The US Federal Aviation Administration is seeking to strengthen and standardise cybersecurity protections for aircraft and their engines after it found some of its current regulations to be "inadequate and inappropriate" amid the growth in connected systems. "Aircraft, engines, and propellers increasingly incorporate networked bus architectures susceptible to cybersecurity threats. These threats have the potential to affect the airworthiness of the airplane," the FAA states in a 21 August notice of proposed rulemaking. With regard to engines, it says that "unmitigated cyberattacks can adversely affect the propulsion control functions needed for safe operation of the aircraft" and "such attacks could also cause data corruption in crew displays and in health monitoring parameters used in operation and maintenance decisions". Security vulnerabilities can come from several sources, including field loadable software, maintenance laptops, airport or airline gate link networks, public networks, wireless aircraft sensors and portable electronic flight bags. The proposed changes would "introduce type certification and continued airworthiness requirements to protect the equipment, systems, and networks of transport category airplanes, engines, and propellers against intentional unauthorised electronic interactions". The FAA goes on to say that the substance of the proposed rules "codifies the substantive requirements of frequently-issued cybersecurity special conditions" that have been in use since 2009, and harmonise it with the approaches of other regulators. It adds that the impact on applicants and operators "would not be significant" while it would also reduce certification costs and time. The FAA is now seeking public comment on the proposed rulemaking until 21 October.

The US Department of Justice's antitrust division has completed its review of the proposed acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines by Alaska Airlines without issuing an objection. Alaska says this marks "a significant milestone" in the merger's progress. The DOJ's review period has expired on 20 August after being extended three times by the regulator with the two carriers' consent. "During the DOJ’s review, Alaska worked closely with the Hawaii attorney general to reinforce and expand upon our commitments for the future of Hawaiian Airlines and to Hawaii consumers," Alaska says. "These include plans to maintain the Hawaiian Airlines brand and local jobs and continue providing strong service between, to, and from the islands." Alaska notes that the merger remains subject to further regulatory review, including DOJ approval of an interim exemption application. "Following that step, we will complete work to close the transaction, and proceed with integrating the two companies," it adds. In December 2023, Hawaiian parent Hawaiian Holdings and Alaska parent Alaska Air Group agreed to combine under a $1.9 billion deal set to close within 12-18 months of its signing.

Qatar Airways has secured a minority 25% holding in South African regional carrier Airlink. The Middle Eastern airline says the deal will "further cement" its ambition to "develop its operations across the African continent". It has previously noted that Africa, currently underserved with air travel relative to other regions, will constitute a "big market" in the future. "Our investment in Airlink further demonstrates how integral we see Africa being to our business' future," states Qatar Airways chief executive Badr Mohammed Al-Meer. "This partnership not only demonstrates our confidence in Airlink, as a company that is resilient, agile, financially robust and governed on sound principles, but also in Africa as a whole, showing huge potential that I am delighted we are able to help start realising." Qatar Airways currently flies to 29 points in Africa, and highlights "strong growth" in the market in recent years, having added several new destinations since December 2020. It remains in lengthy negotiations to acquire a 49% stake in Rwandan flag carrier RwandAir, the Financial Times has reported. The two airlines already have a wide-ranging codeshare agreement, and Qatar has invested in Rwanda's main airport. Airlink flies to around 45 locations across 15 countries in Africa, and has an in-service fleet of 63 aircraft, comprising 36 Embraer E-Jets and 27 ERJs. "Having Qatar Airways as an equity partner is a powerful endorsement of Airlink and echoes our faith in the markets we currently serve and plan to add to our network," states chief executive Rodger Foster. "This transaction will unlock growth by providing efficiencies of scale, increasing our capacity and expanding our marketing reach. By bolstering Airlink and its business, this investment will strengthen all of the existing airline partnerships Airlink has nurtured over the years."
Qatar Airways' portfolio of investments includes stakes in IAG, LATAM, Cathay Pacific and China Southern.