Long-serving Virgin Atlantic chair Peter Norris will stand down at the end of May. He will be replaced by Josh Bayliss, chief executive of Virgin Group, which owns a 51% stake in the UK carrier. Virgin Atlantic notes that Norris, who has been in post since 2012, was involved in forging strategic partnerships, including the establishment of a joint venture with 49% shareholder Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM, and its entry into the SkyTeam alliance. He also led the board through the "unprecedented impact" of the pandemic, overseeing restructuring and recapitalisation, notes the carrier. Incoming chair Bayliss has led Virgin Group since 2011. Norris's departure follows significant change in the management team at Virgin Atlantic, including the exit of Shai Weiss, who was succeeded as chief executive by former chief customer and operating officer Corneel Koster in January 2026. Former group treasurer Ansar Hussain has become the airline's interim finance chief; Suzanne Roddie its operating chief, having previously served as vice-president of airports, network operations and clubhouses; and Dave Greer its commercial chief.

Jazeera Airways has reported a loss for the first quarter after Kuwaiti airspace was temporarily closed amid the Middle East conflict and its operations were transferred to Saudi Arabia. The airline slipped to a KD1.06 million ($3.4 million) first-quarter loss, after a KD4.95 million profit in the same period last year. Revenue declined 16% to KD45 million. Jazeera says it has sought waivers from aircraft and engine lessors and has deferred dividend payments for 2025 in an effort to preserve liquidity. Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation closed national airspace on 28 February and reopened it on 24 April for flights by Kuwait Airways and Jazeera. No other airlines are currently permitted to operate at Kuwait International airport, the regulator's website indicates. As a result of the airspace closure, Jazeera began flying from Saudi Arabia's Qaisumah airport, located close to Kuwait's border, on 11 March and from Dammam on 26 March, it says. Cirium data shows that Jazeera in April operated 43% of its flights to and from Dammam, while Kuwait and Qaisumah accounted for 6.7% and 2.5%, respectively. The proportions have since reversed, with Jazeera so far in May having operated 40% of its flights to and from Kuwait and 6.6% from Dammam. The airline has not scheduled flights from Qaisumah this month or from Dammam in June. Jazeera's fleet comprises 12 Airbus A320ceos and 11 A320neos. It has another 18 A320neos and eight A321neos on order.

The Asiana Airlines brand and operations will disappear from 17 December after its board reached agreement to consolidate with Korean Air on 13 May, bringing an end to a process that started in November 2020. The deal will see Korean Air mop up the remaining shares in Asiana after it took a 63.9% stake in its one-time rival on 12 December 2024 by issuing one KAL share for 0.3 Asiana shares held by the remaining shareholders. The flag carrier will then submit an application to South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in June to bring Asiana's aircraft and safety systems under its air operator certificate, with several other filings to follow. Fleets data shows that Asiana operates 65 aircraft with two more in storage and 27 on order. Korean Air, meanwhile, operates 168 aircraft with 128 on order and seven in storage. "The integration will elevate Korean Air's global market presence and establish Incheon International airport as a dominant global hub through optimised network connectivity and increased transit efficiency," the airline states. It adds that it is finalising the consolidation of the two airlines' loyalty programmes in coordination with the Korea Fair Trade Commission "to ensure a seamless transition for passengers." Once the merger of the parent airlines is complete, it is expected that Korean Air will turn its attention to integrating the low-cost carrier operations of Air Seoul and Air Busan with its Jin Air subsidiary. Jin operates 19 Boeing 737-800s, three -900s, seven Max 8s and four 777-200ERs, while Air Seoul operates six Airbus A321ceos and Air Busan eight A321ceos, eight A321neos and five A320ceos.