Flight Safety Information - July 22, 2026 No. 142 In This Issue : Incident: American B772 near Boston on Jul 21st 2026, engine issues : Incident: American B772 at Boston on Jul 20th 2026, could not retract gear : Incident: Alaska B789 enroute on Jul 19th 2026, engine vibrations : Accident: Kalitta B773 at Cincinnati on Jul 19th 2026, tail strike on go around : Phone calls on flights could soon be banned. Former flight attendants say it's about more than manners. : ‘Incapacitated’ Pilot Put on Oxygen Mid-Flight After Health Emergency : Feds seize hundreds of drones, prosecute pilots over World Cup flights : FAA and TSA Fail to Close Critical Gaps in Aviation Defense : United Airlines flight forced to land at Luke Air Force Base due to severe weather : India rebukes its aviation watchdog over conflict-of-interest lapses, documents show : Airbus Aims At Doubling Profits In Commercial Aircraft : Hawaiian Airlines fleet to be replaced with Boeing 737-800 aircraft : Wreckage of 1952 Pan Am plane crash that changed air safety found near Puerto Rico : Boeing Forecasts Demand for 674,000 Pilots and USD195 Billion in Training Services : The Helicopter Company signs LOI with Bombardier for 60 jets : NTSB: ‘Fuel exhaustion’ cause of June 2025 Kansas plane crash on top of airport roof Incident: American B772 near Boston on Jul 21st 2026, engine issues An American Airlines Boeing 777-200, registration N784AN performing flight AA-108 from New York JFK,NY (USA) to London Heathrow,EN (UK) with 198 people on board, was enroute at FL370 about 160nm eastnortheast of Boston,MA (USA) when the crew decided to turn around and divert to Boston advising ATC they were working on an issue, where the aircraft landed safely on runway 33L about 110 minutes after departure and taxied to the apron. Passengers reported the crew announced engine (Trent 892) issues. The aircraft had replaced NN772AN on flight AA-108 from Boston to London, that diverted to New York earlier, see Incident: American B772 at Boston on Jul 20th 2026, could not retract gear. https://avherald.com/h?article=53c1b2ee&opt=0 Incident: American B772 at Boston on Jul 20th 2026, could not retract gear An American Airlines Boeing 777-200, registration N772AN performing flight AA-108 from Boston,MA (USA) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was climbing out of Boston's runway 22R when the crew stopped the climb at 3000 feet reporting their gear was still in the locked down position, they could not bring it up. The aircraft subsequently climbed to 5000 feet and diverted to New York JFK,NY (USA) for a safe landing on runway 22L about 90 minutes after departure. The replacement Boeing 777-200 registration N784AN needed to divert to Boston, see Incident: American B772 near Boston on Jul 21st 2026, engine issues. https://avherald.com/h?article=53c1af8c&opt=0 Incident: Alaska B789 enroute on Jul 19th 2026, engine vibrations An Alaska Airlines Boeing 787-9, registration N780HA performing flight AS-181 from Rome Fiumicino (Italy) to Seattle,WA (USA), was enroute at FL340 about 30nm northwest of Newquay,EN (UK) when the crew decided to turn around due to engine (GEnx) vibrations. The aircraft descended to FL250 and returned to Rome Fiumicino for a safe landing on runway 16R about 5 hours after departure. The airline reported engine vibrations. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 18 hours, then departed as flight AS-9281 and reached Seattle with a delay of about 24 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=53c1ad74&opt=0 Accident: Kalitta B773 at Cincinnati on Jul 19th 2026, tail strike on go around A Kalitta Air Boeing 777-300 freighter, registration N778CK performing flight K4-264 from Brussels (Belgium) to Cincinnati,KY (USA), touched down on Covington Airport's runway 36R at 19:52L (23:52Z) when the crew initiated and reported a go around. In the initial climb after the balked landing tower told them there had definitely been a tail strike on rotation. The aircraft climbed to 4000 feet, positioned for another approach to runway 36C and landed without further incident about 25 minutes after the go around. The aircraft is still on the ground in Cincinnati about 33 hours after landing. The FAA reported: "Kalitta Air Flight 264 landed safely at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport around 8:15 p.m. local time on Sunday, July 19, after the tail of the Boeing 777-300ER scraped the runway during a go-around. The flight departed from Brussels Airport in Belgium. The FAA will investigate." https://avherald.com/h?article=53c16d58&opt=0 Phone calls on flights could soon be banned. Former flight attendants say it's about more than manners. Lawmakers introduced a bill to ban phone calls on flights. Former flight attendants say the rule would benefit crew and passengers. Phone calls on flights have been allowed by some airlines as in-flight WiFi becomes more common. Talking on the phone and smoking cigarettes could soon share something in common: being legally banned on airplanes. A bill introduced by lawmakers in the House of Representatives last month would make taking phone or video calls from the air illegal, an issue that's becoming increasingly relevant as WiFi access in the skies expands. Former flight attendants say talking on the phone inside a plane is already against the policies of some airlines, but making it the law would protect passengers as well as the flight crew. "We're shoved into a tin can, and we're hurdling through the sky at 38,000 feet. It's not a normal situation to be in," Ally Murphy, a former flight attendant and cabin service supervisor at Virgin Atlantic, told Business Insider. "If you're shoulder-to-shoulder with somebody and having to speak loudly, you're really disrupting the other passengers around you." Congress voted in 2018 to require the Federal Aviation Administration to ban phone calls on flights, but did not set a deadline, and a ban has never been implemented. The Quiet Skies Act, introduced by Democratic Reps. Greg Stanton and Hillary Scholten, and Republican Reps. Rick Crawford and Rob Bresnahan would force the FAA to finalize the ban within 180 days. While Congress rarely legislates airplane etiquette — airlines are generally able to set their own policies — the government has stepped in on matters related to health and safety, or security concerns, such as banning smoking and vaping or requiring masks during the pandemic. "Everything that happens in the aviation industry, the underlying first thought will always be about how does this affect the safety of the aircraft and the passengers who are on board it," Murphy said. Passengers talking loudly on the phone or FaceTiming a friend could be a distraction, especially if other passengers lodge complaints with the crew, and could make it more difficult for passengers to hear crew announcements. A universal ban could help flight attendants avoid conflict While major American airlines, including United, American, and Southwest, prohibit in-flight phone calls, British Airways earlier this year said it would allow phone and video calls on aircraft with Starlink WiFi. Virgin Atlantic also allows phone calls on its Starlink-equipped flights, though it asks that they be kept short, and it does not allow video calls. Bobby Laurie, a former flight attendant and travel industry expert, said inconsistent or ambiguous rules can be confusing for passengers and difficult for flight attendants to enforce. It can put crew in a tricky position, asking them to make subjective calls about what constitutes disruptive behavior, in turn increasing the potential for conflict between flight attendants and passengers. "When you ask people to be considerate, consideration means something different for everybody," Laurie said, adding that a blanket ban could help flight attendants avoid the kinds of passenger confrontations that became more common during the pandemic. Paul Hudson, the president of FlyerRights, a nonprofit that advocates for airline passengers, said he supports a ban on phone calls but that there could be some accommodations, such as a phone booth or a designated section where calls are allowed. Airlines, which have increasingly embraced a pay-for-every-amenity model, could charge for it. "It would satisfy the need for people who want to do business or have family issues, especially on long flights, and also protect the passengers," he said, noting Amtrak trains have designated "quiet" cars as well as cars where calls are allowed. Though safety would generally be the primary consideration for a government-mandated ban, Jacqueline Whitmore, a former flight attendant and etiquette expert, said talking on the phone while flying is often a matter of manners. "You're a finger's length from your seatmate, so they can hear every word you say," she said. "Nobody wants to hear your conversation." While the occasional quiet phone call could, in theory, be made on a flight without causing issues, the former flight attendants said laws and policies often have to anticipate and prepare for the worst-case scenario. "You always have to cater the rules and regulations towards the most troublesome person on the plane," Murphy said. https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/phone-calls-flights-could-soon-235629836.html ‘Incapacitated’ Pilot Put on Oxygen Mid-Flight After Health Emergency Three British Airways pilots fell ill with suspected food poisoning after a stopover in India, leaving one “incapacitated” at 30,000 feet. One pilot was put on oxygen during the 10-and-a-half-hour flight from Hyderabad to London Heathrow, while the other two pilots continued operating the aircraft despite becoming unwell. Their symptoms reportedly worsened after the plane landed in the U.K. The crew had shared breakfast in their hotel lounge, and all drank bottled water supplied by an external company. Each pilot filed Air Safety Reports and provided samples for medical testing. According to reports, insiders at the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) said officials were frustrated because there had been “dozens” of previous complaints about hygiene at their hotel, which costs about $175 a night. British Airways said: “The welfare of our colleagues is a top priority and we are reviewing crew accommodation in this location following some isolated reports of sickness. In line with established procedures, the aircraft continued safely to its destination and landed normally.” https://www.thedailybeast.com/incapacitated-pilot-put-on-oxygen-mid-flight-after-health-emergency/ Feds seize hundreds of drones, prosecute pilots over World Cup flights Federal authorities seized more than 700 drones that flew over or near World Cup venues, often using high-tech jammers to backtrack to their pilots. More than 350 pilots have been fined or are being prosecuted for violating the strict federal flight restrictions, the FBI and Department of Transportation told USA TODAY. The effort to secure the World Cup was the largest civilian anti-drone effort in U.S. history, federal officials said, and the software used to manage the effort at 11 sites cost taxpayers about $500 million. Though inexpensive consumer-grade drones are often used for newsgathering or photography, they can also be deployed for attacks. The U.S. military is investing billions of dollars in new counter-drone technology amid the war in Ukraine, where fighters are blasting tanks, people and infrastructure with cheap drones carrying explosives. Many of the drones intercepted near the World Cup sites were being flown by people who didn't understand the restrictions or piloting requirements and who just wanted a peek at the games, officials said. Others appeared to be willfully pushing the boundaries. Homeland Security officials said they detected more than 1,500 drones during their enforcement, including hundreds found before they even took off. "We don't have the luxury of taking the chance and saying, 'Well, this is probably for a slightly nefarious purpose versus criminal purpose,'" FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. "If you're in the space, we're going to take you down." Drone pilots who violated the restrictions face fines of up to $10,000, along with possible criminal prosecution. The Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and Federal Aviation Administration jointly intercepted drones at World Cup events, which drew an estimated 6.8 million fans. Miami, Houston, Atlanta and Dallas saw the most World Cup-related drone enforcement, federal officials said. Some drone operators face criminal charges, and all 357 of those caught by federal officials are being fined, the FBI said. In late June, four Texans were charged with flying drones in an area of Houston covered by a temporary drone flight restriction. And a Mexican national faces up to three years in prison for flying a small drone near AT&T Stadium in Dallas in late June during a qualifying match, the FBI said. An FBI agent stands near a security point at Los Angeles Stadium ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group G football match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., on June 15, 2026. World Cup sites saw multiple anti-drone technologies deployed, from radar-and-camera systems scanning the skies to systems made by Utah-based Fortem Technologies. The company's autonomous drones fire nets at intruding drones. Most of the flying drones intercepted at World Cup events were backtracked by federal agents who first jammed them and then sent teams who followed signals to the operators, officials said. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, his agency said in a statement, was "proud to help FIFA fans get to the games safely and on time." https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/07/21/feds-seize-hundreds-of-drones-prosecute-pilots-over-world-cup-flights/90981187007/ FAA and TSA Fail to Close Critical Gaps in Aviation Defense Why it Matters The federal government's two primary aviation agencies are struggling to coordinate on a critical vulnerability: protecting aircraft from cyberattacks. A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report reveals that while the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) collaborate on aviation cybersecurity, they have failed to clearly delineate who is responsible for what, leaving potential gaps in the nation's defenses against digital threats to commercial aviation. The stakes are significant. Modern aircraft depend on interconnected systems both onboard and on the ground to operate safely. That same interconnection makes them more vulnerable to cyberattacks. If adversaries compromise these systems, the consequences could range from disrupted operations to safety hazards affecting millions of passengers annually. The GAO report, released on July 16, identifies key shortfalls in how the two agencies are managing this shared responsibility. The findings underscore a fundamental problem in how the federal government approaches aviation security in an era when cyber threats are as real as physical ones. The Big Picture Aircraft systems today communicate with ground-based infrastructure, maintenance networks, and air traffic control systems. This interconnectedness is essential for modern aviation operations, but it creates multiple entry points for potential cyberattacks. The FAA, housed within the Department of Transportation, serves as the primary aviation safety regulator. The TSA, part of the Department of Homeland Security, functions as the aviation security agency. Both agencies have important roles in protecting air travel and travelers from threats. But their missions, structures, and authorities differ significantly. The FAA has clearly defined roles and responsibilities for aviation cybersecurity within its regulatory framework; TSA does not. This asymmetry creates confusion about accountability and potentially leaves blind spots in security coverage. While the two agencies do work together on aviation cybersecurity matters, and the GAO acknowledges this collaboration exists, the report identifies an apparent wealth of overlapping roles and responsibilities between them. When responsibilities overlap without clear delineation, several problems emerge: neither agency may take full ownership of a particular security challenge, assuming the other is handling it; resources may be duplicated in some areas while gaps persist in others; or industry partners seeking guidance may receive conflicting direction from the two agencies. The GAO's investigation found that the TSA's lack of clearly defined roles and responsibilities is the primary shortfall driving these coordination problems. Without explicit authority and responsibility assignments, the TSA cannot effectively partner with the FAA or provide clear security standards to the aviation industry. What the GAO Found The GAO report makes recommendations specifically directed at the TSA to address this shortfall. The recommendations focus on establishing clear roles and responsibilities for TSA aviation security functions. By codifying what the TSA is responsible for—and equally important, what it is not responsible for—the agency could eliminate ambiguity and improve coordination with the FAA. The report does not suggest the FAA needs similar restructuring. The aviation regulator's existing framework for defining its cybersecurity responsibilities appears sufficient. The problem lies on the security side of the equation, where the TSA operates with less institutional clarity about its specific mandate. Political Stakes Aviation cybersecurity has become an increasingly prominent concern in Washington. As commercial aviation grows more dependent on digital systems, the potential impact of a successful cyberattack expands accordingly. Airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and airport operators all depend on secure digital infrastructure to function. The federal government has been gradually tightening cybersecurity standards across critical infrastructure sectors, and aviation has not been exempt from this pressure. The GAO report reflects a broader recognition that the current approach to aviation cyber threats is inadequate for the threat environment. The report arrives at a moment when cybersecurity funding and attention are competing priorities across multiple federal agencies. TSA, like other government entities, must balance cybersecurity investments against other security concerns. Without clear role definitions, however, TSA cannot effectively advocate for or justify cybersecurity spending to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget. The Bottom Line The GAO's recommendations provide a roadmap, but implementation depends on whether the TSA acts on them. The agency must establish explicit roles and responsibilities for aviation cybersecurity that complement, rather than duplicate, the FAA's existing framework. This requires coordination with the FAA, input from industry stakeholders, and potentially new regulatory guidance. The FAA and TSA will need to formalize their collaboration beyond informal working relationships. Written agreements, clear escalation procedures, and defined decision-making authority for shared challenges are necessary to prevent future gaps. The aviation industry awaits clarity. Airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and airport operators need to understand which agency sets cybersecurity standards, which agency enforces compliance, and which agency responds to incidents. Ambiguity creates compliance challenges and potentially undermines security by allowing operators to play agencies against each other or assume someone else is handling a particular threat. Whether the TSA will move quickly to implement the GAO's recommendations remains to be seen. https://legis1.com/news/aviation-cybersecurity-coordination-faa-and-tsas United Airlines flight forced to land at Luke Air Force Base due to severe weather The commercial flight traveling from Houston to Phoenix was forced to land at Luke Air Force Base on Monday evening. A United Airlines flight from Houston to Phoenix was scheduled to land at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport but instead landed at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale due to severe weather, United said. The pilot can be heard on a radio transmission telling air traffic controllers that there are 160 people on board the flight. Air traffic control relays different options for the pilot of where to land, including Luke Air Force Base. United confirmed that they had 154 passengers and six crew members on board the flight. At the time, Phoenix Sky Harbor was under a ground stop because of thunderstorms, meaning planes were either circling the area waiting for the ground stop to be lifted or flying to other airports. Here is a statement from United on the emergency landing: "Due to severe weather in the Phoenix area on Monday night, the crew of United flight 2078 from Houston to Phoenix elected to land at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona as the safest course of action. The crew worked with air traffic controllers and the flight landed uneventfully. We arranged for buses to take our customers to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. We're grateful for the support from the Air Force and our teams at Phoenix Sky Harbor for finding a solution for our customers on this flight." United said the aircraft is expected to be flown without passengers from Luke AFB to Houston on July 21. https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/plane-forced-to-land-at-luke-air-force-base-glendale-arizona/75-bbc28186-8339-4c3d-a8c3-3261c58b4771 India rebukes its aviation watchdog over conflict-of-interest lapses, documents show Summary India criticises regulator over officials securing relatives' aviation jobs and delayed disclosures Regulator faces staffing shortages, FAA safety audit and an April bribery case Air India case spotlights ministry's concerns on influence NEW DELHI, July 22 (Reuters) - India has reprimanded its aviation safety regulator for failing to guard against officials using their influence to help family members get jobs in the sector and for delays in disclosing such placements, government documents reviewed by Reuters show. India's Ministry of Civil Aviation has repeatedly challenged its safety body, the Directorate ‌General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), since mid-2025 over the handling of conflicts involving officials' relatives in airlines, including an instance that involved Air India, according to the documents. The concerns come at a critical time for the DGCA as it oversees one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets while battling staffing shortages after a year of heightened scrutiny following an Air India Dreamliner crash, safety lapses at the airline and disruption at the country's largest carrier, IndiGo (INGL.NS). The DGCA is also contending with a federal police investigation after one of its officers was accused of taking a bribe and is due within months to undergo a routine U.S. Federal Aviation Administration safety audit. A January DGCA document reviewed by Reuters summarised the ministry's concerns over the regulator's handling of conflicts ⁠of interest. "(The) DGCA has not been able to effectively prevent or manage the possible influence exercised by its officials in the recruitment or placement of their relatives, family members, or dependents," it said. The documents did not indicate whether the ministry planned further action. As of January 31 this year, 51 DGCA officials had disclosed 59 relatives working in the sector, up from 33 officials disclosing 41 relatives a year earlier, one of the documents showed. The relatives worked at companies including IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air, Airbus (AIR.PA), opens new tab India and some flying schools and airport operators. The ministry, the DGCA and the companies employing the relatives did not respond to requests for comment. DISCLOSURES AND APPROVAL Indian rules prohibit federal employees from using their position or influence to secure jobs for family members and require disclosures and approvals. Conflict-of-interest concerns have surfaced before across India's public sector, including at the DGCA, where four officers were censured in 2013. The civil aviation ministry remains concerned there is "potential for regulatory influence" as DGCA officers could withhold disclosure of relatives' employment at airlines they oversee and soften regulatory scrutiny, said a senior official with direct knowledge of the matter. The official, who declined to be named ‌due to ⁠the sensitivity of the matter, cited one example where a DGCA official was found to have around 12 relatives employed in the sector, but the ministry only learned about it after the officer's retirement. Then-DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai last year sought more powers on several administrative matters, including authority to handle potential conflict-of-interest cases internally. He argued in a July 2025 letter that the ministry approval process led to "administrative delays" and that decision-making should be streamlined. The ministry rejected the request, saying the DGCA's "continued expression of inability to fix responsibility for delays or lack of approval has been alarming," the January document said. Kidwai, now posted to India's Department of ⁠Personnel & Training, did not respond to a request for comment. OFFICIAL'S SISTER HIRED AT AIR INDIA A DGCA assistant director of engineering was questioned last year about his apparent conflict of interest after his sister took up employment in Air India's quality department while he was involved in granting regulatory approvals affecting the airline, the documents show. The DGCA argued to the ministry that his sister was an independent widow and that the specific rule requiring ⁠prior approval covered only dependents like sons and daughters, though it said he would no longer handle Air India matters as a precaution. "Sister comes under the purview of family," the aviation ministry said in an August 2025 document, rejecting the DGCA's proposal to approve the case. "Influence/involvement of officer can't be ruled out ... There remains ambiguity about the transparency and legitimacy of the appointment process." U.S. ethics ⁠rules generally require officials to recuse themselves from matters where family relationships could reasonably call their impartiality into question, while Europe's aviation regulator requires declarations of interest and may restrict staff duties to manage conflicts. Harsh Vardhan Pratap Singh, president of the Association of Flying Training Organisations, said the DGCA should publish a list of officers whose relatives work in the sector it regulates. "The fundamental methods to ensure the ultimate goal of safety are transparency in declarations by officers," he said. https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-rebukes-its-aviation-watchdog-over-conflict-of-interest-lapses-documents-2026-07-22/ IndiGo signs major jet engine and repair-shop deal with CFM FARNBOROUGH, UK, July 20 (Reuters) - IndiGo, India's largest airline, signed a preliminary agreement with CFM International on Monday to buy over 1,000 LEAP-1A engines, marking a record order for the French-U.S. engine maker that ‌is emerging from industry-wide congestion over repairs. The memorandum of understanding at the Farnborough Airshow provides engines to go with the same airline's blockbuster order for 500 Airbus A320neo-family aircraft in 2023 at the Paris Airshow, which alternates with Farnborough as the industry's annual showcase. Get the latest news from India and how it matters to the world with the Reuters India File newsletter. Sign up here. The deal also includes plans for the airline to open its own maintenance, ⁠repair and overhaul centre as well as a parts supply deal, echoing a similar move by Ireland's Ryanair (RYA.I). CFM, which makes engines for the Boeing 737 MAX and competes with Pratt & Whitney (RTX.N), opens new tab on the Airbus A320neo, is the world's largest engine maker by number of units sold. It is co-owned by GE Aerospace (GE.N), opens new tab and France's Safran (SAF.PA), opens new tab. The engine industry has faced disruption for years over long maintenance waiting times and shortages of spare parts, which have forced many airlines to keep planes temporarily idle. CFM said at the weekend it had reduced the number of ‌planes ⁠grounded for reasons related to its LEAP engines to "near zero". Rival Pratt & Whitney, which has borne the brunt of the groundings due to shortages of maintenance capacity and metal contamination issues, has also reported improvements. The decision by two of the world's largest budget carriers to build repair shops is seen partly as a ⁠defensive move to ensure access to scarce repair capacity, industry sources said. Both airlines will handle only their own engines rather than farming out their in-house resources to other carriers. Even though engine makers are gradually ⁠easing delays, a sharp rise in the number of planes being built means access to repairs will be a strategic topic for airlines in the future. Boeing warned last week ⁠that repair times, dwindling numbers of experienced technicians and supply chain issues would keep engine services "under strain throughout much of the decade." The video player is currently playing an ad. The U.S. planemaker predicted an 88% increase in total annual MRO demand to $215 billion by 2045. https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indigo-signs-mou-record-leap-1a-engine-deal-with-cmf-2026-07-20/ Airbus Aims At Doubling Profits In Commercial Aircraft FARNBOROUGH, England—Airbus is targeting a doubling of operating profit in its commercial aircraft business within the next three years, along with significant growth in its services business. The aircraft manufacturer told investors in a July 21 business update that it aims to reach adjusted operating profit of €10 billion ($12 billion) in 2029, compared with €5.5 billion in 2025. Airbus also wants to generate €10 billion in services revenue through organic growth and acquisitions that add to its current capabilities. “We want to sell more services to our customers,” Airbus Commercial Aircraft Lars Wagner said. The company also is targeting double-digit profitability in its services business. Wagner made clear that Airbus is not only sticking to its production growth targets for single-aisle aircraft but also is planning significant growth in widebody output. Airbus aims to reach a production rate of 12 A350s per month in 2028, which Wagner said is the maximum possible with the current final assembly line setup. Growth will be one driver of profitability, but Wagner also pointed to targeted efficiency improvements. In addition, airline demand for larger, more capable aircraft means product mix also will support those goals. The planned next-generation single-aisle aircraft, to be launched in 2030, also will be a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rebalance the business model,” Wagner said. Airbus hopes to become much more active in providing services for the program over the coming decades, among other opportunities. Before launching the program, Airbus must decide whether to introduce stretched versions of the A350 and A220. https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/aircraft-propulsion/airbus-aims-doubling-profits-commercial-aircraft Hawaiian Airlines fleet to be replaced with Boeing 737-800 aircraft Alaska Airlines announced the future of Hawaiian Airlines interisland flights will be serviced by a modern fleet of Hawaiian-branded Boeing 737-800 aircraft, replacing its retiring Boeing 717 fleet. The new fleet will deliver a significantly improved guest experience and greater reliability for Hawai‘i and interisland travelers. Traveler’s will receive a modern onboard experience with the new 737-800 aircraft experience that features: Twice as many first class seats and more than 30 additional premium class seats, creating more upgrade opportunities for Huaka‘i by Hawaiian and Atmos Rewards members. Fast, free Starlink Wi-Fi on all flights. More room in cargo for surfboards. Reclining leather seats. 110-volt power outlets. Device charging stations and seatback device holders. “Neighbor island service is part of the fabric of life in Hawai‘i, and we know how deeply our guests, employees and communities care about its future,” said Hawaiian Airlines Chief Executive Officer Diana Birkett Rakow in an airline release. “This decision reflects our commitment to invest in Hawai‘i for the long term, to strengthen Hawaiian Airlines and to honor the local expertise, culture and care that have made Hawaiian the airline of Hawai‘i for nearly a century.” These new aircraft will sustain the safe, reliable and frequent service Hawai‘i residents depend on for work, school, family, medical care and everyday life throughout the state while delivering a more modern and premium onboard experience for all guests. Boeing 737-800 aircraft are durable, reliable and proven aircraft with airframes and engines that can withstand the high cycles of interisland operations while enabling the airline to maintain capacity to meet demand with a full schedule of daily flights. “The 737-800 gives us a proven, capable platform for the next chapter of neighbor island flying,” said Alaska and Hawaiian chief of Hawai‘i Operations Jim Landers in the release. “It is well-suited to the operational needs of the islands and gives our teams a clear path to transition from the 717s while continuing to deliver the reliable service our guests expect.” Its aimed to begin fleet transition in 2028 and then move quickly to bring this additional capacity and enhanced experience to guests. Additional details will be shared as planning continues. An Alaska-branded 737 aircraft starting in October will fly three round trips per day between Honolulu and Kahului, Maui. The future interisland fleet continues to build on the investments Alaska Airlines have made in Hawai‘i since the two airlines merged, better serving the islands together while honoring and sustaining two strong and beloved brands. “We fly for Hawai‘i and have the privilege of serving and representing Hawai‘i through the Hawaiian Airlines brand … ,” said Rakow. “Investment in a dedicated Hawaiian Airlines-branded 737-800 fleet is about more than aircraft. It is about protecting the connections that make life possible across the islands and ensuring Hawaiian remains strong for the future.” https://bigislandnow.com/2026/07/22/hawaiian-airlines-fleet-to-be-replaced-with-boeing-737-800-aircraft/ Wreckage of 1952 Pan Am plane crash that changed air safety found near Puerto Rico Undersea drone locates site of Clipper Endeavor disaster that contributed to introduction of briefings on emergency exits and life vests Searchers have found the wreckage of a Pan Am flight that plunged into the ocean off Puerto Rico in 1952, in an accident that killed 52 people and led to the passenger safety briefings given on modern-day commercial flights. The Clipper Endeavor went down when two engines failed shortly after takeoff. The 17 passengers and crew who survived told investigators everyone lived through the splashdown but panic set in as many passengers struggled to find life vests and the crew struggled to pull out life rafts. Within minutes the plane sank. Thirty-nine bodies were never recovered. Explorers found the wreckage of the DC-4 in June when a robotic sonar drone located the fuselage and tail in 600 metres of water. “This one became a catalyst, and it helped drive safety steps forward of better flotation equipment and the preflight briefings,” said aviation safety expert John Cox, a pilot and founder of Safety Operating Systems. “So this is one stepping stone along the path to what we today enjoy as aviation safety. It was a rallying cry at the time.” The Clipper Endeavor was a Pan Am DC-4. The disaster led to sweeping aviation reforms; today, before takeoff, flight attendants instruct passengers about exit locations and where life vests are located and how to inflate them. In 2019 the crash caught the attention of Russ Matthews, president of the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation, when he saw an article about a luggage tag from the flight washing ashore in Florida. He said the historical significance of the Clipper Endeavor prompted him to dig deeper. That led to years of searching through the Pan Am and Coast Guard archives looking for clues about the crash site. Reports from the Civil Aeronautics Board, which was the predecessor to the Federal Aviation Administration, also helped. The key to finding the wreckage was found in records in Puerto Rico from a hearing that was held on the crash, and a map estimating the location of the crash that was done by air force pilots training in the area who witnessed the crash. Tony Romeo, CEO of the undersea exploration firm Deep Sea Vision, said he joined the effort when one of his ships was in the Puerto Rico area carrying an advanced underwater drone with the right sensors. Deep Sea Vision previously led an unsuccessful six-month search for Amelia Earhart’s plane. Matthews’ group combined its research with weather data from the time of the crash to produce a search map covering 10 square nautical miles. The drone found the wreckage on its first pass. The discovery could offer new hope to families who lost loved ones in ocean crashes like flight MH370, the Malaysia Airlines jet that disappeared 12 years ago with 269 people on board. The search for the Clipper Endeavor will be featured in a future episode of the Discovery Channel show Expedition Unknown. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/22/wreckage-found-1952-pan-am-plane-crash-air-safety-puerto-rico Boeing Forecasts Demand for 674,000 Pilots and USD195 Billion in Training Services Global – Boeing forecasts that commercial aviation will require 674,000 new pilots and generate USD195 billion in training and pilot services demand between 2026 and 2045. The outlook supports continued investment in airline-linked cadet programs, simulator infrastructure and regional training capacity, particularly in Asia and the Middle East. Boeing projects demand for 2.425 million new commercial aviation personnel, comprising 674,000 pilots, 728,000 maintenance technicians and 1.023 million cabin crew members. Two-thirds of the requirement will replace personnel leaving the workforce, while one-third will support fleet growth. The 2026 forecast increases projected demand from Boeing’s 2025 outlook by 14,000 pilots, 18,000 technicians and 23,000 cabin crew, taking the total requirement 55,000 higher than the previous 2.37 million projection. Regional pilot demand is forecast as follows: Eurasia: 153,000 China: 123,000 North America: 122,000 Middle East: 67,000 Southeast Asia: 66,000 South Asia: 48,000 Latin America: 38,000 Northeast Asia: 24,000 Africa: 22,000 Oceania: 11,000 Eurasia, China and North America account for approximately 59% of projected pilot demand. Boeing values the wider commercial aviation services market at USD4.86 trillion through 2045. This comprises USD1.915 trillion in parts and distribution, USD1.395 trillion in maintenance, repair, overhaul and modifications, USD1.355 trillion in information services, and USD195 billion in training and pilot services. The largest regional training and pilot services markets are projected in Eurasia at USD45 billion, followed by China and North America at USD40 billion each. South Asia and the Middle East are each forecast at USD15 billion, while Southeast Asia is valued at USD10 billion. South Asia is forecast to record the highest annual passenger traffic growth at 6.8% and fleet growth at 6.9%. Southeast Asia follows with 6.7% traffic growth and 6.5% fleet growth, creating combined demand for 114,000 pilots and USD25 billion in training and pilot services. The Middle East is projected to require 236,000 new aviation personnel, including 67,000 pilots, while generating USD475 billion in commercial aviation services demand. Boeing expects regional airlines and governments to continue localizing training, maintenance and component-support capacity. The workforce forecast is underpinned by 43,625 projected aircraft deliveries, comprising 33,545 single-aisle aircraft, 7,715 widebodies, 1,435 regional jets and 930 freighters. Single-aisle aircraft account for approximately 77% of forecast deliveries and will remain the principal driver of type-rating and recurrent training volumes. Boeing expects retirement-driven replacement demand to remain elevated during the first decade of the forecast, particularly among pilots in North America and Europe. Fleet growth is expected to become the main workforce driver during the second decade as aircraft deliveries increase. The report identifies a near-term moderation in pilot and cabin crew recruitment following geopolitical and weather-related disruption during 2026. Boeing expects this pressure to affect recruitment and capacity planning over the next one to two years without materially changing its 20-year forecast. Airlines are increasingly using flight school partnerships, cadet programs, scholarships, financing and conditional employment pathways to manage personnel supply. Boeing describes control of recruitment, training, qualification and retention as a competitive advantage for airlines and training providers. Competency-Based Training and Assessment is moving earlier into ab initio training, with greater use of ICAO competencies, behavioral indicators and scenario-based instruction. Boeing expects this approach to improve alignment between student training, operational decision-making and airline readiness. Artificial intelligence is expected to support adaptive simulations, scenario generation, automated performance feedback and predictive training analytics. Virtual and augmented reality are also expected to expand aircraft, flight deck and maintenance familiarization, although wider adoption will depend on regulatory alignment, data quality, governance and instructor readiness. Nearly 90% of the global commercial fleet is expected to be digitally enabled by 2045. Boeing links this transition to increased demand for personnel with digital, analytical and systems-based skills, requiring training providers to update curricula and instructor capabilities alongside fleet technology. AFM previously reported that Boeing’s 2025 outlook projected demand for 660,000 pilots and identified South Asia and Southeast Asia as the fastest-growing personnel markets. AFM also reported in May 2026 that Boeing was extending CBTA resources into early-career and ab initio flight training. Statements “Immersive technologies will enhance training, supporting Competency-Based Training and Assessment approaches to ensure the highest quality aviation training,” said Chris Broom, Vice President, Commercial Training Solutions at Boeing Global Services. https://afm.aero/boeing-forecasts-demand-for-674000-pilots-and-usd195-billion-in-training-services The Helicopter Company signs LOI with Bombardier for 60 jets The Helicopter Company has signed a LOI with Bombardier, which includes firm orders for two Global 8000s and 10 other jets. Saudi Arabian rotary operator The Helicopter Company has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Bombardier for the purchase of 60 jets as part of its expansion into fixed-wing business aircraft charter and management. The LOI specifies a firm order for 12 aircraft including five Challenger 3500s, five Global 5500s and two Global 8000 aircraft, with purchase options for 48 more jets across all three models. The agreement was revealed today at the Farnborough International Airshow. The acquisition is designed to meet growing demand for private and general aviation in Saudi Arabia driven by the country’s expanding tourism sector, business activity and emerging destinations, according to The Helicopter Company (THC). “As a portfolio of companies, THC was always poised to expand beyond rotary-wing aviation into fixed-wing operations,” said Arnaud Martinez, CEO, THC. “Our vision has always been to become the general aviation champion from Saudi Arabia to the world.” The operator aims to become the region’s leading business aviation operator and the national carrier of choice in private charters and business aviation, he added. Key to achieving those ambitions are fleet commonality, advanced aircraft technology and a commitment to improving efficiency and sustainability, said Martinez. The 60-jet acquisition would help the country build an integrated aviation ecosystem that supports its Saudi Vision 2030 development plan. The composition of THC’s launch fleet is designed to “combine efficiency, long-range capability and premium passenger comfort across the super-midsize, long-range and ultra-long-range segments”, said the operator. “Bombardier’s aircraft are uniquely positioned to meet the evolving needs of customers around the world, offering exceptional versatility, dispatch reliability and a world-class customer experience,” said Éric Martel, president and CEO, Bombardier. “We are honoured that The Helicopter Company has selected Bombardier to support its future fleet ambitions.” As demand for super-midsize category aircraft continues to grow across the region, the Challenger 3500 is ideally positioned to meet customer expectations for performance, comfort and reliability, said Martel. “The Global 5500 continues to set the benchmark in its class with industry-leading range and outstanding versatility, while the flagship Global 8000 – the pinnacle of business aviation – ushers in a new era of business aviation performance and capability,” he claimed. Launched in 2018, The Helicopter Company is part of Saudi Public Investment Fund’s (PIF)’s strategy to build new sectors in Saudi Arabia that support its Vision 2030 development plans. The kingdom’s leading commercial helicopter operator, THC has more than 60 aircraft serving sectors including emergency medical services (EMS), private charters and tourism. Meanwhile, Philippe Lubrano, CEO of Rotortrade, part of THC group alongside Heliconia – the African aviation services operator acquired last November – said this week the organisation is operating a group aircraft acquisition strategy. THC’s Letter of Intent – at a glance Purchase of 60 jets Firm orders for: Five Challenger 3500s Five Global 5500s Two Global 8000s Purchase options for 48 more aircraft across these platforms. https://www.corporatejetinvestor.com/news/the-helicopter-company/ NTSB: ‘Fuel exhaustion’ cause of June 2025 Kansas plane crash on top of airport roof Investigators discovered fewer than 33 ounces of fuel remained in the plane's fuel tanks KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The June 2025 crash of a twin-engine small plane on top of a hangar building at New Century Airport in Gardner, Kansas, was caused by fuel exhaustion. That’s the conclusion from the National Transportation Safety Board’s final report, released last week. Early in the afternoon on June 16, 2025, a 73-year-old Lee’s Summit man, operating as the flight instructor, and a 30-year-old Arkansas woman, operating as the “pilot receiving instruction,” were approaching the airport following the flight in a Beech E90 aircraft. As the pair turned to the base leg of the final approach, the plane had decelerated below the normal airspeed. The flight instructor told the pilot receiving instruction to increase engine power, but that caused the aircraft to yaw left. Believing the left engine had lost fuel, the flight instructor took control of the aircraft and, despite his belief that they could clear an upcoming obstacle, the plane impacted the hangar and came to rest on the roof. No serious injuries were reported to the occupants of the aircraft or to bystanders on the ground. The aircraft itself suffered “substantial” damage to the lower fuselage. Both wings and the right engine had separated from their mounts. Investigators discovered that just three ounces of fuel remained in the plane’s left fuel tank, and just 30 ounces of fuel remained in the right fuel tank. The report says that investigators were unable to determine how much fuel the plane originally took off with, as the accounts of the flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction differed. The aircraft's flight manual prohibits takeoffs when the amount of fuel in the “yellow band” of the fuel indicator, which signifies less than 260 pounds of fuel remaining. According to the report, the flight instructor estimated that the 16-minute flight between Butler, Missouri, Municipal Airport and New Century Airport called for 135 to 200 pounds of fuel. In the report, the flight instructor told investigators he believed the "fuel tank gauges were inaccurate, which resulted in fuel exhaustion to the left engine." A plane crashed atop a hanger on Monday, June 16, 2025, at New Century AirCenter in Johnson County, Kansas. The NTSB determined the probable cause of the accident to be: “The flight instructor’s inadequate fuel planning that resulted in a loss of engine power to the left engine due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight that resulted in diminished airplane performance during the go-around.” https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/ntsb-fuel-exhaustion-cause-of-june-2025-kansas-plane-crash-on-top-of-airport-roof#google_vignette CALENDAR OF EVENTS . EAA AirVenture Oshkosh - July 20–26, 2026 . July 20-24, 2026 | Farnborough, UK - Farnborough Airshow 2026. . ICAO/EASA Third Global RSOO/RAIO Forum for Aviation Safety — September 29–30, 2026, in Georgetown, Guyana., https://www.icao.int/events : Aircraft Cabin Air International Conference - 22-23 September 2026 . IATA World Maintenance & Engineering Symposium (23-25 June, Madrid, Spain) . ISASI - BOSTON 2026 - September 28, 2026 – October 2, 2026 . Global Aviation Conference Frankfurt- 29-30SEP2026 - Frankfurt, Germany . 79TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY SUMMIT MONTREAL | NOVEMBER 10-12, 2026. . Airlines 2026 conference - November 11, 2026 (London) . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV . 2027 ACSF Safety Symposium - April 6-8, 2027 - ERAU Daytona Beach, FL Curt Lewis