An Air Canada-operated Jazz Aviation flight collided with a Port Authority firefighting vehicle during landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport early Sunday night, killing the flight’s pilot and copilot, injuring dozens of people, and prompting officials to temporarily shut down the area’s third-busiest airport.

Collision and response

The incident occurred at approximately 11:40 p.m., when the Jazz Aviation flight operating for Air Canada struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle that was responding to a separate situation, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said in a statement.

The Port Authority said emergency response protocols were activated immediately and that the airport was closed to support the response and allow investigators to conduct a thorough review.

Victims and hospital updates

The airline said the aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members.

Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia said at an early Monday news conference that initial reports indicated 41 passengers and crew were taken to hospitals, and that 32 had since been released. She added that two people in the fire truck were also transported to the hospital and were in stable condition.

Passenger reunification and closure timeline

Garcia said passengers from the flight were directed to Air Canada’s ticket counter so they could be reunited with their families, including one unaccompanied minor who had been on the plane.

She said LaGuardia would remain closed at least until 2 p.m. Monday while the collision is investigated.

Flight details and airport emergency notices

A law enforcement official said the firefighting truck had been cleared and was responding to a nearby aircraft that had requested assistance due to an unknown odor in the cockpit.

Jazz confirmed the incident involving Air Canada Flight 8646 from Montreal in an early Monday statement. According to flight tracking information from FlightRadar24, the flight departed Montreal Trudeau International Airport shortly after 10:30 p.m. ET and arrived at LaGuardia about an hour later. The same tracking data indicated the plane was traveling at about 130 miles per hour just before the collision.

The New York City Fire Department said it responded to reports of a plane-and-vehicle incident on the airport’s runway at around 11:38 p.m. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop shortly after the collision due to an “aircraft emergency,” and said LaGuardia was expected to remain closed until 2 p.m. Monday.

Disruption to air travel

The incident compounds broader disruptions across the U.S. aviation system amid a lapse in funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which has left Transportation Security Administration officers working without pay. Staffing shortages have contributed to longer screening lines at some airports.

Air traffic controllers were not affected by the partial shutdown over DHS funding. LaGuardia is the New York metropolitan area’s third-busiest airport and a major transit hub. FlightAware reported that more than 500 flights in and out of the airport were canceled as of early Monday.

Events and communications from the runway

Air traffic control audio captured moments before the collision, beginning with another flight reporting an emergency on the other side of the airport. United Flight 2384 reportedly aborted a takeoff after a warning light appeared, and pilots said an odor in the cabin had sickened flight attendants, according to an audio recording of air traffic communications.

The same communications indicated the fire truck was permitted to cross the runway where the Air Canada plane was landing. Seconds later, a controller ordered the truck to stop and informed the aircraft that the collision had occurred, saying: “Truck One, stop, stop, stop!” before addressing the plane: “JAZZ 646, I see you collided with the vehicle. Just hold position. I know you can’t move. Vehicles are responding to you now.”

Source: CNN

Al Alamein International Airport has recorded strong growth in passenger activity this year, with traveller numbers rising by 57% compared with the same period in 2025, as Egypt advances preparations for the second edition of the Egypt International Air Show (EIAS 2026) scheduled for September.

According to Egypt’s Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC), the increase highlights the country's ongoing efforts to strengthen its civil aviation sector through infrastructure upgrades and expanded airport capacity aimed at meeting growing tourism, business and investment demand.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is continuing development projects at Al Alamein International Airport as part of a broader strategy to establish New Alamein City as a major hub for tourism, commerce and international events. The airport is being enhanced to manage higher passenger volumes and support the successful hosting of the upcoming aviation and aerospace exhibition.

EIAS 2026 is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, the Egyptian Air Force and the Egyptian Space Agency.

The IDSC said the event is expected to further elevate Egypt’s profile within the global aviation and aerospace sectors while encouraging investment, fostering strategic partnerships and facilitating the exchange of advanced technologies.

Official data showed that passenger traffic at Al Alamein International Airport reached 266,600 travellers in 2026, compared with 169,500 during the corresponding period of 2025. Aircraft movements also increased significantly, rising by approximately 26% to 3,190 flights from 2,540 flights a year earlier.

The airport currently hosts operations from 15 airlines, including Etihad Airways, flydubai, flynas, Air Cairo and Saudia. Its international network has expanded further during the 2026 summer season with the arrival of new carriers such as Romania’s TAROM, Poland’s Enter Air, Bulgaria’s BH Air and Gulf Air.

Authorities expect the number of airlines serving the airport to grow to 26 by the end of the summer season, reflecting rising international interest in Egypt’s North Coast and the growing importance of New Alamein as a destination for tourism, investment and major global events.

Source: Daily News Egypt

Abha International Airport has reached a new operational benchmark after processing more than 130 flights in a single day, setting a record for the highest daily traffic volume in the airport’s history.

The milestone was achieved on July 5, when the airport, managed by Cluster2 Airports, handled a total of 132 flights. The day's operations included 117 domestic services and 15 international flights.

According to Cluster2 Airports, the increase reflects strong travel demand during the summer season, supported by efficient airport operations and a rise in visitor arrivals. The operator noted that the Asir region’s seasonal events, scenic landscapes and cultural attractions have contributed significantly to growing passenger numbers.

The airport operator said the achievement aligns with the goals of the Aviation Programme under Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy. The initiative is focused on increasing airport capacity, improving passenger experience and raising operational efficiency across the Kingdom’s aviation network.

The latest record highlights the continued growth of air travel in southern Saudi Arabia as authorities work to strengthen the country's aviation infrastructure and tourism sector.

Source: TradeArabia

Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) at Dubai South has announced a major expansion by UUDS AERO, which has grown its operational footprint within the aviation hub to more than 180,000 square metres since launching its first facility there in 2022.

The expansion highlights the company's growing role in meeting regional and international demand for aircraft cabin completion, modification, certification, manufacturing and maintenance services. It also reinforces MBRAH’s appeal as a strategic base for aerospace companies seeking to expand within an integrated aviation ecosystem.

Since establishing operations at MBRAH, UUDS AERO has developed four facilities within the Aerospace Supply Chain zone. A fifth airside facility is currently under construction as part of the company’s ongoing growth strategy.

The company is also advancing plans to develop two additional Code F plots, which will support wide-body aircraft cabin completion and retrofit programmes. These developments will also pave the way for the region’s first Cabin Excellence Centre within the Airline Manufacturing and Supply Chain Zone.

The latest expansion reflects the continued growth of aerospace activity across MBRAH, supported by advanced infrastructure, strong connectivity, regulatory advantages and access to a broad network of aviation manufacturers, suppliers, maintenance providers and industry stakeholders.

Tahnoon Saif, Chief Executive Officer of MBRAH, said UUDS AERO’s rapid growth demonstrates the strength of the aerospace ecosystem being developed at Dubai South. He noted that MBRAH remains committed to supporting Dubai’s ambition of becoming a global aviation centre by providing businesses with the infrastructure and connectivity needed to expand and serve international markets.

Gilles Negre, Founder and Chairman of UUDS AERO, said the company’s expansion reflects its confidence in Dubai’s aviation industry and the opportunities available through its strategic location. He added that Dubai South has enabled UUDS AERO to strengthen its capabilities, broaden its customer base and enhance collaboration with aviation stakeholders worldwide.

Source: ZAWYA

Hamad International Airport (HIA) and Qatar Airways have launched the Fast Pass biometric service, introducing facial recognition technology to streamline the passenger departure experience and reduce reliance on physical travel documents.

Developed in partnership with technology provider SITA, the system enables travellers to pass through key airport checkpoints using facial recognition instead of repeatedly presenting boarding passes or identification documents.

The rollout is among the largest biometric passenger initiatives in the Middle East and one of the most extensive globally, integrating more than 700 biometric touchpoints into a unified travel journey while incorporating security and data protection measures throughout the process.

Passengers can enrol in the Fast Pass programme through self-service check-in kiosks at Hamad International Airport or via the Qatar Airways mobile app. Once registered, they can access dedicated biometric lanes at check-in, baggage drop, security screening and boarding gates, using their face as their boarding credential.

The facial recognition process takes only a few seconds, helping to reduce waiting times and minimise document checks, particularly during peak travel periods. The service is voluntary, with conventional processing remaining available and airport staff on hand to assist passengers.

The introduction of Fast Pass comes as demand for biometric travel solutions continues to grow. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a majority of travellers now favour biometric identification over traditional paper documents.

As part of Hamad International Airport's wider Innovation Roadmap, the new system supports the airport's transition towards more efficient and digital passenger processing. Airport officials said the Fast Pass platform will be expanded to additional touchpoints over time, with plans to make the technology available to other airlines operating from HIA in the future.

Source: ZAWYA