Qatar Airways grounds A380s until June
April 09, 2026
Qatar Airways has removed its Airbus A380s from service until June, according to schedules data. The data shows that none of the airline's 10 A380s are scheduled to fly for the remainder of April and May, only returning with 66 weekly services in June. Through June 2025, the airline made 84 weekly services with the aircraft, and by July this year Qatar Airways plans to operate them for 92 services. The removal of Qatar Airway's A380s from service while other widebody jets remain active, mirrors the situation during the pandemic when the four-engined aircraft was quickly taken out of schedules. A380s were also frequently the last widebody aircraft returned to service, with some carriers, such as Air France, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways and China Southern, removing them entirely. Back in 2021, Qatar Airways itself said it was only "reluctantly" returning some of its A380s back to operation following Covid-19 because it had a lack of available widebody capacity. Fleets data shows that two of Qatar Airways' 10 A380s (MSN 137 and 143) have been parked since 2020.
Air Canada adds nonstop flights to Tenerife
April 09, 2026
Air Canada has added several new winter vacation destinations for the winter 2026-27 season to its network, including nonstop flights from Toronto and Montreal to Tenerife, Spain. The Tenerife flights, which Air Canada says are the only nonstop services between North America and the Canary Islands, will be operated with the airline's new Airbus A321XLR aircraft, with capacity for 182 passengers in a configuration of 14 signature-class (formerly known as international business class) seats and 168 economy-class seats. The airline has also added Roatan, Santo Domingo, Merida and Mazatlan as new destinations, plus several new nonstop flights to other Caribbean and Mexico destinations. "We are further cementing Air Canada’s global network as one of the most far-reaching from the North American continent. The addition of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, reflects our continued ambition to offer our customers and Aeroplan members an exceptional, diversified array of unique Air Canada destinations," states Mark Galardo, executive vice-president and chief commercial officer, and president of cargo at Air Canada. "Air Canada is also expanding flights into Latin America from Vancouver, enabled by growing A220 and Air Canada Rouge bases that unlock sought-after, nonstop service to Costa Rica and Mexico, including to Mazatlan, a new Mexican destination. "In addition, we are adding Roatan, Santo Domingo and Merida to our global network, while introducing exciting new leisure options for our customers in Edmonton, Winnipeg, Quebec and Halifax. Together with our previously announced new services to Sapporo and Quito, and our new leisure options from Calgary to Mexico, Air Canada continues to deepen its industry-leading network, proudly connecting Canada globally."
Air India chief resigns amid turbulent tenure
April 08, 2026
Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson has announced his resignation from the carrier, ending a difficult tenure overshadowed by the crash of a Boeing 787 in June last year. Wilson joined Air India in 2022 following the airline’s acquisition by Tata Group, tasked with transforming its fleet, business structure and working practices so it could compete more effectively at home and on international routes. Air India says Wilson has "conveyed his intention to step down" in 2026 and has since been working to "ensure the organisation and leadership team is on a stable footing for the transition". He will remain in the role until his successor is announced and in place. Wilson was formerly head of Singapore-based low-cost carrier Scoot. During a UK Aviation Club lunch speech in December 2024, he described arriving at an airline in "terminal decline", afflicted by mismanagement and hopelessly outdated working practices. On taking the helm, he found that around a third of the fleet was grounded, with aircraft being cannibalised for parts the airline could not afford to buy. Revenue management was still being handled on paper, while the cabin crew training centre in Mumbai was infested with snakes. During his tenure, Air India merged four smaller airlines into the group and undertook a sweeping overhaul of its leadership team, workforce, culture and ways of operating. This included the modernisation of systems, the launch of new products, the introduction of upgraded service standards on the ground and in the air, and the addition of around 100 aircraft to the fleet. However, his tenure was marked by the crash in June 2025 of a 787-8 shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people. The exact circumstances of the accident have yet to be determined. Air India was subsequently hit by the closure of Pakistani airspace and conflicts in the Middle East, which severely restricted its ability to operate westbound services to Europe and North America. Unexpectedly steep US tariffs on India and a crackdown on key visas also weighed on demand. These factors led Wilson to describe 2025 as an "exceptionally difficult" year for the carrier. Nevertheless, his tenure has established the "foundational blocks" for a rejuvenated Air India, Wilson said, ahead of the first deliveries from a nearly 600-strong aircraft orderbook from 2027. "Given this, the time is right for me to hand over the reins for the next phase of Air India’s rise," he added. His departure means both of India’s largest airlines are now undergoing leadership changes. Pieter Elbers, chief executive of rival IndiGo, announced his resignation with immediate effect on 10 March and is set to be replaced by IATA director general and former IAG chief Willie Walsh by early August.