WestJet has introduced its latest Boeing 787-9 with a transatlantic flight. This is the Canadian carriers third 787, operating the Calgary to London Gatwick service."Today is a fantastic day for WestJet as we take this important step in our journey to become a full-service global network airline" said Arved von zur Muehlen, WestJet chief commercial officer at the launch event. “The London market has quickly become an important one for us with service from six cities across Canada. It is no accident that the first transatlantic flight on the Dreamliner is to our largest international market, from our largest hub and home in Calgary." "The launch of the 787 will offer around 24,000 more Gatwick-Calgary seats per year on the same number of aircraft, and its highly fuel-efficient engines will also help us in our ongoing mission to become the UK’s most sustainable airport," says Guy Stephenson, Gatwick Airport chief commercial officer.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded US carriers and pilots from flying below 26,000ft over Venezuelan airspace for security concerns. An urgent Notice to airmen (NOTAM) was issued on the 1st of May states that the ban is in place until further notice “due to increasing political instability and tensions in Venezuela and the associated inadvertent risk to flight operations.” It extends to all US air carriers and pilots holding FAA licenses, but exempts those flying a US-registered aircraft on behalf of a foreign carrier. Currently the only US carrier operating scheduled flights to Venezuela is American Airlines who has subsequently cancelled all their flights back and forth.Aircraft and pilots already in Venezuela have been given 48 hours to leave “if the pilot in command determines that the operation can be conducted safely.” An exemption is also in place for aircraft in emergency situations.

Heathrow Airport can continue with an application to construct a third runway after the UK High Court ruled the government's blueprint for expansion to be legally sound.In a judgement today, the court rejected five claims for judicial review challenging the secretary of state's decision to designate the Airports National Policy Statement. Four of the claims – concerning climate changes, surface access, noise, air quality and habitats – were brought by five London boroughs, the Mayor of London, several nongovernmental organisations, Greenpeace being one of them and one individual claimant. The fifth, pertaining to "legitimate expectation and anti-competition", was filed by proponents of a rival scheme. The airport was satisfied with the judgement as a "further demonstration that the debate on Heathrow expansion has been had and won, not only in parliament, but in the courts also".