BRUSSELS: Brussels Airlines will expand its network across Europe’s far north during the 2026/27 winter season, adding scheduled services from Brussels-Zaventem to three destinations in northern Norway and Finland.

The Belgian flag carrier will launch flights to Evenes in northern Norway, Kemi in Finland and Kittilä in Finnish Lapland.

Kittilä flights will operate three times a week from December 10, 2026, to March 27, 2027. Services to Kemi will run twice weekly from December 25, 2026, through March 10, 2027, while Evenes will receive one weekly flight during February and March 2027.

Evenes is located near Norway’s Lofoten archipelago, while Kemi lies at the northern end of the Gulf of Bothnia close to the Swedish border. Kittilä serves as an important gateway to Finnish Lapland.

Brussels Airlines said the expansion reflects growing interest in northern destinations, where travelers can experience distinctive winter scenery, relatively untouched natural landscapes and the chance to see the Northern Lights.

The move follows a broader trend among European airlines, which have expanded services to northern parts of the Nordic countries in recent years.

The region’s tourism market has also evolved beyond its traditional focus on pre-Christmas family trips and Santa Claus-themed attractions. It is increasingly attracting a wider range of travelers seeking winter landscapes, nature and unique seasonal experiences.

Source: Aero Time

BRUSSELS: Brussels Airlines will expand its network across Europe’s far north during the 2026/27 winter season, adding scheduled services from Brussels-Zaventem to three destinations in northern Norway and Finland.

The Belgian flag carrier will launch flights to Evenes in northern Norway, Kemi in Finland and Kittilä in Finnish Lapland.

Kittilä flights will operate three times a week from December 10, 2026, to March 27, 2027. Services to Kemi will run twice weekly from December 25, 2026, through March 10, 2027, while Evenes will receive one weekly flight during February and March 2027.

Evenes is located near Norway’s Lofoten archipelago, while Kemi lies at the northern end of the Gulf of Bothnia close to the Swedish border. Kittilä serves as an important gateway to Finnish Lapland.

Brussels Airlines said the expansion reflects growing interest in northern destinations, where travelers can experience distinctive winter scenery, relatively untouched natural landscapes and the chance to see the Northern Lights.

The move follows a broader trend among European airlines, which have expanded services to northern parts of the Nordic countries in recent years.

The region’s tourism market has also evolved beyond its traditional focus on pre-Christmas family trips and Santa Claus-themed attractions. It is increasingly attracting a wider range of travelers seeking winter landscapes, nature and unique seasonal experiences.

Source: Aero Time

MUNICH: A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 operating a flight from Munich to Hanoi returned to the German airport after the aircraft triggered warnings for a possible tail strike and low tyre pressure shortly after takeoff, Vietnam’s aviation authority said Sunday.

The aircraft remained airborne for more than two hours to burn fuel before landing back at Munich, according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24. The aircraft had reportedly overrun the runway during takeoff.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) said the warnings indicated possible contact between the aircraft’s tail and the runway, along with low tyre pressure.

Vietnam Airlines initially described the return as the result of a “technical issue.” The airline said all 271 passengers and 16 crew members were safe.

Munich Airport said the aircraft could not taxi away from the north runway under its own power after landing and remained stranded, affecting airport operations.

The CAAV said it was coordinating with the German investigation authority and seeking timely information about the incident and the investigation.

German authorities are leading the investigation in accordance with international aviation rules. Vietnam’s Council for the Investigation of Serious Incidents and Aircraft Accidents will assist with the inquiry, the CAAV said.

The incident remains under investigation, with authorities expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the takeoff warnings and the aircraft’s subsequent return to Munich.

Source: Reuters

DUBLIN: Aircraft leasing company Avolon has announced a sale-and-leaseback agreement covering up to seven Boeing 737-8200 aircraft with Indian airline Akasa Air.

Under the arrangement announced on August 14, 2026, Akasa Air will sell aircraft from its existing order book to Avolon and lease them back. The structure allows the airline to release capital for other business needs while continuing to operate the aircraft.

The Boeing 737-8200, also known as the 737-8-200, is the highest-density configuration of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 family. The aircraft is certified to accommodate as many as 210 passengers.

Akasa Air operates the aircraft with 197 seats in a single-class configuration. The Indian carrier currently has 17 Boeing 737-8200 aircraft in its fleet.

Akasa Air became the first airline in Asia to operate the 737-8200 in 2023. The latest transaction will allow the carrier to maintain operational use of the aircraft while strengthening its financial flexibility as it continues to expand.

Source: Aero time

PARIS: Cabin crew working for British low-cost airline EasyJet in France began a two-day strike on Saturday, demanding better working conditions and more predictable schedules.

The walkout was called by unions representing EasyJet’s France-based cabin crew after negotiations over employee schedules ended without an agreement, French broadcaster BFMTV reported.

Unions said unpredictable working patterns had placed significant physical and mental strain on employees. They are seeking changes aimed at improving working conditions for cabin crew.

The industrial action is expected to disrupt EasyJet operations across France, with around 100 flights scheduled for the weekend reportedly canceled as a result of the strike.

Reports put participation among EasyJet cabin crew in France at 68%, highlighting the scale of the labor action.

The strike is scheduled to continue for two days as unions press the airline for changes to scheduling practices and broader improvements to working conditions.

Source: Anadolu Ajansı

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: Saudi low-cost airline flynas has added a new Airbus A320neo to its fleet, supporting the carrier’s expansion strategy while introducing another aircraft equipped with its latest-generation cabin.

The latest delivery brings the flynas fleet to 68 Airbus aircraft, comprising 62 A320neo jets, two A330s and four A320ceo aircraft.

The aircraft is the second in the airline’s fleet to feature the new-generation cabin, which was introduced earlier this year. The cabin is designed to improve passenger comfort while supporting greater operational efficiency and lower fuel consumption.

The new seats, developed in partnership with Safran, include integrated smartphone and tablet holders, high-speed USB-A and USB-C charging ports with a 60-watt capacity, larger meal tables, dedicated storage for books and magazines, and coat hooks.

Premium-class seats also feature additional legroom, adjustable headrests and a center-seat divider aimed at providing greater comfort for passengers.

The A320neo’s improved fuel efficiency compared with previous-generation aircraft is expected to reduce fuel consumption and operational emissions per seat. The addition therefore supports flynas’ wider sustainability program alongside its fleet growth plans.

The latest aircraft also reflects the airline’s efforts to enhance the onboard experience as it expands its network and responds to growing demand for air travel in Saudi Arabia.

Source: QCAA