After having successfully completing an IATA Operational Safety Audit in late 2017, new Indian carrier Vistara, has gained full IATA membership in April 2018. The airline announced its membership will allow for greater collaboration in areas such as codesharing and interline agreements with other international IATA carriers.

A US-Bangla Airlines (Bangladesh) Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft was on final approach to Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu, Nepal) when it failed to safely touch down on the runway and impacted with the ground. 49 occupants sustained fatal injuries and a number of others were seriously injured. An investigation into this fatal accident has been launched.

The European Air Safety Agency (EASA) recently approved the design and usage of a higher-weight new generation Airbus A350-1000. The Rolls Royce powered, Extra Wide Body (XWB) Airbus A350 aircraft has been certified for a maximum take-off weight of 308 tonnes, with a maximum landing weight of 236 tonnes. Qatar Airways is set to be the first carrier to operate such an aircraft, with delivery expected in late 2018.