Southwest Airlines has agreed a tentative collective bargaining deal with the union representing its flight simulator technicians. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 19 represented Southwest's more than 50 flight simulator technicians during negotiations. "Our flight simulator technicians help keep our flight training facility operating nearly 24 hours a day and play a pivotal role in Southwest’s mission to support a safe and reliable operation," states the US carrier's vice-president of labour relations Adam Carlisle. "I am pleased they will have the opportunity to vote on a new contract."

US airports have been granted $1.9 billion in infrastructure funds under the Airport Improvement Program, the fifth such allocation announced by the Federal Aviation Administration. The funds encompass 519 grants in 48 US states, along with Guam, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FAA is also allocating an additional $269 million in 2023 supplemental discretionary grants to fund 62 projects at 56 US airports. The regulator notes that these funds assist airport owners and operators "in the development and improvement" of the country's airport system. "The Biden-Harris administration is funding projects across the country that are making airports safer and more efficient for the passengers who travel through them and for the airport and airline employees who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make these complex systems run as smoothly as possible," states US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

The WestJet Group has announced the acquisition of three additional Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft from SMBC Aviation Capital. This follows a previous announcement of six new Max 8s earlier in the summer, bringing the total recent additions to nine, the carrier says. The move is part of WestJet's strategy to expand its fleet and network capacity while managing delays in direct-from-factory aircraft deliveries. WestJet Group's executive vice-president Mike Scott states: "With our longstanding partner SMBC, we are thrilled to be adding three more Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft to our growing fleet as we execute upon our mission of providing affordable air travel options to our guests." WestJet plans to update and refresh the interior cabins of these newly acquired aircraft to ensure consistency across its fleet. The additional capacity is expected to enhance air access for WestJet's passengers across its growing network, although the interior modifications will not be immediate.