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 13, 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 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.
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October 2026 News Briefs
OCTOBER 7, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Skytrans Australia DHC-8-100 involved in near collision
The ATSB is investigating a near collision west of Townsville involving a Skytrans Australia DHC-8-100 and an Aeroprakt A22LS. The aircraft came within 550 metres of each other before the Dash 8 received a TCAS alert and commenced a rapid descent.
OCTOBER 7, 2026. FRENCH POLYNESIA
Air Tahiti brings forward launch of all-business class ATR72
Air Tahiti has brought forward the launch of its all-business class ATR72-600 service to November 11. The 26-seat aircraft will initially operate five weekly flights between Papeete, Bora Bora and Raiatea, targeting premium travellers visiting French Polynesia’s resorts.
October 2026 Aircraft Movements
OCTOBER 6, 2026. NAOERO
Nauru Airlines borrows $15 million to acquire another B737-800
Nauru Airlines is acquiring a former Virgin Australia B737-800 after securing a USD15 million ADB financing package. The 14-year-old aircraft will replace an older jet, improving fuel efficiency, reliability and passenger capacity.