Several airlines, including Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Asiana Airlines and Korean Air, have reported potential passenger data exposure following a security breach at reservations system provider Amadeus. The vulnerability allowed unauthorised access to certain booking information, including passenger names, booking references and flight details. Cathay Pacific confirmed that approximately 53,000 bookings were accessed between August 2023 and September 2026, with some potentially exposing contact details, travel document information and frequent flyer numbers. Amadeus reports no evidence of financial data compromise or ransomware activity. Investigations remain ongoing, with further airline disclosures expected.

Virgin Atlantic has strongly opposed Heathrow Airport’s decision to relocate joint venture partner Delta Air Lines from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4 in 2028. CEO Corneel Koster and founder Richard Branson described the move as unacceptable, warning that separating the airlines would disrupt passenger connections, reduce operational efficiency and weaken competition with British Airways and American Airlines. Virgin Atlantic, which has shared Terminal 3 with Delta since 2014, has vowed to challenge the decision. The dispute also highlights longstanding concerns over Heathrow’s high costs and limited competition.

Global air passenger demand declined 0.5% year-on-year in September 2026, while capacity fell 0.2% and load factors slipped to 83.2%, according to IATA. The Middle East recorded an 8% decline in demand, significantly affecting global performance, while North America fell 1.6%. In contrast, Africa grew 5%, Latin America and the Caribbean 4.3%, Asia-Pacific 0.5% and Europe 0.3%. International traffic increased 0.4%, but domestic demand contracted 2.2%, led by India (-8.3%) and the US (-2.7%). Despite continued weakness, September improved on August's 0.8% decline. IATA expects modest, uneven capacity growth amid geopolitical uncertainty and volatile fuel prices.