OCTOBER 19, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Virgin Australia exec flags further B737-MAX order
Virgin Australia is preparing to place another B737 MAX order but says its single-fleet strategy limits regional expansion. Executives told a Australian Government Senate committee last week that they are likely to place a new order "in the near future." However, the airline remains reluctant to introduce a new regional fleet type.
OCTOBER 19, 2026. GUAM
United completes transition to an all-B737-8 fleet at Guam
United Airlines has completed its transition to an all-B737-8 fleet at Guam ahead of schedule, replacing its ten former B737 800s. The newer aircraft offer the airline greater fuel efficiency, longer range, and potentially open up new network opportunities across the Southwest Pacific.
Aviation intelligence and advisory services
OCTOBER 14, 2026. PAPUA NEW GUINEA
airBaltic is sending A220 pilots to fly for Air Niugini
Air Niugini is taking on thirty airBaltic pilots for 12-months to support the airline’s growing A220 fleet and train local crew. The arrangement comes as airBaltic undergoes bankruptcy proceedings and its workforce faces job cuts. However, the union representing airBaltic pilots has raised questions about the arrangements.
October 2026 News Briefs
OCTOBER 14, 2026. AUSTRALIA
ASL Airlines Australia ending BAe146 ops in late October
ASL Airlines Australia will end BAe 146 operations for Qantas Freight on 30 October 2026. The move marks the end of regular BAe 146 operations in Australia after National Jet Express retired its four 146s earlier this month. Qantas Freight will use its own A321-200P2Fs to replace the wet-leased BAe146s.
OCTOBER 13, 2026. AUSTRALIA
World's oldest active Dash 8 departs Australia for Canada
De Havilland has acquired the world's oldest active DHC-8-100, a 42.5-year-aircraft operated by Skytrans Australia until July. The aircraft is currently ferrying from Cairns to Ontario for preservation following its acquisition and resale by local airline brokerage Air Pursuits.
October 2026 Aircraft Movements
OCTOBER 12, 2026. NEW ZEALAND
Labour Party pledges aviation reforms ahead of NZ election
New Zealand’s Labour Party is proposing aviation reforms to boost regional airline competition, including requiring Air New Zealand to share airport infrastructure and making code sharing easier. The party also wants to curb some airline pricing practices, ban credit card surcharges and mandate automatic refunds for cancelled flights.
OCTOBER 12, 2026. SAMOA
Scheduled flights restart to Samoa’s Maoto Airport, Asau next
The Government of Samoa wants to reopen Asau Airport following Samoa Airways resuming domestic flights to Maota after a 26-year absence. The government also plans to upgrade Asau Airport for international operations as part of a broader aviation revival that may include Samoa Airways operating jets to Australia and New Zealand.