Britten-Norman BN2T-4S Islander type approved by TCCA in Canada

UK aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman has received Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) type certification for the BN2T-4S Islander, the Rolls-Royce Model 250–powered turboprop variant of the company’s iconic utility aircraft.

The BN2T-4S, certified under TCCA Type Certificate A-92, also includes a series of additional enhancements that further elevate its operational effectiveness, including an increased Maximum Take-Off Weight of 8,925 lbs.

This approval complements existing Type Certificates held with the UK CAA, EASA and FAA, and marks a significant step in Britten-Norman’s global expansion. Certification in Canada opens new opportunities across one of the world’s largest remote and regional aviation markets, where operators rely on proven, rugged and reliable short-field aircraft capable of year-round operation.

New Islander aircraft build slots are now available, as well as pre-owned BN2T-4S models, currently receiving full OEM refurbishment at Britten-Norman’s UK MRO facility. Operators can choose whichever route best fits their needs when joining the Islander fleet.

BBN Airlines Thailand secures Vietjet Thailand as its first ACMI partner

BBN Airlines Thailand, an ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) specialist operator, and a partner of Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI provider, names Vietjet Thailand as its first partner airline. BBN Airlines Thailand is supporting Vietjet Thailand through an ACMI partnership that begins on 1 December 2025, supplying one Airbus A320 for domestic services between Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) and Chiang Mai and Phuket.

BBN Airlines Thailand received its Air Operator Certificate in October, becoming Thailand’s first dedicated ACMI carrier. The airline had operated under the name Thai SmartLynx during its development phase before commencing full services as BBN Airlines Thailand.

The ACMI arrangement includes aircraft provision in a 180-seat economy configuration, experienced flight and cabin crew, maintenance, and insurance coverage, allowing Vietjet Thailand focus on network management and customer experience, while leveraging BBN Airlines Thailand’s operational flexibility and reliability.

airBaltic receives its 51st Airbus A220-300 aircraft

On December 1, 2025, the Latvian national airline airBaltic welcomed its 51^st Airbus A220-300 jet, registered as YL-BTA, in Riga. This is the second aircraft of the type delivered to airBaltic in 2025. Thus far, the airline’s A220-300 fleet has carried more than 23 162 000 passengers, completed nearly 241 000 flights and flown 530 000 block hours.

Since May 2020, airBaltic operates all its flights with a single aircraft type – Airbus A220-300, thus minimizing the complexity and benefiting from the additional efficiency provided by the aircraft.

The Airbus A220-300 has performed beyond the company’s expectations, delivering better overall performance, fuel efficiency and convenience for both passengers and the staff. This aircraft offers an excellent flying experience with such benefits for passengers as wider seats, larger windows, more hand luggage space in the cabin, improved lavatories and much more.

The airline is also gradually equipping its fleet with free high-speed SpaceX Starlink internet, becoming the first European carrier to offer this service.

Hi Fly achieves another first: Airbus A330 lands in Antarctica

Hi Fly has once again made aviation history, successfully landing an Airbus A330 in Antarctica for the first time. The flight marks a new chapter in the airline’s pioneering Antarctic operations, just one month after celebrating five consecutive years of flights to the White Continent.

Hi Fly’s Airbus A330-302, registered 9H-HFI and equipped with General Electric engines, touched down safely on the blue-ice runway at Wolf’s Fang Runway, Antarctica, on December 1st at 11:59 p.m. local time. Commanded by Captain Carlos Mirpuri, Vice-Chairman of Hi Fly, the aircraft connected Cape Town, South Africa, to the remote airfield, continuing Hi Fly’s ongoing partnership with White Desert Antarctica for the 2025/2026 season. Joining the flight was Captain Antonios Efthymiou, Hi Fly’s CEO, who was on board to celebrate this important milestone.

The A330 shares the same fuselage as Hi Fly’s A340 but is powered by two engines instead of four, delivering comparable performance with greater cost efficiency and an improved environmental footprint. Twin-engine operations at Wolf’s Fang runway are now possible thanks to additional ground support equipment that was not in place when Hi Fly began Antarctic flights. Highly reliable, comfortable, and with an excellent safety record, the aircraft performs exceptionally well in extreme polar conditions.

This milestone builds on the airline’s historic 2021 achievement, when Hi Fly became the first to land an Airbus A340 on the frozen continent. The introduction of the A330, renowned for its efficiency, versatility, and environmental credentials, represents a new era in sustainable, flexible operations to one of the world’s most challenging environments.

Emirates celebrates 54th Eid Al Etihad with A380 flypast at Emirates Dubai 7s

Spectators at the Emirates Dubai 7s were treated to a spectacular Emirates A380 low-level flypast over The Sevens Stadium to mark the UAE’s 54^th Eid Al Etihad.

Taking off from Dubai International Airport, the aircraft made its approach over the stadium at 4:30pm, gliding past at an altitude of just 500 feet and delighting thousands of fans gathered for the region’s biggest sports and entertainment festival. Commanding the flight was Captain Mubarak Al Mheiri, Deputy Chief Pilot Airbus, supported by Captain Khalid Bin Sultan, Captain Philippe Lombet, and Captain Nabil Al Rustamani.

This year’s flypast continues Emirates’ long-standing tradition of celebrating Eid Al Etihad at the Emirates Dubai 7s, a tournament with more than five decades of history which has become the highlight of Dubai’s annual sporting calendar. The 2025 edition once again brings together world-class rugby action, numerous sports competitions, and vibrant music and family entertainment across an unforgettable Eid Al Etihad weekend.

JetSMART celebrated its “Triple 50” in Chile

JetSMART commemorated its “Triple 50”: A ceremony was held on November 25 at the Aviasur apron located in SCL airport of Santiago Chile, officially presenting the 50th aircraft of JetSMART, commemorating the passenger number 50 million of the airline and its 50 routes in South America.

The aircraft is the Airbus A321-271NX registered CC-DIY (msn 12777), the 14th of the type in the Ultra Low Cost Carrier fleet; the remaining aircraft are of the Airbus A320ceo and A320neo.

JetSMART belongs to Indigo Partners, initiating its operations with the brand in Chile nine years ago; with subsidiaries in Argentina, Colombia and Perú.

All images: JetSMART.

Erno Hildén assumes role as CEO of airBaltic

The Latvian airline airBaltic informs that as of today, December 1, 2025, Erno Hildén starts his dutiesas Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company.

Erno Hildén, CEO of airBaltic: “I am honored to join the airBaltic team. Together with the Executive Board and our teams, I will focus on ensuring continuity, strengthening day-to-day operations, and supporting the airline’s strategic development and long-term sustainability. airBaltic plays a vital role in the connectivity and economic development of the Baltic region, and I look forward to applying my extensive experience to support its next phase.”

Mr. Hildén, a Finnish national, brings more than 25 years of international experience in aviation and finance. Until June 2025 he served as Executive Vice President and Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of SAS Scandinavian Airlines, where he has been a key member of the leadership team during the company’s transformation and capital raise. Before joining SAS, he held senior roles at Saudi Arabian Airlines Group and at Finnair Plc, where he served as Group CFO, Chief Operating Officer (COO), and a member of the Executive Board.

The Interim CEO Pauls Cālītis, who led airBaltic until this date, will now fully return to his duties as COO and a member of the Executive Board.

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American delivers on Thanksgiving with 80,759 flights to be operated during the holiday period

American Airlines and its regional partners will operate 80,759 scheduled flights this Thanksgiving travel period, larger than 2024 and the biggest schedule of any airline worldwide.

American Airlines looks forward to delivering a reliable Thanksgiving operation this year as it moves past the industrywide flight disruptions caused by the government shutdown. Despite this disruption, the airline has continued to deliver for its customers and has staged a strong recovery.

“The Thanksgiving holiday period is one of the most condensed and most important for our customers — the stakes are high, and the American team is ready to deliver,” said David Seymour, American’s Chief Operating Officer. “Customers making last-minute holiday plans — and those who booked months ago — can rest assured that our operation will run smoothly and safely. In the spirit of giving thanks: We’re thankful for everyone who worked hard to get us through several difficult weeks, especially our team members and federal aviation workers.”

American’s operation stood out, delivering industry-leading on-time departure and arrival performance among the three major network carriers from Sunday, Nov. 9 through Saturday, Nov. 15. With the termination of the FAA’s flight reduction order, customers can expect all flights to operate as scheduled. The airline fully expects this resilient streak of strong operational performance to continue into its Thanksgiving travel period. The airline and its regional partners will operate nearly 81,000 flights during this period, which runs from Nov. 20 through Dec. 2.

“As American approaches the busy holiday season, our operation is delivering an on-time and reliable operation,” said Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer. “Our customers can count on American to get them to the Thanksgiving table, giving them the certainty they deserve in their travel plans this holiday.”

American’s 2025 Thanksgiving operation

A larger schedule: American and its regional partners will operate 80,759 scheduled flights this Thanksgiving travel period, larger than 2024 and the biggest schedule of any airline worldwide.

Peak travel days: Sunday, Nov. 30, will be the most traveled day, followed by Monday, Dec. 1.

Extra capacity: Special late-night flights have been added at Phoenix (PHX) and Chicago (ORD) on Nov. 30 to help customers return from the holiday.

Keeping bags moving: American expects to handle nearly 5.6 million checked bags during the holiday period, continuing its record-breaking baggage handling performance.

Peak operations: At 11:10 a.m. CT on Dec. 1, 1,077 mainline and regional aircraft will be enroute, the highest number during the travel period.

Fun fact: The Boeing 777-300ER, American’s largest aircraft, has a maximum takeoff weight of 775,000 lbs., equal to about52,000 15-lb turkeys.

Air Canada Unveils Celebratory Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Team Livery Featuring Canadian Athletes Headed to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games

Air Canada on November 27, 2025 proudly unveiled a special livery honoring our Canadian Olympians and Paralympians competing in the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. This bold design on C-GEGC (Fin 940), an Airbus A330-300, features images of Team Air Canada Athlete Ambassadors and embodies the strength, dedication and national pride of Team Canada. The first scheduled flight for this special Team Canada livery is flight AC894 today headed for Milan!

As the Official Airline of Team Canada, Air Canada will once again Fly The Flag, transporting more than 750 athletes and delegation members to and from the Games. The airline’s employee-driven Going for Gold program, further supports Team Canada in ensuring a seamless travel experience for Canada’s top athletes.

Air Canada also revealed today its Team Air Canada Athlete Ambassadors:

Marie-Philip Poulin – Ice Hockey (Beauceville, Québec)
Mikaël Kingsbury – Freestyle Skiing (Sainte-Agathe-des-Mont, Québec)
William Dandjinou – Speed Skating (Sherbrooke, Québec)
Cassie Sharpe – Freestyle Skiing (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Tyler McGregor – Para Ice Hockey (Forest, Ontario)
Ina Forrest – Wheelchair Curling (Spallumcheen, British Columbia)
Alexis Guimond – Para-Alpine Skiing (Gatineau, Québec)
Mollie Jepsen – Para-Alpine Skiing (West Vancouver, British Columbia)

Team Canada athletes will receive:

Complimentary 35K Aeroplan status and 10,000 Aeroplan points for all Team Canada athletes through the Podium Program
Care & share packages for athletes departing Canada, including amenity kits and memorabilia for added comfort in-flight

Air Canada has proudly served as the Official Airline of the Canadian Olympic Team since 1988 and the Canadian Paralympic Team since 2007. This partnership will continue through the 2028 and 2030 Games, with further athlete endorsements planned.

Making change count: American Airlines honors flight attendants powering UNICEF’s mission

American Airlines announced:

American Airlines recently recognized nine flight attendants as Champions of the Year for their dedication to the UNICEF Change for Good (CFG) program. These volunteers, known as Champions for Children, went above and beyond by collecting extra U.S. and foreign currencies from customers on international and Hawaii flights to support UNICEF’s global mission to help children in need.

Since launching the program in 1994, American Airlines and its customers have raised more than $18 million for UNICEF through Change for Good. These funds have helped improve and save the lives of countless children by: