Europe's airline industry has warned that the European Parliament's plans to reform EU261 passenger-compensation legislation could double the cost of complying and threaten the affordability of travel. The regulation, which mandates compensation for delays, has long been a cornerstone of EU consumer protection. But in a joint policy paper, industry bodies the European Regions Airline Association (ERA), IATA and lobby group A4E argue that the cost of complying could rise from around €8 billion per annum to over €15 billion under changes proposed by the European Parliament. Per-passenger costs would increase from €5 to €10 per flight. On 13 October, members of the European Parliament on its Transport & Tourism Committee adopted negotiating guidelines aimed at strengthening EU air passenger rights, including maintaining the current entitlement to compensation for delays of 3h or more, while introducing new rights such as free seats for children and guaranteed cabin-luggage allowances. That follows on from reform proposals published by the European Council, representing nation states, that would have extended the minimum delay for which compensation from 3h to as high as 6h. This was rejected by parliamentarians.

Virgin Atlantic has agreed with Boeing to implement SpaceX's Starlink satellite connectivity on its 787-9 fleet. Boeing states that the service agreement was announced on 15 October at the MRO Europe event and will see it install a new antenna fairing to accommodate antennas that will support Starlink and "multi-orbit connectivity". "Partnering with Boeing to bring Starlink's next-generation connectivity to our 787 fleet is another important step in creating a 'home away from home' experience for every customer," says Virgin Atlantic chief customer officer Corneel Koster. "We're witnessing rapid advances in satellite and antenna technology, and we're proud to provide our OEM-backed engineering expertise and hardware that will enable Virgin Atlantic to bring faster, more reliable connectivity to their 787 Dreamliner fleet," says Boeing Global Services' vice president of cabin, modifications and maintenance Doug Backhus.

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.