In late February 2018, Malaysian based low cost carrier, Air Asia, announced it target to operate 500 aircraft as a group by 2027. The airline stated the large increase in capacity will be used to primarily service India and Japan, both regions considered to be experiencing greatly increased demand in recent years. The AirAsia group currently operates just over 200 Airbus A320s and has over 300 firm order in place.

On February 11th 2018, a Saratov Airlines (Russia) Antonov AN-148-100 was climbing out of Moscow Domodedovo Airport and reached a maximum altitude of 6,000 feet when radar and radio contact was lost. The aircraft was found a short time later, having impacted ground in an open field approximately 18 nautical miles Southeast of Moscow. All on board had sustained fatal injuries and the aircraft was destroyed. An investigation has been launched by The Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) and Rosaviatsia. As a result of this fatal accident, Russian authorities refused to renew the airline’s Air Operators Certificate forcing it to cease all operations.

UK based carrier, Monarch Airlines, announced on the 2nd of October that it would be ceasing all operations effective immediately. The airline reportedly failed to secure a renewed Air Travel Organisers Licence and as a result, was forced to stop flights. A number of bodies have expressed interest in purchasing the now defunct carrier and its airport slots The UK Civil Aviation Authority has stated the primary focus at this time is the repatriation of over 100,000 passengers stranded overseas due to the cessation of services.