The Netherlands is again looking at opening Lelystad military airport to passenger flights to relieve the pressure on Amsterdam Schiphol. Located a 40min drive east of Amsterdam, Lelystad would become a dual‑use air force base with civil and military operations set at an initial cap of 10,000 annual flight movements. A plan to use the facility for commercial flights was previously pursued prior to the onset of the Covid pandemic. The new vision for Lelystad is set out in a collation document agreed between the D66, VVD and CDA political parties on 30 January. Holding 66 out of the 150-seat House of Representatives, these parties are set to form a minority government over the next few weeks. Presenting the document, VVD leader Dilan Yesilgoz said that opening Lelystad airport was an "important aspect" of the coalition's plans and one which "we're very pleased about". The coalition plans to formalise Schiphol's current ceiling of 478,000 annual flight movements, indicating that the government will no longer seek to cut flights further at the hub. Dutch authorities have previously looked at reducing the ceiling to as low as 440,000, principally to reduce noise. That was pushed back following complaints from airlines, pressure from foreign governments (particularly the USA) and legal concerns about the methodology used to calculate the cap. The coalition also envisages a new framework which will require Schiphol to reduce noise levels by 50% at night by 2030 compared with 2024, and a cessation of flights between midnight and 05:00. Dutch carrier KLM argues that the ambition to close the airport during these hours will "run counter" to the coalition's other ambition of creating the strongest national economy in the EU. It cites the "crucial importance of Schiphol's hub function for our international connectivity and a competitive aviation sector for our earning capacity and investment climate". The Netherlands will also push for a uniform EU‑wide aviation tax, replacing the national ticket tax. The coalition's position is that a harmonised levy would create a level playing field across Europe, rewarding cleaner aircraft. This is welcomed by KLM, which says it expects "a swift first step to align the Dutch aviation tax at least with that of Germany", adding: "This is necessary to remain competitive with neighbouring countries."

Qantas has entered into a non-binding agreement to sell its 33.3% stake in Jetstar Japan to Development Bank of Japan that, if executed, will see the low cost carrier transition to a new brand. Any deal is subject to "further negotiation and regulatory approvals", but the parties have tentatively set a timeline of this July to finalise a shareholder agreement, then announce a new brand in October, with completion of the transfer and rebrand to be completed by June 2027. Japan Airlines and Tokyo Century Corporation intend to maintain their respective holdings of 50% and 16.7%, respectively, in the Narita-based low-cost carrier. Cirium fleets data shows that Jetstar Japan has 19 Airbus A320ceos and three A321neos in service, plus one A320ceo in storage. The shareholders say in a joint statement issued on 3 February that there will be changes to the carrier's operations, and under a new brand, it will " proactively expand its international network, centred on the future expansion of Narita Airport". There was no indication of the financial terms of the proposed sale in the joint statement. Qantas group chief executive Vanessa Hudson says that the Australian carrier was proud of the role it has played in establishing Jetstar Japan in 2012. "We’re confident the new ownership structure will deliver greater value to customers, benefitting from the Development Bank of Japan’s domestic and international aviation knowledge and industry expertise as well as their strong, long-standing relationships with national and regional tourism bodies," she adds. Government-owned DBJ has a long history in the aircraft finance sector, and has provided debt financing to ANA Holdings, but the potential Jetstar Japan acquisition is likely to be its first major equity purchase of an airline. The potential sale closes another chapter of Qantas's pan-Asian strategy after it closed Singapore-based Jetstar Asia in July 2025. It also earlier sold its stake in Vietnamese carrier Jetstar Pacific to Vietnam Airlines, with that carrier returning to its previous Pacific Airlines branding soon after.

SkyWest cited flight cancellations in October and November triggered by the US government shutdown for a 7.4% fall in operating profit during the quarter ended December, although its full‑year profit rose. The carrier's operating income came in at $134 million in the fourth quarter, down from $144 million in the corresponding quarter of 2024, as operating revenue also fell by 7.4% to $1.02 billion. Total operating expenses increased to $890 million, from $800 million a year earlier. It says that "the Federal Aviation Administration’s mandated flight cancellations in connection with the US government shutdown in October and November 2025" was the main driver of the fall in operating income. Net income for the quarter fell from $97.4 million to $91.2 million. Despite the quarterly decline, full‑year operating income rose 24.8% to $618 million, year‑on‑year, as revenue grew 15% to $4.06 billion, outpacing expense growth of 2.6% to $3.44 billion. Total debt at 31 December 2025 stood at $2.4 billion, down from $2.7 billion a year earlier, reflecting $492 million in principal debt repayments during 2025. Capital expenditure in the fourth quarter totalled $214 million, covering the purchase of five new Embraer 175s, spare engines, and other fixed assets. SkyWest ended the year with a fleet of 487 aircraft, including 270 E175s, 36 MHI RJ CRJ900s, 123 CRJ700/550s, and 58 CRJ200s.