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The Air Dispatch

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The Air Dispatch

Tag Archives: Travel

Japan’s SkyDrive makes case for compact eVTOLs in cities

24 Thursday Sep 2026

Posted by Abdul Latheef in Aviation, Aircraft, eVTOLs, Japan, Technology, Transport, Travel

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Aviation, Business, eVTOLs, Japan, News, SkyDrive, Technology, Transport, Travel

SkyDrive’s compact aircraft uses distributed rotors for efficient lift. Graphic: SkyDrive.

TOYOTA CITY, Japan – SkyDrive has published a paper making the case for compact eVTOLs designed for urban transportation, arguing that such aircraft should prioritize efficient hovering and vertical operations over long-range cruise performance.

The Japanese company says its approach is particularly suited to flights of less than 30 kilometers, where aircraft would spend a significant portion of their missions taking off, landing and hovering in confined urban areas.

SkyDrive is developing a three-seat eVTOL called the SD-05 with 12 independently controlled propellers for such operations.

The design differs from winged eVTOLs and tilt-rotor aircraft, which can use their wings to improve efficiency during forward flight. Those configurations also require additional structures and mechanisms to support the transition between vertical and forward flight, adding weight and complexity, SkyDrive said.

The SD-05. Photo: SkyDrive.

For short urban flights, the company argues that the additional weight provides less benefit because the aircraft spends relatively little time in cruise.

Instead, SkyDrive has designed its aircraft around what it calls a low-disk-loading configuration.

Disk loading is a measure of how much weight an aircraft must support for a given area of rotor. A larger rotor area relative to the aircraft’s weight reduces the power required to hover.

SkyDrive says that lower power requirement is important in cities because it provides additional power capacity during takeoff, landing and emergency situations.

Graphic: SkyDrive.

The aircraft also uses four separate battery systems, providing another layer of redundancy. SkyDrive says the combination of distributed propulsion and lower power requirements helps maintain a power margin for hovering and landing in contingency situations.

The company also noted that compact aircraft require less space for takeoff and landing, an important consideration in built-up areas.

SkyDrive’s focus on short-distance operations is also reflected in its recent international plans.

Last week, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea’s Verty to study commercial eVTOL operations in the country by 2028. The companies plan to examine sightseeing flights, including around Jeju Island, as well as regional routes around the Seoul metropolitan area.

Turkish Airlines finalizes order for up to 150 Boeing jets

23 Wednesday Sep 2026

Posted by Abdul Latheef in Airlines, Aircraft, Boeing, Türkiye, Transport, Travel, Turkish Airlines

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Aviation, Boeing, Business, News, Türkiye, Travel, Turkish Airlines

It’s the airline’s largest order for Boeing single-aisle aircraft. Photo: Boeing.

NEW YORK – Turkish Airlines has finalized an order for up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX jets, comprising 100 firm orders and options for 50 more, Boeing said Wednesday.

No financial details were disclosed.

The order is Turkish Airlines’ largest purchase of Boeing single-aisle aircraft, the U.S. manufacturer said. The agreement also includes substitution rights for the 737-10, the largest variant of the 737 MAX family.

The order concludes discussions that began last year and supports the airline’s plans to expand its fleet and network.

“This agreement marks another significant step in the continued expansion of our fleet. The new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will bring greater efficiency and flexibility to our operations, supporting the extensive network we serve from our hub in Istanbul,” said Murat Şeker, Turkish Airlines chairman.

The airline operates more than 200 Boeing airplanes, including 737 MAX, 787 Dreamliner, 737 Next-Generation and 777 Freighter aircraft, Boeing said.

The agreement was signed in New York in the presence of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye. Photo: Boeing.

The new 737-8 jets will be used on both domestic and international routes.

Boeing said the aircraft’s range, payload flexibility and fuel efficiency will support Turkish Airlines’ operations on routes with high demand.

The order follows the airline’s 2025 purchase of up to 75 787 Dreamliners.

Turkish Airlines, a Star Alliance member, was established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft.

It now operates 567 passenger and cargo aircraft serving 358 destinations in 133 countries, making it the airline that flies to the most countries in the world.

Piaggio keeps P.180’s iconic design as aircraft turns 40

23 Wednesday Sep 2026

Posted by Abdul Latheef in Bizjets, Aircraft, Aviation, Italy, Piaggio Aerospace, Transport, Travel

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Aviation, Business, Italy, News, Piaggio Aerospace, Türkiye, Transport, Travel

The P.180 Avanti over the Italian Riviera. Photo: Piaggio Aerospace.

VILLANOVA D’ALBENGA, Italy – Piaggio Aerospace is marking 40 years of its P.180 Avanti business aircraft by retaining the distinctive design that defined the original turboprop while continuing to introduce new technologies and capabilities.

The P.180 first flew in 1986 and has evolved through several generations while retaining its three-lifting-surface configuration and rear-mounted engines.

The Italian manufacturer has added new systems and technologies over the years without fundamentally changing the aircraft’s original design.

The anniversary coincides with another milestone for Piaggio – more than 40 Avanti EVOs, the latest version of the aircraft, have been sold since the first customer delivery in 2015, the company said this week.

More than 270 P.180 aircraft of all variants have been sold since the program began, it said.

Photo: Piaggio Aerospace.

Piaggio is now looking toward the next stage of the aircraft’s development with the Avanti NX. The new version is planned to feature an updated flight deck, a new interior and enhanced connectivity as the company seeks to bring newer technologies to the established design.

Piaggio Aerospace has been owned by Turkish aerospace company Baykar since June 2025, when Baykar completed its acquisition of the company following its sale by the Italian government.

Baykar has since approved a new industrial plan and is supporting the development of the company’s aircraft programs.

Piaggio also is expanding support for operators of the Avanti I, Avanti II and Avanti EVO, covering aircraft throughout their service lives, the company said.

Japanese, Korean companies eye commercial eVTOL flights by 2028

17 Thursday Sep 2026

Posted by Abdul Latheef in Aviation, Aircraft, eVTOLs, Japan, South Korea

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Aviation, Business, eVTOLs, Japan, News, South Korea, Transport, Travel

Conceptual rendering of the SD-05 flying over Jeju Island. Photo: SkyDrive.

TOYOTA, Japan – Japanese compact aircraft developer SkyDrive and South Korean air mobility company Verty are studying the introduction of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft in South Korea, with commercial operations targeted for 2028, SkyDrive said Wednesday.

The companies will assess flight safety, infrastructure requirements and potential routes, including sightseeing flights and inter-city transportation, SkyDrive said.

Initial routes under consideration include tourist destinations such as Jeju Island and connections between urban centers in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Goyang City.

The partnership will focus on the three-seat SD-05 aircraft, known as SKYDRIVE, and explore business models for commercial services.

EVTOLs can support short-distance transportation, airport transfers and sightseeing services. Guangzhou, China-based EHang is currently the only company operating commercial eVTOL passenger services.

Others including Eve Air Mobility, Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation and Vertical Aerospace are developing eVTOLs and pursuing certification and plans for commercial operations.

Verty is developing an integrated operating system covering flight operations, air traffic management and vertiport infrastructure. It aims to become South Korea’s first eVTOL operator to obtain a certificate, according to the release.

SkyDrive is working with aviation authorities in Japan and the United States to certify its aircraft, with a goal of entering service in 2028.

The agreement follows SkyDrive’s efforts to expand into international markets, including the United States, the United Arab Emirates, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia and Taiwan.

Canada opens up four key airports to private investment

15 Tuesday Sep 2026

Posted by Abdul Latheef in Airports, Aviation, Business, Canada, Investment, Montreal, Transport, Travel

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Aviation, Business, Calgary, Canada, Investment, Montreal, News, Toronto, Transport, Travel, Vancouver

The airports are in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary.

Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada’s largest. Photo: GTAA.

TORONTO – Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Tuesday that his government will seek private investment to operate Canada’s four largest airports while retaining ownership of their land and assets.

Carney was addressing business leaders from around the world gathered in Toronto for the first Canada Investment Summit, which aims to mobilize C$1 trillion for 167 projects by 2030.

Mark Carney at a campaign rally in 2025. Photo: Abdul Latheef.

“Following best practice in other countries, the Government of Canada will retain ownership of the underlying land and assets, but we will unlock their true value, by bringing new capital and expertise to their operations and growth,” he said.

“We will reinvest the tens of billions of dollars of capital we raise into the infrastructure that Canada needs for the next generation.”

The announcement came amid speculation that the government was planning to privatize the airports outright.

The Canadian Labour Congress warned in a report released last week that privatization would “put upward pressure on the cost of flying and put airport workers at risk.”

Carney, however, stressed what his government is offering is a long-term concession, not privatization. He said the investment will help provide better and more affordable air connections to regional and remote communities.

Carney noted that Canadian pension funds already invest successfully in many airports around the world.

“It is time to bring that same expertise home to more directly benefit all Canadians,” the prime minister added.

Mokulele Airlines wins four-year DOT contract for flights to Lanaʻi

14 Monday Sep 2026

Posted by Abdul Latheef in Aviation, Aircraft, Airlines, Hawaii, U.S. Department of Transportation

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Aviation, Business, Hawaii, Mokulele Airlines, News, Surf Air Mobility, Tourism, Transport, Travel

A Mokulele Airlines Cessna Grand Caravan. Photo: Surf Air Mobility.

LOS ANGELES – Mokulele Airlines has won a four-year, $19.4 million U.S. Department of Transportation contract to continue providing scheduled air service to Lana’i, Hawaii, from Honolulu and Kahului, its parent company, Surf Air Mobility, said Monday.

At 140.5 square miles, Lanaʻi is Hawaii’s smallest inhabited island and is 98% owned by Oracle founder and CEO Larry Ellison.

The Essential Air Service contract provides subsidized revenue through August 2030, excluding passenger fares. Mokulele was selected through a competitive process, Surf Air Mobility said.

Under the contract, Mokulele will operate 126 weekly flights, including 42 round trips to Honolulu and 21 to Kahului.

The Transportation Department cited Mokulele’s record of serving the Lanaʻi community, its established infrastructure in Hawaii and its interline connectivity in selecting the airline, Surf Air Mobility said.

Mokulele has interline agreements with Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines and Japan Airlines at Honolulu and Kahului, providing connections from Lanaʻi to other destinations in Hawaii, the continental United States and internationally, the company said.

Mokulele currently operates about 112 daily departures across five islands. Over the past year, it has added Cessna Caravan aircraft and upgraded ground and lounge facilities in Hawaii.

Alia’s demonstration flight. Photo: Surf Air Mobility.

Surf Air Mobility said the new contract supports the company’s broader strategy of developing its SurfOS air mobility platform and its goal of launching commercial passenger electric flights using BETA Technologies’ Alia aircraft once certified.

In June, Surf Air Mobility participated in a demonstration flight of BETA’s all-electric conventional takeoff and landing aircraft in Hawaii.

The company has since placed a firm order for 25 Alia aircraft, with an option for another 75.

AirBaltic files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to restructure finances

14 Monday Sep 2026

Posted by Abdul Latheef in Airlines, AirBaltic, Airbus, Aviation

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AirBaltic says operations will continue as normal despite the bankruptcy proceedings. Photo: AirBaltic.

RIGA, Latvia – Latvian airline airBaltic said Monday it has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States as it seeks to restructure its financial obligations while continuing to operate normally.

The airline and certain subsidiaries filed proceedings in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

AirBaltic said all flights are operating as scheduled and that tickets and reservations remain valid. Passengers can continue to book and travel with the airline as usual, and customer service will continue without interruption.

The airline has secured a commitment for 350 million euros (about $405 million) in debtor-in-possession financing arranged by Strategic Value Partners to provide liquidity and support operations during the Chapter 11 process.

The financing carries an interest rate of approximately 12% and is intended to provide liquidity during the restructuring, the airline said.

The restructuring is intended to create a stronger capital structure, a more competitive cost position and a sustainable financial foundation, it added.

AirBaltic said the process will allow it to address its financial obligations, including commitments involving aircraft lessors and other stakeholders. The company expects to complete the process by June 2027.

The Latvian government has an 88% stake in airBaltic, while Lufthansa holds 10%. The remainder is held by private shareholders.

The airline is the single-largest operator of Airbus A220-300 jets, with more than 50 aircraft in its fleet.

Archer eVTOL completes 65-km piloted roundtrip between California airports

08 Tuesday Sep 2026

Posted by Abdul Latheef in Aviation, Aircraft, Archer Aviation, eVTOLs, Transport, Travel

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Archer Aviation, Aviation, Business, eVTOLs, News, Transport, Travel

The Midnight completed the piloted roundtrip Friday. Photo: Archer Aviation.

SALINAS, Calif. – Archer Aviation’s Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft has completed a piloted roundtrip flight between Salinas and Hollister, Calif., covering more than 40 miles (65 km), the company said Tuesday.

The Midnight flew Friday between Salinas Municipal Airport and Hollister Municipal Airport in about 12 minutes each way, reaching a top speed of 125 mph and cruising at 3,550 feet, Archer said.

Photo: Archer Aviation.

The flight was the first stop on Archer’s “No Roads” tour, which is intended to demonstrate the aircraft’s ability to connect cities by air and showcase potential routes for electric air taxis.

Archer plans to continue the tour with flights to Monterey, San Martin, San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco before expanding to Los Angeles and other states.

The company is conducting the flights in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration as it prepares for future operations under a federal eVTOL pilot program.

The Midnight is a four-passenger electric aircraft designed for short urban and regional trips with zero operating emissions.

The flight comes as electric aviation moves toward larger aircraft.

In August, Heart Aerospace completed the first flight of its X1 demonstrator, which it described as the largest battery-electric aircraft to fly. The aircraft flew for 27 minutes at an altitude of 1,100 feet, demonstrating an all-electric propulsion system that delivered more than 1 megawatt of power.

Trump targets Bombardier; Quebec vows to defend its companies

07 Monday Sep 2026

Posted by Abdul Latheef in Aviation, Bizjets, Bombardier, Canada, Quebec, Trade War

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Aviation, Bombardier, Business, Canada, News, Quebec, Trade War, Travel, USA

The unveiling of Bombardier Global 6500 at EBACE 2018 in Geneva. Photo: Abdul Latheef.

WASHINGTON/MONTREAL – Claiming “their products aren’t good enough,” U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to block Canadian business jet maker Bombardier from selling airplanes in the country unless the aircraft are built in America.

Trump’s Truth Social post came amid a deteriorating trade war, with Canadian retaliatory tariffs due to go into effect Tuesday.

Quebec-based Bombardier is a key player in the U.S. business aviation market, the world’s largest. It also operates a specialty defense-related manufacturing facility in Kansas and service centers across the country, employing thousands of Americans.

Quebec defends Bombardier

Christine Fréchette: We will defend our companies. Photo: Govt. of Quebec.

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette wrote on X that she “will not respond to provocation with provocation.”

She called Bombardier “a source of pride for Quebec” and noted that the company employs thousands of Quebecers.

She added that she had reached out to Bombardier CEO Éric Martel to offer him support.

“Quebec will not allow anyone to dictate where our companies must produce in order to access a market,” Fréchette wrote. “We will defend our companies, our workers, and our expertise with resolve.”

Bombardier said in a statement late Monday that it employs thousands of Americans and supports tens of thousands of U.S. jobs through its operations and supply chain.

The company spends more than $2.5 billion annually with U.S. suppliers, making it a significant contributor to the American aerospace industry, the company said.

“Bombardier values its great partnership with American companies and its U.S. employees,” the statement continued. “Our plan is to continue to invest in our people, our customers and the communities in which we operate across the country.

It was not immediately clear how Trump could enforce a sales ban as the aerospace industry is highly integrated.

ICAO seeks to strengthen air connectivity to boost global economy

05 Saturday Sep 2026

Posted by Abdul Latheef in Aviation, Airlines, Airports, ICAO, Transport, Travel

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The UN agency will host the seventh Worldwide Air Transport Conference in Montreal in November. Photo: ICAO.

MONTREAL – The International Civil Aviation Organization has urged governments to strengthen international air connectivity, warning that service disruptions and gaps between markets threaten economic growth and supply chains.

The UN aviation agency is making the case ahead of the seventh Worldwide Air Transport Conference in November, the first such gathering in more than a decade.

Image: ICAO.

The conference will seek agreement among governments, regulators and industry leaders on reforms to the global economic framework for aviation.

International aviation carries more than a third of the world’s trade by value and is critical to trade, investment, tourism and workforce mobility, ICAO said Friday.

But smaller markets and emerging economies often face higher costs, less frequent service and less reliable connections. The disparity was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, when lower-density markets generally recovered more slowly and some air links disappeared.

ICAO said outdated international air service agreements, many of which were designed to protect national carriers, can restrict market access and competition. Airport congestion, limited slots and lengthy landing permit approvals can also hinder the launch of new services.

Low-density routes are particularly vulnerable because airlines tend to prioritize markets with stable demand and predictable revenues, the agency said.

ICAO is calling for broader market access, greater competition and closer cooperation among governments on aviation, customs and border policies. It also supports streamlined approvals, more flexible visa regimes and partnerships such as codesharing to help airlines serve more markets.

The agency said governments also need to update regulatory frameworks to accommodate new technologies and business models while supporting long-term investment.

The November conference is part of ICAO’s effort to advance its vision of air transport for all by 2050.

India’s FLY91 orders 40 ATR 72-600s

04 Friday Sep 2026

Posted by Abdul Latheef in Aviation, Aircraft, Airlines, ATR, FLY91

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ATR, Aviation, Business, FLY91, France, India, News, Regional Airlines, Transport, Travel

ATR said the FLY91 order for 40 aircraft is its largest in almost a decade. Photo: ATR.

NEW DELHI – Indian regional airline FLY91 is buying 40 ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft in a deal valued at about $1 billion, as the country’s rapidly expanding aviation sector creates new opportunities for domestic connectivity, the Franco-Italian airplane manufacturer said Thursday.

FLY91 said in a separate release that the firm order is the largest for ATR aircraft globally by a regional airline, while ATR said it is its largest firm order in almost a decade. Deliveries are scheduled from 2027.

The agreement will support a major expansion by FLY91, which launched operations less than three years ago. The Goa-based airline plans to grow its fleet from six aircraft to 60 over the next five years as it expands its regional network across India.

FLY91 said the order will provide the scale to build a larger network connecting more unserved and underserved cities. The airline currently operates about 280 weekly flights to 12 cities, with a 13th destination scheduled to begin later this month.

India’s regional aviation expansion requires aircraft capable of operating short routes efficiently while keeping fares affordable, ATR said. The ATR 72-600 is suited to routes linking Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where demand for air travel is growing.

Deliveries of the new aircraft are expected to begin next year. Photo: ATR.

FLY91 Chairman Harsha Raghavan said the order reflects the airline’s confidence in India’s growth and the potential of regional aviation.

Founder and CEO Manoj Chacko said the ATR 72-600 offers the operating economics needed for FLY91’s network and that the order will serve as a catalyst for its next phase of expansion.

ATR CEO Nathalie Tarnaud Laude said FLY91’s commitment reflects the growing role of regional aviation in connecting India’s next generation of travelers.

ATR, based in Toulouse, France, is a joint venture between European aircraft maker Airbus and Italian aerospace company Leonardo.

The FLY91 agreement takes ATR’s 2026 order intake to 54 aircraft, already exceeding its total net orders for all of 2025.

Embraer E-Jet family enters the Top 3 club with 2,000th delivery

02 Wednesday Sep 2026

Posted by Abdul Latheef in Airlines, Aircraft, Aviation, Embraer

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Airlines, Aviation, Azul Linhas Aéreas, Brazil, Business, Embraer, News, Transport, Travel

The 2,000th Embraer E-Jet was delivered to Azul Linhas Aéreas. Photo: Embraer.

SÃO JOSÉ DOS CAMPOS, Brazil – Embraer’s E-Jet program has entered the ranks of the world’s three largest commercial jet families with the delivery of its 2,000th aircraft, the company said Wednesday.

The E-Jet family is behind only the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families in terms of aircraft delivered. The milestone aircraft, an E195-E2, was delivered to Azul Linhas Aéreas, Brazil’s largest airline by number of destinations served.

Photo: Embraer.

Since entering service in 2004, the E-Jets family has established a global presence, serving more than 90 airlines worldwide. The fleet has accumulated about 48 million flight hours and carried more than 2.85 billion passengers worldwide.

“The delivery of the 2,000th E-Jet is an extraordinary milestone for Embraer and for the global aviation transport industry,” Arjan Meijer, president and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said in a statement.

“As one of the world’s three most successful commercial jet programs, the E-Jets family has played a vital role in connecting communities, opening new markets, and creating sustainable growth opportunities for airlines,” Meijer added.

Azul has operated more than 140 E-Jets since beginning operations in 2008 and was the launch customer for the E195-E2, taking delivery of its first aircraft in 2019.

Embraer and Azul executives celebrate the milestone. Photo. Embraer.

The 2,000th E-Jet also marks Azul’s 50th E2 aircraft, Embraer said.

The E-Jet family comprises the first-generation E170, E175, E190 and E195, as well as the second-generation E190-E2 and E195-E2.

The program has enabled Embraer to expand beyond its traditional regional aviation market and establish a strong position in the global small narrowbody segment.

Bombardier strengthens supply chain by acquiring Mitsubishi’s Canadian assets

01 Tuesday Sep 2026

Posted by Abdul Latheef in Aircraft, Bombardier, Business Aircraft, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

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Aviation, Bombardier, Business, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, News, Transport, Travel

The Bombardier Global 5500. Photo: Bombardier.

MONTREAL – Bombardier is acquiring the assets of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Canada Aerospace Inc., based in Mississauga, Ont., close to its final assembly center for Global business jets, strengthening its manufacturing footprint and supply chain, the company said Tuesday. No financial details were disclosed.

MHICA makes aerostructures such as wings for Global 5500 and 6500 aircraft. Photo: MHICA.

The acquisition builds on Bombardier’s longstanding industrial relationship with MHICA, which has supported multiple projects including the Global 5500 and 6500 programs.

The deal will add MHICA’s manufacturing capabilities and about 750 employees to Bombardier, further strengthening its in-house aerostructures capabilities, resilience and autonomy, the company said.

“This agreement represents a key step in Bombardier’s long-term growth strategy, strengthening critical capabilities, enhancing operational resilience and supporting the company’s flexibility to meet growing customer demand,” said David Murray, Bombardier’s executive vice president of manufacturing and supply chain execution.

Hiroyuki Koguchi, executive vice president and head of commercial aviation systems at MHI, said the agreement recognizes the contributions of local employees and ensures a strong future for the workforce, whose skills and expertise have been central to the company’s success.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, Bombardier said.

MapQuest surges to top of app charts after refusing to rename Lake Ontario

31 Monday Aug 2026

Posted by Abdul Latheef in Apps, Canada, Lake Ontario, MapQuest, Maps, Technology, Travel

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Apps, Donald Trump, Lake Ontario, MapQuest, Maps, Mark Carney, News, Politics, Technology, Travel

Users can generate their own names for Lake Ontario, using MapQuest’s interactive tool. Image: MapQuest.

LOS ANGELES – MapQuest has surged to the top of Apple’s U.S. navigation app rankings after the mapping service decided not to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America,” following President Donald Trump’s executive order, the company said Monday.

MapQuest said its app reached No. 1 among navigation apps and No. 8 among all free apps in the U.S. Apple App Store, with downloads surging since Thursday when Trump signed the order.

The company attributed the surge to its decision to keep the original names of lakes and gulfs on its maps.

“We took the same approach we did with the Gulf of Mexico: be part of the conversation, and give people an app that keeps the names they’re familiar with,” MapQuest General Manager Doug Berger said in a statement.

Trump’s order applies to U.S. federal geographic naming and does not change Canada’s designation of the lake. Google Maps has adopted the new name for users in the United States.

Mark Carney’s statement posted on X.

The decision has resonated particularly strongly in Canada, where political leaders have rejected the U.S. renaming.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said the name Lake Ontario is more than 400 years old and predates both Canadian Confederation and the founding of the United States.

“Canadians also know that naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario — then, now and always,” Carney said.

MapQuest also expanded a feature that allows users to create their own names for Lake Ontario and generate a customized image.

The company first introduced the feature last year during the controversy over the U.S. renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.

MapQuest was launched in 1996, years before Google Maps, and is owned by System1. The company says its mapping services are used by tens of millions of people each month.

Global air passenger traffic returns to growth

31 Monday Aug 2026

Posted by Abdul Latheef in Airlines, Airports, IATA, Transport, Travel

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Airlines, Airports, Aviation, IATA, News, Travel

GENEVA – Global air passenger traffic returned to growth in July after three consecutive months of contraction, although the recovery was modest as the industry continued to feel the effects of the Iran war, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Chart: IATA.

Passenger traffic, measured in revenue passenger-kilometers, rose 0.2% from a year earlier, IATA said Monday. The increase followed declines in April, May and June.

Airlines added 0.3% more capacity in July, while the global passenger load factor slipped 0.1 percentage point from a year earlier to 85.2%.

International passenger demand fell 0.1% year over year, while domestic traffic increased 0.6%. Excluding carriers in the Middle East, international demand would have increased 1.5%, IATA said.

“Overall growth of 0.2% in July was achieved despite year-on-year collective declines by carriers in North America and the Middle East,” IATA Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Marie Owens Thomsen said.

She said traffic through Gulf hubs continued to recover, while airlines remained confident about demand despite high fuel prices, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.

Airlines are planning to increase seat capacity by almost 3% in September, IATA said.

Regional results varied widely. European airlines recorded a 3.1% increase in international demand, while Latin American and African carriers posted gains of 7.1% and 6.4%, respectively.

Photo: IATA.

North American carriers reported a 2.3% decline in international demand, while Middle Eastern airlines saw demand fall 9.5%. Asia-Pacific carriers recorded a 0.7% decline.

Passenger traffic between Europe and Asia grew 12.1%, the strongest increase among major international routes, according to IATA.

Domestic traffic rose 0.6% globally, with China and Brazil posting strong gains. Demand declined in the United States, Australia and India.

IATA represents more than 370 airlines that account for about 85% of scheduled air traffic.

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