Emirates employees to receive 20-week salary bonus after record profits

EMIRATES AIRBUS A380-861 A6-EUF (MSN 218)

The Emirates Group employees are to receive a 20-week salary bonus in response to the company’s record financial performance in fiscal year 2025-26.

The Dubai-based aviation conglomerate, which includes Emirates airlines and ground services arm dnata, announced the bonus on the 7th of May 2026. 

The payout comes after a year in which the group achieved historic highs in net profits, revenues, and cash reserves, despite significant disruptions caused by regional conflict in the final month of the fiscal year.

In a letter to staff, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, acknowledged the challenges employees faced during the year, particularly in March when military activity in the region severely disrupted operations.

“March 2026 will fade into memory, but we will never forget your bravery and incredible resilience,” Sheikh Ahmed wrote. “You were called upon during one of the most complex and challenging times in our history and you showed up with commitment and passion. For that, I will remain forever grateful to you.”

The group’s workforce grew 8% over the year to a total of 130,919 employees. Emirates Group shortlisted 390,000 candidates from 3.5 million applications and onboarded more than 9,700 people in the UAE during the same 

Emirates Group reported a record profit before tax of Dh 24.4 billion (US $6.6 billion), up 7% year-on-year. Group revenue reached Dh 150.5 billion (US $41 billion), a 3% increase, while cash assets climbed 12% to Dh 59.6 billion (US $16.2 billion). Emirates’ airline alone posted a pre-tax profit of $6.2 billion, with its profit margin rising from 16.5% to 17.4%.

Air New Zealand is now the Best of the Best

AIR NEW ZEALAND BOEING 777-319 ZK-OKQ (MSN 40689)

Air New Zealand has consistently ranked among the World’s Top 10 Safest Airlines. Now, following the success of its most recent onboard cabin safety audit, the airline has been elevated into an even more exclusive category, the Seven Star PLUS category.

The achievement places Air New Zealand within a select group of Seven Star PLUS carriers including airlines such as Etihad Airways, Starlux and Cathay Pacific recognising its continued commitment to rigorous operational standards onboard.

The CEO of Airlineratings.com Sharon Petersen said of the recognition:
"What distinguishes Air New Zealand as a Seven Star PLUS safety-rated airline is not only its performance but also its growth mindset. Whilst our auditor identified very few recommendations, at our exit briefing, the airline's leadership treated each one of those as an opportunity to refine an already exceptional operation. This is the absolute epitome of a Seven Star PLUS airline: exceptional safety standards underpinned by a team that refuses to grow complacent."

Air New Zealand Chief Safety and Risk Officer Nathan McGraw said: "We're incredibly proud to receive AirlineRatings.com's Seven Star PLUS safety rating, its highest accolade. It recognises the dedication of all Air New Zealanders to maintaining safe, reliable operations and caring for our customers at every step of their journey. While this is a fantastic milestone, we know safety is an ongoing journey, and we remain focused on continuing to raise the bar every day."

ANZ has also just won the World's Best Economy Class for 2026, mainly due to the Skycouch, but the real question is whether paying $249 to $1,200 extra for a 5' 1" (1.55 m) flat surface actually beats just buying a premium economy ticket. As fuel costs and demand drive international fares to new heights, these mechanical and financial trade-offs become far more critical for anyone crossing the Pacific or heading toward the East Asian markets.

Competitors like Singapore Airlines and Korean Air were runners-up, but the unique ability to convert a standard row into a bed remains a significant differentiator for the Kiwi carrier. 

“Let’s Buy Spirit” Do you want to own a share in an Airline

Just days after Spirit Airlines shut down operations, a surprising movement is gaining serious attention. A grassroots campaign called “Let’s Buy Spirit” has already raised over $24 million in public pledges, aiming to bring back the ultra-low-cost carrier — but this time, it will be owned by the people.

The idea? 

Turn Spirit into a community-backed airline, similar to how the Green Bay Packers operate, giving everyday travelers a real stake in the future of affordable flying.

Spirit officially ceased operations on the 2nd of May after years of financial struggles, rising fuel costs, and failed merger attempts. The sudden shutdown left thousands of passengers stranded and marked the end of 34 years in the skies.

Despite its controversial reputation, many travelers are now realizing how important Spirit was in keeping ticket prices low. Its presence forced bigger airlines to stay competitive — meaning even people who never flew Spirit benefited from cheaper fares.

Now the big question is:

Can a community-funded airline actually survive in such a tough industry?

Aviation experts remain skeptical, pointing out that running an airline requires billions, not millions. But the rapid support shows one thing clearly — people don’t want low-cost travel to disappear.

What do you think, would you invest your money in Spirit? 

British Airways to bring back the A380 on the London - Singapore route

British Airways is gearing up to bring back its flagship Airbus A380 on the route between London's Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) and Singapore (SIN/WSSS), boosting long-haul connections between England, South Africa, and one of Asia’s top aviation hubs. 

Starting on the 7th of September 2026, the superjumbo will once again fly the London Heathrow–Singapore Changi route, coinciding with Singapore’s passport being ranked among the strongest globally, further cementing the city-state’s reputation as a premium gateway for travelers from India, Europe, and beyond.

The A380’s return will be short-lived however, as it will only be running from the 7th of September 2026 to the 16th of March 2027.

The airline runs two daily flights on this route, using Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 aircraft, with the 787 flights continuing on to Sydney Australia. 

Come September Singapore will be served by three A380 operators: Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and British Airways.

Flight Schedule (all times local)

From the 7th of September 2026.
London Heathrow - Singapore (A380-800)

Flight BA11 departs London at 19:25 and arrives in Singapore at 16:05 +1 day.
Flight BA12 departs Singapore at 23:20 and arrives in London at 06:35 +1 day.

London Heathrow - Singapore - Sydney (B787-9):

Continues to Sydney (SYD/YSSY). Boeing 777 to be deployed from October 2026.

Flight BA15 departs London at 22.00 and arrives in Singapore at 18:40 +1 day.

Flight BA15 departs Singapore at 20.20 and arrives in Sydney at 06.05 +1 day. 

Flight BA16 departs Sydney at 14.35 and arrives in Singapore at 21.00. 

Flight BA16 departs Singapore at 22.40 and arrives in London at 05.35 +1 day.

British Airways operates a fleet of 12 Airbus A380-841 aircraft with 469 Seats.

Seat Configuration: 

14 First Class

97 Business Class

55 Premium Economy

303 Economy Class

United Boeing 767 hits truck, light pole on approach to Newark Airport

UNITED BOEING 787-10 N40926 (MSN 40926)

A United Airlines Boeing 767 travelling from Venice-Marco Polo Airport (VCE/LIPZ) to Newark-Liberty International Airport, NJ (EWR/KEWR) hit a tractor-trailer and struck a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike while landing around 14.00 hours (local), injuring the truck driver but causing no injuries to passengers or crew aboard the aircraft.

United flight 169 had 221 passengers and 10 crew members when the aircraft struck the light pole and the truck during final approach to EWR’s Runway 29, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), United Airlines and local reporting.

The lane the truck was in is 170m from the runway 29 threshold and some 500m from the runway the touchdown markers. The aircraft landed safely and taxied to the gate, United said.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed the aircraft struck the light pole on the Turnpike, causing damage to the pole, the tractor-trailer and the aircraft. The pole reportedly also struck another vehicle on the highway.

New Jersey State Police said a tyre from the aircraft’s landing gear and part of the underside of the aircraft hit the tractor-trailer and the light pole.

Aircraft Information:
Airline: United
Code: UA/UAL
Aircraft: Boeing 767-424ER
Registration: N77066
Serial Number: 29461

Engines: 2 x GE CF6-80C2B7F

First Flew: 24/05/2002

Age: 24 Years 

Looking back on Alitalia Flight 112

ALITALIA (NOW ITA) AIRBUS A319-112 EI-IMD (MSN 2074)

Alitalia Flight 112 was a scheduled flight travelling from Roma-Fiumicino Airport (FCO/LIRF), Italy to Palermo-Punta Raisi Airport (PMO/LICJ), Italy. On the 5th of May 1972, it crashed into Mount Longa, about 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of Palermo while on approach to the airport, killing all 115 people on board. Investigators believe that the crew had 3 miles visibility and did not adhere to the established vectors issued by air traffic control. It remains the deadliest single-aircraft disaster in Italy, and the second deadliest behind the Linate Airport disaster in 2001. 

The flight contacted Palermo Approach around 9:10 PM stating to be at 74 nautical miles (137 km) from VOR. Around 10:23 PM, the aircraft hit a crest 935 meters (1,980 feet) high, about 300 feet (91 m) below the top of the mountain and slid for a long time on the ground with its wings, its fuselage, and its four engines, until it disintegrated in the successive hits against the rocks of the crest. Part of the debris and bodies of the victims rolled on the mountain side (Carini side) from where the kerosene fire was witnessed. The wreckage was strewn across a 2.5-mile (4.0 km) area, so wide it took rescue teams three hours to reach it. Later on, some witnesses at Carini said that they had seen the aircraft on fire before the crash.

This incident is the worst in Alitalia's history.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Alitalia

Code: AZ/AZA

Aircraft: Douglas DC-8-43
Registration: I-DIWB
Serial Number: 45625
Engines: 4 Rolls-Royce Conway 508-12

First Flew: May 1961

Age: 11 Yrs 

Spirit Airlines collapses due to the soaring cost of jet fuel

SPIRIT AIRLINES AIRBUS A319-132 N503NK (MSN 2470)

Spirit Airlines, America's budget carrier, shut down all operations on Saturday the 2nd of May 2026. It is the first big business to collapse amid President Donald Trump’s conflict with Iran, as skyrocketing jet fuel prices pushed it past the breaking point. “We regret to inform you that Spirit Airlines has ceased global operations,” read signs for stranded passengers at airports across the U.S. that day. “All Spirit flights have been canceled, and customer service is no longer available.”

SPIRIT AIRLINES AIRBUS A320-271 N967NK (MSN 11128)

Panicked passengers, travel agents, other airlines, and even the federal government scrambled to find alternative flights for thousands of stranded flyers after Spirit Airlines’ sudden shutdown. 

Spirit Airlines, Inc. was an American ultra-low-cost airline based in Dania Beach, Florida, in the Miami metro area. It offered scheduled flights across the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. By 2023, it ranked as the seventh-largest passenger carrier in North America and the biggest ultra-low-cost carrier in the region.

SPIRIT AIRLINES AIRBUS A321-231 N661NK (MSN 6867)

The company began as Clippert Trucking Company in 1964 and rebranded to Ground Air Transfer, Inc. in 1974. In 1983, Ned Homfeld launched an airline service in Macomb County, Michigan, called Charter One Airlines, a Detroit-based charter tour operator.  Charter One then purchased Clippert Trucking Company.

In May 1992, Charter One brought jet aircraft into the fleet and changed its name to Spirit Airlines. The airline officially unveiled the new yellow-and-black livery on the 16th of September 2014.

On the 2nd of May 2026, at 12:09 a.m. CDT (1:09 a.m. EDT), Flight NKS1833—operating from Detroit (DTW/KDTW) to Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW/KDFW) —landed, marking the airline’s final flight and the end of nearly 34 years of operations under the Spirit name. N604NK (MSN 4431) performed the final flight.

They had 102 Airbus aircraft

A20N    14
A21N    17
A320    47
A321    24