The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has certified Embraer 190-E2 and 195-E2 variants for operation in the country. The certification comes as South Africa's E-Jet launch operator Airlink prepares to take delivery of its first E2s later this year. In June, Airlink agreed to lease 10 new E195-E2s from Azorra. Embraer says the certification "opens new opportunities" for the E190-E2 and E195-E2, which promise to deliver 17.3% and 29% better fuel efficiency, respectively, than previous-generation E-Jets. The E2's Pratt & Whitney PW1900G engines were certificated in parallel with the aircraft by the SACAA. "South Africa's type acceptance of the latest generation Embraer 195-E2 and its Pratt & Whitney engines by the SACAA are important milestones as we prepare to receive and take them into service," states Airlink chief executive Villiers Engelbrecht. "The E2's additional capacity and range will let Airlink respond to increased demand on some of our most popular routes and extend our destination network so that we can provide convenient connections for customers in new markets," he adds.

Strike action planned by one of France's largest ATC unions later this month is set to cause significant disruption across Europe. The SNCTA union has called a two-day walkout beginning on 18 September, escalating its demand for improved pay to reflect higher-than-expected inflation since 2023. The union argues that its members' services are being "devalued year after year" under inadequate wage agreements. In a strongly worded statement, SNCTA accuses France's civil aviation authority, the DGAC, of fostering an atmosphere of “mistrust, punitive practices, and degrading managerial methods". SNCTA's planned action follows strikes by other French ATC unions on 3-4 July. These caused widespread disruption across the continent. According to Eurocontrol, more than 1 million passengers were affected, including 200,000 unable to fly as a result of cancellations. Over the two days, 4.7% of total flights across the network were cancelled and 10.7% delayed, resulting in an estimated €120 million ($140 million) in costs to the European aviation industry. Ryanair, which cancelled over 400 flights amid the July strikes, has called on the European Commission to intervene and protect overflights from ATC-related disruption. The carrier described the July action as "recreational" strikes by French air traffic controllers. The September walkout could prove even more disruptive, given SNCTA's status as one of the largest union representing French ATC workers. It remains unclear whether other unions will join the action. Data shows that around 8,000 flights are scheduled to depart or arrive in France over the two-day strike period, representing around 1.4 million seats.

Brussels Airlines has selected HAECO to provide exclusive base maintenance services on its Airbus A330-300 fleet for a three-year period. The agreement, which took effect in September, will see HAECO provide support including C-checks on Brussels Airlines' long-haul fleet at the MRO provider's facility at Hong Kong International airport. "HAECO has established itself as a renowned MRO services provider with extensive maintenance experience across a variety of aircraft types, including A330s," states Brussels Airlines head of technical fleet management Christian Fontius. "We are confident that HAECO's services will optimise the performance of our widebody fleet." Fleets data shows that the Lufthansa Group carrier has 11 A330-300s and 35 A320-family jets. It plans to add further single-aisles and two A330s.