An investigation is on its way after the fatal crash on 16 May of a Diamond DA62 in Dubai. The piston-twin aircraft owned and operated by UK firm Flight Calibration Services (FCSL), was testing the navigation aids at Dubai International airport (DXB) when it crashed at 19:30 local time, 5km from the airport, after what the Dubai government calls a "technical malfunction". All four occupants of the aircraft lost their lives in the accident. Shoreham-based FCSL specializes in inspecting and calibrating ground-based navigation aids – including instrument landing systems and primary and secondary radars – for airports and airfield owners across the world. Diamond Aircraft says it is "deeply saddened" by the crash and "will fully support investigations to discover as soon as possible the cause of the accident".

Boeing had no new commercial aircraft orders in April and slashed its 737 backlog by 171 aircraft amid the collapse of Indian carrier Jet Airways. Chicago-based Boeing’s April deliveries also came to a halt as the 737 Max remains grounded. Boeing took 207 737s off its books in the first four months of 2019, though 36 737 orders equate to a net reduction of 171 737s in the four-month period, according to Boeing's figures. Boeing also took 10 787s off its backlog in April. Including 737 and 787 reductions, Boeing's total backlog of all aircraft types declined by 119 between January and April. The reduction largely reflects Jet Airways' suspension of flights in April, which prompted Boeing to remove 210 aircraft from its books. Jet had orders for 737s and 787.

Thomas Cook has received "multiple bids" for its airlines since launching a strategic review of the business in February, it confirmed today in disclosing half-year results. The travel group says the offers variously span the whole of the airlines business or just parts of it. "As we assess these bids, we will consider all the options to enhance value to shareholders and intensify our strategic focus," it adds. The Group Airline unit's underlying operating profit worsened 20% in the six-month period ended 31 March, to £71 million, as revenue declined 8.1% to £1.02 billion.