of about US$2.5 billion over the past decade. PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan said that private investment is crucial for the airline’s turnaround. “There needs to be investment in the fleet of PIA and in overall business efficiency,” he said. “These things can actually come from the private sector if a good group or a large investor with financial muscle steps in.” A Path Toward Modernization and Growth Khawaja Asif added that following privatization, new aircraft would be added to PIA’s fleet, opening opportunities to expand into China, Europe, and East Asia. He clarified that the government will not inject further funds into PIA once the privatization is complete, with the private sector expected to drive modernization and route expansion. The combined efforts of regulatory reform, privatization, and renewed international access mark a significant shift for Pakistan’s aviation industry — one that could restore its place in global air travel. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/10/21/pakistan-airlines-to-restart-flights-to-the-us/ FAA’s Lifted Cap on Boeing 737 MAX Production Could Be a Game Changer for Alaska Air Group (ALK) In October 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration lifted the cap on Boeing’s 737 MAX production, raising it from 38 to 42 aircraft per month and enhancing Boeing’s manufacturing capacity. This regulatory change directly affects Alaska Air Group’s fleet planning, as the airline is a major customer of the 737 MAX and stands to benefit from improved aircraft delivery timelines. We'll now explore how increased Boeing 737 MAX production could affect Alaska Air Group's investment narrative, particularly around fleet modernization and operational efficiency. Alaska Air Group Investment Narrative Recap To invest in Alaska Air Group, you need to believe the airline can successfully modernize its fleet, improve operational efficiency, and capitalize on West Coast travel demand while integrating its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. The FAA’s decision to raise the cap on Boeing 737 MAX production brings some relief to short term delivery timelines, potentially supporting Alaska's fleet updates. However, the biggest risk for the business remains the potential for rising unit costs, from labor, maintenance, and integration, that could challenge earnings if not matched by stronger revenue growth. One recent announcement relevant to fleet expansion is Alaska’s August 2025 structured debt financing for new aircraft purchases amid Hawaiian integration. This directly supports ongoing efforts to refresh and scale the fleet, a critical piece in both achieving operational efficiencies and delivering on growth catalysts, especially in light of improved Boeing delivery prospects. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/faa-lifted-cap-boeing-737-041857657.html CALENDAR OF EVENTS . Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC™) - 2025 – October 27-29th (Omaha, Nebraska) . 78TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY SUMMIT (IASS) - Lisbon, November 4–6 . 29th annual Bombardier Safety Standdown, November 11-13, 2025; Wichita, Kansas · CHC Safety & Quality Summit, 11th – 13th November 2025, Vancouver, BC Canada . 2026 ACSF Safety Symposium; April 7-9, 2026; ERAU Daytona Beach, FL . 2026 NBAA Maintenance Conference; May 5-7, 2026; New Orleans, LA . BASS 2026 - 71st Business Aviation Safety Summit - May 5-6, 2026 | Provo, Utah . The African Aviation Safety & Operations Summit - May 19-20 | Johannesburg, South Africa . Safeskies Australia - Australia’s renowned Aviation Safety Conference - Canberra Australia 20 and 21 May 2026 . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV Curt Lewis