AUGUST 21, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Cairns-based Air Pursuit quietly builds Dash 8 portfolio
Cairns-based aviation consultancy Air Pursuit is quietly building a portfolio of used aircraft for parts, freighter conversion and resale. Its latest acquisition is a former Skytrans DHC-8-100, while another Dash 8 is being dismantled in Canada and three more aircraft are under acquisition.
AUGUST 21, 2026. NEW CALEDONIA
Aircalin A330 woes trigger calls for greater gov’t oversight
New Caledonia politicians are calling for greater oversight of Aircalin after both its A330-900s went out of service, disrupting long-haul flights and stranding passengers. As a short term fix, the airline will wet-lease a widebody jet as debate grows over its long-term strategy and importance to tourism.
AUGUST 20, 2026. FIJI
Gov’t debt exposure on Fiji Airways climbs to 9.5% of GDP
Fiji Airways has secured an additional FJD200 million government loan guarantee as rising fuel and operating costs squeeze cash flow. The move increases the Fiji Government’s guaranteed exposure to the majority state-owned airline’s debt to FJD1.33 billion, equivalent to 9.5% of Fiji's GDP.
AUGUST 20, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Canberra Airport inks MOU with Nanjing Airport operator
Canberra Airport is eyeing direct flights to China after signing an MOU with Eastern Airports Group, operator of Nanjing Airport. The agreement provides a framework to explore direct flights between the two cities, as well as tourism promotion and broader trade, education and cultural links.
AUGUST 19, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Former flyadeal CEO to take top job at Alliance Airlines
Former flyadeal CEO Steven Greenway will take over as Alliance Airlines CEO on October 1, replacing Stewart Tully. The leadership change comes as the Australian carrier works to improve its financial performance following a renegotiated wet-lease agreement with Qantas.
AUGUST 19, 2026. NAOERO
Naoero minister laments Northern Pacific Connector demise
Naoero's aviation minister has criticised delays in Australia's North Pacific Connector tender, saying it has failed Nauru Airlines and the people of Micronesia. The carrier is now pursuing partnerships with Micronesia and the Marshall Islands as it seeks to restore axed Pacific Connector sectors.
AUGUST 18, 2026. AMERICAN SAMOA
Recovery team retrieves Samoa Airways Twin Otter from ditch
Specialist crews have recovered Samoa Airways Twin Otter 5W-FAY from a ditch at Fitiuta Airport almost three weeks after its runway excursion. The damaged aircraft will be dismantled, packed into shipping containers and transported to Apia following an assessment by Unity Aviation engineers.
AUGUST 18, 2026. NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand halfway through rescue helicopter fleet renewal
New Zealand has reached the halfway point of a three-and-a-half-year programme to replace its 16 emergency rescue helicopters. The eighth replacement aircraft, an Airbus H145 D3, has just entered service in Hawke's Bay, with eight more helicopters due to begin operations by mid 2027.
AUGUST 17, 2026. AUSTRALIA
MAF Cessna 172 precautionary landing on Queensland road
An MAF International Cessna 172 made a forced landing on a remote Queensland road after experiencing engine problems during an August 16 training flight from Winton to Mareeba. The single engine aircraft landed safety at about 1.00pm (local time) on the Kennedy Development Road around 22 kilometres south of Lyndhurst.
AUGUST 17, 2026. MICRONESIA
New Micronesian airline eyes Nauru Airlines partnership
Fledging carrier One Pacific Airways is eyeing an inter-island network
across Micronesia and neighbouring nations using E145LRs and Cessna 337s. The would-be start-up has also recently held talks with Nauru Airline about potential commercial and operations cooperation.
August 2026 News Briefs
AUGUST 12, 2026. AUSTRALIA
WA Police Air Wing adds Pilatus PC-24 business jet
The Western Australia Police Force Air Wing has taken delivery of a new Pilatus PC-24 business jet, giving the agency the ability to rapidly deploy personnel and equipment across the 2.5 million square kilometre state. The aircraft is expected to enter operational service in the coming weeks.
AUGUST 11, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Minister calls in Airservices CEO over Sydney Airport fiasco
Australia's Federal Transport Minister Catherine King has told Airservices Australia that ongoing air traffic control disruptions at Sydney Airport are unacceptable. Her intervention follows days of delays, two serious ground incidents and growing industry concern over persistent controller shortages.
AUGUST 11, 2026. NEW CALEDONIA
Government restarts Loyalty Islands airport blockade talks
New Caledonia's new President has travelled to the Loyalty Islands in a bid to end airport blockades that have disrupted Air Calédonie services for months. While both sides agreed to continue talks, protesters remain opposed to the airline's relocation from Nouméa's Magenta Airport.
August 2026 Aircraft Movements
AUGUST 10, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Alliance Airlines clarifies Qantas deal after ASX trading halt
Alliance Airlines has clarified its revised Qantas wet-lease agreement after an ASX query triggered a trading halt. The airline says the deal, together with organisational changes, is expected to significantly improve profitability and has forecast stronger earnings for FY2027.
AUGUST 10, 2026. PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Niugini Aviation P-750 XSTOL tyre bursts at Goroka Airport
A Niugini Aviation P-750 XSTOL burst a landing gear tyre while landing at Goroka Airport last week, resulting in a runway closure and a PNG Air flight diversion. However, the aircraft was recovered swiftly and resumed flying within 48 hours.
AUGUST 7, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Gold Coast drives Queensland Airports’ FY26 passenger growth
Queensland Airports Limited has reported 6.2% passenger growth to 8.4 million travellers in the year to June 30, 2026, more than double the national average. Strong demand at Coolangatta Gold Coast Airport drove the increase, while Townsville also recorded solid gains.