Emirates has refurbished the first of 15 Airbus A380s previously configured with a two-class cabin layout, as part of its wider fleet upgrade programme. The aircraft (A6-EUX) had been fitted with 615 seats: 557 in economy and 58 in business. Now, it has 569 seats across three classes: 76 in business, 56 in premium economy and 437 in standard coach. The widebody has returned to service. Emirates highlights that the new cabin configuration features, for the first time across its A380 operation, premium economy seats on the aircraft's upper deck, installed in a two-three-two layout. Refurbishment of the aircraft at Emirates' maintenance facility at Dubai International airport took two months, including planning and testing, says the carrier. It targets halving the required refurbishment time to 30 days per aircraft and completing the retrofit of the other 14 two-class A380s by year-end. Emirates uses four different cabin layouts across its 116 A380s: a 615-seat two-class configuration, a 517-seat three-class long-range one, a 489-seat three-class ultra-long-range one, and a 484-seat four-class ultra-long-range one. Emirates' passenger fleet also spans 119 Boeing 777-300ERs, 10 777-200LRs and 19 A350-900s. It has 54 A350s, 30 787s and 270 777X jets on order. As part of its ongoing refurbishment programme, Emirates has so far processed 53 777s and 42 A380s, representing more than a third of its current fleet, it says. The carrier disclosed the programme in 2021, with an initial target to complete 120 aircraft. Subsequently, this was expanded to 219 (110 A380s and 109 777s). The aim is to offer customers "a truly elevated experience", states Emirates Airline president Tim Clark, adding: "Our engineering team has been working continuously and at pace, in close collaboration with an ecosystem of partners and suppliers, to meticulously refresh and integrate the best-in-class products to each aircraft in the programme [and] has raised the bar at every step, in terms of complexity, scale and detailed craftsmanship."

UK leisure carrier Jet2 has reported improved jet fuel availability following recent discussions with its suppliers, reinforcing its plans to operate its full flying programme this summer. The airline says suppliers have highlighted their increased production as well as additional imports from regions unaffected by the Middle East, easing concerns over fuel availability. "We are in regular dialogue with our fuel suppliers, and the current picture is one of increased production and imports, meaning we continue to look ahead with confidence," states chief executive Steve Heapy. "Our message to holidaymakers is that summer is on." The message follows recent positive commentary from rivals EasyJet and Ryanair on fuel availability for the summer. Ryanair group chief executive Michael O'Leary said on 18 May that his company had close to "zero concerns" about fuel supply for the coming months. Jet2 had already confirmed it would not introduce fuel-related surcharges on existing bookings. It said the price customers paid at the time of booking would remain unchanged, and that it had removed surcharge provisions across all flights and holidays, though these had never previously been applied.

European regional airlines have cautioned they are nearing "breaking point" and urged policymakers to halt the planned revision of EU passenger rights rules, arguing that the changes risk destabilising an already fragile sector. In an open letter to European policymakers, 35 chief executives from across the regional airline industry warn that carriers are facing an "unprecedented fuel crisis" linked to instability in the Middle East, which has driven a sharp rise in jet fuel prices. This, they say, is placing additional strain on operations already hit by pandemic losses, rising labour and energy costs, and increasing regulatory pressure. The proposed update to EU261 passenger rights legislation, first promised in 2013, risks becoming "the last straw" for the sector, rather than the relief initially envisaged, the group suggests. Revisions to EU261 compensation legislation are intended to provide stronger passenger protection amid travel disruption while also regulating airline costs and clarifying legal definitions, according to the European Parliament. There will be a defined list of scenarios that exempt airlines from paying compensation, and potentially a mandate allowing passengers to carry one free personal item and one small hand-luggage item free of charge. The European Parliament's transport and tourism committee is fighting to preserve existing rights, such as keeping compensation active for delays over three hours, cancellations, or denied boarding, with standardised amounts of up to €600 ($700) based on flight distance. Changes to the legislation were agreed by the European Parliament in January, but the EU Council, which represents member states, rejected these amendments in March. They are currently in a conciliation committee. Regional airline leaders stress that they support "strong and fair passenger rights", and highlight their own role in serving communities across Europe. They note that they operate many routes that are commercially marginal, providing essential connectivity between remote regions and major economic centres, as well as links to international hubs. Their position is that the current revision proposals fail to reflect operational realities. Regional airlines typically run smaller fleets, often from a single base, with limited access to spare aircraft, maintenance facilities and replacement parts. When disruption occurs, the time and resources available to resolve it differ significantly from those available to larger network or low-cost carriers. Under the proposed rules, compensation thresholds and rates would impose costs that can exceed the total revenue of a flight, the chief executives assert. At a time of high fuel prices and geopolitical uncertainty, this could push many operators beyond viability, they posit. The letter cautions that the immediate consequences would be cuts to thin air links connecting islands, remote regions and smaller communities. Some routes would become unviable, aircraft could be grounded, and certain airlines may not survive. In many cases, once a regional service is lost, it is not restored. This, the airline leaders add, would result in fewer travel options, higher fares and reduced access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities for affected regions. "Passenger rights should protect and connect citizens, not isolate them," write the chiefs.