Flight Safety Information - July 27, 2026 No. 145 In This Issue : Accident: Tracep L410 near Kitshanga/Walikale on Jul 24th 2026, engine failure, missing aircraft located : Incident: American B789 overe Atlantic on Jul 25th 2026, odour on board : Incident: Qatar B773 over UK on Jul 24th 2026, safety concern prompts intercept : Accident: JAL B738 near Tokyo on Jul 21st 2026, turbulence injures flight attendant : Incident: UPS B763 at Louisville on Jul 24th 2026, pitot heater failure : Incident: Alaska B738 near Eugene on Jul 23rd 2026, engine shut down in flight : Incident: Cathay Pacific B748 over Black Sea on Jul 23rd 2026, pilot incapacitated : Incident: Transavia B738 at Amsterdam on Jul 24th 2026, autopilot failure twice : Kenmore Air seaplane crash: Investigators to interview pilot : Good news for nervous fliers: More planes get emergency auto-land tech : FAA Issues Radio Altimeter Upgrade Mandate : Air India Starts Boeing 787 Fleet Modifications Following FAA Safety Directive : Aer Lingus pilots become first mother and daughter to fly together : FAA Accepts ASTM Standards, Clearing the Last Hurdle for MOSAIC : Russia Is Running Out of Aircraft. Now It’s Merging Airlines to Hide the Crisis : Calendar of Events Accident: Tracep L410 near Kitshanga/Walikale on Jul 24th 2026, engine failure, missing aircraft located A Tracep Aviation Let L-410, registration 7Q-GMR performing a flight from Beni to Kasongo (DR Congo) with 2 crew and 2 tons of cargo, had departed Beni at 12:11L (11:11Z) and was enroute about an hour into the flight when the crew reported to another aircraft they had lost of one of their engines (M601) and they were diverting to Walikale (about 150nm south of Beni). This was the last radio transmission received from the aircraft. The aircraft did not land in Walikale or any other aerodrome so far. The aircraft was found on or after Jul 26th 2026, one of the pilots died in the accident, the other survived. DR Congo's BPEA stated based on initial reports the aircraft was about 10 minutes into the flight when the aircraft disappeared after having apparently lost an engine.The crew attempted to return to Beni. An ELT signal was received from the Kitshanga region (about 100nm south of Beni). A search and rescue operation is in progress. On Jul 27th 2026 the airline reported the aircraft has been found near Buluko, about 17nm northwest of Kitshanga. The first officer survived the accident, the captain died however. Starting Jul 26th 2026 aviation circles in DR Congo reported the aircraft has been located in the Kisimba region north of Kitshanga. These reports continue the captain of the flight managed to find the next village Buluko via the aircraft's portable GPS and made contact. The captain reported that the first officer did not survive the accident. The Aviation Herald heard an audio recording, identified to be the captain's voice by local aviators, in a mix of Congolese Swahili and French, the male voice thanking God and stating he is alive. https://avherald.com/h?article=53c3b22b&opt=0 Incident: American B789 overe Atlantic on Jul 25th 2026, odour on board An American Airlines Boeing 787-9, registration N840AN performing flight AA-719 from Rome Fiumicino (Italy) to Philadelphia,PA (USA) with 281 passengers and 12 crew, was enroute at FL390 about 400nm northnortheast of Lajes, Azores Islands (Portugal) and about 840nm southwest of Dublin (Ireland) when the crew decided to divert to Dublin after a number of cabin crew were affected by an odour on board. The aircraft landed safely on Dublin's runway 28L about 2:05 hours later. The airline reported the aircraft diverted to Dublin due to a reported odour on board and was met by Paramedics out of abundance of caution, who assessed the flight attendants and one passenger, all of them were released. There are unconfirmed claims that 6 of the 9 flight attendants felt dizzy and ill in flight. https://avherald.com/h?article=53c4eca0&opt=0 Incident: Qatar B773 over UK on Jul 24th 2026, safety concern prompts intercept A Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300, registration A7-BAJ performing flight QR-23 from Doha (Qatar) to Manchester,EN (UK), was enroute at FL360 entering UK airspace two Typhoon fighter aircraft were dispatched to intercept the Boeing. After the Typhoons reached the Boeing, the situation was resolved and the Boeing continued to Manchester for a safe landing on runway 23R. The Royal Airforce (RAF) reported: "We can confirm that an RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) was launched for a Qatar Airways flight which was causing concern to civil authorities. The incident was resolved and landed safely at Manchester Airport." The airline stated: "Qatar Airways confirms that, as a precautionary measure and in line with standard procedure, flight QR23 from Doha to Manchester was provided with an escort for part of its journey prior to landing following a security notification from UK authorities. At no point was the aircraft in any danger, and normal operations continued on board throughout." https://avherald.com/h?article=53c4e6eb&opt=0 Accident: JAL B738 near Tokyo on Jul 21st 2026, turbulence injures flight attendant A JAL Japan Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration JA335J performing flight JL-672 from Oita to Tokyo Haneda (Japan) with 126 people on board, was descending towards Haneda when the aircraft encountered turbulence causing injuries to a flight attendant. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Haneda's runway 22. Japan's Ministry of Transport reported a flight attendant working in the rear of the aircraft received a left rib fracture, the occurrence was rated an accident and is being investigated by the JTSB. https://avherald.com/h?article=53c4396d&opt=0 Incident: UPS B763 at Louisville on Jul 24th 2026, pitot heater failure A UPS United Parcel Service Boeing 767-300 freighter, registration N915UP performing flight 5X-5326 from Louisville,KY to Orlando,FL (USA), was climbing through about FL310 out of Louisville when the crew decided to return to Louisville for a safe landing on runway 17L about 40 minutes after departure. The Aviation Herald received information that the aircraft suffered a failure of a pitot heater. The aircraft is still on the ground in Louisville about 19 hours after landing back. https://avherald.com/h?article=53c437ef&opt=0 Incident: Alaska B738 near Eugene on Jul 23rd 2026, engine shut down in flight An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration N563AS performing flight AS-471 from Santa Ana,CA to Seattle,WA (USA) with 161 passengers and 6 crew, was enroute at FL360 about 90nm southsoutheast of Eugene,OR (USA) when the crew needed to shut one of their engines (CFM56) down and decided to divert to Eugene. The aircraft landed safely on Eugene's runway 34L about 25 minutes later. The airline reported a mechanical issue with the aircraft. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration N597AS continued the flight and reached Seattle with a delay of about 4 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Eugene about 22 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=53c397f8&opt=0 Incident: Cathay Pacific B748 over Black Sea on Jul 23rd 2026, pilot incapacitated A Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-8 freighter, registration B-LJN performing flight CX-2014 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Hong Kong (China), was enroute at FL350 over the Black Sea when the crew decided to return to Amsterdam. The aircraft climbed to FL360 for the return. On approach to Amsterdam the crew indicated they had requested medical assistance from their company, that was all required for their incapacitated pilot. The aircraft landed safely on Amsterdam's runway 06 about 3 hours after turning around. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 17.5 hours, then departed again for flight CX-2014. https://avherald.com/h?article=53c39224&opt=0 Incident: Transavia B738 at Amsterdam on Jul 24th 2026, autopilot failure twice A Transavia Boeing 737-800, registration PH-HXG performing flight HV-5161 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Cairo (Egypt), was climbing through FL250 out of Amsterdam when the crew reported they had no autopilot and could not continue. The aircraft returned to Amsterdam for a safe landing on runway 18C about 35 minutes after departure. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 90 minutes, then departed again but needed to stop the climb again at FL120 reporting they had the same problem (no autopilot) again. The aircraft returned to Amsterdam a second time for a safe landing on runway 18R about 25 minutes after departure. The rotation was cancelled. https://avherald.com/h?article=53c39383&opt=0 Kenmore Air seaplane crash: Investigators to interview pilot Federal investigators are set Monday to interview the pilot of the Kenmore Air seaplane that crashed off Sucia Island among the San Juan Islands. All 11 people aboard the de Havilland DHC-3 Otter survived the emergency landing around 5:15 p.m. Thursday. The plane had taken off from Seattle, bound for Roche Harbor in the San Juans. In a phone interview, Fabian Salazar, a senior investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, said the floatplane wreckage has been recovered and moved to a secure hangar in Friday Harbor. “The pilot, he was pretty shook up, he’s home and he is recovering,” said Salazar, who is scheduled to take part in Monday’s interview. “There’s been numerous witnesses offering photographs and video, so that’s very helpful and we’re very grateful,” he added. According to Salazar, the NTSB will likely release some preliminary findings of the incident in the next two weeks or so. As they review the crash, investigators will be looking at the pilot, aircraft and environment, including the weather, to determine what happened. “We start from the beginning: Did the pilot get a weather briefing? If so, what did it entail, who did he get it from?” Salazar said. “So we make sure he got a proper briefing, and we look at the exact circumstance of the weather.” “Even if there’s adverse weather in the local area, it may have not had anything to do with the accident,” he added. In reviewing the pilot, investigators will check on his floatplane rating and will want to know whether he was rested and any medications he’d been taking, Salazar said. Investigators will also review the aircraft’s maintenance records. “In those three areas — man, machine and the environment — more often we’re going to find the circumstance” of the crash, Salazar said. Four people were hurt in the crash, with two taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and two to medical facilities in Bellingham, Kenmore Air said. The injuries ranged from “head injuries to broken bones and lacerations,” according to the San Juan County sheriff’s office. Kenmore Air is the biggest seaplane operator in the United States, taking more than 90,000 passengers annually on flights across the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Floatplanes are a delicate and vital conduit to the region’s island communities for both people and cargo. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/kenmore-air-seaplane-crash-investigators-to-begin-reviewing-accident/ Good news for nervous fliers: More planes get emergency auto-land tech Inspired by tragedy, the system goes beyond what autopilot can do, even on sophisticated commercial airlines. Embraer said its Phenom 300EV business jets will come equipped with an emergency auto-land feature, making it the largest planes equipped with the safety device. (Paul Bowen/Embraer) In 1999, a Learjet 35 carrying professional golfer Payne Stewart and five others flew wildly off-course for nearly four hours before crashing into a field in South Dakota. The plane — heading from Orlando to a golf tournament in Texas— failed to make radio contact or respond to the fighter jets scrambled to intercept it along its wayward course. A subsequent investigation found that a sudden, early loss of cabin pressure and oxygen had knocked out everyone onboard, including the two pilots. With no one in control, the plane just flew and flew until it ran out of fuel. “It made an impression on me,” said Phil Straub, a pilot and engineer at Garmin, a company known back then for its automobile GPS units. He imagined something like that happening to him during a flight. It was the sort of scene that might unfold in a nervous flier’s worst nightmares — like a movie where the flight attendant asks on the intercom if anyone on board can fly the plane. More than two decades later, Straub helped lead a push by Garmin to invent the first automatic emergency landing device for airplanes. The system goes beyond what autopilot can do, even on sophisticated commercial airlines. Garmin’s system is essentially an automated emergency pilot — taking control of the aircraft, notifying authorities and plotting a course to the nearest safe airport and landing there. It is the only system of its kind certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. “The Payne Stewart thing was always in the back of my head,” Straub said. This month, Embraer announced it was including Garmin Emergency Autoland on its newest Phenom EV300, a 10-passenger corporate jet popular with shared-flight companies such as NetJets and Flexjet. It is the largest plane to use the Garmin system. Autoland is used on about 2,000 planes, including aircraft made by Piper, Cirrus and Daher. Textron said its Cessna Citation CJ4 jets will be equipped with it, too, when it rolls off the production line next year. Straub said he hopes that one day the emergency landing system finds its way onto the big airliners — perhaps when Boeing and Airbus launch expected major redesigns of their single-aisle planes in the coming years. Autoland operates in some ways like the autonomous driving features found in today’s cars. If a plane is flying in autopilot mode without interruption, Autoland prompts pilots every 20 minutes or so to make sure everything is okay. It also can be activated by button or changes in pressurization. Garmin Emergency Autoland system can take complete control of an aircraft to land it autonomously if the pilot becomes incapacitated. If an emergency is found, Autoland warns air traffic controllers and — in a relatively unique feature — the plane’s passengers. Straub said testing showed that passengers needed to be aware of what was happening so they wouldn’t panic and interfere with the automated flying controls. So a screen in the cabin shows “Autoland is activated” and announces the plane’s movements. Garmin flew about 800 test flights to work out all the engineering challenges, such as how to handle runways that look flat as pancakes but actually feature changes in elevation and humps big enough to cause a plane to takeoff again. But the Autoland system is not designed to get much use. “It sits in the background until it’s needed,” Straub said. That happened for the first time in December, when a passenger-less charter flight out of Aspen, Colorado, lost pressurization. The pilots of the Beechcraft Super King Air 200 were on emergency oxygen and never lost consciousness as the plane rapidly descended from about 23,000 feet, according to a statement from the charter company, Buffalo River Aviation. But, “exercising conservative judgement,” they allowed the technology to do its thing. The plane’s Autoland selected a nearby airport outside Denver, warned air traffic control and kept them up-to-date as it approached. A robotic female voice told the controllers about “pilot incapacitation” and the incoming “emergency auto-landing on runway 30,” according to a LiveATC recording. The plane landed safely. No one was hurt. The result also came from some fortuitous timing. Autoland had been installed on the plane only a few months earlier. https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2026/07/26/good-news-nervous-flyers-more-planes-get-emergency-auto-land-tech/ FAA Issues Radio Altimeter Upgrade Mandate The FAA’s radio altimeter (RA) upgrade mandate sets Dec. 30, 2030, as the deadline for commercial aircraft and will give other affected operations, including Part 135, until Oct. 31, 2034. The final rule, made public July 24, follows the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) July 22 adoption of a new round of wireless spectrum auction. The FAA mandate aligns with FCC plans to permit new wireless services in the 75 largest U.S. markets by the end of 2030, and other markets in mid-2031. Aircraft under Part 121 and some Part 129 operations must meet the initial deadline. Other affected aircraft, including military fleets, get until late 2034. The mandates apply only to operations in the contiguous 48 states. The FAA calculates that 58,500 RAs on 40,700 aircraft in the existing civil fleet must be upgraded. The initial deadline affects 27,200 RAs on 12,500 Part 121 and Part 129 aircraft, the agency said. Projected fleet growth will boost these figures to 29,500 RAs on 13,500 aircraft by the end of 2030, the FAA projects. The FAA estimates each upgrade will cost $80,000-120,000, or $4.8-7.2 billion for all affected civil aircraft. Domestic operators, including Part 135 carriers and other small entities, will see reimbursements for at least some of those costs under an FCC plan that will use some of the auction proceeds. Other operators, including non-U.S. airlines, advocated for inclusion in the rebate program, but were not successful. “While foreign operators are not covered under FCC’s RA retrofit rebate program and therefore bear the full burden of replacement, some may be able to reduce their total costs by only replacing RAs in a subsection of aircraft designated for U.S. operations instead of replacing the RAs for all their aircraft,” the FAA said. The U.S. Defense Department (DOD) estimates it will spend $3-4 billion to upgrade its affected fleet and will need about eight years. “FAA will work with the [DOD] to address any aircraft that are not equipped by the Oct. 31, 2034, compliance deadline,” the FAA said. The final rule includes a provision to issue airworthiness directives with operational restrictions to protect legacy RAs from interference until the units are upgraded. https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/safety-ops-regulation/faa-issues-radio-altimeter-upgrade-mandate Air India Starts Boeing 787 Fleet Modifications Following FAA Safety Directive Door assist handle upgrades to be carried out in phases; airline says flight operations and safety remain unaffected Air India has begun a phased modification programme for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an airworthiness directive concerning the aircraft's door assist handles. The Tata Group-owned airline is implementing the required changes across its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft in line with the FAA's directive, which identified a potential issue with the door assist handle mechanism that could pose an injury risk during emergency operations. According to people familiar with the development, the modifications are being undertaken in phases to minimise operational disruption while ensuring full regulatory compliance. Air India has maintained that the issue does not affect the aircraft's current airworthiness or flight safety and that services will continue as scheduled during the upgrade programme. Safety Upgrades Underway The FAA directive requires operators of affected Boeing 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft to modify the door assist handles after identifying a potential safety concern. The modification is intended to prevent possible injuries that could arise from the component under certain operating conditions. Air India is among several global carriers operating the Dreamliner that are expected to comply with the directive within the prescribed timeline. Operations to Continue Normally The airline has clarified that the modifications are precautionary and do not warrant grounding of aircraft or disruption to commercial operations. Instead, the upgrades will be incorporated into the maintenance schedule in a phased manner, allowing the fleet to remain in service while the work progresses. The development comes as Air India continues its broader fleet modernisation programme, which includes refurbishment of legacy aircraft and induction of new-generation aircraft as part of its long-term transformation strategy. https://www.businessworld.in/article/air-india-starts-boeing-787-fleet-modifications-following-faa-safety-directive-616680 Aer Lingus pilots become first mother and daughter to fly together First Officer Lara Danaher (L) joined her mother, Captain Sonya Bissett, in operating a flight for Aer Lingus for the first time earlier this week Two Aer Lingus pilots made history earlier this week after becoming the first mother and daughter to operate a commercial flight together for the airline. Captain Sonya Bissett from Malahide in Dublin, who has been a commercial pilot with Aer Lingus for over 27 years, was joined on flight EI 650 from Dublin to Frankfurt by her daughter, First Officer Lara Danaher. While there have been many previous examples of family members working together on an Aer Lingus flight, it is the first time a mother and daughter operated a flight together in a proud moment for both Ms Bissett and Ms Danaher. Speaking to RTÉ News, Ms Bissett said she always knew her daughter would become a pilot. "I remember when Lara was about four years of age, she always knew two pilots 'flew the plane'. When I was putting on my uniform for work one day she said, 'I know what mum, when I grow up, I’ll be a pilot, that way I can come to work with you and we can fly the plane together'," she said. "I guess from that day on it was in the back of my mind, that she might consider it as a career and maybe one day we would have the opportunity to fly together. It became more of a reality when I saw her passion grow as she got older. "Once she made up her mind to pursue this as a career, I knew her determination and hard work would see her succeed." Ms Danaher became a pilot through the Future Pilot Programme, a 14-month course run by Aer Lingus and a flight training school. The course allows applicants to combine classroom study and practical flight training. "Getting into the Future Pilot Programme wasn’t easy. It had been a dream of mine since secondary school when I first learned about the programme through pilot career events," Ms Danaher said. "I chose to study Aviation Management at DCU. While in college, I worked as a Flight Dispatcher at Dublin Airport for two years. "In my final year of college, I continued to do shift work on top of studying. I was able to save up and join a flying club and begin flying lessons on my days off. "When the Future Pilot Programme opened, I wasn’t successful on my first attempt. Although it was disappointing, it motivated me to keep going and apply again." Despite the setbacks, Ms Danaher did not give up on the dream she had of becoming a pilot since she was a child. 'The moment that means the most to me was being able to fly with my mum' "Becoming a pilot was always a dream of mine. Both of my parents are in the aviation industry, so I’ve always grown up surrounded by it," she said. "As I got older, so did my passion and I couldn’t have seen myself in any other profession. "Flight training has been one of the most challenging, but also one of the most rewarding experiences. Each stage of training builds on the last, so you need to have a high level of commitment. "There have been so many moments that I’ll never forget. My first solo flight was a huge milestone; it was the first time I had ever been alone in an aircraft. "But the moment that means the most to me was being able to fly with my mum. It had been a dream of mine since I was a child." Ms Bissett said she was "immensely proud" to have Ms Danaher alongside her in her first flight as First Officer. "Lara has worked hard, like every pilot does, to get to this stage. It was an exciting drive to work to finally reach this day," she said. "Honestly, it was the highlight of my career to have her beside me in the flight deck. I kept thinking of that four-year-old wanting to be a pilot so she could come to work with me!" Lara Danaher and Sonya Bissett Lara Danaher said she was 'so grateful' to be First Officer for the first time alongside her mother (Pic: Aer Lingus) The flight from Dublin to Frankfurt went as smoothly as possible, and neither Ms Bissett nor Ms Danaher had any nerves about flying together. "Airlines have strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in place to ensure that every flight is conducted safely and consistently. So, any relationship, parent and child, husband and wife, close friends are left outside the flight deck," said Ms Danaher. "Safety is always the highest priority, and every flight is operated to the highest possible standard. Sticking to these SOPs ensures clearly defined Captain and First Officer roles, maintaining high levels of focus and professionalism. "So no, no nerves at all!" she added. Ms Bissett said that the moment meant that women in aviation had come a long way. "It was once considered unusual to have one female in the flight deck. Nowadays it’s quite common and it’s certainly not unusual to have two female pilots fly together," she said. "To see a mother and daughter flying together as Captain and First Officer is very rare, but I believe it shows that aviation is more accessible to women. "I suppose the real progression will be when it’s not considered remarkable, but just two pilots doing the job they love. "We are very proud to have achieved this together. I think any parent and child would be. As I look back on the path Lara is about to embark on, I can’t help but feel honoured to have been her Captain for her first flight. "I am proud to have had her as my First Officer on that flight." "It’s very early days in my career but this already feels like a huge highlight," said Ms Danaher. "My mum has been a role model for me in both my personal life and now in my professional life. Knowing how much that moment meant to both of us, is something I’ll never forget. "I feel so grateful that we were able to share such a special moment together," she added. https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0726/1585115-mother-daughter-pilots/ FAA Accepts ASTM Standards, Clearing the Last Hurdle for MOSAIC The FAA has officially accepted key ASTM consensus standards supporting the new Part 22 light-sport category, allowing manufacturers to declare compliance and the agency to issue airworthiness certificates for aircraft designed under the expanded rules. The Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association arrived at Oshkosh this week with the news homebuilders and light-aircraft makers have waited a decade to hear. The FAA has published in the Federal Register its Notice of Availability accepting the key American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) consensus standards that support the new Part 22 light-sport category under the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification rule, MOSAIC. The practical effect is direct. Manufacturers can now declare compliance against accepted standards, and the FAA can issue airworthiness certificates for aircraft designed under the expanded rules. Part 22 takes effect July 24, and the acceptance of these standards is the piece that makes that date operational rather than symbolic. The FAA acceptance covers four integration standards developed by the ASTM F37 Committee on Light-Sport Aircraft: F3815-26a for airplanes, F3836-26 for gliders, F3840-26 for powered lift, and F3841-26 for gyroplanes. These integration standards function as packages, each referencing a wide set of underlying functional standards that govern specific components such as structures, engines, and propellers. F3840-26 was written to address both powered lift and multicopters, but the FAA acceptance is at present limited to powered lift. The agency also clarified several technical points in its filing. The F2839 compliance-audit standard remains optional, and the F3833 guide for computer-based control systems is offered for reference only. The FAA will maintain a repository of accepted Means of Compliance on its Light-Sport Category Aircraft page, and the public may comment through the Regulations.gov portal under Docket No. FAA-2026-6965 until August 17. LAMA President and Board Chairman Scott Severen framed the moment plainly. "New more capable airplanes are on the way," he said, crediting the ASTM F37 committee and the FAA for the effort. The association traces the origin of the work to its own advocacy beginning in 2014, on the tenth anniversary of the Sport Pilot and Light-Sport Aircraft rule. More is coming. Power-parachute, weight-shift control, and helicopter integration were not part of this notice and are expected in the next Notice of Availability. Severen said FAA Order 8130.2M, the last document needed to implement the second MOSAIC effective date, is on track to publish soon. One point bears repeating for owners: every light-sport aircraft sold over the past 22 years remains fully valid to fly. MOSAIC enlarges the category; it does not touch the aircraft already in it. https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/faa-accepts-astm-standards-clearing-142438424.html Russia Is Running Out of Aircraft. Now It’s Merging Airlines to Hide the Crisis Russia’s state defense conglomerate Rostec is preparing to consolidate several aviation-related companies into a single holding company, a move that Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SZRU) says reflects mounting structural problems in the country’s civil aviation sector rather than an operational reform. According to the SZRU on July 26, the planned holding will combine passenger airline Red Wings, cargo carrier SkyGates, air ambulance operations, and leasing company Aviakapital-Service. Management of the new structure is expected to be transferred to Ilyushin Finance Co. Russian authorities have presented the initiative as a way to centralize management and establish a unified aircraft maintenance system. However, the SZRU said the restructuring is intended to consolidate the financial reporting of struggling businesses, masking the deteriorating condition of individual companies. Russian Civil Aviation Faces Major Crisis as Nearly Half Aircraft Suspended for Defects The intelligence service said Red Wings is already experiencing operational difficulties. Of the airline’s three Boeing 777 aircraft, only one is currently operating scheduled flights, while a second is kept in reserve and the third is effectively out of service. The SZRU also pointed to management disputes and the departure of qualified personnel as additional factors affecting the airline. According to the SZRU, SkyGates is facing similar challenges, including shortages of aircraft engines and spare parts, extended maintenance timelines, and an aging fleet that has become increasingly difficult to keep operational under international sanctions. The intelligence agency assessed that consolidating the companies under a single holding would not address the sector’s underlying constraints. Instead, it would primarily allow financial resources, personnel, and available components to be redistributed among the affiliated companies without increasing the number of aircraft, engines, or skilled workers. “No reorganization scheme will restore Western component supplies to Russia, accelerate serial production of domestic aircraft, or stop the outflow of personnel exhausted by years of emergency decision-making,” the SZRU said. According to the agency, Russia’s civil aviation sector continues to face long-term challenges driven by restricted access to foreign technology and components, an aging aircraft fleet, and a persistent shortage of qualified aviation specialists. The latest assessment comes as Russia’s civil aviation sector continues to face mounting pressure under international sanctions. Earlier this year, an investigation by Dallas Analytics found that the Russian military had increasingly relied on civilian airlines and commercial aircraft to transport troops, weapons, and military cargo as its dedicated military transport aviation struggled with maintenance and aircraft shortages. The report also documented the use of commercial carriers and dual-use airports to support Russia’s military logistics network. https://united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/russia-is-running-out-of-aircraft-now-its-merging-airlines-to-hide-the-crisis-21080 CALENDAR OF EVENTS . ICAO/EASA Third Global RSOO/RAIO Forum for Aviation Safety — September 29–30, 2026, in Georgetown, Guyana., https://www.icao.int/events : NATA Ground Handling Safety Symposium - September 15-16, 2026 Dallas/Fort Worth, TX www.nata.aero/ghss : 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