Madagascar Airlines chief executive Thierry de Bailleul has informed the board chair of his decision to step back from his duties, effective immediately. The African carrier says this follows "internal communications that have created a climate of tension within the company", and that de Bailleul's decision was made "in a spirit of responsibility" to "safeguard the company's stability and ensure the continuity of the national air service amid an already challenging social and economic environment". Madagascar's military has in recent days mounted a coup in the country. The flag carrier's outgoing chief has proposed that its executive committee collectively oversee operations to maintain its flight schedules and uphold commitments to partners. In a message to employees, the airline says, de Bailleul warned that prolonged managerial instability could pose a risk to cash flow, investor confidence and long-term sustainability. Despite the upheaval, Madagascar Airlines seeks to highlight its progress over the past 18 months, noting that offered capacity has grown nearly 66%, surpassing 2019 levels, while the fleet has expanded to five operational aircraft from one at the end of 2023. Lessors' confidence has been restored, it asserts, adding that, for the first time, international lenders agreed to finance a recovery plan for the airline. It notes also that on-time performance reached 80% in 2025 and that quarterly losses have narrowed and expects a return to financial balance by year-end.

Alliance Airlines' parent company Alliance Aviation Services has issued a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange in response to what it terms "media speculation" that buyout firm Pacific Equity Partners is preparing a takeover bid for the carrier. In the 14 October filing, Alliance says its "policy is not to comment on media speculation", adding that It is "in compliance with its continuous disclosure obligations", without offering further detail. National newspaper The Australian on 13 October reported that Pacific Equity Partners had "carried out a comprehensive assessment on a potential bid for the business that would be purchased for its so-called 'Core Plus' fund and houses its other investments that have infrastructure-like earnings". The report also suggested that Alliance had started sounding out investment banks to conduct a strategic review. On the same day, Perennial Value Management lodged a change-of-interest notice with the Australian Securities Exchange showing that it had acquired additional shares in Alliance, lifting its stake to 6.7%. Qantas holds a 19.9% stake in Alliance but a long-running takeover bid for the wet-lease and contract charter operator was blocked in October 2023 after the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission announced that it would oppose the deal. Fleets data shows that Alliance operates 34 Embraer 190-E1s for QantasLink (including one currently in storage). It also operates 38 E190s, 20 Fokker 100s and nine Fokker 70s under its own branding, predominately using them for resource charter services. Alliance also operates an aviation services unit which trades in aircraft parts, and leases four E190s to Airnorth.

Australian bank Macquarie has acquired a further 50% equity stake in London City airport, taking its total ownership to 75%. Macquarie says it acquired the shares previously held by Canadian pension funds Alberta Investment Management Corporation and OMERS, each of which owned a 25% stake. This follows Macquarie’s earlier purchase of a 25% stake from Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan in June. The transaction, which was completed at signing, is part of Macquarie’s broader strategy to expand its UK aviation portfolio. Alongside London City, Macquarie recently acquired a 55% stake in Bristol airport and a 26.5% stake in Birmingham airport, with those deals expected to close by the end of this month. London City airport handles more than 50,000 flights annually to over 30 destinations across the UK and Europe. The UK Government has approved plans to increase passenger capacity from 6.5 million to 9 million, positioning the airport for significant growth. To support this, London City has applied to the Civil Aviation Authority for approval to operate Airbus A320-family aircraft, enabling airlines to introduce next-generation models and expand leisure routes. "This further investment from Macquarie is a strong endorsement of our strategy to introduce larger, quieter and cleaner aircraft, deliver more route choices, and contribute even more to the UK economy," says Alison FitzGerald, chief executive of London City. Macquarie has been an investor in airports for over 20 years, with previous stakes in hubs across Europe, Australia, and Latin America. In the UK, it recently exited AGS Airports – the operator of Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton – after a decade of ownership. Sara Sulaiman, managing director at Macquarie’s EMEA division, said the investment in London City would be part of a drive to support future growth, new routes, and enhance passenger experience.